Honeywell International Inc.

Ron Bardell

Aravind Padmanabhan

Tom M Rezachek

Bernard S Fritz

James Allen Cox

Mark A Kelley

Cleopatra Cabuz

Peter L Reutiman

Eric Richard Peltola

Robert Janisch

Tzu-Yu Wang

Lynn M Seifried

Pam Wong

Douglas D Bird

Christopher J Zins

Pamela Wong

Mark Washa

Tighe Belden

A multiple layer test card includes a waste channel to receive biological waste from an area of the test card utilized for testing biological samples. Multiple compartments in a waste layer of the card are separated from each other by a rib in the waste layer. A first compartment is positioned to receive biological waste from the waste channel. A pass is coupled between each adjacent set of compartments to pass biological waste and air between compartments. A vent in a last compartment provides an air exit from the card.

Card waste storage mechanism

A device includes a plasma separation membrane, a capillary channel positioned adjacent the plasma separation membrane to receive plasma from blood placed on the plasma separation membrane, at least one cuvette coupled to the capillary channel, a gas permeable membrane, and a distribution channel coupled to the capillary channel to provide plasma to the cuvette, wherein the cuvette is configured to hold an amount of plasma with reagent suitable for colorimetric assay by a tester to hold the device. Variations include the use of a quantitation channel to provide a selected amount of plasma and a mixing channel to mix plasma with a diluent.

Microfluidic separation of plasma for colormetric assay

A disposable blood analysis cartridge may include a sample collection reservoir, an absorbance measurement channel, and an optical light scattering measurement channel. One or more valves may be disposed between the sample collection reservoir and the absorbance measurement channel and/or the optical light scattering measurement channel. A negative pressure may be applied to the cartridge to pull sample from the sample collection reservoir through the one or more valves and into the absorbance measurement channel and/or the optical light scattering measurement channel. Once the sample is pulled into the absorbance measurement channel and/or the optical light scattering measurement channel, the one or more valves may be closed. With the one or more valves closed, and in some cases, a pusher fluid may be provided to push the fluid sample to other regions of the disposable fluid blood analysis cartridge.

Disposable cartridge for fluid analysis

A system relating to sample analyzers, and more particular, to sample analyzers that are simple to operate and have a reduced risk of providing an erroneous result to a user. In some cases, the sample analyzer may be a portable sample analyzer that includes a disposable fluidic cartridge. The operators of the analyzers need not be trained.

Portable sample analyzer cartridge

A disposable blood analysis cartridge for analyzing a blood sample including an optical light scattering measurement channel is described. In use, processed sample may be introduced into a sheath fluid channel at an angle, &#x3b1;, of approximately 90 degrees, relative to the direction of flow of the sheath fluid. In addition, delivering the sample from the side into the sheath fluid may facilitate better positioning of the core within the hydrodynamic focusing channel for measurement.

A disposable blood analysis cartridge for analyzing a blood sample including an optical absorbance measurement channel is described. The optical absorbance measurement channel includes a plasma separation region and at least one sub channel including a cuvette that is in fluid communication with the plasma separation region and configured to receive a plasma portion of a blood sample that has been passed through the plasma separation region. A negative pressure may be applied to the cartridge to draw the sample through the plasma separation region and into the sub channel including the cuvette.

A two-step method for loading a fluid sample into a disposable fluid analysis cartridge is described. First, capillary action may be used to initially draw a sample through a sample introduction port and into a sample collection reservoir provided in the fluid analysis cartridge. Once the fluid sample has been drawn into the sample collection reservoir by capillary action, a negative pressure may be applied to the cartridge to pull the sample from the sample collection reservoir and into a sample loading channel. A valve may be disposed between the sample collection reservoir and the sample loading channel to prevent backflow of sample into the sample collection reservoir and to retain sample in the sample loading channel.

Two step sample loading of a fluid analysis cartridge

Instrument-cartridge interfaces for fluidic analyzers that have an instrument and a removable cartridge are disclosed. For example, and in one illustrative embodiment, the instrument may include a needle that is adapted to penetrate a septum on a removable cartridge. In another illustrative embodiment, the instrument may include a plunger that is adapted to deform a deformable membrane on a removable cartridge. In yet another illustrative embodiment, the instrument may include a nozzle that is adapted to mate and seal with a flow channel on a removable cartridge. Techniques for detecting the flow rate in a flow channel on a removable cartridge, as well as the position of fluid in a flow channel of a removable cartridge, are also disclosed.

Fluid sensing and control in a fluidic analyzer

A system relating to sample analyzers, and more particular, to sample analyzers that are simple to operate and have a reduce risk of providing an erroneous result to a user. In some cases, the sample analyzer may be a portable sample analyzer that includes a disposable fluidic cartridge. The operators of the analyzers need not be trained.

Analyzer system

Portable sample analyzer system

A microfluidic circuit cartridge having 3-D hydrodynamic focusing. The cartridge may be fabricated with injection-molded or other molded layers providing a 3-D structure. A flow channel on the card may have a sample core flowing in a fluid of a flow channel for analysis. The sample core may be adjustable in position within the channel with one or more jets or channels of fluid being injected into the flow channel. The jets may also adjust the size of the sample core. There may be a hemoglobin measurement mechanism or card with a cuvette.

Molded cartridge with 3-D hydrodynamic focusing

Needle-septum interface for a fluidic analyzer

A microfluidic circuit cartridge for a complete blood count, including analyses of red blood cells. Various parameters of the red blood cells may be attained. The cartridge may have sphering mechanism which has a channel or loop with a configuration for reducing or eliminating cell settling. The channel or loop may incorporate a combination of straight and curve paths in the context of gravity. The channel may alternatively have a hydrophilic or hydrophobic inside surface. Again alternatively, the channel may have an electro-wettable inside surface. Or, the channel may be subject to an electric or magnetic field. There may also be a mechanism for reducing or eliminating clumping of a sample.

Growing community of inventors

St. Louis Park, MN, United States of America

Ron Bardell