Interface for a microfluidic device
Inventors
Bennett, James • LITTEN, Neil • Smith, Richard • Brandon-Jones, Julian
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12134094-B2
Publication Date
2024-11-05
Expiration Date
Abstract
An interface for a microfluidic device such as a microfluidic cassette has a seal portion moveable from a first position to a second position within a reservoir in response to an applied force. Movement of the seal portion within the reservoir causes the volume of the reservoir to increase. The interface also has a hollow needle with a first end and a second end, the first end locatable in fluid communication with the reservoir and the second end located outside of the reservoir and arranged for piercing. The seal portion and the needle are arranged such that when the seal portion moves from the first position to the second position, a predetermined volume of fluid is drawn through the needle into the reservoir.
Core Innovation
The disclosed invention is an interface for a microfluidic device in which a seal portion is moved from a first position to a second position within a reservoir in response to an applied force. Movement of the seal portion within the reservoir increases the volume of the reservoir, and this volume increase is used to draw fluid through a hollow needle. The seal portion and the hollow needle are configured to draw a predetermined volume of fluid through the hollow needle when the seal portion moves from the first position to the second position.
The interface includes a hollow needle with a first end locatable in fluid communication with the reservoir and a second end located outside of the reservoir and arranged for piercing. The hollow needle first end in the reservoir and the second end arranged for piercing cooperate with the moving seal portion to draw the predetermined volume of fluid through the hollow needle. This arrangement is configured so that the drawn fluid volume corresponds to the predetermined volume as the reservoir volume is increased.
The interface further includes a seal actuating member configured to move the seal portion only in response to a force applied to the seal actuating member by a fluid container. Additional disclosed features include a needle secured to the seal actuating member, re-pierceable seals, mechanical blocking/unblocking of seal actuation by an arm portion, and movable/guarded needle and housing features that enclose or expose the needle.
The interface also includes an outer housing/shroud that restricts return movement after actuation by moving between a first position and a second position and using latching/snap-fit. This is described as preventing secondary dosing by restricting the seal actuating member movement away from the microfluidic device and preventing return to a starting position. Structural embodiments further include base/reservoir/needle guard elements and sealing arrangements described as anti-leakage and anti-backflow using overmould sealing.
Claims Coverage
The provided independent claim set includes 1 independent claim (clm-00001). It defines an interface architecture with coordinated movement of a seal portion and a hollow needle to draw a predetermined fluid volume, where a seal actuating member is actuated only by force from a fluid container. The dependent claim set further refines motion control, needle coupling, housing/guard configurations, return restriction, and kit/context integration for the interface.
Force-actuated seal portion volume increase in a reservoir
A seal portion configured to be moved from a first position to a second position within a reservoir in response to an applied force, where movement of the seal portion within the reservoir causes the volume of the reservoir to increase.
Hollow needle piercing arranged to draw a predetermined volume
A hollow needle comprising a first end and a second end, with the first end locatable in fluid communication with the reservoir and the second end located outside of the reservoir and arranged for piercing, where the seal portion and the hollow needle are configured to draw a predetermined volume of fluid through the hollow needle when the seal portion moves from the first position to the second position.
Seal actuating member moved only by force from a fluid container
A seal actuating member configured to move the seal portion from the first position to the second position within the reservoir, only in response to a force applied to the seal actuating member by a fluid container.
Needle secured to move with the seal actuating member
A configuration in which a needle is secured to a seal actuating member so that the needle moves together with the seal actuating member.
Arm portion blocking seal actuation
An arm portion configured to move between first and second positions so that the arm portion blocks movement of the seal actuating member, such that the seal portion cannot move from the first position to the second position when the arm portion is in the first position.
Movable housing enclosing or exposing a needle end
A moveable housing configured to shift between a first and second position to enclose or expose a needle end.
Outer housing restricting return movement via shroud positions
An outer housing configured to limit seal actuating member movement away from the microfluidic device and to move between a first shroud position and a second shroud position, allowing only some upward movement while preventing return to the starting position in the second shroud position.
Kit with interface and compatible fluid container applying force
A kit comprising the interface and a compatible fluid container, where the interface is configured to apply force to a seal portion directly or indirectly.
Across the independent claim and the described refinements, the core coverage centers on a seal portion whose movement increases reservoir volume, a hollow needle arranged for piercing that draws a predetermined fluid volume through the needle, and a seal actuating member that is moved only in response to force applied by a fluid container. The refinements further couple needle movement to the seal actuating member, add mechanical blocking/unblocking, provide movable housing/needle guarding to enclose or expose the needle, and use a shroud/outer housing to restrict return movement to prevent secondary dosing.
Stated Advantages
Accurate metered dosing.
Reduced user error and contamination.
Suitable for point-of-care without specialist equipment.
Integration as a sub-assembly or integrated into existing cassettes.
Prevention of secondary dosing by restricting return movement after actuation.
Documented Applications
Diagnostic testing using a microfluidic cassette and a microfluidic device interface for specimen container/seal piercing and metered transfer.
Point-of-care use of a microfluidic cassette interface without specialist equipment.
Integration of the disclosed interface as a sub-assembly or into existing cassettes for use in microfluidic operations including sequential operation with a specimen container seal piercing.
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