US 12,269,040 B2
Devices and methods for rapid sample processing and analysis
Sally Maureen McFall, Evanston, IL (US); David M. Kelso, Wilmette, IL (US); Jennifer Lynn Reed, Chicago, IL (US); and Tom Westberg, Gurnee, IL (US)
Assigned to Northwestern University, Evanston, IL (US)
Appl. No. 16/615,630
Filed by Northwestern University, Evanston, IL (US)
PCT Filed May 24, 2018, PCT No. PCT/US2018/034443
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Nov. 21, 2019,
PCT Pub. No. WO2018/218053, PCT Pub. Date Nov. 29, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/510,503, filed on May 24, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2020/0171503 A1, Jun. 4, 2020
Int. Cl. B01L 3/00 (2006.01); B01L 7/00 (2006.01); C12Q 1/686 (2018.01); G01N 1/28 (2006.01); G01N 21/64 (2006.01); G01N 35/00 (2006.01); G01N 35/04 (2006.01)
CPC B01L 7/5255 (2013.01) [B01L 3/502715 (2013.01); B01L 3/52 (2013.01); C12Q 1/686 (2013.01); G01N 1/28 (2013.01); G01N 21/645 (2013.01); G01N 35/0099 (2013.01); G01N 35/04 (2013.01); B01L 2200/0684 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0887 (2013.01); B01L 2300/1827 (2013.01)] 5 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A device, comprising:
(a) a sample cassette comprising a front layer, a central layer, and a rear layer, wherein each layer is less than 1 mm in thickness, wherein the central layer comprises a sample containment cutout, wherein the front and rear layers are adhered to the central layer, wherein the front and/or rear layer comprise a transparent window aligned with the containment cutout;
(b) a sample container, which is structurally defined by the front layer, the rear layer, and the sample containment cutout of the sample cassette;
(c) a first set of heaters comprising a first front heater and a first rear heater and in opposing orientations thereby creating a gap comprising a first temperature zone between the first front and first rear heaters;
(d) a second set of heaters comprising a second front heater and a second rear heater in opposing orientations thereby creating a gap comprising a second temperature zone between the second front and second rear heaters;
(e) a shuttle motor and a sample holder, configured to physically align the sample container (i) within the first temperature zone, or (ii) within the second temperature zone, wherein the sample cassette is connected to the sample holder, and the sample holder is connected to the shuttle motor;
(f) a heater motor that is configured (i) to narrow the gap between the first set of heaters and when the sample container is within the first temperature zone,
(ii) to narrow the gap between the second set of heaters when the sample container is within the second temperature zone, and (iii) to widen the gap between the first and second sets of heaters to allow the shuttle motor to physically align the sample container within the first and/or second temperature zones.