Methods and apparatus for sample measurement

Inventors

Connolly, Colin B. • Blaney, Giles P. • Lennhoff, Akim • Randall, Jeffrey D. • Quintus-Bosz, Harald • Schechter, Stuart E. • Ritsher, Kenneth A. • Hosseinkhannazer, Hooman • McKinnon, Graham

Assignees

Quantum Diamond Technologies (United States)

Abstract

The present application discloses a sensor system that includes a sensor having a sensor surface, a sample cartridge including one or more flexible membranes and a membrane frame, the membrane frame including one or more openings covered by the one or more flexible membranes defining one or more wells for holding one or more samples, the flexible membrane having a sample side supporting the sample and an opposite sensor side, the sample cartridge being removably insertable in the sensor system such that the sensor side of the flexible membrane is positioned above and faces the sensor surface, a displacement mechanism that can be actuated to displace the flexible membrane toward the sensor surface such that the sample is moved to a position closer to the sensor surface, and an optical imaging system that detects light emitted from the sensor. Disclosed also are a cartridge cassette and a method of use.

Core Innovation

An assay sensor system and cartridge use a flexible membrane over a membrane frame having an opening. The opening is sealed by the flexible membrane, and the flexible membrane has a sample side supporting a sample and an opposite sensor side. A sample cartridge includes structural features such as gaskets and spacers and can be configured as a multi-well array with multiple flexible membranes.

The sample cartridge is positioned over a sensor surface such that the sensor side of the flexible membrane faces the sensor surface. A displacement mechanism displaces the flexible membrane toward the sensor surface so that the sample is moved to a position closer to the sensor surface. Differential pressure is used to displace the flexible membrane, including evacuating the sensor side and/or pressurizing the sample side.

Optical imaging detects fluorescence emitted from the sensor when the sample is in the position closer to the sensor surface. Imaging is performed with a camera system, including examples in which optical imaging effects and imaging sensitivity can vary with membrane-to-sensor distance. The cartridge can further include a cap with a window and a gas inlet and can include a flexible bladder that can form a seal around an optical element in the camera system.

Claims Coverage

Not explicitly described in patent.

Not explicitly described in patent.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications