Diagnostics systems and methods
Inventors
Galen, Peter • Sayler, David John • Hoyt, Joshua King • Grupp, Daniel E. • Grimberg, Brian T. • GURKAN, UMUT ATAKAN
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10768166-B2
Publication Date
2020-09-08
Expiration Date
Abstract
A point-of-care diagnostic system that includes a cartridge and a reader. The cartridge can contain a patient sample, such as a blood sample. The cartridge is inserted into the reader and the patient sample is analyzed. The reader contains various analysis systems, such as a magneto-optical system that measures a light transmission differential through the patient sample in varying magnetic fields. The reader can process data from the various patient sample analysis to provide interpretative results indicative of a disease, infection and/or condition of the patient.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a point-of-care diagnostics system that uses a disposable cartridge and a reader to analyze a patient blood sample. The cartridge includes a blood sample chamber and a dilutant chamber separated by a barrier that, upon actuation, automatically releases pre-loaded dilutant to form a diluted sample within the cartridge. The reader receives the cartridge in a cartridge receptacle and includes a magnetic field source, a light source, a light detector, and a processor.
The reader applies either a high magnetic field or a low magnetic field to at least the blood sample chamber of the cartridge and transmits light through the diluted sample. The light detector senses one or more characteristics of the transmitted light and generates light detection data at a first time when either the high magnetic field is applied or the low magnetic field is applied. After the first sensing, the magnetic field source applies the other of the high or low magnetic field, and the light detector senses the transmitted light again at a second time.
The processor determines a difference in a value of the light detection data between the first time and the second time, receives the difference, and analyzes the received difference to identify whether at least one compound that is sensitive to the applied magnetic field is present in the diluted sample. Based on the difference in the analyzed light detection data, the system generates interpretative data indicating the presence of the compound and outputs the interpretative data. The disclosure also describes magneto-optical detection based on measuring light transmission in different magnetic states.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim is directed to a point-of-care diagnostics system with three inventive features spanning cartridge dilution via an actuated barrier, dual magnetic-field magneto-optical sensing, and analysis of the difference in transmitted-light characteristics to generate interpretative data indicating the presence of a magnetic-field-sensitive compound.
Actuated barrier automatic dilution of blood sample
A cartridge having a blood sample chamber and a dilutant chamber separated by a barrier that, upon actuation, automatically releases pre-loaded dilutant to be mixed with the patient blood sample to form a diluted sample within the cartridge.
Dual magnetic-field magneto-optical measurement
A reader with a magnetic field source structured to apply either a high magnetic field or a low magnetic field to at least the blood sample chamber of the cartridge, with a light source and light detector positioned to sense one or more characteristics of light transmitted through the diluted sample at a first time under one magnetic field and at a second time under the other magnetic field.
Difference-based detection of magnetic-field-sensitive compound
A processor that determines a difference in a value of the light detection data between the first time and the second time, receives the difference, analyzes the received difference to identify whether at least one compound sensitive to the applied magnetic field is present in the diluted sample, generates interpretative data indicating presence based, at least in part, on the difference, and outputs the interpretative data.
Overall, the independent claim covers a point-of-care cartridge/reader system that automatically dilutes a blood sample using an actuated barrier, measures transmitted light from the diluted sample under a high and a low magnetic field at different times, determines a difference in the light detection data, and analyzes that difference to identify presence of at least one magnetic-field-sensitive compound, generating and outputting interpretative data.
Stated Advantages
Outputs interpretative data indicating presence of at least one compound sensitive to the applied magnetic field based on a difference in transmitted-light characteristics.
Documented Applications
Diagnosis of malaria by using a paramagnetic component such as hemozoin and magneto-optical detection based on light transmission in different magnetic states.
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