Sample collection and transfer assembly and related methods
Inventors
Calderwood, David A. • Drach, Joy Parr • Paul, Chris • Rodriguez, Rodolfo R. • Hockett, Mitch • Marcuson, Randall • Miggels, Stephen G. • Young, Demetris
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10426445-B2
Publication Date
2019-10-01
Expiration Date
Abstract
A collection device includes a base housing member having at least one chamber. A cover housing member has at least one aperture therein, and the cover housing member is configured to cover the base housing member such that the at least one aperture is positioned in fluid communication with the at least one chamber. The cover housing member includes a cartridge holding interface configured to releasably engage with a cartridge that is configured to cover and receive a fluid from the at least one chamber via the at least one aperture.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a collection and transfer assembly for biological fluids, where a collection device includes a base housing member having at least two chambers and a cover housing member having at least two housing apertures. The cover housing member is configured to cover the base housing member so that each housing aperture is positioned in fluid communication with a corresponding chamber, and the cover housing member further comprises a cartridge holding interface configured to releasably engage a sample cartridge.
A sample cartridge is positioned on the cover housing member and includes a cartridge wall, at least two sample areas, and at least two cartridge apertures. Each sample area includes a portion of the cartridge wall and an optically transparent or translucent slide on the cartridge wall, and each cartridge aperture is configured to receive fluid from a respective chamber via a corresponding housing aperture such that the fluid flows between and is retained in a respective sample area by the portion of the cartridge wall and the optically transparent or translucent slide.
The description further addresses how multiple chambers are sealed or isolated and how the cartridge can be coupled in a single orientation using cooperating groove/ridge and sealing protrusion features, as well as retaining walls, pins, hooks, notches, and grooves. It also describes storage and transport features including nesting and stackability and an optional plug cover to prevent premature contact with assays or stains, and it discusses downstream imaging and reader analysis using the optically transparent or translucent slide.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim is directed to a collection and transfer assembly with at least two fluid-connected chambers, a cover housing with apertures that place the chambers in fluid communication with cartridge apertures, and a sample cartridge with multiple optically transparent or translucent slide-based sample areas that receive and retain fluid. The dependent claims refine mechanical sealing, cartridge coupling, and include optional storage sealing and exogenous-target-related specificity for imaging support.
Multiple chambers and cover apertures in fluid communication
A base housing member having at least two chambers and a cover housing member having at least two housing apertures, configured such that each housing aperture is positioned in fluid communication with a corresponding chamber when the cover housing member covers the base housing member.
Releasably engaged cartridge holding interface
A cartridge holding interface on the cover housing member configured to releasably engage with a sample cartridge such that the cartridge together with the cartridge slide is releasably retained by the cartridge holding interface.
Optically transparent or translucent slide sample areas with retention
A sample cartridge comprising at least two sample areas, each including a portion of the cartridge wall and an optically transparent or translucent slide, where fluid flows between and is retained in a respective sample area by the respective portion of the cartridge wall and the optically transparent or translucent slide.
Cartridge apertures receiving fluid from corresponding housing apertures
At least two cartridge apertures, each configured to receive a fluid from a respective one of the at least two chambers via a corresponding one of the at least two housing apertures, so that fluid is delivered to a corresponding sample area.
Overall, the claim coverage centers on the structural arrangement that places multiple chambers in fluid communication with multiple cartridge apertures, delivers fluid into multiple slide-based sample areas, and retains the cartridge on the cover housing via a releasable cartridge holding interface. The dependent claims mainly refine sealing and coupling mechanics and add optional sealing and storage features and exogenous-target parameters for imaging-related support.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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