Methods and systems to collect a biological sample
Inventors
Johnson, Brandon T. • Christian, Kate E. • Verner, Glenn H. • Morgan, Daniel
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10180421-B2
Publication Date
2019-01-15
Expiration Date
Abstract
Sample processing methods and systems to collect a biological sample. A device may be configured collect a predetermined volume of a sample in sample chamber, and seal the chamber upon activation. The device may be further configured to mix the mix the sample with a predetermined volume of a reagent and/or mix the sample and the reagent in a pre-determined ration.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to portable housing that receives a biological sample through an opening through a surface of the housing, includes a sample chamber, and draws the biological sample from a cavity into the sample chamber through capillary action. The sample chamber has a first opening through which to draw the biological sample and a second opening through which to dispense the biological sample. The housing includes a first indicator calibrated with respect to the sample chamber, where at least a portion of a wall of the sample chamber adjacent to the first indicator is optically transparent and visible exterior of the housing.
The housing is mechanically configurable in a first configuration to receive the biological sample and mechanically re-configurable to a second configuration. During reconfiguration, the housing is configured to close the cavity when re-configured from the first configuration to the second configuration. A mechanically actuated fluid controller dispenses fluid from the sample chamber through the second opening as the housing is mechanically reconfigured, linking mechanical reconfiguration to fluid dispensing.
In further embodiments, the housing includes a reagent region to hold a reagent, and one or more fluid paths among the second opening of the sample chamber, the reagent region, and a fluid outlet, with the mechanically actuated fluid controller dispensing fluid from the second opening of the sample chamber and from the reagent region to the fluid outlet. The reagent region can include multiple reagent chambers, and the housing and the mechanically actuated fluid controller dispense reagent from the multiple reagent chambers to successive stages of actuation through successive fluid paths. Related devices provide capillary tubes within housings, where housing portions are configured to be pressed toward one another to seal an opening, and a mechanical actuator controls a plunger to dispense the capillary-collected biological sample as the housing moves from the first position to the second position.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover four main apparatus/device categories and introduce multiple inventive features. Across the independent claims, the document combines portable housing with capillary sample drawing, optically transparent and visible calibrated indicators, mechanically configurable open/closed housing positions that close access, and mechanically actuated fluid controllers/actuators that dispense biological sample and optionally reagent through defined openings, fluid paths, and fluid outlets, including staged reagent dispensing and visibility of a capillary/conduit portion in the sealed position.
Calibrated optically visible sample chamber indicator with mechanically actuated dispensing during mechanical reconfiguration
A portable housing with a cavity and sample chamber that draws a biological sample by capillary action via a first opening and dispenses it via a second opening, including a first indicator calibrated with respect to the sample chamber where an optically transparent and visible wall portion is adjacent to the indicator; the housing is mechanically configurable between a first configuration to receive the biological sample and a second configuration that closes the cavity; and a mechanically actuated fluid controller dispenses fluid from the sample chamber through the second opening as the housing is mechanically reconfigured.
Reagent region with fluid paths and staged successive-stage actuation dispensing
A portable housing that includes a reagent region to hold a reagent, a fluid outlet, and one or more fluid paths amongst the second opening of the sample chamber, the reagent region, and the fluid outlet, with a mechanically actuated fluid controller to dispense fluid from the second opening and from the reagent region to the fluid outlet; wherein the reagent region includes multiple reagent chambers and the housing and the mechanically actuated fluid controller dispense reagent from the multiple reagent chambers to successive stages of actuation through successive fluid paths.
Capillary tube sample collection with press-together housing sealing and plunger-controlled dispensing
A device for collecting a biological sample with a housing having a sample collection well and a capillary tube disposed within the housing that receives the biological sample from the well via capillary action; the housing includes first and second portions with the first portion extendable from the second portion to place the device in a first position providing an opening to the well and with the first and second portions configured to be pressed toward one another to place the device in a second position sealing the opening; at least a portion of the capillary tube is visible when the housing is in the first position; a marking on the housing adjacent the capillary tube indicates a position along the capillary tube corresponding to a pre-determined amount of biological sample; and a mechanical actuator configured to dispense the biological sample from the capillary tube as the housing moves from the first position to the second position, with the mechanical actuator controlling a plunger disposed within the first portion to dispense the biological sample from the capillary tube.
Conduit-driven capillary collection with sample storage chamber and mechanical force dispensing during open/closed housing configuration
A device for collecting a biological sample with a housing having a collection well, a conduit disposed within the housing with openings at a first end and a second end where capillary action draws the biological sample from the well into the conduit, and a sample storage chamber arranged to receive the biological sample from the conduit; the housing configurable in a first position providing an opening to the well and a second position restricting access to the well; a mechanical actuator configured to dispense a predetermined amount of the biological sample from the second end of the conduit into the sample storage chamber via mechanical force; and wherein a portion of the conduit remains visible external to the housing when the device is in the second position.
Across the independent claims, the inventive coverage centers on portable housings that draw biological samples via capillary action and provide optically transparent and visible calibrated indicators, mechanically configurable open/closed positions that close access to the cavity/well, and mechanically actuated controllers/actuators that dispense biological sample from sample chambers/conduits through defined openings. The claims further extend to reagent regions with fluid paths, multiple reagent chambers with successive-stage actuation dispensing, and separate device configurations using capillary tubes with press-together sealing and plunger-controlled dispensing, including visibility of a capillary/conduit portion in sealed or transition positions.
Stated Advantages
Provides a first indicator calibrated with respect to the sample chamber, with an optically transparent and visible wall portion exterior of the housing.
Mechanically configurable housing that closes the cavity when reconfigured from a first configuration to a second configuration.
Mechanical reconfiguration is linked to dispensing by a mechanically actuated fluid controller that dispenses fluid as the housing is mechanically reconfigured.
Enables dispensing of reagent via a reagent region, fluid paths, a fluid outlet, and successive stages of actuation through successive fluid paths.
Provides marking adjacent the capillary tube to indicate a position corresponding to a pre-determined amount of biological sample.
Controls dispensing of capillary-collected biological sample via a mechanical actuator and a plunger as housing portions move from a first position to a second position sealing the well.
In conduit-based devices, provides a sample storage chamber receiving a predetermined amount of biological sample dispensed by mechanical force while restricting access in a second housing position.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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