Patent ID: 9132423
Filing Date: 2015-09-15
Classification: B01L,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A microfluidic cartridge comprising a plastic, thermally insulative cartridge body enclosing: i) a hydraulic works comprising an upstream sample inlet, one or more on-board liquid or dry reagents for an assay, and a wettable downstream microfluidic subcircuit comprising a channel and chamber fluidly connected to said upstream inlet and vented at a downstream vent; ii) a pneumatic works comprising an inlet or inlets configured for receiving pneumatic pressure and a pneumatic subcircuit comprising a channel and chamber configured for conveying said pneumatic pressure therefrom; iii) a staging manifold having a plurality of chambers, wherein each said chamber of said plurality of chambers is separated into a hydraulic chamber and a pneumatic chamber by an elastic, energy-storing pneumohydraulic diaphragm sealedly mounted therebetween, and configured such that a liquid volume admitted through an inlet into each said hydraulic chamber in series or in parallel distends each said energy-storing pneumohydraulic diaphragm according to an isobaric pressure proportionate to the displacement volume thereof, wherein said inlet is valvedly closeable for equilibrating said hydraulic pressure throughout said staging manifold after filling is complete; and; iv) a plurality of vented downstream channels in parallel, wherein one said channel of said plurality of channels is in fluidic communication with at least one of said hydraulic chambers of said staging manifold, each said vented downstream channel having a valve configured for closing during filling and pressurization and for opening during draining and depressurization, whereby said hydraulic pressure of said elastic, pneumohydraulic diaphragm in a distended state is passively converted to the work of advancing a meniscus during initial wetout of said plurality of vented downstream channels in parallel, and wherein said hydraulic chambers and diaphragms are configured for preventing or reducing bubble entrainment or reagent washout during wetout, fill, pumping or rehydration steps of an assay, and wherein said pneumatic chamber is vented to atmosphere.