US 12,146,891 B2
United states systems and methods for fluid and component handling
James R. Wasson, Los Altos, CA (US); John Kent Frankovich, Palo Alto, CA (US); Elizabeth A. Holmes, San Francisco, CA (US); Timothy Smith, San Ramon, CA (US); Michael Chen, Sunnyvale, CA (US); and Daniel Young, San Francisco, CA (US)
Assigned to Labrador Diagnostics LLC, Wilmington, DE (US)
Filed by Labrador Diagnostics LLC, Wilmington, DE (US)
Filed on Jul. 18, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/515,501.
Application 16/515,501 is a continuation of application No. 14/928,087, filed on Oct. 30, 2015, granted, now 10,371,710.
Application 14/928,087 is a continuation of application No. 14/157,343, filed on Jan. 16, 2014, granted, now 10,012,664, issued on Jul. 3, 2018.
Application 14/157,343 is a continuation of application No. 13/769,820, filed on Feb. 18, 2013, abandoned.
Application 13/769,820 is a continuation in part of application No. PCT/US2012/057155, filed on Sep. 25, 2012.
Application PCT/US2012/057155 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/244,946, filed on Sep. 26, 2011, granted, now 8,380,541, issued on Feb. 19, 2013.
Application PCT/US2012/057155 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/244,947, filed on Sep. 26, 2011, granted, now 8,435,738, issued on May 7, 2013.
Application 13/769,820 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/244,949, filed on Sep. 26, 2011, granted, now 9,632,102, issued on Apr. 25, 2017.
Application 13/769,820 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/244,950, filed on Sep. 26, 2011, granted, now 9,664,702, issued on May 30, 2017.
Application 13/769,820 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/244,952, filed on Sep. 26, 2011, granted, now 8,475,739, issued on Jul. 2, 2013.
Application 13/769,820 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/244,953, filed on Sep. 26, 2011, abandoned.
Application 13/769,820 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/244,954, filed on Sep. 26, 2011, granted, now 8,840,838, issued on Sep. 23, 2014.
Application 13/769,820 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/244,956, filed on Sep. 26, 2011, granted, now 9,268,915, issued on Feb. 23, 2016.
Application 13/769,820 is a continuation in part of application No. PCT/US2011/053188, filed on Sep. 25, 2011.
Application 13/769,820 is a continuation in part of application No. PCT/US2011/053189, filed on Sep. 25, 2011.
Application 13/769,820 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/244,947, filed on Sep. 26, 2011, granted, now 8,435,738, issued on May 7, 2013.
Prior Publication US 2020/0057085 A1, Feb. 20, 2020
Int. Cl. B01L 3/00 (2006.01); B01L 3/02 (2006.01); G01N 35/00 (2006.01); G01N 35/02 (2006.01); G01N 35/10 (2006.01); B01L 9/00 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 35/026 (2013.01) [B01L 3/0275 (2013.01); B01L 3/0279 (2013.01); B01L 3/5021 (2013.01); B01L 3/50851 (2013.01); B01L 3/50855 (2013.01); G01N 35/00871 (2013.01); G01N 35/0092 (2013.01); G01N 35/10 (2013.01); G01N 35/1065 (2013.01); B01L 3/502715 (2013.01); B01L 9/527 (2013.01); B01L 2200/023 (2013.01); B01L 2200/025 (2013.01); B01L 2200/0673 (2013.01); B01L 2200/0689 (2013.01); B01L 2300/041 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0851 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0893 (2013.01); B01L 2400/0677 (2013.01); G01N 2035/00326 (2013.01); G01N 2035/00495 (2013.01); G01N 2035/00881 (2013.01); G01N 2035/0094 (2013.01); Y10T 436/2575 (2015.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A biological sample processing system for use with at least one cartridge, comprising:
a plurality of sample processing modules, each comprising:
a cartridge receiving location for receiving the cartridge,
a fluid handling system for interacting with the cartridge;
a nucleic acid amplification device comprising at least one heater, an optical detector, and configured to perform a nucleic acid assay; and
a support structure and a mount configured to allow each of the plurality of sample processing modules to be detachable from the support structure;
wherein said plurality of sample processing modules is mounted on the support structure; and
a controller;
wherein each of the plurality of sample processing modules is configured to be in electrical, electromagnetic or optoelectronic communication with the controller, said controller being programmed to provide one or more instructions to, and receive responses from, the plurality of sample processing modules to evaluate indicators of sample or system performance;
wherein each of the plurality of sample processing modules is interchangeable with another of the plurality of sample processing modules of the system; and
wherein each of the plurality of sample processing modules is configured to perform an analysis simultaneously with another one of the plurality of sample processing modules.
 
8. A biological sample processing system, comprising:
a plurality of cartridges each containing reagents for a nucleic acid assay;
a plurality of sample processing modules, each configured to receive at least one of said cartridges, each comprising:
a cartridge receiving location for receiving at least one of the cartridges,
a fluid handling system for interacting with said at least one of the cartridges;
a nucleic acid amplification device comprising at least one heater, an optical detector, and configured to perform a nucleic acid assay; and
a support structure and a mount configured to allow each of the plurality of sample processing modules to be detachable from the support structure;
wherein said plurality of sample processing modules is mounted on the support structure; and
a controller;
wherein each of the plurality of sample processing modules is configured to be in electrical, electromagnetic or optoelectronic communication with the controller, said controller being programmed to provide one or more instructions to, and receive responses from, the plurality of sample processing modules to evaluate indicators of sample or system performance;
wherein each of the plurality of sample processing modules is interchangeable with another of the plurality of sample processing modules of the system; and
wherein each of the plurality of sample processing modules is configured to perform an analysis simultaneously with another one of the plurality of sample processing modules.
 
14. A biological sample processing system, comprising:
a housing;
a controller in the housing;
a touchscreen on the housing and in communication with the controller;
a plurality of cartridges;
a plurality of sample processing modules, each configured to receive at least one of said cartridges, each comprising:
a nucleic acid amplification device comprising at least one heater, an optical detector, and configured to perform a nucleic acid assay;
a mount configured to allow each of the plurality of sample processing modules to be detachable;
wherein said plurality of sample processing modules is supported by the housing;
wherein each of the plurality of sample processing modules is configured to be in electrical, electromagnetic or optoelectronic communication with the controller, said controller being programmed to provide one or more instructions to, and receive responses from, the plurality of sample processing modules to evaluate indicators of sample or system performance;
wherein each of the plurality of sample processing modules is interchangeable with another of the plurality of sample processing modules of the system; and
wherein each of the plurality of sample processing modules is configured to perform an analysis simultaneously with another one of the plurality of sample processing modules.