Microfluidic rotor device

Abstract

A microfluidic rotor for characterizing analytes in a fluid includes a plurality of cuvettes containing one or more selected reagents. The rotor further includes a plurality of cuvette marks. The rotor has a cuvette mark to cuvette ratio other than 1:1. For example, the ratio of cuvette marks to cuvette-receiving chambers can be 1:4 in some cases.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to rotor devices, systems, and kits configured to characterize one or more analytes. [Background technology]

[0002] This section provides background information related to the present disclosure that is not necessarily prior art.

[0003] The analysis of analytes, particularly analytes in fluids, is important in a variety of fields. For example, analysis of a fluid from a subject may be used as a diagnostic tool for monitoring health conditions and diagnosing disease. Devices configured to characterize analytes in fluids (e.g., analytical devices) are often configured to accept one or more rotors, each rotor having multiple cuvettes containing one or more selected reagents. The analytical device includes an optical system and a photodetector configured to monitor chemical reactions in the cuvettes. For example, the analytical device may be configured to rotate one or more rotors while the optical system directs (or illuminates) light through the cuvettes onto a photodetector to generate output signals proportional (positive or inverse) to the amounts of various products resulting from the reaction between the analyte and the reagent. The rotor includes multiple cuvette (or position) marks that also reflect light rejected by the optical system. Detection of each cuvette mark signals the passage of another cuvette to the analytical device, allowing a controller to track which of the multiple cuvettes is being analyzed. Often, rotors have a 1:1 cuvette mark-to-cuvette ratio, and analyzers use time-based calibration to synchronize the illumination of selected cuvettes. For example, it is desirable to increase the number of cuvettes each rotor can hold by reducing the number of cuvette marks. However, changing the cuvette mark-to-cuvette ratio can increase positional error. Therefore, it is desirable to develop a position-based approach to synchronize the illumination of selected cuvettes. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This section provides a general overview of the disclosure and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its entire scope or all of its features.

[0005] In at least one exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure provides a rotor for use in an apparatus for characterizing analytes in a fluid. The rotor may include a plurality of cuvette-receiving chambers and a plurality of cuvette marks. The cuvette-receiving chambers may be configured to receive cuvettes containing one or more selected reagents. The ratio of cuvette marks to cuvette-receiving chambers in the rotor may be other than 1:1.

[0006] In at least one exemplary embodiment, the plurality of cuvette accommodating chambers may include one or more groups of cuvette accommodating chambers, wherein a single group of the one or more groups of cuvette accommodating chambers is disposed between consecutive cuvette marks of the plurality of cuvette marks, and wherein the angular separation of adjacent cuvette accommodating chambers defining each of the one or more groups of cuvette accommodating chambers is approximately 6 degrees.

[0007] In at least one exemplary embodiment, the rotor may include 12 cuvette marks and 48 cuvette-receiving chambers.

[0008] In at least one exemplary embodiment, the ratio of cuvette marks on the rotor to cuvette receiving chambers can be 1:4.

[0009] In at least one exemplary embodiment, the plurality of cuvette accommodating chambers may include one or more groups of cuvette accommodating chambers, wherein a single group of the one or more groups of cuvette accommodating chambers is disposed between consecutive cuvette marks of the plurality of cuvette marks, and wherein the angular separation between adjacent cuvette accommodating chambers defining each of the one or more groups of cuvette accommodating chambers is approximately 7.5 degrees.

[0010] In at least one exemplary embodiment, the rotor may include 6 cuvette marks and 42 cuvette-receiving chambers.

[0011] In at least one exemplary embodiment, the ratio of cuvette marks on the rotor to cuvette receiving chambers can be 1:7.

[0012] In at least one exemplary embodiment, the plurality of cuvette accommodating chambers may include one or more groups of cuvette accommodating chambers, wherein a single group of the one or more groups of cuvette accommodating chambers is disposed between consecutive cuvette marks of the plurality of cuvette marks, and wherein the angular separation between adjacent cuvette accommodating chambers defining each of the one or more groups of cuvette accommodating chambers may be approximately 10 degrees.

[0013] In at least one exemplary embodiment, the rotor may include four cuvette marks and 32 cuvette-receiving chambers.

[0014] In at least one exemplary embodiment, the ratio of cuvette marks on the rotor to cuvette receiving chambers can be 1:8.

