Single-Use Fluidic Diagnostic Cartridge With Reusable Optical Base
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing diagnostic systems are cumbersome and require extensive user interaction, often necessitating complex cleaning or disposal of reusable components after a single use, which increases costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A diagnostic system comprising a fluidic single-use disposable cartridge and a reusable base, where the cartridge automatically rehydrates reagents and minimizes user steps, with the base housing reusable components like optics and computing, and utilizing a battery for portable operation, enabling easy analysis of a single sample before disposal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If reusable components are used in diagnostic systems, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but cleaning and disposal requirements increase user interaction and time
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two distinct segments: a reusable base housing the complex optics and computing components, and a disposable cartridge containing the sample processing elements. This segmentation allows the reusable portion to be minimized while the disposable portion handles sample contact, reducing both device complexity and user interaction requirements for cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable cartridges that are discarded after a single use, eliminating the need for cleaning and sterilization of sample-contacting components. This approach trades the cost of replacing disposable units for the time and complexity of maintaining reusable components, overall reducing user interaction burden.
2Reliability
If disposable components are used for each sample, then contamination risk is reduced, but waste and disposal complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the diagnostic device into reusable and disposable portions. Only the cartridge that contacts the sample is disposable, while the base housing expensive optics and computing resources is reusable. This minimizes waste while maintaining contamination prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The reusable base is recovered and reused across multiple diagnostic tests, while only the consumable cartridge is discarded. This approach recovers valuable components and minimizes waste of expensive materials while still using disposable elements for sample contact.
3Ease of operation
If automatic rehydration is implemented, then user steps are minimized, but device complexity in the disposable increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reagents are pre-dried in the cartridge before use. Upon insertion into the base, they are automatically rehydrated using fluid from the sample or a rehydration reservoir. This preliminary preparation eliminates manual rehydration steps while confining the complexity mechanism to the disposable cartridge.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge performs self-service by automatically rehydrating its own reagents upon insertion into the base, without requiring manual intervention. This self-service mechanism minimizes user steps while the complexity is contained within the disposable unit that is subsequently discarded.
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
The system reduces user interaction, minimizes waste, and allows for efficient, portable, and cost-effective analysis of biological samples by separating reusable components from those that contact the sample, thus simplifying the testing process and reducing disposal complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a photodetector positioned to receive light emitted through the base viewing window and configured to generate a detection signal based on light received by the photodetector through the base viewing window
Implementation Method 2
a light source configured to emit illumination light through the base viewing window for receipt by the processing subcomponent on the fluidic single-use disposable
Data Source
AI summary
A diagnostic system for analyzing an analyte is described. In an embodiment the diagnostic system includes a fluidic single-use disposable and a base cooperatively coupleable thereto. In an embodiment, the fluidic single-use disposable comprises a sample processing subcomponent configured to receive a sample and emit signal light if the sample comprises an analyte; a fluidic single-use disposable housing encompassing the sample processing subcomponent, the fluidic single-use disposable housing comprising: a first major side; and a fluidic single-use disposable viewing window disposed in the first major side and positioned to allow light emitted from the sample processing subcomponent to pass through the fluidic single-use disposable viewing window. In an embodiment, the base comprises a base housing comprising: a first major side shaped to cooperatively couple with the first major side of the fluidic single-use disposable housing.