Systems and methods for imaging fluid samples
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10422738-B2
Publication Date
2019-09-24
Expiration Date
Abstract
Systems and methods for imaging a plurality of blood fluid samples or other types of samples include processing at least a portion of a sample to enhance imageability of certain particles in that portion and subsequently imaging the sample portion. In some instances, processing and imaging of various samples may be staged in a manner to optimize throughput of the system or method.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a system for imaging a plurality of blood fluid portions using a sample fluidic system that includes a sample separator valve system, a first blood fluid pathway, a second blood fluid pathway separate from the first blood fluid sample pathway, and a common blood fluid pathway in fluid communication with the first and second blood fluid pathways. The sample separator valve system is configured to deliver a first blood fluid portion containing a first type of cell to the first blood fluid pathway and a second blood fluid portion to the second blood fluid pathway, and the first and second sample portions are injected into the common pathway to the sample port along the first and second blood fluid pathways, respectively.
The invention further includes a processing station configured to process portions of the samples so as to enhance the system's ability to image cells in the sample. The processing station processes the portions of the samples via mixing, staining, incubation, heating or any combination thereof, and the first blood fluid pathway comprises a first processing station configured to process the first blood fluid portion so as to enhance the system's ability to image the first type of cell via mixing, staining, incubation, heating or any combination thereof.
In the method embodiment, the invention provides imaging a plurality of blood fluid portions by receiving at least a portion of a first sample into an internal fluidic system and receiving at least a portion of a second sample into the internal fluidic system. After receiving the first and second samples into the internal fluidic system, the portion of the second sample is flowed through a flow cell and imaged as it flows through the flow cell, followed by flowing the portion of the first sample through the flow cell, and portions of the first or second samples or both are flowed through a processing station configured to process the portions of the samples via mixing, staining, incubation, heating or any combination thereof.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims identified are clm-00001, clm-00013, and clm-00014. Across these independent claims, the coverage centers on three inventive features that split blood fluid portions into separate pathways, enhance imaging through processing stations using mixing, staining, incubation, and heating, and inject multiple portions through a common flow cell sample port or sequence them through the flow cell, with one claim further reciting a dilution chamber arrangement.
Valve-based separation with common flow-cell injection
A system for imaging a plurality of blood fluid portions with a sample fluidic system including a sample separator valve system, a first blood fluid pathway, a second blood fluid pathway separate from the first blood fluid sample pathway, and a common blood fluid pathway in fluid communication with the first and second blood fluid pathways, configured to deliver a first blood fluid portion to the first blood fluid pathway and a second blood fluid portion to the second blood fluid pathway, and injecting the first and second sample portions into the common pathway to the flow cell sample port along the first and second blood fluid pathways, respectively.
Processing station to enhance imaging of a cell type
The first blood fluid pathway comprises a first processing station configured to process the first blood fluid portion so as to enhance the system's ability to image the first type of cell, where the first processing station processes the first blood fluid portion via mixing, staining, incubation, heating or any combination thereof.
Sequential internal-flow-cell imaging with processing-enhanced portions
A method for imaging a plurality of blood fluid portions receiving at least a portion of a first sample into an internal fluidic system, receiving at least a portion of a second sample into the internal fluidic system, flowing the portion of the second sample through a flow cell and imaging it as it flows through the flow cell, then flowing the portion of the first sample through the flow cell, where the imaging further comprises flowing portions of the first or second samples or both through a processing station configured to process the portions of the samples so as to enhance the system's ability to image cells, using mixing, staining, incubation, heating or any combination thereof.
Dilution chamber delivers second portion prior to second pathway delivery
A system for imaging a plurality of blood fluid portions with the sample separator valve system, a first blood fluid pathway, a second blood fluid pathway, and a common blood fluid pathway, and further including a dilution chamber in fluid communication with the valve system and the second blood fluid pathway such that the valve system delivers the second blood fluid portion to the dilution chamber first before it is being delivered to the second blood fluid pathway.
The independent claims collectively require a valve-based sample fluidic system that separates first and second blood fluid portions into separate pathways and injects them into a common flow-cell sample port or sequences them through the flow cell, together with a processing station that enhances imaging by processing portions via mixing, staining, incubation, and/or heating. The additional independent claim further specifies a dilution chamber arrangement where the second portion is routed to the dilution chamber before being delivered to the second pathway.
Stated Advantages
Enhances the system's ability to image cells in the sample.
Enhances the system's ability to image the first type of cell.
Documented Applications
Imaging a plurality of blood fluid portions, including imaging cells in a blood sample via a flow cell.
Imaging at least a first and a second blood fluid portion introduced into an internal fluidic system and imaged as portions flow through the flow cell.
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