[0015] In at least one exemplary embodiment, each of the multiple cuvette marks may have the same dimensions.

[0016] In at least one exemplary embodiment, a first mark of the plurality of cuvette marks may have a first width and the remaining marks of the plurality of cuvette marks may have a second width, the first width being greater than the second width.

[0017] In at least one exemplary embodiment, each of the remaining cuvette marks may have the same dimensions.

[0018] In at least one exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure provides a rotor for use in an apparatus for characterizing analytes in a fluid. The rotor may include a plurality of cuvette-receiving chambers and a plurality of cuvette marks. Each of the cuvette-receiving chambers may be configured to receive a cuvette containing one or more selected reagents. The ratio of the cuvette marks to the cuvette-receiving chambers of the rotor may be from about 1:8 or more to about 1:1 or less.

[0019] In at least one exemplary embodiment, the plurality of cuvette accommodating chambers may include one or more groups of cuvette accommodating chambers, wherein a single group of the one or more groups of cuvette accommodating chambers is disposed between consecutive cuvette marks of the plurality of cuvette marks, and the angular separation between adjacent cuvette accommodating chambers defining each of the one or more groups of cuvette accommodating chambers may be greater than about 5 degrees and less than about 10 degrees.

[0020] In at least one exemplary embodiment, the rotor may include between about 4 and about 30 cuvette marks and between about 30 and about 60 cuvette-receiving chambers.

[0021] In at least one exemplary embodiment, a first mark of the plurality of cuvette marks may have a first width and the remaining marks of the plurality of cuvette marks may have a second width, the first width being greater than the second width.

[0022] In at least one exemplary embodiment, each of the remaining cuvette marks may have the same dimensions.

[0023] In at least one exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure provides a rotor for use in an apparatus for characterizing analytes in a fluid. The rotor may include one or more groups of cuvette-receiving chambers and a plurality of cuvette marks. Each of the cuvette-receiving chambers defining the one or more groups of cuvette-receiving chambers may be configured to receive a cuvette containing one or more selected reagents. An angular separation between adjacent cuvette-receiving chambers defining each of the one or more groups of cuvette-receiving chambers may be greater than or equal to about 6 degrees and less than or equal to about 15 degrees.

[0024] In at least one exemplary embodiment, a first mark of the plurality of cuvette marks may have a first width and the remaining marks of the plurality of cuvette marks may have a second width, the first width being greater than the second width.

[0025] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0026] The drawings described herein are for purposes of illustrating selected embodiments only, not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary apparatus configured to characterize an analyte contained in a cuvette, according to various aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 2]2 is a top view of an exemplary rotor according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, for example, for use with the apparatus shown in FIG. 1. The rotor includes a plurality of cuvette marks and a plurality of cuvette-receiving chambers, with a cuvette mark to cuvette-receiving chamber ratio of 1:4. [Figure 3] 2 is a top view of an exemplary rotor according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, for example, for use with the apparatus shown in FIG. 1. The rotor includes a plurality of cuvette marks and a plurality of cuvette-receiving chambers, with a cuvette mark to cuvette-receiving chamber ratio of 1:7. [Figure 4] 2 is a top view of an exemplary rotor according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, for example, for use with the apparatus shown in FIG. 1. The rotor includes a plurality of cuvette marks and a plurality of cuvette-receiving chambers, with a cuvette mark to cuvette-receiving chamber ratio of 1:8. [Figure 5] 2 is a top view of an exemplary rotor according to various aspects of the present disclosure, for example, for use with the apparatus shown in FIG. 1. The rotor includes a plurality of cuvette marks and a plurality of cuvette-receiving chambers, at least one of the cuvette marks being an index mark. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

[0029] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] The exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and will fully convey its scope to those skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth, such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that the exemplary embodiments can be embodied in many different forms, and that none of these should be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. In some exemplary embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.

[0031] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular exemplary embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "including," and "having" are inclusive and thus specify the presence of stated features, elements, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. Method steps, processes, and operations described herein should not be construed as necessarily requiring performance in the particular order described or illustrated, unless specifically identified as such. It should also be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

[0032] When an element or layer is referred to as "on," "engaged to," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, the element or layer may be directly on, engaged with, connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as "directly on," "directly engaged with," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers. Other words used to describe relationships between elements should be interpreted similarly (e.g., "between" vs. "directly between," "adjacent" vs. "directly adjacent," etc.). As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0033] Terms such as "first," "second," and "third" may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections; however, these elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be used only to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or section from another region, layer, or section. Terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms, when used herein, do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or section described below could be referred to as a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the exemplary embodiments.

