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Publication Number
US-11654437-B2
Publication Date
2023-05-23
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present disclosure provides an assay cartridge used in a PCR-based molecular diagnostic device. In one embodiment, the assay cartridge comprises (1) an elongated body having a proximal end, a distal end and a plurality of compartments arranged between the proximal end and the distal end, said plurality of compartments include at least a first pipette tip holder near the proximal end, and a second pipette tip holder near the distal end; and (2) a seal assembly covering the elongated body comprising a rigid frame which matches the top periphery of the elongated body, and an elastic top mounted on the rigid frame, the elastic top comprising a first sub-portion near the proximal end comprising a first ring structure that matches the first pipette holder, and a second sub-portion near the distal end comprising a second ring structure that matches the second pipette holder.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an assay cartridge used in a PCR-based molecular diagnostic device for an automated random-access system. The cartridge includes an elongated body with a proximal end and a distal end, and a plurality of compartments arranged between the proximal and distal ends, including at least a first pipette tip holder near the proximal end and a second pipette tip holder near the distal end.
A seal assembly covers the elongated body and includes a rigid frame and an elastic top mounted on the rigid frame. The elastic top comprises a first sub-portion near the proximal end with a first ring structure that matches the first pipette holder, and a second sub-portion near the distal end with a second ring structure that matches the second pipette holder. The compartments near the proximal end and the first pipette tip holder are arranged as a radiation pattern.
The elastic top further comprises a circular ripple structure. The plurality of compartments further includes at least a PCR reaction well near the distal end, and the assay cartridge further comprises a slidable lid removably covering the PCR reaction well. In further disclosed embodiments, compartments can include a removable sample loading well and a purification well for nucleic-acid binding with magnetic microparticles, as well as a sealable opening for loading a volatile reagent.
Claims Coverage
The partial content provides one independent claim directed to the assay cartridge structure, with dependent claims refining additional cartridge features and cartridge assembly positioning/control features.
Assay cartridge with elongated body compartments and proximal/distal pipette tip holders
An assay cartridge used in a PCR-based molecular diagnostic device comprising an elongated body having a proximal end, a distal end and a plurality of compartments arranged between the proximal end and the distal end, wherein the plurality of compartments includes at least a first pipette tip holder near the proximal end and a second pipette tip holder near the distal end.
Seal assembly with rigid frame and elastic top ring structures matching pipette tip holders
A seal assembly covering the elongated body comprising a rigid frame which matches the top periphery of the elongated body, and an elastic top mounted on the rigid frame, the elastic top comprising a first sub-portion near the proximal end comprising a first ring structure that matches the first pipette holder, and a second sub-portion near the distal end comprising a second ring structure that matches the second pipette holder, wherein the compartments near the proximal end and the first pipette tip holder are arranged as a radiation pattern.
Elastic top with circular ripple structure
The first sub-portion and/or the second sub-portion of the elastic top has a circular ripple structure.
PCR reaction well with slidable lid removably covering the PCR reaction well
The plurality of compartments further includes at least a PCR reaction well near the distal end, and the assay cartridge further comprises a slidable lid removably covering the PCR reaction well.
Across the independent claim, the core structure is an assay cartridge with proximal and distal pipette tip holders inside an elongated multi-compartment body, sealed by a rigid-frame elastic top having ring structures that match the pipette holders and a radiation-pattern arrangement. The claim further includes an elastic top circular ripple structure and a PCR reaction well covered by a slidable lid.
Stated Advantages
Contamination prevention.
Documented Applications
Used in a PCR-based molecular diagnostic device in an automated random-access system.
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