US 11,892,459 B2
Cartridge device for a measuring system for measuring viscoelastic characteristics of a sample liquid, a corresponding measuring system, and a corresponding method
Axel Schubert, Munich (DE); Jose J. Romero-Galeano, Markt Schwaben (DE); and Max Kessler, Munich (DE)
Assigned to C A CASYSO GMBH, Basel (CH)
Filed by C A Casyso GmbH, Basel (CH)
Filed on Jun. 20, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/211,917.
Application 18/211,917 is a continuation of application No. 17/393,036, filed on Aug. 3, 2021.
Application 17/393,036 is a continuation of application No. 16/520,006, filed on Jul. 23, 2019, granted, now 11,131,680, issued on Sep. 28, 2021.
Application 16/520,006 is a continuation of application No. 16/146,333, filed on Sep. 28, 2018, granted, now 10,746,750, issued on Aug. 18, 2020.
Application 16/146,333 is a continuation of application No. 15/869,782, filed on Jan. 12, 2018, abandoned.
Application 15/869,782 is a continuation of application No. 15/357,492, filed on Nov. 21, 2016, granted, now 9,915,671, issued on Mar. 13, 2018.
Application 15/357,492 is a continuation of application No. 15/066,605, filed on Mar. 10, 2016, granted, now 9,739,789, issued on Aug. 22, 2017.
Application 15/066,605 is a continuation of application No. 13/895,034, filed on May 15, 2013, granted, now 9,285,377, issued on Mar. 15, 2016.
Application 13/895,034 is a continuation of application No. 12/640,376, filed on Dec. 17, 2009, granted, now 8,448,499, issued on May 28, 2013.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/140,344, filed on Dec. 23, 2008.
Prior Publication US 2023/0349932 A1, Nov. 2, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G01N 33/86 (2006.01); G01N 33/49 (2006.01); G01N 11/14 (2006.01); B01L 3/00 (2006.01); G01N 11/00 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 33/86 (2013.01) [B01L 3/502 (2013.01); B01L 3/52 (2013.01); G01N 11/00 (2013.01); G01N 11/14 (2013.01); G01N 33/4905 (2013.01); B01L 2200/10 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0627 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0636 (2013.01); B01L 2300/087 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0861 (2013.01); B01L 2400/0475 (2013.01); G01N 2011/0046 (2013.01); G01N 2333/96458 (2013.01); G01N 2800/224 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A cartridge for a measuring system, the cartridge comprising:
at least two testing cavities, each testing cavity of the at least two testing cavities being configured to perform a respective test to determine a respective viscoelastic characteristic associated with a respective liquid, each respective test comprising an independent test to determine the respective viscoelastic characteristic associated with the respective liquid;
at least two receiving cavities, each receiving cavity of the at least two receiving cavities being configured to receive a respective component used to produce the respective liquid, each receiving cavity being a different structure and being configured to hold at least an amount of the respective component that enables determination of the respective viscoelastic characteristic by testing performed in a respective testing cavity;
at least two reagent cavities, each reagent cavity of the at least two reagent cavities being configured to hold at least one respective reagent, each receiving cavity being devoid of reagent prior to receiving the respective component used to produce the respective liquid; and
ductwork connecting each respective receiving cavity, each respective reagent cavity, and each respective testing cavity, each of the at least two receiving cavities and each of the at least two reagent cavities being different from the ductwork;
wherein:
each respective reagent cavity has a larger volume than a portion of the ductwork that has a length equivalent to a length of each respective reagent cavity, the length of each respective reagent cavity being measured along a respective first axis connecting an inlet and an outlet of each respective reagent cavity,
each respective receiving cavity has a larger volume than a portion of the ductwork that has a length equivalent to a length of each respective receiving cavity, the length of each respective receiving cavity being measured along a respective second axis that is parallel to the respective first axis, and
each respective reagent cavity is between each respective receiving cavity and each respective testing cavity in a respective fluid flow path;
wherein each respective reagent cavity is configured to receive the respective component from each respective receiving cavity and to enable mixing of the respective component and the at least one respective reagent to produce the respective liquid;
wherein the ductwork comprises (i) first ducts, each respective first duct being fluidically connected between each respective receiving cavity and each respective reagent cavity and (ii) second ducts, each respective second duct being fluidically connected between each respective reagent cavity and each respective testing cavity, the first ducts and the second ducts being parts of respective fluid flow paths from each respective receiving cavity to and through each respective reagent cavity and subsequently to each respective testing cavity; and
wherein each receiving cavity is associated with a single testing cavity.