Self-metering of fluid into a reaction chamber
Inventors
Nelson, William M. • de Vazeille, Aymeric Randanne • Armantrout, Kyle
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12103006-B2
Publication Date
2024-10-01
Expiration Date
Abstract
A self-metering reaction device has a sample reservoir, configured to accept a varying amount of fluid; a metering reservoir, configured to be a subportion of the sample reservoir and to hold a reaction amount of the fluid; a reaction chamber fluidly connected to the metering reservoir; and a plunger comprising a tip configured to make a seal with the metering reservoir so that the reaction amount of the fluid is sealed within the metering reservoir when the plunger is in contact with the metering reservoir. The plunger can be configured to plunge the sealed reaction amount of the fluid from the metering reservoir into the reaction chamber.
Core Innovation
A self-metering reaction device and corresponding self-metering method are disclosed in which a sample reservoir includes a metering reservoir configured to hold a reaction amount of a fluid and to be fluidly connected to a reaction chamber. The method includes dispensing the fluid into the sample reservoir such that a subportion becomes the metering reservoir holding the reaction amount.
A plunger is folded over and inserted into the sample reservoir and metering reservoir, and the plunger includes a tip configured to make a seal with the metering reservoir. By engaging the tip with the metering reservoir, a seal is created so that the reaction amount is sealed within the metering reservoir, and the plunger then plunges the sealed reaction amount from the metering reservoir into the reaction chamber.
The reaction chamber and plunger are configured so that the reaction chamber can be manually closed by folding over the plunger. In an example use, the system is positioned for nucleic acid amplification, including PCR cartridges that can include dried-down PCR components, and the disclosure reports quantitative consistency of cycle threshold (CT) results compared with conventional capped/tube PCR devices.
Claims Coverage
The document includes one independent claim directed to a method of self-metering a fluid into a reaction chamber using a sample reservoir, a metering reservoir, and a plunger that seals and then plunges a sealed reaction amount, with the reaction chamber manually closable by folding over the plunger.
Metering reservoir holds a reaction amount connected to the reaction chamber
dispensing the fluid into the sample reservoir, a subportion of the sample reservoir being a metering reservoir, the metering reservoir being configured to be fluidly connected to the reaction chamber and to hold a reaction amount of the fluid
Plunger tip creates a seal to retain the reaction amount in the metering reservoir
folding over the plunger, thereby inserting the plunger into the sample reservoir and metering reservoir, the plunger comprising a tip configured to make a seal with the metering reservoir; engaging the tip of the plunger with the metering reservoir, thereby creating the seal between the metering reservoir and the plunger so that the reaction amount of the fluid is sealed within the metering reservoir
Plunging transfers the sealed reaction amount into the reaction chamber
plunging, with the plunger, the sealed reaction amount of the fluid from the metering reservoir into the reaction chamber
Manual closure of the reaction chamber by folding over the plunger
wherein the reaction chamber and plunger are configured so that the reaction chamber can be manually closed by folding over the plunger
Overall, the claim coverage centers on self-metering by using a metering reservoir sized as a subportion of a sample reservoir to hold a reaction amount, sealing that metered reaction amount via a plunger tip, transferring the sealed amount into a reaction chamber by plunging, and enabling manual closing of the reaction chamber by folding over the plunger.
Stated Advantages
Provides a self-metering reaction device and method that reduces the need for precise pipetting by using self-metering and a plunger-sealed reaction amount.
Produces closely consistent PCR cycle threshold (CT) results compared with conventional capped/tube PCR devices.
Documented Applications
Nucleic acid amplification, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR), using cartridges that can include dried-down PCR components.
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