Liquid handling system and method
Inventors
Peters, Wolfram Julius Paul • de Haan, Michiel • De Jong, Cornelia Maria • VAN OUDHEUSDEN, Freerk • Maurice, Ingmar Christiaan • van Dullemen, Marlies • Smetsers, Antonius Franciscus Cornelia Maria • Garritsen, Anja
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11738347-B2
Publication Date
2023-08-29
Expiration Date
Abstract
A liquid handling system and method, e.g., for testing blood samples. The system comprises a cartridge, and a transfer device couplable to a liquid reservoir. The cartridge comprises compartments with an inlet, closed by a seal, and an outlet, closed by a gas-permeable liquid-tight filter. Keying portions define a relative position and orientation of the cartridge and the transfer device. Penetrating elements of the transfer device penetrate the seal of each compartment, the penetrating elements having lumina for fluidly connecting the reservoir and each compartment cavity of the cartridge.
Core Innovation
The document describes a liquid handling system comprising a cartridge having plural compartments. Each compartment has a compartment cavity configured to contain an amount of liquid, and includes an inlet and an outlet, with the inlet closed by a penetrable seal and the outlet closed by a filter material that allows passage of a gas but blocks liquid passage.
The filling level of each compartment is determined by the respective filter, so the liquid level is defined by gas-permeable, liquid-blocking outlet filtration. A transfer device is couplable to a liquid reservoir and includes one or more penetrating elements, and when first keying portions of the transfer device and cartridge are mated, the penetrating elements penetrate, or cause to be penetrated, the seal of each compartment to establish fluid communication between the reservoir and each compartment cavity through the penetrating elements.
The system uses matching keying portions to define relative position and orientation between the cartridge and the transfer device when mated. Fluid can be transferred from the reservoir to the plural compartments using the penetrating-element coupling in the context of the gas-passing, liquid-blocking filters that determine compartment filling level.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims define a liquid handling system, a cartridge for use with a transfer device, and a method of handling a fluid, with core inventive features centered on compartmentalized liquid cavities with penetrable seals, outlet filters that allow gas but block liquid, keying that fixes relative orientation, and penetrating elements that establish fluid communication between a reservoir and plural compartment cavities.
Gas-passing, liquid-blocking outlet filters determine compartment filling level
Each compartment has an inlet closed by a penetrable seal and an outlet closed by a filter allowing passage of a gas but blocking liquid passage, wherein a level of each compartment is determined by the respective filter.
Keyed relative positioning and orientation of cartridge and transfer device
The transfer device and the cartridge have matching first keying portions defining a relative position and orientation of the cartridge and the transfer device when the first keying portions are mated.
Penetrating elements establish fluid communication to plural compartment cavities
One or more penetrating elements of the transfer device are arranged for penetrating, or causing to be penetrated, the seal of each compartment when the first keying portions are mated, for fluidly connecting the reservoir and each compartment cavity of the cartridge through the one or more penetrating elements.
Method of transferring fluid from a reservoir to plural compartments via keyed, penetrating-seal coupling
The method comprises providing a reservoir filled with the fluid; providing a system comprising a cartridge and a transfer device couplable to the reservoir, the cartridge comprising plural compartments with penetrable inlet seals and outlets closed by filter material allowing passage of a gas but blocking liquid passage with filling level determined by the respective filter; coupling the cartridge and transfer device by the first keying portions; arranging the penetrating elements for penetrating the seal; coupling the reservoir and the transfer device; fluidly connecting the reservoir and the plural compartments of the cartridge through the transfer device; and transferring at least a portion of the fluid from the reservoir to the plural compartments.
Overall, the independent claims cover a cartridge and transfer system where compartment outlets are closed by gas-permeable, liquid-blocking filters that determine filling level, correct cartridge-to-transfer-device alignment is ensured by matching keying portions, and penetrating elements create fluid communication by penetrating compartment seals to connect a reservoir to multiple compartment cavities; the method claim applies these same system elements to transferring fluid from the reservoir into the plural compartments.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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