System and method for GMR-based detection of biomarkers
Inventors
Klein, Todd Michael • SANDSTEDT, Michael Monroe Reinhart • PROVOS, John Frank • RHEAULT, Chad Brian
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11579107-B2
Publication Date
2023-02-14
Expiration Date
Abstract
A system for detecting analytes in a test sample, and a method for processing the same, is provided. The system includes a cartridge reader unit that has a control unit and a pneumatic system, and a cartridge assembly that prepares the samples with mixing material(s) through communication channels. The assembly has a memory chip with parameters for preparing the sample and at least one sensor (GMR sensor) for detecting analytes in the sample. The assembly is pneumatically and electronically mated with the reader unit via a pneumatic interface and an electronic interface such that the parameters may be implemented via the control unit. The pneumatic system is contained within the unit and has pump(s) and valve(s) for selectively applying fluid pressure to the pneumatic interface of the assembly, and thus through the communication channels, to move the sample and mixing material(s) through and to sensor. The control unit activates the pneumatic system to prepare the sample and provide it to the sensor for detecting analytes, and also processes measurements from the sensor to generate test results.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a system for detecting analytes in a test sample that includes a cartridge reader unit and a cartridge assembly that pneumatically and electronically mates. The cartridge reader unit comprises a control unit and a pneumatic system contained within the reader unit, including at least one pump and at least one valve. The cartridge assembly is configured to receive and prepare the test sample with one or more mixing materials through communication channels therein.
The cartridge assembly further comprises a pneumatic interface and an electronic interface, and also includes a memory chip having parameters associated with preparing the test sample and at least one sensor for detecting the analytes. When the cartridge assembly pneumatically and electronically mates with the cartridge reader unit, the parameters associated with preparing the test sample are read and implemented via the control unit of the cartridge reader unit. The control unit activates the pneumatic system based on the parameters obtained from the memory chip to prepare the test sample in the cartridge assembly.
The control unit then provides the prepared test sample to the at least one sensor and processes the measurements from the at least one sensor to generate test results. The pneumatic system selectively applies fluid pressure to the pneumatic interface of the cartridge assembly to move the test sample and the one or more mixing materials through the communication channels and to the at least one sensor, thereby enabling automated analyzer operation under stored pneumatic protocol parameters.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim defines an analyte-detection system using a reader-contained pneumatic system, a disposable cartridge with communication channels, and a memory chip storing pneumatic preparation parameters. The independent claim(s) emphasize pneumatic and electronic mating, parameter readout and implementation, pneumatic pump/valve control, sensor-based analyte measurement, and control-unit processing into test results.
Cartridge-reader analyte detection system with pneumatically and electronically mating interfaces
A system comprising a cartridge reader unit comprising a control unit and a pneumatic system, and a cartridge assembly configured to receive and prepare the test sample through communication channels with a pneumatic interface and an electronic interface such that the cartridge assembly pneumatically and electronically mates with the cartridge reader unit.
Memory chip storing pneumatic preparation parameters and associated implementation
A cartridge assembly comprising a memory chip having parameters associated with preparing the test sample and at least one sensor for detecting the analytes, where parameters are read from the memory chip and implemented via the control unit of the cartridge reader unit.
Reader-contained pump and valve pneumatic system for selectively applying fluid pressure
A pneumatic system contained within the cartridge reader unit comprising at least one pump and at least one valve for selectively applying fluid pressure to the pneumatic interface of the cartridge assembly to move the test sample and mixing materials through the communication channels and to the at least one sensor.
Control-unit activated preparation, sensor measurement processing, and test result generation
A control unit configured to activate the pneumatic system to prepare the test sample based on parameters obtained from the memory chip, provide the test sample to the at least one sensor, and process measurements from the at least one sensor to generate test results.
Overall, the claim coverage is centered on a cartridge-reader testing architecture in which stored pneumatic protocol parameters on a cartridge memory chip are read by the reader control unit, the reader pneumatically moves the test sample and mixing materials through cartridge communication channels via selectively controlled pump/valve pressure, and sensor measurements are processed to generate test results.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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