Binx Health Limited

Atlas Genetics Limited

Bayer Healthcare LLC

Ben Arlett

Tom Edwards

Jay Kendall Taylor

Jonathan David Tuckwell

Robert Owen Kivlin

Peter Schwan

Lee Wood

Robert Dyer

John Paul Palmer-Felgate

Matthew Burgess Avery

Kevin George Skinner

Chris Kadamus

Kevin David Neale

Thomas Richard Kerby Edwards

Toby Charles Edward Mullarkey

Instrument for performing a diagnostic test on a fluidic cartridge A cartridge reader is for carrying out a diagnostic test on a sample contained in a fluidic cartridge inserted into the reader. The fluidic cartridge comprises a fluidic layer comprising at least one sample processing region, at least one collapsible blister containing a liquid reagent, a pneumatic interface, an electrical interface and at least one mechanical valve. The reader comprises a housing; an upper clamp occupying a fixed position relative to the reader, and a lower clamp, movable relative to the first clamp, wherein the upper clamp and the lower clamp define a cartridge receiving region therebetween. The reader comprises a thermal module comprised in the lower clamp, wherein the thermal module comprises at least one thermal stack for heating the at least one sample processing region of the cartridge inserted into the reader. The reader comprises at least one mechanical actuator for actuating the mechanical valve comprised in the cartridge inserted into the reader.

Instrument for performing a diagnostic test on a fluidic cartridge

A cartridge reader controlled by processing means for carrying out a diagnostic test on a sample contained in a fluidic cartridge comprises a mechanical valve for isolating the sample with the cartridge. A system for actuating the mechanical valve comprises an actuation member configured to move the mechanical valve from an open position to a closed position and an armature connected to the actuation member. The armature is configured to engage an electromagnet, wherein the electromagnet can be switched between an active state in which it electromagnetically holds the armature and an inactive state in which it does not electromagnetically hold the armature. First biasing means are disposed between the actuation member and a bearing surface, wherein the first biasing means is configured to bias the actuation member into a first position in which it actuates a mechanical valve in a fluidic cartridge inserted into the reader.

A cartridge reader is configured to carry out a diagnostic test on a fluid sample contained within a fluidic cartridge. The cartridge comprises first, second and third collapsible blisters containing at least one reagent for use in the diagnostic test. The cartridge reader comprises an upper clamp, occupying a fixed position relative to the reader and a lower clamp, movable relative to the upper clamp, and wherein the upper clamp and the lower clamp are configured to receive and hold a fluidic cartridge therebetween. First, second and third blister actuators are mounted on the upper clamp, for aligning with first, second and third collapsible blisters of a fluidic cartridge inserted into the reader. The first, second and third blister actuators are movable relative to the upper clamp, between a first position in which the blister actuators are spaced apart from the collapsible blisters comprised on the fluidic cartridge received between the upper and lower clamps, and a second position in which the blister actuators depress the collapsible blisters, thereby collapsing the blisters and ejecting the reagents contained therein into a channel in the microfluidic cartridge.

A system and method for processing fluid in a fluidic cartridge is provided. The system comprises a fluid pathway for passing a liquid sample therethrough from an upstream end to a downstream end, a sample processing chamber within the fluid pathway having an inlet valve upstream of the sample processing chamber, a downstream sample processing region within the fluid pathway downstream of the outlet valve and a bypass channel coupled to the fluid pathway at a junction between the outlet valve and the downstream sample processing region, the valve system configured such that surplus liquid downstream of the outlet valve may be evacuated through the bypass channel when the outlet valve is closed, thereby leaving a metered volume of liquid sample between the inlet valve and the downstream sample processing region.

System and method for processing fluid in a fluidic cartridge

A valve for a fluidic cartridge is provided. The valve comprises a valve cavity having first and second openings connected to first and second passageways, respectively; and a flexible membrane within the valve cavity, the flexible membrane having a first portion actuatable to seal against the first opening and a second portion actuatable to seal against the second opening; wherein the valve cavity is configured such that the first flexible membrane portion may be actuated independently of the second flexible membrane portion to enable the first opening to be sealed independently of the second.

Valve which depressurises, and a valve system

A disposable fluidic cartridge has a recess therein. A mechanically-actuated mechanism is disposed within the recess for effecting an operation of the fluidic cartridge. The cartridge further comprises a machine-readable identification code on a breakable label covering at least a portion of the recess such that the portion of the breakable label covering the recess may be broken upon insertion of a mechanical actuator into the recess to actuate the mechanically-actuated mechanism. This renders the identification code unreadable and prevents reuse of the cartridge.

Cartridge, cartridge reader and method for preventing reuse of the cartridge

A cartridge for assay of a target nucleic acid sequence in a liquid sample. The cartridge comprises: a fluidic portion through which the sample flows and in which nucleic acid amplification and detection takes place; a pneumatic portion which controls flow through the fluidic portion; and at least two electrodes which provide a potential difference for the detection of an amplified nucleic acid of interest.

Fluidic cartridge for nucleic acid amplification and detection

A fluidic cartridge for processing a liquid sample comprises a main channel for passing the liquid sample therethrough from an upstream end to a downstream end; and one or more branch channels that join the main channel for introducing liquid and gas into the main channel after the liquid sample has passed downstream of the one or more branch channels. The one or more branch channels including a first branch channel, wherein the first branch channel comprises: a gas inlet for introducing a gas into the first branch channel; a liquid inlet for introducing a liquid into the first branch channel; and a valve configured to move between a closed position in which it prevents liquid and gas in the first branch channel from passing into the main channel and an open position in which it permits liquid and gas in the first branch channel to pass into the main channel.

Fluidic cartridge and method for processing a liquid sample

A reconstitution device having an opening surrounded by a neck, and a cap including a first end, a second end, and an inner bore having a central aperture. A stopper is positioned in the opening of the neck and includes a portion capable of being perforated. A plunger is located at the second end of the cap, is configured to slide along the inner bore of the cap, and includes a shaft extending downwardly in a direction towards the stopper and having a pointed end for piercing the stopper. A locking mechanism is located in the cap and includes an aperture. The locking mechanism is configured such that when the plunger is pushed downwardly the shaft is allowed to pass through the aperture, but when the plunger is pulled upwardly the second aperture changes shape such that the shaft cannot freely pass through the aperture.

Reconstitution device

A reconstitution device for storing a first component of a pharmaceutical preparation includes a receptacle, a cap having a first end secured to the receptacle, a second end, and an inner bore having a central aperture. The device further includes a stopper located between the receptacle and the cap, the stopper including a portion capable of being perforated. The device also includes a plunger secured to the second end of the cap, a locking mechanism located in the cap, and an actuating mechanism. The actuating mechanism may prevent the device from inadvertent activation.

Growing community of inventors

Bristol, United Kingdom

Ben Arlett