System and method for GMR-based detection of biomarkers
Inventors
Klein, Todd Michael • SANDSTEDT, Michael Monroe Reinhart • PROVOS, John Frank • RHEAULT, Chad Brian
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-12174135-B2
Publication Date
2024-12-24
Expiration Date
Abstract
A system for detecting analytes in a test sample, and a method for processing the same, is provided. The system includes a cartridge reader unit that has a control unit and a pneumatic system, and a cartridge assembly that prepares the samples with mixing material(s) through communication channels. The assembly has a memory chip with parameters for preparing the sample and at least one sensor. The assembly, pneumatic system, and control unit operate together to prepare the sample and provide the prepared sample to the sensor for detecting analytes, and also process measurements from the sensor to generate test results.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a point-of-care analyte detection system that uses a cartridge reader unit together with a cartridge assembly. The cartridge assembly has a test sample at an initial location, at least one sensor, a pneumatic interface including pneumatic control ports, and a memory chip having testing instructions for testing the test sample via the at least one sensor.
After insertion of the cartridge assembly into the cartridge reader unit, the processor reads or retrieves the testing instructions from the memory chip and initiates pneumatic control by sending valve instructions to at least one valve of a plurality of valves and applying fluid pressure to the pneumatic interface using at least one syringe pump of a plurality of syringe pumps. This pneumatic action moves the test sample from the initial location to a second location within the cartridge assembly.
In parallel with sample movement, the processor initiates sensor operation by sending sensor instructions to the at least one sensor based on the testing instructions, to detect one or more analytes within the test sample at the second location. In the described implementation, the sensor is arranged as a magnetoresistive sensor, including a giant magnetoresistance (GMR) sensor, with magnetic field excitation generated by a magnetic field generator in the cartridge reader unit.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims are directed to a method, a system, and a cartridge assembly that implement an instruction-driven, valve-and-syringe-pump pneumatic workflow moving a test sample to a second location and then initiating analyte detection by one or more sensors. Across the independent claims, the core inventive features are the use of a cartridge memory chip with testing instructions, the processor retrieving and using those instructions to command valve/syringe-pump pneumatic actuation via a pneumatic interface, and sensor instructions to detect analytes at the second location.
Memory chip testing instructions and retrieval by cartridge reader processor
A cartridge assembly having a memory chip with testing instructions for testing the test sample via the at least one sensor, and reading or retrieving the testing instructions from the memory chip via a processor of the cartridge reader unit.
Valve instruction control linked to syringe pump pneumatic pressure
Initiating, via the processor, valve instructions to at least one valve of a plurality of valves based on the testing instructions, and applying fluid pressure to the pneumatic interface using at least one syringe pump of a plurality of syringe pumps, resulting in the test sample moving from the initial location to a second location within the cartridge assembly.
Sensor instruction initiation for analyte detection at second location
Initiating, via the processor, sensor instructions to the at least one sensor based on the testing instructions, to detect analytes within the test sample at the second location.
Pneumatic interface aligned with manifold control ports
A pneumatic interface including pneumatic control ports aligned with a number of control ports of a manifold of the cartridge reader unit.
Cartridge assembly includes onboard sensor and pneumatic interface
A cartridge assembly comprising a test sample at an initial location, at least one sensor, a pneumatic interface including pneumatic control ports, and a memory chip having testing instructions for testing the test sample via the at least one sensor.
Overall, the claim coverage centers on instruction-driven operation using a memory chip to control pneumatic valve and syringe-pump actions that move the test sample to a second location and then trigger sensor instructions for analyte detection at that second location, with a pneumatic interface aligned to manifold control ports.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
Interested in licensing this patent?