Sierra Sensors Gmbh

Inverness Medical Switzerland Gmbh

Alere Switzerland Gmbh

Christopher Durham Whalen

Klaus Wiehler

Sven Kelling

Daniel Peterson Godfrey

Mark John Frogley

The present invention is a flow cell and method for use in microfluidic analyses that presents highly discrete and small volumes of fluid to isolated locations on a two-dimensional surface contained within an open fluidic chamber defined by the flow cell that has physical dimensions such that laminar style flow occurs for fluids flowing through the chamber. This process of location specific fluid addressing within the flow cell is facilitated by combining components of hydrodynamic focusing with site specific cell evacuation. The process does not require the use of physical barriers within the flow cell or mechanical valves to control the paths of fluid movement.

Hydrodynamic isolation method and apparatus

A docking mechanism provided for analytical apparatus, such as an acoustic bio-sensor apparatus. The mechanism is operable releasably to receive a cartridge () for use in analysing a sample comprising a fluid and having a flow cell () for the sample and an electrically operated sensor () for performing the analysis. The docking mechanism has a clamping mechanism () for urging a fluid connector such as ferules () against the cartridge to provide a fluid connection between the flow cell inlet and a sample delivery device. The docking mechanism also has an electrical connector () for engaging the sensor to connect the latter to electrical circuitry for operating the sensor, the electrical connector being moveable towards and away from the sensor relative to the clamping mechanism, so that, in use, the electrical connector exerts on the sensor a force which is sufficient to maintain the necessary electrical connection, while not being so great as to have a substantial detrimental effect on the accuracy of the sensor. There is also shown analytical apparatus which includes such a docking mechanism.

Docking mechanism for a sensor cartridge

An assembly design for an oscillating resonator-based sensor where an oscillating crystal resonator such as a quartz crystal resonator is rigidly affixed or 'mounted' onto a solid substrate in such a fashion that the resonator can either rest flush against the substrate surface or upon a rigid mounting adhesive. Once cured, the mounting adhesive forms a liquid tight seal between the mounted resonator and the substrate such that only the sensing electrode surface will be exposed to fluids applied to the front side of the substrate. The mounted resonator assembly is designed in such a way that it can be interfaced with a fluid delivery system to form a liquid tight chamber or flow cell around the mounted resonator without incurring additional physical impact upon the mounted resonator. The assembled flow cell can in turn be used to direct multiple fluid streams to flow in a laminar manner over the sensing surface of the mounted resonator and by varying the rates of flow for the different laminar flowing fluid streams the total hydraulic pressure exerted on the surface of the mounted resonator can be held constant.

Oscillating sensor and fluid sample analysis using an oscillating sensor

Flow cell facilitating precise delivery of reagent to a detection surface using evacuation ports and guided laminar flows, and methods of use

Growing community of inventors

Pleasant Prairie, WI, United States of America

Christopher Durham Whalen