Mating adaptor for coupling a point-of-care diagnostic cartridge to a computing device
Inventors
Carrano, John • Schneider, Roland • Carrano, John Jacob
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9682378-B1
Publication Date
2017-06-20
Expiration Date
Abstract
A mating adaptor for use in assaying a specimen includes an adaptor body having a first receiving area for receiving a computing device and a second receiving area for receiving a specimen delivery cartridge. The mating adaptor further includes an actuator for transmitting a mechanical actuation signal to initiate a fluidic process of a specimen delivery cartridge. The first receiving area includes a first connector corresponding to a computing device connector and the second receiving area includes a second connector corresponding to a specimen delivery cartridge connector.
Core Innovation
A mating adaptor includes an adaptor body having a first receiving area for receiving a computing device and a second receiving area for receiving a specimen delivery cartridge. The adaptor further includes one or more actuation posts extending from a surface of the adaptor body, and the actuation posts are operable to actuate fluid dispensing components of the specimen delivery cartridge. The first receiving area comprises a first connector corresponding to a computing device connector, and the second receiving area comprises a second connector corresponding to a specimen delivery cartridge connector.
The first receiving area comprises an open end and a closed end, and the closed end comprises the first connector. The adaptor body mechanically receives and couples the computing device and the specimen delivery cartridge so that the coupling of connectors enables operating the specimen delivery cartridge in conjunction with the computing device.
A method is described for operating the mating adaptor by sliding the computing device into the first receiving area and coupling a data port of the computing device to the first connector. The method further includes sliding the specimen delivery cartridge into the second receiving area and coupling a second data port of the specimen delivery cartridge to the second connector, with the actuation posts operable to actuate fluid dispensing components.
Claims Coverage
The partial content contains two independent claims: an apparatus claim directed to the mating adaptor structure and a method claim directed to operating the mating adaptor by sliding and connector coupling. The inventive features across the independent claims center on a two-bay adaptor body for receiving a computing device and a specimen delivery cartridge, and actuation posts that actuate cartridge fluid dispensing components via connector-coupled data ports.
Two-bay adaptor body with computing device and specimen delivery cartridge receiving areas
An adaptor body having a first receiving area for receiving a computing device and a second receiving area for receiving a specimen delivery cartridge.
Actuation posts to actuate cartridge fluid dispensing components
One or more actuation posts extending from a surface of the adaptor body, the actuation posts being operable to actuate fluid dispensing components of a specimen delivery cartridge.
Connector mapping for computing device and cartridge
The first receiving area comprises a first connector corresponding to a computing device connector, and the second receiving area comprises a second connector corresponding to a specimen delivery cartridge connector.
Open end and closed end with closed end comprising the computing device connector
The first receiving area comprises an open end and a closed end, the closed end comprising the first connector.
Sliding and coupling the computing device data port to the first connector
Sliding a computing device into a first receiving area of a mating adaptor, comprising coupling a data port of the computing device to a first connector of the mating adaptor.
Sliding and coupling the specimen delivery cartridge data port to the second connector
Sliding a specimen delivery cartridge into a second receiving area of the mating adaptor, comprising coupling a second data port of the specimen delivery cartridge to a second connector of the mating adaptor.
Across the two independent claims, the mating adaptor is characterized by an adaptor body with a first receiving area and a second receiving area, corresponding first and second connectors for coupling data ports, and one or more actuation posts operable to actuate fluid dispensing components of the specimen delivery cartridge during operation.
Stated Advantages
Provides rapid, low-complexity diagnostics using a point-of-care diagnostic mating adaptor that mechanically couples a computing device to a specimen delivery cartridge.
Documented Applications
Point-of-care diagnostic use case in which a computing device (e.g., smartphone) is mechanically coupled to a specimen delivery cartridge for diagnostics.
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