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Publication Number
US-12247905-B2
Publication Date
2025-03-11
Expiration Date
Abstract
The invention provides for a system for sample extraction that includes (a) a sample extraction device comprising a tubular structure, at least one channel, a reservoir, a fluid flow unit, and at least one sensor; (b) a container; (c) a motion platform operatively coupled to the tubular structure; (d) an actuator operatively coupled to the motion platform; and (e) one or more computer processors operatively coupled to the at least one sensor, the actuator, and the fluid flow unit.
Core Innovation
The invention is a system for sample extraction that uses a sample extraction device having a tubular structure with a tip, one or more channels connected to a reservoir, and a fluid flow unit configured to supply a pressure differential to a fluid in the channel or the reservoir. The device includes at least one sensor attached to the channel between the proximal end and the distal end or attached between the channel and the reservoir, where the sensor outputs one or more signals indicative of a viscosity of the fluid in the channel or the fluid in the reservoir.
The system applies the pressure differential so that the first fluid sample flows from the container through the tip while concurrently collecting viscosity-indicative signals from the sensor. The processors detect a change, via the sensor, in the viscosity of the fluid in the channel or in the reservoir, and this change is indicative of the second fluid sample flowing from the container through the tip and to the reservoir. After detecting the viscosity change, the processors direct the fluid flow unit to terminate the application of the pressure differential to reduce the flow rate of the second fluid sample from the container through the tip and to the reservoir.
The disclosed system architecture further includes computer processors coupled to the sensor, the actuator, and the fluid flow unit to coordinate directing the tip into the first fluid sample and the second fluid sample, applying and terminating the pressure differential, and using viscosity-based detection to control when the second fluid begins to flow. The disclosure also encompasses optional handling actions and tracking, including optional barcode/RFID tracking, motion in x/y/z directions, and multi-sample arrays with computer control logic for operating multiple devices to fractionate fluids such as whole blood into fractions including plasma and buffy coat.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim recites a viscosity-sensing, pressure-differential-controlled sample extraction system with motion to position the tip into first and second fluids of different viscosities, and a control step that terminates the pressure differential upon detecting a viscosity change indicative of second-fluid flow. It includes inventive features that together enable fractionating fluids in a container by using sensor output indicative of viscosity changes to modulate flow rate.
Viscosity-indicative sensing at a channel or reservoir
At least one sensor attached to the at least one channel between the proximal end and the distal end or to the reservoir, configured to output one or more signals indicative of a viscosity of said fluid in said at least one channel or said fluid in said reservoir.
Pressure-differential fluid flow between tubular tip and channel/reservoir
A fluid flow unit connected between the proximal end of said tubular structure and the distal end of said at least one channel, configured to supply a pressure differential of a fluid in said at least one channel or a fluid in said reservoir.
Tip positioning into first and second different-viscosity samples
A motion platform and an actuator configured to direct movement of said motion platform to direct said tip of said tubular structure into said first fluid sample and said second fluid sample of said container comprising said plurality of samples, where said first fluid sample and said second fluid sample have different fluid viscosities.
Viscosity change detection to indicate second-fluid flow
Detect, via said at least one sensor, a change in said viscosity of said fluid in said at least one channel or said fluid in said reservoir, where the change in viscosity is indicative of said second fluid sample flowing from said container through said tip of said tubular structure and to said reservoir.
Terminate pressure differential to reduce second-fluid flow rate
Upon detecting said change, direct said fluid flow unit to terminate said application of said pressure differential, thereby reducing a flow rate of said fluid of said second fluid sample from said container through said tip of said tubular structure and to said reservoir.
Overall claim coverage centers on detecting a viscosity change using sensor outputs from the channel or reservoir while applying a pressure differential to drive concurrent flow, and then terminating the pressure differential when the change indicates that the second fluid is flowing so that the second-fluid flow rate is reduced.
Stated Advantages
Reduces the flow rate of the second fluid sample after detecting a viscosity change indicative of second-fluid flow.
Documented Applications
Fractionating whole blood, including extracting plasma and buffy coat from ultracentrifuged blood by stopping aspiration at measured flow-rate decreases corresponding to viscosity interfaces.
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