Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cartridge which can quickly treat a reactant mixture and improve the detection sensitivity of an analyte in the mixture. SOLUTION: This cartridge (20) for controlling a chemical reaction includes a main body with at least one internally-formed channel The cartridge extends from the main body, and further includes a reaction container (40) for holding the reactant mixture used on the chemical reaction and optical detection. The reaction container (40) has a rigid frame for partitioning sidewalls of a reaction chamber, and the frame has at least one channel for connecting the channel with the reaction chamber. Furthermore, the reaction chamber has flexible films or sheets attached to both sides of the above frame in order to form a main wall opposed to the reaction chamber. Additionally, at least two of the sidewalls are biased with respect to each other so as to be translucent and angular for enabling the real time optical detection of the analyte in the reaction chamber. COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fluid manipulation cartridge that permits the rapid processing of a fluid sample that is larger in volume than any interactive region within the cartridge, allowing increased sensitivity in the detection of low copy concentrations of analytes. SOLUTION: A cartridge 101 includes a sample port 103 and a sample flow path. The sample flow path includes a component, e.g., filter paper or a microfabricated chip, for capturing the desired analyte from the sample. The cartridge 101 also includes an elution flow path to release captured analyte from the component into the elution fluid. COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a reaction apparatus capable of promptly performing optically interrogating of a sample and capable of controlling heat-exchange.SOLUTION: An assembly for performing controlled heat-exchanging reaction is provided. The assembly includes: a chemical reaction chamber 10 adapted to receive a sample and allow the sample to chemically react; a thermal sleeve having heating elements for making efficient thermal contact with the reaction chamber; and an instrument with a housing comprising an electrical connection, a cooling source, a reaction area adapted to receive the thermal sleeve, an optics assembly in optical communication with the chemical reaction chamber, and a circuit for monitoring and controlling the optics assembly and for collecting the output signal of the optics assembly. Preferably there are a plurality of housings and associated modules, each of which may be independently controlled for heat exchanging operations.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a reaction apparatus capable of optically detecting a sample promptly and controlling heat exchange.SOLUTION: There is provided an assembly for performing controlled heat-exchanging reactions. The assembly includes: a chemical reaction chamber adapted to receive a sample and allow the sample to chemically react; and a thermal sleeve having heating elements for making efficient thermal contact with a reaction chamber. The assembly also includes an instrument with a housing provided with: an electrical connection; a cooling source; a processing area adapted to receive the thermal sleeve; an optical assembly in optical communication with the chemical reaction chamber; and a circuit for monitoring and controlling the optical assembly and for collecting the output signal of the optical assembly. Preferably, there are a plurality of housings and associated modules, each of which may be independently controlled for heat exchanging operations.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fluid manipulation cartridge that permits the rapid processing of a fluid sample that is larger in volume, allowing increased sensitivity in the detection of low copy concentrations of analytes. SOLUTION: A cartridge 101 includes a sample port 103 and a sample flow path. The sample flow path includes a component such as filter paper or a microfabricated chip for capturing the desired analyte from a sample. The cartridge 101 includes an elution flow path to release the captured analyte from the component into elution fluid. COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a reaction apparatus capable of promptly performing optically interrogating of a sample and capable of controlling heat-exchange. SOLUTION: An assembly for performing controlled heat-exchanging reaction is provided. The assembly is provided with: a chemical reaction chamber adapted to receive a sample and allow the sample to chemically react; a thermal sleeve having heating elements for making efficient thermal contact with a reaction chamber; and an instrument with a housing comprising an electrical connection, a cooling source, a reaction area adapted to receive a thermal sleeve, and an optics assembly in optical communication with a chemical reaction chamber, and a circuit for monitoring and controlling the optics assembly and for collecting the output signal of the optics assembly. Preferably there are a plurality of housings and associated modules, each of which may be independently controlled for heat exchanging operations. COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
A sample-processing device (150) comprises a unitary body (152), preferably a molded polymeric part, having formed therein a reaction chamber (154) for chemically reacting a sample, a separation region (158) for separating components of the sample, and a transition region (156) connecting the reaction chamber (154) to the separation region (158). The reaction chamber (154), transition region (156), and separation region (158) are formed in and enclosed by the unitary body (152). Additionally, the transition region (156) includes at least one flow restrictor (180) for controlling the flow of fluid between the reaction chamber (154) and the separation region (158). Further, the portion of the unitary body (152) defining the transition region (156) has lower thermal conduction than the portion of the body defining the reaction chamber (154) so that the transition region (156) thermally isolates the reaction chamber (154) from the separation region (156). In a preferred embodiment, the reaction chamber (154) is an amplification chamber for amplifying nucleic acid in the sample, and the separation region (158) comprises an electrophoresis column or capillary containing a suitable matrix material, such as electrophoresis gel or buffer, for separating nucleic acid fragments in the sample. Electrodes (167, 168, 169) are embedded in the body (152) for forcing the sample to flow from the reaction chamber (154) to the separation region (158). The unitary body (152) may also be surrounded by external, functional components such as an optical detector (186) for detecting separated components of the sample.
Abstract:
A cartridge for separating a desired analyte from a fluid sample has a sample flow path and a lysing chamber (86) in the sample flow path. The lysing chamber contains at least one filter for capturing cells or viruses from the sample as the sample flows through the lysing chamber. Beads are also disposed in the lysing chamber for rupturing the cells or viruses to release the analyte therefrom. An analyte flow path extends from the lysing chamber and diverges from the sample flow path. The analyte flow path preferably leads to a reaction chamber for chemically reacting and optically detecting the analyte. The cartridge also includes at least one flow controller (e.g., valves) for directing the sample into the waste chamber after the sample flows through the lysing chamber and for directing the analyte separated from the sample into the analyte flow path.
Abstract:
A multi-site reactor system (60) provides dynamic, independent, computer-implemented control of each reaction site, permitting different thermal profiles to be performed on samples at different reaction sites simultaneously. The system includes reaction vessels (2) for holding reaction mixtures and heat-exchanging modules (37) for receiving the vessels. The system also includes a controller (64) for independently controlling each heat-exchanging module (37) to heat and/or cool the reaction mixture contained therein. The controller (64) includes an adaptive control program for dynamically adjusting the duration or intensity of power pulses provided to each heating element and for dynamically adjusting the duration of fan operation to attain target temperatures quickly and accurately without overshooting or undershooting the target.
Abstract:
An apparatus for disrupting cells or viruses comprises a container having a chamber for holding the cells or viruses. The container includes at least one flexible wall defining the chamber. The apparatus also includes a transducer for impacting an external surface of the flexible wall to generate pressure waves in the chamber. The apparatus also includes a pressure source for increasing the pressure in the chamber. The pressurization of the chamber ensures effective coupling between the transducer and the flexible wall. The apparatus may also include beads in the chamber for rupturing the cells or viruses.