Fluid analysis cartridge and fluid analysis cartridge assembly having the same
Inventors
KIM, Hong-Geun • Kim, Seung Hyun • Park, Sung Ha • Park, Ji Young • SONG, Kyung-Mi • LEE, Dae Sun • Lee, Jong Gun • CHOI, Jong Yup • TAK, Yu Kyung
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10556232-B2
Publication Date
2020-02-11
Expiration Date
Abstract
A fluid analysis cartridge with improved test reliability and an associated fluid analysis cartridge assembly are disclosed herein. A fluid analysis cartridge assembly includes a sample collecting member having a sample collecting chamber and a fluid analysis cartridge configured to be connected to the sample collecting member. The fluid analysis cartridge includes a sample receiving chamber configured to receive a sample collected by the sample collecting member and at least one hole arranged on one side of the sample receiving chamber and opened by connection of the sample collecting member to the fluid analysis cartridge to the at least one hole. The sample receiving chamber stores a buffer solution to be mixed with the sample.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a fluid analysis cartridge assembly that improves test reliability by combining a sample collecting member and a fluid analysis cartridge. The fluid analysis cartridge includes a housing with a sample receiving chamber arranged in the housing, where the sample receiving chamber receives a sample from the sample collecting chamber and stores a buffer solution to be mixed with the sample.
The fluid analysis cartridge further includes a first hole arranged in the housing on one side of the sample receiving chamber, where the first hole is covered by a first patch, and a second hole formed on a bottom surface of the sample receiving chamber, where the second hole is covered by a second patch attached to the bottom surface. A test chamber is coupled to the housing for receiving a reagent to react with a sample input to the sample receiving chamber.
When the sample collecting member is connected to or inserted into the first hole, the first hole is opened through the first patch and the second hole is opened through movement of the second patch by a portion of the sample collecting member. The described structure uses sealing to prevent leakage and can include a flexible sealing member and a pressing member to create a pressure difference that drives buffer solution and sample to the test unit without a separate opener, with a housing cover having air ventilation openings.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes two independent claims that share the same core inventive concept: opening cartridge flow paths by inserting a sample collecting member so that a first patch is penetrated and a second patch is moved to uncover a bottom hole, thereby enabling mixing and reagent reaction flow from a buffer-storing sample receiving chamber to a test chamber. Across the independent claims, there are two principal inventive feature clusters.
Insertion-driven opening of a first hole and a second hole via patches
The fluid analysis cartridge comprises a first hole on one side of the sample receiving chamber covered by a first patch and configured to be opened by connecting the sample collecting member to the first hole; and a second hole formed on a bottom surface of the sample receiving chamber covered by a second patch attached to the bottom surface, wherein the second hole is configured to be opened when the second patch is moved by a portion of the sample collecting member being inserted into the first hole.
Sample receiving chamber stores buffer solution and couples to a reagent test chamber
The fluid analysis cartridge comprises a sample receiving chamber arranged in the housing and configured to receive a sample from the sample collecting chamber, wherein the sample receiving chamber stores a buffer solution to be mixed with the sample; and a test chamber coupled to the housing for receiving a reagent to react with a sample input to the sample receiving chamber.
Tip portion penetrates the first patch and opens first and second holes
The fluid analysis cartridge and the sample collecting member are configured such that when the sample collecting member is inserted into the first hole, the tip portion penetrates the first patch, opens the first hole and opens the second hole.
Testing system integrates a cartridge with side and bottom holes closed by patches
A testing system comprising a fluid analysis cartridge comprising a sample receiving chamber having a first hole on a side portion and a second hole on a bottom portion, wherein a first patch covers to close the first hole and a second patch covers to close the second hole; and a sample collecting member comprising a sample receiving chamber and a tip portion disposed at one distal end of the sample collecting member.
Across the independent claims, the main inventive coverage is the coordinated patch-covered first and second holes of a buffer-storing sample receiving chamber that are opened by insertion of a sample collecting member with a tip portion. The cartridge is integrated with a test chamber that receives reagent to react with the sample input from the sample receiving chamber, enabling flow from the receiving chamber to the test chamber through the second hole once the second patch is moved or uncovered.
Stated Advantages
Improves test reliability by combining a sample collecting member with a cartridge that directs buffer solution and sample to the test unit.
Enables buffer solution and sample to flow to the test unit without a separate opener.
Documented Applications
Fluid analysis testing systems using a sample collecting member to mix a buffer solution with a sample in a sample receiving chamber and react the sample with a reagent in a test chamber.
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