Patent ID: 8182767
Filing Date: 2012-05-22
Classification: B01L,G01N

Abstract:
1. A fluidic analyzer for supporting a flow cytometry analysis of a sample fluid, comprising: a cartridge having a first major surface and an opposing second major surface, and a first flow channel defined by flow channel walls, the first flow channel situated between the first and second major surfaces such that fluid in the flow channel flows along a plane that is substantially parallel to planes of the first and second major surfaces, wherein a first opening extends from outside of the cartridge through the first major surface, through a flow channel wall and into the first flow channel, the cartridge including one or more transparent windows aligned with at least part of the first flow channel; a first septum disposed in or over the first opening and secured to at least a portion of the cartridge with a fluid tight seal; an instrument for receiving the cartridge, the instrument having one or more light sources and light detectors optically aligned with one or more transparent windows of the cartridge when the cartridge is received by the instrument; a first needle attached to the instrument, wherein the first needle is sized to fit in the first opening of the first flow channel, wherein as the cartridge is received by the instrument, the first needle moves relative to the cartridge from a first retracted position where the first needle does not pierce through the first septum of the cartridge, to a second extended position where the first needle pierces through the first septum, extends into the first opening of the cartridge, and is in fluid communication with the first flow channel; a flow sensor in line with the first needle and configured to detect a measure related to a flow rate of fluid passing through the first needle; the instrument in communication with the flow sensor and configured to induce and control a flow rate of a fluid in the first needle, which in turn, induces and controls a flow rate of fluid in the first flow channel of the cartridge when the first needle is situated in the first opening of the first flow channel and through the first septum in the second extended position, the flow rate of fluid in the first flow channel of the cartridge configured to support the flow cytometry analysis of the sample fluid; and the instrument structured to perform at least some of the flow cytometry analysis of the sample fluid by optically analyzing a fluid as the fluid flows through the first flow channel adjacent the at least one of the one or more transparent windows of the cartridge.