Disposable Cartridge with Parallel Pressable Chambers for Cell Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current point-of-care testing systems require complex sample preparation and maintenance, and existing cartridges lack efficiency in processing fluids for cell analysis, particularly for applications like complete blood counts and other cell-based diagnostics.
Innovation Solution
A disposable cartridge with parallel preparation units, each comprising chambers enclosed by frangible seals, allows for sequential processing of fluids through pressable chambers and channels, enabling efficient mixing and analysis by breaking seals to release processed fluids for analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complex sample preparation procedures are used in current point-of-care testing systems, then analysis accuracy is improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge is divided into multiple sealed chambers (reaction chamber, mixing chamber, waste chamber) with frangible seals between them. Each chamber performs a specific function in the sample preparation process, allowing complex procedures to be segmented into simple, automated steps that occur when seals are broken sequentially.
Solution Approach 2:
Reagents and chemicals are pre-loaded into the sealed chambers during manufacturing. The sample preparation procedure is pre-configured with reagents in specific chambers, so that when the user simply adds the sample and breaks the seals, the complex chemical reactions and mixing procedures occur automatically without requiring user expertise.
2Productivity
If traditional single-unit cartridge design is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but fluid processing efficiency for cell analysis is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge contains multiple parallel preparation units, each with its own set of chambers (reaction chamber, mixing chamber, waste chamber). This segmentation allows multiple samples or multiple analysis types to be processed simultaneously within a single cartridge, significantly improving fluid processing efficiency while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
3Reliability
If frangible seals are used to enclose chambers, then fluid containment and prevention of contamination are improved, but the mechanism for releasing processed fluids becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The frangible seals are designed to break automatically through simple user actions such as pressing a button or inserting a needle. The seal breaking mechanism requires minimal user input and no complex controls, allowing the system to transition from sealed to open state through self-service operation. This maintains reliable fluid containment during storage and transport while enabling easy release during use.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution simplifies sample preparation, reduces maintenance, and enhances the efficiency of fluid processing for cell analysis, enabling quick and accurate results in point-of-care settings, such as complete blood counts and other cell-based diagnostics.
Implementation Method 1
a first chamber of said one or more chambers is a pressable chamber coupled to a first opening
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
The invention discloses a disposable cartridge for preparing a sample fluid containing cells for analysis. The cartridge comprises one or more parallel preparation units, each preparation unit comprises one or more chambers enclosed between seals and connected in series. Each chamber is configured for receiving an input fluid, performing a procedure affecting the fluid thereby generating an output fluid, and releasing the output fluid. A first chamber of the one or more chambers is a pressable chamber coupled to a first opening, while a last chamber of the one or more chambers is coupled to a second opening. The input fluid of the first chamber is the sample fluid. The one or more preparation units are coupleable to a compartment for performing analysis of the respective output fluids conveyable via the second openings.