[0034] As shown in the figures, spatially relative terms such as "inside," "outside," "below," "lower," "top," "top," and the like may be used herein for ease of description to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element(s) or feature(s). Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation shown in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures were turned over, elements described as "below" or "below" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be oriented in other ways (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptors used herein would be interpreted accordingly.

[0035] The present disclosure provides an apparatus 100 for characterizing analytes in a fluid and / or measuring or controlling system functions. As shown in FIG. 1 , the apparatus 100 can be configured to accommodate a microfluidic rotor 130 including a plurality of cuvette-receiving chambers 160 configured to receive cuvettes (not shown), as described in more detail below. The analytical apparatus 100 can include a first optical detector 140 configured to monitor the presence of a cuvette mark 150 on the microfluidic rotor 130. The analytical apparatus 100 can also include an optical system 170 that monitors chemical reactions in cuvettes disposed within the microfluidic rotor 130. For example, the motor 120 can be configured to rotate the rotor 130 while the optical system 170 directs light through one or more of the plurality of cuvettes to a second optical detector (not shown), thereby generating output signals proportional (directly or inversely) to the amounts of various products resulting from the reactions in the cuvettes. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the second optical detector can be disposed between the microfluidic rotor 130 and the motor 120. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the second photodetector may be part of the optical system 170 .

[0036] The microfluidic rotor 130 includes a plurality of cuvette (or position) marks 150 disposed (or formed) on (or within) the surface of the rotor 130. The cuvette marks 150 reflect light that may be filtered out by an optical transmitter, and the reflected light may be received by an optical detector; detection of each cuvette mark 150 signals the analytical device 100 that another group of the plurality of cuvette-receiving chambers 160 has passed, allowing a controller (not shown) disposed within (or in communication with) the analytical device 100 to track which of the plurality of cuvettes is being analyzed. The optical transmitter and optical detector together may define a first optical detector 140.

[0037] Different ratios of cuvette marks 150 to cuvettes are contemplated. Increasing the number of measurement sites (i.e., chambers 160) relative to cuvette marks 150 creates space around the circumference of the microfluidic rotor 130, allowing for more measurement sites. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the ratio of cuvette marks 150 to cuvette-receiving chambers 160 on the microfluidic rotor 130 may be greater than or equal to about 1:8 and less than or equal to about 1:1, and in certain aspects, optionally greater than or equal to about 1:8 and less than or equal to about 1:4. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the plurality of cuvette-receiving chambers 160 may include one or more groups of cuvette-receiving chambers 160, and the angular separation between adjacent cuvette-receiving chambers 160 defining each of the one or more groups of cuvette-receiving chambers 160 may be greater than or equal to about 5 degrees and less than or equal to about 15 degrees, optionally greater than or equal to about 6 degrees and less than or equal to about 15 degrees, and in certain aspects, optionally greater than or equal to about 5 degrees and less than or equal to about 10 degrees. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the angular separation between the cuvette-receiving chambers 160 and the drug cuvette marks 150 may similarly be from about 5 degrees to about 15 degrees, optionally from about 6 degrees to about 15 degrees, and in certain aspects, optionally from about 5 degrees to about 10 degrees. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the microfluidic rotor 130 may include from about 4 to about 30 cuvette marks 150, and in certain aspects, optionally from about 4 to about 12 cuvette marks 150. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the microfluidic rotor 130 may include from about 30 to about 60 cuvette marks 160, and in certain aspects, optionally from about 32 to about 48 cuvette marks 160.

