US 12,247,905 B2
Methods and systems for sample extraction
Daniel Delubac, San Francisco, CA (US)
Assigned to Freenome Holdings, Inc., South San Francisco, CA (US)
Filed by Freenome Holdings, Inc., South San Francisco, CA (US)
Filed on Aug. 18, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/451,922.
Application 18/451,922 is a division of application No. 16/827,439, filed on Mar. 23, 2020, granted, now 11,781,959.
Application 16/827,439 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US2018/052209, filed on Sep. 21, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/563,000, filed on Sep. 25, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2024/0053241 A1, Feb. 15, 2024
Int. Cl. G01N 11/08 (2006.01); B01L 3/02 (2006.01); G01F 1/36 (2006.01); G01N 35/10 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 11/08 (2013.01) [B01L 3/0237 (2013.01); B01L 3/0293 (2013.01); G01F 1/363 (2013.01); G01N 35/1016 (2013.01); B01L 3/0279 (2013.01); B01L 2200/143 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0663 (2013.01); B01L 2400/0478 (2013.01); B01L 2400/0487 (2013.01); G01N 2035/1062 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for sample extraction, the system comprising:
(a) a sample extraction device, comprising:
(i) a tubular structure comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said distal end of said tubular structure comprises a tip;
(ii) at least one channel comprising a proximal end and a distal end;
(iii) a reservoir connected to said proximal end of said at least one channel;
(iv) a fluid flow unit connected between said proximal end of said tubular structure and said distal end of said at least one channel, wherein said fluid flow unit is configured to supply a pressure differential of a fluid in said at least one channel or a fluid in said reservoir; and
(v) at least one sensor attached to said at least one channel between (1) said proximal end of said at least one channel and (2) said distal end of said at least one channel or said reservoir, wherein said at least one sensor is configured to output one or more signals indicative of a viscosity of said fluid in said at least one channel or said fluid in said reservoir;
(b) a container comprising a plurality of samples, wherein said plurality of samples comprises a first fluid sample and a second fluid sample, wherein said first fluid sample and said second fluid sample have different fluid viscosities;
(c) a motion platform operatively coupled to said tubular structure;
(d) an actuator operatively coupled to said motion platform, wherein said actuator is configured to direct movement of said motion platform to direct said tip of said tubular structure into said container; and
(e) one or more computer processors operatively coupled to said at least one sensor, said actuator, and said fluid flow unit, wherein said one or more computer processors are individually or collectively programmed to:
(1) direct said actuator to direct said tip of said tubular structure into said first fluid sample and said second fluid sample of said container comprising said plurality of samples;
(2) direct said fluid flow unit to apply said pressure differential to thereby cause said first fluid sample is to flow from said container and, from said at least one sensor, concurrently collect said one or more signals indicative of a viscosity of said fluid in said at least one channel or said fluid in said reservoir;
(3) detect a change, via said at least one sensor, in said viscosity of said fluid in said at least one channel or said fluid in said reservoir, wherein said change in said viscosity of said fluid is indicative of said second fluid sample flowing from said container through said tip of said tubular structure and to said reservoir; and
(4) upon detecting said change in (3), direct said fluid flow unit to terminate said application of said pressure differential, thereby reducing a flow rate of said fluid of said second fluid sample from said container through said tip of said tubular structure and to said reservoir.