# US 8,640,555 B2 · Performance > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,640,555 B2 - Document ID: US8640555B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/703,025 - Filed: 2010-02-09 - Published: 2011-05-05 - Granted: 2014-02-04 - Earliest claimed: 2009-02-09 - Assignees: BioAccel - Applicants: Frederic Zenhausern; Alan Nordquist; Ralf Lenigk; Cedric Hurth; Jianing Yang; Xiaojia Chen; John Lee-Edghill; Nina Moran; Andrew Hopwood; Pieris Koumi - Inventors: Frederic Zenhausern; Alan Nordquist; Ralf Lenigk; Cedric Hurth; Jianing Yang; Xiaojia Chen; John Lee-Edghill; Nina Moran; Andrew Hopwood; Pieris Koumi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8640555B2 ## CPC - B01L 3/502761: {specially adapted for handling suspended solids or molecules independently from the bulk fluid flow, e.g. for trapping or sorting beads or physically stretching molecules} - B01L 3/502738: {characterised by integrated valves (throttle valves in microfluidic sample containers B01L3/502746)} - B01L 7/52: {with provision for submitting samples to a predetermined sequence of different temperatures, e.g. for treating nucleic acid samples} - C12Q 1/6806: Preparing nucleic acids for analysis, e.g. for polymerase chain reaction [PCR] assay (C12Q1/6804 takes precedence) - C25B 9/00: Cells or assemblies of cells; Constructional parts of cells; Assemblies of constructional parts, e.g. electrode-diaphragm assemblies; Process-related cell features - C25B 9/60: Constructional parts of cells - G01N 1/10: in the liquid or fluent state {(burettes, pipettes B01L3/02; sampling of ground water E02D1/06; metering by volume of fluids or fluent solid material G01F11/00, G01F13/00)} - G01N 21/01: Arrangements or apparatus for facilitating the optical investigation - G01N 21/6428: {Measuring fluorescence of fluorescent products of reactions or of fluorochrome labelled reactive substances, e.g. measuring quenching effects, using measuring "optrodes" (in vivo A61B5/00; immunoassay G01N33/53)} - G01N 21/645: {Specially adapted constructive features of fluorimeters} - G01N 27/44721: {by optical means} - G01N 27/44791: {Microapparatus (sample containers with integrated microfluidic structures B01L3/5027)} - B01L 3/502715: {characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces} - B01L 7/525: {with physical movement of samples between temperature zones} - G01N 2021/6484: {Optical fibres} - G01N 2201/062: LED's - G01N 2201/0846: Fibre interface with sample, e.g. for spatial resolution - Y10T 436/143333: Saccharide [e.g., DNA, etc.] - B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE - C12Q: MEASURING OR TESTING PROCESSES INVOLVING ENZYMES, NUCLEIC ACIDS OR MICROORGANISMS (immunoassay G01N33/53); COMPOSITIONS OR TEST PAPERS THEREFOR; PROCESSES OF PREPARING SUCH COMPOSITIONS; CONDITION-RESPONSIVE CONTROL IN MICROBIOLOGICAL OR ENZYMOLOGICAL PROCESSES - C25B: ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR (anodic or cathodic protection C23F13/00; single-crystal growth C30B) - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract Instruments, devices and methods of analysis are provided which fully integrate a significant number of process steps in a continuous operation. Accurate positioning and full contact between components is also provided by the relative movement the designs allow. An effect interface between a low cost disposable cartridge or device and the instrument to process it is also detailed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An instrument for analysing a sample, the instrument including: one or more sample processors; electronics for operating the sample processors; a device to instrument interface; and a device location which recites the device in use; wherein one or more of the sample processors are provided on a device provided in the instrument, the device being provided in a device location in opposition to the device to instrument interface; and wherein the device to instrument interface includes components, the components including one or more heaters, one or more coolers, one or more sensors, and one or more magnets; and wherein the device provides all pumps for the sample processors. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An instrument according to claim 1 in which the device location is a planar location and the device to instrument interface includes a planar surface, the planar surface facing the device location. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) An instrument according to claim 1 in which one or more of the heaters are provided by the instrument and the one or more heaters are printed onto the device to instrument interface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) An instrument according to claim 1 in which an actuator is provided by the instrument and the actuator provides reciprocating motion and is connected to a mounting for one or more magnets, the actuator having a first state and the actuator having a second state, the magnet being closer to the device location in the second state than in the first state. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) An instrument according to claim 4 in which the device provides all of the materials which form all the moveable components for the processors, aside from the actuator for the magnet. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) An instrument according to claim 1 in which the device to instrument interface is a printed circuit board. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) An instrument according to claim 1 in which the device to instrument interface is connected to the operating electronics on the rear surface thereof. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) An instrument according to claim 1 in which operating electronics are provided by the instrument and the operating electronics for the device to instrument interface include one or more power supplies, including a power supply connected to the electrical connections for a pump provided in the device. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) An instrument according to claim 1 in which operating electronics are provided by the instrument and the operating electronics for the device to instrument interface include one or more power supply controllers and one or more heater controllers. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) An instrument according to claim 1 in which the device provides all of the elements which move fluids within the processors. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) An instrument according to claim 1 in which the device provides all of the materials which form the valves and seals in the device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) An instrument according to claim 1 in which the device has no electrical power sources. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) An instrument according to claim 1 in which no material or elements enter the device from the device to instrument interface. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) An instrument according to claim 1 in which the device to instrument interface provides all of the electrical power sources for the device and/or all of the variable magnetic field sources for the device and/or all of the fluid expansion drivers for the device and/or all the heaters for the device and/or all of the coolers for the device and/or all of the energy sources for the device. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) An instrument according to claim 1 in which the device to instrument interface has no direct contact with the contents of the device. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) An instrument according to claim 1 in which the interaction between the device and the device to instrument interface is limited to radiation of heat into the device and/or conduction of heat into the device and/or one or more electrical contacts and/or a magnetic field passing into or through the device. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) An instrument according to claim 1 in which operating electronics are provided by the instrument and the operating electronics for the device to instrument interface include one or more temperature controllers and one or more actuator controllers. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) An instrument according to claim 1 in which operating electronics are provided by the instrument and the operating electronics for the device to instrument interface include one or more sensor monitors and voltage controllers. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) An instrument according to claim 1 in which the device provides all materials which form reagents for the processors. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) An instrument according to claim 1 in which the device has no variable magnetic field source therein and fluid expansion drivers therein. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) An instrument according to claim 1 in which the device has no heaters therein and no coolers therein. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) An instrument according to claim 1 in which the device has no sensors therein and no energy sources therein.