Fluidics devices

Abstract

The invention relates to fluidics as used in medical and diagnostic equipment and relates further to means for purifying, abstracting, filtering, detecting and / or measuring analytes in liquid samples.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 032,356, filed Feb. 15, 2008, entitled the same, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Applications Nos. 60 / 890,180, filed Feb. 15, 2007, and 60 / 953,197, filed Jul. 31, 2007, entitled the same, all of which are incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention relates to fluidics as used in medical and diagnostic equipment and relates further to means for purifying, abstracting, filtering, detecting and / or measuring analytes in liquid samples.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]The following documents are all incorporated herein by reference in their entireties, although none is admitted to be prior or relevant art. Collectively they reflect that there is a current and long-felt need for, and past failure of success as relates to, adequate microcassette fabrication and microfluidics, not only from a cost and ease of fabrication and reproducibility standpoint, ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0078]Accordingly, in one aspect the invention provides fluidics devices comprising at least one membranous diaphragm having a first and second side. The first side is for coupling to a pump, and the second side is for fluidic coupling to a flow channel (which can include a detection chamber as a flow channel) and a plurality of check valves. The check valves each comprise a sealing surface comprising a valve seat that allows for regulated flow of fluid through the flow channel and a flexible sealing structure for contacting the valve seat and occluding fluid flow therethrough when in a first position, and for promoting fluid flow therethrough when in a second position. Generally, in this aspect, the diaphragm and the flexible sealing structure are integral to one or more layers of a multilayer assembly (e.g. a multilaminate structure). The plurality of check valves alternate opening and closing in coordinated reciprocal fashion according to alternating positive and negative forces exerted on the diaphragm. In an additional aspect, the device comprises a body comprising a channel (which can be the detection chamber) within for transporting a fluid sample, the channel comprising a situs where an operation is performed on one or more components in the fluid sample. The body also comprises an inlet port for receiving the fluid sample, the inlet port in fluid communication with the channel and also in communication with an enclosed gaseous environment. The inlet port can be configured to receive the fluid sample from a pipette tip, including micropipette tips. The body also comprises an outlet port in fluid communication with the inlet port such that upon operation of the device the fluid sample is recirculated through the channel to release gaseous bubbles into the enclosed gaseous environment while simultaneously allowing for facilitated diffusion and performance of the operation on the one or more components in said fluid sample.

[0087]In an additional aspect, the devices can further comprise caps for sealing the device following the addition of a sample, and optionally a filter, adsorbent and / or absorbent for reducing or eliminating solutes or analytes in the fluid sample.

Problems solved by technology

Collectively they reflect that there is a current and long-felt need for, and past failure of success as relates to, adequate microcassette fabrication and microfluidics, not only from a cost and ease of fabrication and reproducibility standpoint, but also from the standpoint that such systems are typically restricted to laminar flow and feature inefficient mixing compounded by gaseous bubble formation that obstructs or restricts flow and diffusion.

The detrimental problem of bubbles in microfluidic systems is noted repeatedly throughout, as is the general dearth of effective pumping systems in microfluidics systems.

The problem of bubble development is also noted but the vent used is located remote to the inlet and proximal to a waste chamber.

Images