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Publication Number
US-11623214-B2
Publication Date
2023-04-11
Expiration Date
Abstract
A fluidic card assembly (1) comprises an inlet (20) for introducing a fluid to the fluidic card assembly (1), a turbulent flow portion (30) downstream of the inlet (20), the turbulent flow portion (30) comprising a widening fluid channel (31) whereby a fluid introduced via the inlet (20) channel undergoes turbulence, and a laminar flow portion (40) downstream of the turbulent flow portion (30). The laminar flow portion (40) is configured to allow fluid passing from the turbulent flow portion (30) into the laminar flow portion (40) to establish a laminar flow pattern, and is configured to house a biochip (44) such that a fluid in the laminar flow portion (40) may be in contact with the biochip (44).
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a fluidic card assembly for introducing a fluid to a fluidic card assembly and delivering the fluid to a biochip. The fluidic card assembly includes an inlet channel, a turbulent flow portion downstream of the inlet, and a laminar flow portion downstream of the turbulent flow portion. The turbulent flow portion includes a widening fluid channel whereby a fluid introduced via the inlet channel undergoes turbulence.
The laminar flow portion is configured to allow fluid passing from the turbulent flow portion into the laminar flow portion to establish a laminar flow pattern. The laminar flow portion is further configured to house a biochip so that a fluid in the laminar flow portion may be in contact with the biochip. The downstream exhaust portion provides a fluid channel of a greater depth than the laminar flow portion, with a lower wall arranged at a greater depth than a lower wall of the laminar flow portion.
In the disclosed embodiments, the turbulent-to-laminar transition is enabled by the widening turbulent flow geometry and the downstream laminar flow portion, which together establish a laminar flow pattern for contacting the biochip. Structural aspects include a recess in the laminar flow portion for the biochip and a flush surface relationship between a surface of the biochip and an interior surface of the laminar flow portion. The assembly further includes an exhaust portion to reduce backpressure and bubbles, and may include a removable/transparent cover for monitoring and compatibility with conventional analyzers.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim defines a fluidic card assembly with three sequential functional regions for transitioning from turbulence to a laminar flow pattern and for housing a biochip, and it adds a downstream exhaust portion with a deeper fluid channel. Dependent claims refine the channel structure by specifying continuous depressed-channel formation in a solid housing and by adding biochip accommodation features such as a recess and a flush-mounted surface, and they further define optional cover arrangements and geometric constraints for the inlet and turbulent portion geometry.
Turbulence-to-laminar fluid transition in a fluidic card assembly
A fluidic card assembly comprising an inlet channel for introducing a fluid, a turbulent flow portion downstream of the inlet including a widening fluid channel whereby the fluid undergoes turbulence, and a laminar flow portion downstream of the turbulent flow portion configured to establish a laminar flow pattern as fluid passes from the turbulent flow portion into the laminar flow portion.
Biochip housing in the laminar flow portion for fluid contact
The laminar flow portion being configured to house a biochip such that a fluid in the laminar flow portion may be in contact with the biochip.
Downstream exhaust portion with deeper fluid channel
An exhaust portion downstream of the laminar flow portion, the exhaust portion comprising a fluid channel of a greater depth than the laminar flow portion, wherein the exhaust portion comprises a lower wall arranged at a greater depth than a lower wall of the laminar flow portion.
Continuous depressed channel sections in a solid housing
The inlet, turbulent flow and laminar flow portions are sections of a continuous depressed channel formed in a solid housing.
Recess and flush mounting of the biochip
The laminar flow portion further comprises a recess in which a biochip may be situated, wherein the biochip is housed inside the recess and the recess permits a surface of the biochip to be flush with an interior surface of the laminar flow portion.
Overall, the claim set centers on a sealed fluidic card assembly that uses a widening turbulent flow portion to create turbulence and then transitions into a laminar flow portion to establish a laminar flow pattern. The laminar flow portion houses a biochip for fluid contact, and a downstream exhaust portion includes a deeper fluid channel to manage downstream conditions, with additional dependent claim refinements for continuous depressed-channel formation and recess/flush biochip mounting.
Stated Advantages
Reduced sample volume.
Even biomarker distribution.
Sealed handling that avoids contamination.
Backpressure mitigation and reduction of bubbles.
Documented Applications
Sealed delivery of sample to a biochip with discrete test regions for biomarker measurement using the assembled fluidic card.
Assay workflow using the assembled card with exemplary assay types using biochip-compatible detection such as chemiluminescence and fluorescence.
Monitoring and compatibility with conventional analyzers using an optional removable/transparent cover.
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