[0038] 2, in at least one exemplary embodiment, the microfluidic rotor 130 may include 12 cuvette marks 150 and 48 cuvette-receiving chambers 160 (i.e., a 1:4 ratio of cuvette marks 150 to cuvette-receiving chambers 160), with an angular separation of approximately 6 degrees between a cuvette mark 150 and an adjacent cuvette-receiving chamber 160. As shown in FIG. 3, in at least one exemplary embodiment, the microfluidic rotor 130 may include 6 cuvette marks 150 and 42 cuvette-receiving chambers 160 (i.e., a 1:7 ratio of cuvette marks 150 to cuvette chambers 160), with an angular separation of approximately 7.5 degrees between the cuvette marks 150 and the cuvette-receiving chambers 160. 4 , in at least one exemplary embodiment, the microfluidic rotor 130 may include four cuvette marks 150 and thirty-two cuvette receiving chambers 160 (i.e., a 1:8 ratio of cuvette marks 150 to cuvette chambers 160), with an angular separation of approximately 10 degrees between the cuvette marks 150 and the cuvette receiving chambers 160. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the cuvette marks 150 may have the same shape and configuration and may be symmetrically arranged around the circumference of the microfluidic rotor 130.

[0039] In at least one exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5 , the microfluidic rotor 130 may include one cuvette mark 150A that is larger in size than the other cuvette marks 150B, thereby allowing the one cuvette mark 150A to function as an index mark. The other cuvette marks 150B may have the same or different shapes and configurations and may be symmetrically arranged around the rotor 130. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the index mark 150A may be wider than the other cuvette marks 150B. For example, the index mark 150A may be twice as wide as the cuvette marks 150B. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the microfluidic rotor 130 may include one index mark 150A, 11 cuvette marks 150B, and 48 cuvette chambers 160 (i.e., a 1:4 ratio of cuvette marks 150 to cuvette chambers 160), with an angular separation of approximately 30 degrees between the cuvette marks 150A, 150B. In either case, the index mark 150A assigns a zero position to the microfluidic rotor 130, which, for example, allows the relative positions of each of the remaining cuvette marks 150B to be assigned, and consequently the relative positions of each cuvette-receiving chamber 160 to be assigned.

[0040] In either case, increasing the distance between successive cuvette marks 150, 150A, 150B can introduce positioning errors. In various aspects, the present disclosure provides a motor position encoder 110 with high resolution (e.g., 5,000 lines per revolution (20,000 quadrature counts)). The motor position encoder 110 may be defined on or attached to a (hollow) shaft connecting the microfluidic rotor 130 and the motor 120. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the motor position encoder 110 may be an off-the-shelf component including a disk and an encoder module attached to a precision-machined hub. The center of each cuvette mark 150, 150A, 150B may be mapped onto the motor position encoder 110. More specifically, the center of each cuvette mark 150, 150A, 150B may be mapped onto a disk attached to a precision-machined hub. Thus, the encoder 110 allows the entire motor rotation to be accurately divided into smaller segments. A motor position encoder 110 having 20,000 quadrature counts allows rotor position to be determined to within approximately 0.018 degrees, or 1 / 20,000 of 360 degrees. For example, if four cuvette-receiving chambers 160 are positioned between cuvette marks 150, 150A, and 150B, and the motor position encoder 110 has 20,000 counts and determines the positions of successive cuvette marks 150, 150A, and 150B to be 1235 and 2900, then the positions of the four intervening cuvette-receiving chambers 160 will be 1568, 1901, 2234, and 2567, respectively (assuming equal spacing between each adjacent cuvette mark 150, 150A, and 150B and the cuvette-receiving chambers 160).

[0041] In at least one exemplary embodiment, the motor 120 can operate in a positional mode, in which the motor 120 is configured to follow the shortest path to each of a plurality of cuvette chambers 160, and the plurality of cuvette marks can be used as a data set to build a model defining the relationship between the measured marks and the known positions of the cuvette marks 150, 150A, 150B of a selected microfluidic rotor 130 (as shown in FIGS. 2-5 ). Building the model may first include determining the error (or difference) between the measured cuvette marks and the predicted cuvette marks. For example, based on the motor position encoder 110 values ​​for two consecutive cuvette marks 150, 150A, 150B and the relative motor speeds at those cuvette marks, it may be possible to create a model that determines the position of the cuvette-receiving chamber 160 between the two cuvette marks 150, 150A, 150B. If the motor speed at both cuvette marks 150, 150A, 150B is the same, the position of the intervening cuvette-receiving chamber 160 may be a linear interpolation.

[0042] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, may be interchangeable and used in selected embodiments even if not specifically shown or described. The individual elements or features described above may also be modified in many ways. Such variations are not considered a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. 1. A rotor for use in an apparatus for characterizing an analyte in a fluid, comprising: a plurality of cuvette-receiving chambers each configured to receive a cuvette containing one or more selected reagents; a plurality of cuvette marks, wherein the ratio of cuvette marks to cuvette-receiving chambers of said rotor is other than 1:

1.

