US 12,276,596 B2
Systems, devices, components and methods for analyzing body fluid samples
Nuno Jorge Carvalho de Sousa, Oporto (PT); Miguel Angelo Alves Gomes dos Santos Silva, Vila Nova de Gaia (PT); João Carlos Cruz de Sousa, Vila do Conde (PT); António César Silva Ferreira, Oporto (PT); João Alexandre Oliveira Martins, Vila Nova de Gala (PT); António Manuel Pacheco e Murta, Braga (PT); and Vitor Manuel da Rocha Dinis, Viana do Castelo (PT)
Filed by Labinlight Lda, Viana do Castelo (PT)
Filed on Apr. 5, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/222,911.
Claims priority of application No. 20168719 (EP), filed on Apr. 8, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0315496 A1, Oct. 14, 2021
Int. Cl. A61B 5/15 (2006.01); A61B 5/00 (2006.01); B01L 3/00 (2006.01); G01N 21/03 (2006.01); G01N 33/487 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 21/0303 (2013.01) [A61B 5/0075 (2013.01); B01L 3/50 (2013.01); G01N 2021/0385 (2013.01); G01N 33/487 (2013.01)] 95 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A body fluid sample cartridge configured for use in conjunction with a corresponding spectroscopic body fluid analysis device, the spectroscopic device comprising at least one light source, at least one reflected light sensor, and at least one light transmission and light acquisition aperture, the cartridge comprising:
a cartridge frame or body;
an uncovered cartridge opening disposed in the frame or body, the opening being sized and shaped to operate in cooperation and in conjunction with the at least one light source, the at least one reflected light sensor, and the at least one aperture of the spectroscopic device;
at least one body fluid dispersing sheet, layer or membrane disposed in, across or near at least portions of the cartridge opening such that at least portions of the sheet, layer or membrane are spaced apart from and not in contact with the cartridge frame or body, and
at least one body fluid sample capillary tube or channel formed or situated in or on a portion of the cartridge frame or body, the tube or channel comprising a body fluid collection inlet disposed adjacent to an exterior portion of the frame or body and a body fluid dispersion outlet disposed adjacent to a portion of the opening in the frame or body;
wherein the uncovered cartridge opening, the tube or channel, and the sheet, layer or membrane are together configured to acquire, deliver and disperse through capillary action a predetermined amount or volume of a body fluid sample from a patient that is introduced to the body fluid collection inlet and delivered through the tube or channel and the body fluid dispersion outlet thereof at least one of onto, into, through and across the sheet, layer or membrane, and further wherein the uncovered cartridge opening, the tube or channel, and the sheet, layer or membrane are together configured to facilitate a flow of air and the body fluid sample through the tube or channel into the opening and onto the sheet, layer or membrane, and the body fluid sample on the sheet, layer or membrane is configured to be analyzed by the corresponding spectroscopic device when the cartridge is placed or fitted in an operative position or location with respect thereto in the corresponding spectroscopic device.