Analytic device
Inventors
DeJohn, Marc Dominic • vanWestrienen, Jesse Wilson • Maksutovic, Maximilian
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11667963-B2
Publication Date
2023-06-06
Expiration Date
Abstract
An analytic device comprising a device housing, a dock to receive a camera enabled mobile electronic device, such as a smartphone and other smart devices, and a processing device to communicate with the mobile electronic device and to control a condition of the assay tube, such as temperature. In another example, the analytic device comprises a device housing and a circuit board. A processing device, a heating block defining a recess to support assay tube, and a resistive heater are surface mounted to the circuit board. A light source and a fan are also provided. A dock may be provided to support a mobile electronic device. The mobile electronic device communicates with the processing device to cause the application of reaction conditions to the assay tube, to perform a PCR procedure, for example. Methods are also disclosed.
Core Innovation
An analytic device is described that docks a camera-enabled mobile electronic device to capture assay images through a window. The analytic unit includes one or more controllable assay chambers and reaction-condition control for processing, including heating and/or cooling using structures such as a blower-and-coil or a surface-mount resistive heater and heating blocks, with temperature sensors or temperature probes for controlling reaction conditions.
The analytic device further includes excitation lighting for fluorescence imaging, including LEDs and/or light pipes or light guides, along with optical filtering for imaging. A processing device, including a microcontroller or microprocessor, controls temperature cycling and the excitation lighting under instructions, with the mobile device or app providing instructions to run the processing.
A method is described in which an application executed on a mobile electronic device receives user input to process a sample by a portable analytic device separate from the mobile electronic device. After receiving the user input, the mobile electronic device transmits one or more instructions to the portable analytic device, where a holder secures a container comprising the sample and a heater subjects the sample in the container to processing.
The heater includes an opening configured for imaging of the processing using the mobile electronic device, and the one or more instructions are sufficient to run a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) procedure. The mobile device captures images through the imaging window and the processing derives image-based information such as luminosity data and/or graphs to determine the presence of a target nucleic acid.
Claims Coverage
The partial content identifies one independent claim. The claim coverage centers on a mobile application that receives user input and transmits instructions to a separate portable analytic device with a heater that has an opening configured for imaging, where the instructions are sufficient to run PCR.
Application on mobile device receiving input for processing by a separate portable analytic device
Using an application executed on a mobile electronic device to receive input from a user to process said sample by a portable analytic device separate from said mobile electronic device.
Mobile device transmitting PCR-running instructions to a portable analytic device with imaging opening
Subsequent to receiving said input, using said mobile electronic device to transmit one or more instructions to said portable analytic device comprising: a holder that secures a container comprising said sample; a heater that heats the sample in the container; and an opening in the heater configured for imaging of said processing using said mobile electronic device, wherein said one or more instructions are sufficient to run a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) procedure.
Across the independent claim, the core inventive scope is the coupling of a mobile device application workflow with a separate portable analytic device that heats a sample in a container via a heater having an imaging opening, where the transmitted instructions are sufficient to run PCR.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
Imaging-based PCR processing in which captured assay images are used to determine the presence of a target nucleic acid, including Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
Use of a PCR App executed on a mobile electronic device to receive input and drive a portable analytic device for PCR processing and imaging.
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