Centrifugal cassette with molded insertable valves
Inventors
PEERY, Randy • Ladtkow, James • Janzen, Jesse • Gloor, Andrew • Klimek, Kevin
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12326200-B2
Publication Date
2025-06-10
Expiration Date
Abstract
Provided is a centrifuge cassette assembly (800) for separating a fluid and related method of manufacture. The cassette assembly includes a first chamber, a second chamber (308), a fluidic channel (808) creating a fluid connection between the first chamber and the second chamber, at least one molded insertion valve (600, 700) configured to control the flow of fluid in the fluidic channel and a heating element (802) for actuating the at least one molded valve. Further provided are Normally Open Valves (NOVs) (700) and Normally Closed Valves (NCVs) (600) which are capable of insertion into, and which control the fluid flow of, the centrifuge cassette assembly.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a centrifuge cassette assembly that separates a fluid by using fluidic channels connecting a first chamber and a second chamber. The assembly includes a molded insertion valve configured to control the flow in the fluidic channel and a heating element for actuating the molded insertion valve. The molded insertion valve is configured as either a normally closed valve (NCV) or a normally open valve (NOV).
For the NCV, the molded insertion valve includes a valve base with at least one interference seal member, a pair of valve seal posts, and an elongated valve rib extending between and connecting the pair of valve seal posts, the elongated valve rib being configured to seal the fluidic channel when inserted. The at least one interference seal member of the NCV cooperates with at least one interference seal member of a valve seat. For the NOV, the molded insertion valve includes a valve base having a first truncated cone section and a second connected cone section, where the connection between the first base and the second base defines an interference seal member, and the valve further includes a lumen configured for cooperation with interference seal members of the valve seat.
The invention further concerns manufacturing of the centrifuge cassette assembly by injection molding a first plate with an upper valve seat and injection molding a second plate with a fluidic channel and a lower valve seat. The plates are heated and aligned so that the upper valve seat and the lower valve seat are joined, after which a valve is inserted so that it engages each of the upper and lower valve seats. In addition, a resistor layer is adhered to the cassette, the resistor layer being configured to melt a material of the valve to actuate the molded insertion valve.
Claims Coverage
The partial content contains three independent claims: an NCV structure, a NOV structure, and a centrifuge cassette assembly for separating a fluid. Across these claims, the central inventive features are the interference-seal cooperation between a molded insertion valve and a valve seat, and the valve/actuation integration with a heating element, including a resistor layer, in a cassette assembly.
Normally closed valve insertion sealing using interference seal member and valve rib
A Normally Closed Valve (NCV) for insertion into a fluidic channel, the NCV comprising a valve base including at least one interference seal member; a pair of valve seal posts; and an elongated valve rib that extends between and connects the pair of valve seal posts, and is configured to seal the fluidic channel when the NCV is inserted therein; wherein the at least one interference seal member is configured to cooperate with at least one interference seal member of a valve seat.
Normally open valve insertion sealing using truncated cone interference seal member
A Normally Open Valve (NOV) for insertion into a fluidic channel, the NOV comprising a valve base including a first truncated cone section having a first base connected to a second of a second connected cone section, the connection between the first base and the second base of the first and second truncated cone sections defining an interference seal member; and a lumen; wherein the interference seal member is configured to cooperate with at least one interference seal member of a valve seat.
Centrifuge cassette assembly with heating-actuated molded insertion valves and interference seal cooperation
A centrifuge cassette assembly for separating a fluid, the cassette assembly comprising a first chamber; a second chamber; a fluidic channel creating a fluid connection between the first chamber and the second chamber; a molded insertion valve configured to control the flow of fluid in the fluidic channel; and a heating element for actuating the molded insertion valve; wherein the molded insertion valve includes either a normally closed valve (NCV) or a normally open valve (NOV), and wherein the NCV or NOV includes the corresponding interference-seal cooperation with a valve seat as recited in the claim.
The claim coverage centers on molded insertion valves (NCV or NOV) that seal a fluidic channel via a valve base structure including an interference seal member that cooperates with an interference seal member of a valve seat, with an elongated valve rib for NCV and a truncated cone-defined interference seal member plus a lumen for NOV. The centrifuge cassette assembly integrates these valves with a fluidic channel between first and second chambers and a heating element for actuation.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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