Cutter for an assay cartridge
Inventors
Ørning, Lars • Frantzen, Frank • Campbell, Andrew Thomas • Strømsheim, Arve
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10488425-B2
Publication Date
2019-11-26
Expiration Date
Abstract
An assay cartridge has a base member (26) that defines at least two wells (30, 32, 34, 36, 38), a pipette (108, 110) positionable in at least one of the wells and a cap member (86) arranged to carry the pipette. The cap member can be releasably fastened to the base member. An extension member (28) defines at least one further well (40, 42, 44) and can be fastened to the base member such that the pipette is then positionable in at least one of the wells of the base and in the further well of the extension member.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an assay cartridge system for use with point-of-care analyzers. The cartridge includes a base member defining two or more wells, a cap member configured to carry a pipette positionable in at least two of said wells, and a detachable extension member defining additional wells.
A cutter is positioned on an inside surface of the cap member and is used to shear a foil seal covering one of the wells. The cutter comprises first and second blades for shearing the foil seal and a third blade extending between the first and second blades, spaced away from an end of the first and second blades, where the first and second blades are linear and parallel to each other.
The cutter geometry slopes downward from each end toward respective midpoints so that, when the cutter is urged toward the foil seal, the midpoints point toward the foil seal and the third blade slopes downward from its midpoint toward the midpoints of the first and second blades. The first and second blades shear the foil seal adjacent respective walls of the well from a midpoint of the foil seal outward, while the third blade shears the foil seal along a line between the walls, with an arrangement described to reduce required actuation force and fold the foil into flaps via ridges.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim in the provided material defines one cutter architecture for an assay cartridge, with dependent claims refining cutter geometry and cap/well features. The inventive features concentrate on the blade arrangement and shearing action at a foil seal over a well, together with geometric constraints and additional structural details for handling cut-foil flaps.
Cutter with first and second linear parallel shearing blades and third blade for foil seal shearing
A cutter for an assay cartridge comprising a base member defining two or more wells and a cap member configured to carry a pipette positionable in at least two of said wells, wherein the cutter is positioned on an inside surface of said cap member, and wherein said cutter comprises first and second blades for shearing a foil seal covering one of the wells and a third blade extending between the first and second blades, spaced away from an end of the first and second blades, the first and second blades being linear and parallel to each other, wherein the first and second blades slope downward from each end away from the inside surface of the cap member to their respective midpoints, wherein the midpoints of the first and second blades point toward the foil seal when the cutter is urged toward the foil seal, and wherein said third blade slopes downward from its midpoint away from the inside surface of the cap member toward the midpoints of said first and second blades such that the first and second blades shear said foil seal adjacent respective walls of said well from a midpoint of said foil seal outwards and wherein said third blade shears said foil seal along a line between said walls.
Third blade extending between first and second blades spaced away from an end
A cutter according to claim 1 wherein a third blade extends between the first and second blades and is spaced away from an end of the first and second blades.
Third blade shears along a line with perpendicular relationship
A cutter comprising a third blade extending between the first and second blades and wherein the third blade is configured to cut the foil seal perpendicular to the first and second blades.
Rectangular outline cutter with short edges and long edges
The cutter is rectangular in outline, consisting of short edges of said rectangle and long edges of said rectangle.
Third blade positioned between and perpendicular to first and second blades
The cutter is configured so that a third blade is positioned between and perpendicular to the first and second blades.
Third blade cutting edges joined at the midpoint
The cutter includes third blade cutting edges that join the first and second blades at the midpoint of the first and second blades.
Cap member ridges to push cut foil flaps against well inner edges
The cutter includes a cap member with edge ridges configured to push flaps of cut foil against the inner edges of the wells.
Across the independent claim and its refinements, the main inventive focus is the cutter blade geometry that shears a foil seal from a midpoint outward using two linear parallel blades, while a third blade shears along a line between the well walls, with further refinement of blade orientation, outline constraints, and cap ridges for directing foil flaps.
Stated Advantages
Reduces required actuation force for cutting the foil seal.
Folds foil into flaps via ridges, minimizing analyzer strain.
Provides improved manufacturability and cartridge compatibility.
Enables optical/radiation access with separated storage conditions.
Documented Applications
Assays are described as exemplary, including enzymatic assays and cholesterol/triglycerides/HDL/LDL computation using the Friedewald equation.
A filtered whole blood use case is described, including contamination reduction as part of the assay handling concept.
BNP immunoassays are described, with reported limits of detection.
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