Modular testing device for analyzing biological samples
Inventors
Mische, Hans • PEXSA, GRANT • Baumgartner, Mark • HODGSON, CORY • Bristow, Andrew • STECKELBERG, JOHN • Patterson, Jared
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10775306-B2
Publication Date
2020-09-15
Expiration Date
Abstract
A modular testing device includes a base unit and an expansion unit that communicates with the base unit. The expansion unit includes a housing, a receptacle in which a sample holder containing a biological sample and reagent mixture can be placed, and an optical assembly positioned in the housing. The optical assembly is configured to amplify and detect a signal from the biological sample and reagent mixture. Data that is collected in the optical assembly is communicated to the base unit.
Core Innovation
The invention describes a modular biological testing system using a base unit and one or more expansion units. The base unit includes an integrated touchscreen display and an optical and electronic architecture to manage testing, while the system is configured for biological sample testing in an expansion unit and for user interaction and display of results at the base unit.
Each expansion unit includes a housing with a receptacle for a sample holder containing a biological sample and reagent mixture. An optical assembly within the expansion unit is configured to amplify and detect a signal from the biological sample and reagent mixture, and includes excitation and emission filters extending across the optical assembly, with a heating component, LED excitation, and photodetection arranged with the excitation/emission filter configuration.
The base unit provides instructions to initiate an excitation and detection test sequence with the optical assembly of the expansion unit. The expansion unit collects optical data and communicates the collected data to the base unit, for example using wired or wireless communication, and the optical and electronic architecture includes ambient-light prevention and electronic frequency filtering for ambient-light rejection, with results presented as positive, negative, or indeterminate outcomes.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover three main inventive aspects: (1) an expansion unit with internal optical and electronic signal amplification and detection and data communication to a base unit; (2) a modular testing system with a touchscreen base unit and a substantially identical optical architecture in a non-touchscreen expansion housing, including the base unit electronics for displaying transmitted data; and (3) a method of analyzing a biological sample and reagent mixture by receiving base-unit instructions to run an excitation and detection sequence, collecting optical data in the expansion unit, and communicating the data back to the base unit. Across these claims, excitation filter and emission filter structures extending across the entire optical assemblies are emphasized, along with the data pathway between optical assemblies, electronics, and the touchscreen display.
Expansion unit with excitation and emission filters extending across the optical assembly and electronics-to-base communication
An expansion unit for a modular testing system including a housing; a receptacle configured to receive a sample holder containing a biological sample and reagent mixture; an electronic assembly within the housing; and an optical assembly within the housing, where the optical assembly includes an excitation filter extending across the entire optical assembly and an emission filter extending across the entire optical assembly, the optical assembly is configured to amplify and detect a signal from the biological sample and reagent mixture, and the electronic assembly is configured to communicate data collected in the optical assembly to a base unit.
Modular testing system with touchscreen base unit and non-touchscreen expansion unit having substantially identical optical assemblies
A modular testing system comprising a base unit with a first housing comprising an integrated touchscreen display; a first receptacle configured to receive a first sample holder containing a first biological sample and reagent mixture; and a first optical assembly positioned in the first housing configured to amplify and detect a first signal; and an expansion unit configured to communicate with the base unit, where the expansion unit comprises a second housing distinct from the first housing and not comprising an integrated touchscreen display, a second receptacle configured to receive a second sample holder containing a second biological sample and reagent mixture, and a second optical assembly positioned in the second housing that is substantially identical to the first optical assembly and configured to amplify and detect a second signal; the base unit further comprises a first electronic assembly; the expansion unit further comprises a second electronic assembly configured to receive data from the second optical assembly and transmit the received data to the first electronic assembly; and the first electronic assembly is configured to transmit the data from the second electronic assembly for display on the touchscreen display.
Method for analyzing a biological sample and reagent mixture using base-unit instructions for expansion-unit excitation and detection and communicating collected optical data
A method of analyzing a biological sample and reagent mixture with a modular testing system, the method comprising preparing a biological sample and reagent mixture for testing and placing the biological sample and reagent mixture in a sample holder; placing the sample holder in a receptacle in an expansion unit having a first optical assembly; receiving instructions from a base unit separate from the expansion unit to begin an excitation and detection test sequence with the optical assembly of the expansion unit to analyze the biological sample and reagent mixture, where the base unit comprises a second optical assembly substantially identical to the first optical assembly; collecting data from the biological sample and reagent mixture in the first optical assembly of the expansion unit; and communicating the data from the expansion unit to a base unit.
Overall, the independent claims establish a modular architecture in which an expansion unit performs optical amplification and detection using excitation and emission filter structures across the optical assembly and provides data to a base unit, while a separate touchscreen-equipped base unit manages instructions and displays the data, optionally using an excitation and detection method that coordinates base-unit instructions with expansion-unit data collection and return communication.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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