Analyzer cartridge with capillary wiper
Inventors
Young, Chung Chang • Scott, Jonathan • DelleMonache, Mauro
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10117615-B1
Publication Date
2018-11-06
Expiration Date
Abstract
A disposable test cartridge and method for a point-of-care analyzer includes a cartridge body having a plurality of chambers where each of the plurality of chambers has an opening at a top of the cartridge body, a cartridge cover connected to the cartridge body where the cartridge cover has a capillary-receiving aperture, a capillary wiper disposed within the capillary-receiving aperture where the capillary-receiving aperture is aligned with one of the plurality of chambers of the cartridge body, and a capillary element removably insertable into the cartridge cover where the capillary element has a capillary tube that extends into the capillary-receiving aperture and through the capillary wiper where a tip portion of the capillary tube extends into the cartridge body.
Core Innovation
A disposable test cartridge for a point-of-care analyzer is provided with a cartridge body having a plurality of chambers, each chamber having an opening at a top of the cartridge body. The cartridge includes a cartridge cover connected to the cartridge body, where the cover has a capillary-receiving aperture and a cover tube extension extending from the capillary-receiving aperture a predefined distance towards but spaced from the cartridge body.
An elastomeric tubular capillary wiper defines an internal through space and is aligned with the capillary-receiving aperture so that the tubular capillary wiper and the capillary-receiving aperture align with one of the plurality of chambers. The tubular capillary wiper has a tubular upper portion with an upper portion opening and a tapered lower portion with a lower portion opening.
A capillary element is removably insertable into the cartridge cover, and the capillary element has a capillary tube that extends into the capillary-receiving aperture and through the tubular capillary wiper. The tip portion of the capillary tube extends through the lower portion opening and into the chamber, and the lower portion opening has a diameter smaller than an outside diameter of the capillary tube such that it expands around the capillary tube.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim includes 4 main inventive elements: a disposable cartridge body with a plurality of chambers, a cartridge cover with a capillary-receiving aperture and a spaced cover tube extension, an elastomeric tubular capillary wiper aligned with the aperture and chamber, and a removably insertable capillary element with a capillary tube that extends through the wiper and into the selected chamber while the wiper lower opening expands around the tube to manage filling.
Disposable cartridge with plurality of chambers
A cartridge body having a plurality of chambers wherein each of the plurality of chambers has an opening at a top of the cartridge body.
Cartridge cover with aligned capillary-receiving aperture and spaced extension
A cartridge cover connected to the cartridge body, the cartridge cover having a capillary-receiving aperture and a cover tube extension extending from the capillary-receiving aperture a predefined distance towards but spaced from the cartridge body.
Elastomeric tubular capillary wiper aligned with the capillary-receiving aperture and chamber opening
An elastomeric tubular capillary wiper defines an internal through space and is aligned with the capillary-receiving aperture wherein the tubular capillary wiper and the capillary-receiving aperture are aligned with one of the plurality of chambers of the cartridge body, the tubular capillary wiper having a tubular upper portion with an upper portion opening and a tapered lower portion with a lower portion opening.
Removably insertable capillary element with tube-through-wiper expandable lower opening
A capillary element removably insertable into the cartridge cover, the capillary element having a capillary tube that extends into the capillary-receiving aperture and through the tubular capillary wiper wherein a tip portion of the capillary tube extends through the lower portion opening and into the one of the plurality of chambers of the cartridge body, wherein the lower portion opening has a diameter smaller than an outside diameter of the capillary tube and expands around the capillary tube.
Overall, the claim coverage centers on an aligned elastomeric tubular capillary wiper and an inserted capillary tube that cooperate such that a tapered lower opening expands around the tube to remove excess and prevent over- or under-filling in a chamber of a disposable point-of-care test cartridge.
Stated Advantages
Reduced variability and improved accuracy for total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) when the capillary wiper is included versus a cartridge without the wiper.
Prevention of over-filling or under-filling of a sample chamber by removing excess blood from a capillary tube exterior.
Documented Applications
Point-of-care analysis using a disposable test cartridge and a removable capillary element with finger prick blood to measure total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and high-density lipoproteins (HDL), with comparison of %CV, STDEV, and AVG showing improved accuracy when the capillary wiper is included.
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