2. 2. The rotor of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cuvette accommodating chambers includes one or more groups of cuvette accommodating chambers, a single group of the one or more groups of cuvette accommodating chambers being disposed between consecutive cuvette marks of the plurality of cuvette marks, and an angular separation between adjacent cuvette accommodating chambers defining each of the one or more groups of cuvette accommodating chambers being approximately 6 degrees.

3. 3. The rotor of claim 2, wherein the rotor includes 12 cuvette marks and 48 cuvette-receiving chambers.

4. 3. The rotor of claim 2, wherein the ratio of cuvette marks to cuvette-receiving chambers of the rotor is 1:

4.

5. 2. The rotor of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cuvette accommodating chambers includes one or more groups of cuvette accommodating chambers, a single group of the one or more groups of cuvette accommodating chambers being disposed between consecutive cuvette marks of the plurality of cuvette marks, and an angular separation between adjacent cuvette accommodating chambers defining each of the one or more groups of cuvette accommodating chambers is approximately 7.5 degrees.

6. 6. The rotor of claim 5, wherein the rotor includes 6 cuvette marks and 42 cuvette-receiving chambers.

7. 6. The rotor of claim 5, wherein the ratio of cuvette marks to cuvette-receiving chambers of the rotor is 1:

7.

8. 2. The rotor of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cuvette accommodating chambers includes one or more groups of cuvette accommodating chambers, a single group of the one or more groups of cuvette accommodating chambers being disposed between consecutive cuvette marks of the plurality of cuvette marks, and an angular separation between adjacent cuvette accommodating chambers defining each of the one or more groups of cuvette accommodating chambers is approximately 10 degrees.

9. 9. The rotor of claim 8, wherein the rotor includes four cuvette marks and 32 cuvette-receiving chambers.

10. 9. The rotor of claim 8, wherein the ratio of cuvette marks to cuvette-receiving chambers of the rotor is 1:

8.

11. The rotor of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of cuvette marks has the same dimensions.

12. 2. The rotor of claim 1, wherein a first mark of the plurality of cuvette marks has a first width and remaining marks of the plurality of cuvette marks have a second width, the first width being greater than the second width.

13. The rotor of claim 12 , wherein each of the remaining marks has the same dimensions.

14. 1. A rotor for use in an apparatus for characterizing an analyte in a fluid, comprising: a plurality of cuvette-receiving chambers each configured to receive a cuvette containing one or more selected reagents; a plurality of cuvette marks, wherein the ratio of cuvette marks to cuvette-receiving chambers of said rotor is from about 1:8 or more to about 1:1 or less.

15. 15. The rotor of claim 14, wherein the plurality of cuvette accommodating chambers includes one or more groups of cuvette accommodating chambers, a single group of the one or more groups of cuvette accommodating chambers being disposed between consecutive cuvette marks of the plurality of cuvette marks, and wherein an angular separation between adjacent cuvette accommodating chambers defining each of the one or more groups of cuvette accommodating chambers is between about 5 degrees or more and about 10 degrees or less.

16. 15. The rotor of claim 14, wherein the rotor comprises between about 4 and about 30 cuvette marks and between about 30 and about 60 cuvette-receiving chambers.

17. 15. The rotor of claim 14, wherein a first mark of the plurality of cuvette marks has a first width and remaining marks of the plurality of cuvette marks have a second width, the first width being greater than the second width.

18. 18. The rotor of claim 17, wherein each of the remaining marks has the same dimensions.

19. 1. A rotor for use in an apparatus for characterizing an analyte in a fluid, comprising: one or more groups of cuvette-receiving chambers, each of the cuvette-receiving chambers defining the one or more groups of cuvette-receiving chambers configured to receive a cuvette containing one or more selected reagents; a plurality of cuvette marks, wherein an angular separation between adjacent cuvette-receiving chambers defining each of the one or more groups of cuvette-receiving chambers is between about 6 degrees or more and about 15 degrees or less.

20. 20. The rotor of claim 19, wherein a first mark of the plurality of cuvette marks has a first width and remaining marks of the plurality of cuvette marks have a second width, the first width being greater than the second width.

Images