Patent Description:
The present disclosure relates to a fluid metering device. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a fluid metering device for measuring at least two fluids with reduced cross-contamination.

In an immunoassay test, a fluid metering device is required to separate and measure at least two fluids (e.g., a wash solution and water). A conventional immunoassay analyzer (e.g., Atellica® IM analyzer) can fulfill the fluid separation and measurement functions using a plurality of displacement pumps, an independent pump manifold for each displacement pump, and an additional <NUM>-layer <NUM>-valve manifold to dispense the fluids (e.g., a wash solution and water). However, this <NUM>-layer manifold is traditionally very expensive.

Another conventional fluid metering device uses an independent precision metering pump for each fluid. However, because the precision metering pump is an expensive component, the overall cost of the system is high. Thus, it is desired to provide a new fluid metering device that can significantly reduce the cost. <CIT> discloses multifunction valve apparatus for use with a Probe-In-Loop (PIL) architecture sample injection assembly which enables both Partial-Fill and Complete-Fill injections. The rotor element is rotatable about a rotation axis relative the stator between: a Load Position, an Overfill Position, and an Injection Position. In the Load Position, a first bridge channel fluidly couples a metering syringe to the sample loop assembly enabling the probe to aspirate one of a discrete volume of sample into the probe, during a Partial-Fill Mode, and a second volume of sample into the probe, during a Complete-Fill Mode. In the Overfill Position, in the Complete-Fill Mode, a second bridge channel fluidly couples a downstream loop portion to a waste port, and the first bridge channel fluidly couples the metering syringe to an upstream loop portion of the sample loop assembly.

The invention comprises a fluid metering device according to claim <NUM>. Embodiments of the present invention address and overcome one or more of the above shortcomings and drawbacks, by providing a fluid metering device for measuring at least two fluids with reduced cross-contamination.

Embodiments provide a fluid metering device, comprising: a metering pump for measuring a volume of each fluid; a manifold connected to the metering pump, wherein the manifold includes a plurality of fluid channels, and the manifold is used for communicating between the valve assembly and each port.

Embodiments further provide a fluid metering device, wherein the first fluid is supplied at an elevated pressure, wherein the first valve is a two-way valve, and the second valve, the third valve, and the fourth valve are all three-way valves.

Embodiments further provide a fluid metering device, further comprising a booster pump connected to the first fluid supply port.

Embodiments further provide a fluid metering device, further comprising a tube winding case accommodating the first valve and the second valve, wherein the first tube and the second tube wrap around the tube winding case separately.

Embodiments further provide a fluid metering device, further comprising a first circular cover for covering the first tube; and a second circular cover for covering the second tube.

Embodiments further provide a fluid metering device, further comprising a connecting plate on top of the manifold, wherein the connecting plate is connected to the manifold and the tube winding case, and the first tube and the second tube are connected to the manifold through the connecting plate.

Embodiments further provide a fluid metering device, further comprising a tube winding case, wherein the first tube and the second tube wrap around the first valve and the second valve, and the tube winding case encloses the first tube and the second tube.

Embodiments further provide a fluid metering device, further comprising a third tube connected to the second fluid supply port, a fourth tube connected to the waste discharge port, and a fifth tube connected to the first fluid supply port.

Embodiments further provide a fluid metering device, further comprising a connecting plate on top of the manifold, wherein the first tube, the second tube, the third tube, the fourth tube, and the fifth tube are connected to the manifold through the connecting plate.

Embodiments further provide a fluid metering device, wherein the connecting plate includes a plurality of slots communicating with the plurality of fluid channels in the manifold, and the first tube, the second tube, the third tube, the fourth tube, and the fifth tube are connected to the plurality of slots.

Embodiments further provide a fluid metering device, the plurality of slots includes a first slot connected to the third tube, a second slot connected to one end of the second tube, a third slot connected to the fifth tube, a fourth slot connected to one end of the first tube; a fifth slot connected to the other end of the second tube, a sixth slot connected to the fourth tube, and a seventh slot connected to the other end of the first tube.

Embodiments further provide a fluid metering device, wherein a capacity of the second tube is greater than or equal to a required amount of the second fluid.

Embodiments further provide a fluid metering device, wherein the first valve, the second valve, the third valve, and the fourth valve are all three-way valves, and the first fluid and the second fluid are supplied at an atmospheric pressure.

Embodiments further provide a fluid metering device, further comprising a booster pump connected to the second fluid supply port, so that the second fluid is supplied at an elevated pressure, wherein the valve assembly further comprises a fifth valve connected to the fourth valve, the third valve, and the waste discharge port, wherein the fifth valve is a three-way valve.

Embodiments further provide a fluid metering device, further comprising a booster pump connected to the second fluid supply port, so that the second fluid is supplied at an elevated pressure, wherein the valve assembly further comprises a sixth valve connected to the waste discharge port and the second tube, wherein the sixth valve is a two-way valve.

Embodiments further provide a fluid metering device, wherein the metering pump is a positive displacement pump.

Embodiments further provide a fluid metering device, wherein the first fluid is water, and the second fluid is a wash solution selected from a group comprising Potassium Chloride, Potassium Phosphate, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Azide, Disodium Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid, and Polysorbate <NUM>.

The invention according to claim <NUM> provides a fluid metering device, comprising a first fluid supply port for receiving a first fluid, a first fluid dispense port for dispensing the first fluid, a second fluid supply port for receiving a second fluid, a second fluid dispense port for dispensing the second fluid, a waste discharge port for discharging a mixture of the first fluid and the second fluid, a metering pump for measuring a volume of each of the first fluid and the second fluid, a valve assembly used for directing the first fluid from the first fluid supply port to the first fluid dispense port, directing the second fluid from the second fluid supply port to the second fluid dispense port, and directing the mixture to the waste discharge port, wherein the valve assembly includes a first valve connected to the first fluid supply port and the metering pump, a second valve connected to the first fluid dispense port, a third valve connected to the second valve and the waste discharge port, and a fourth valve connected to the third valve, the second fluid supply port and the second fluid dispense port, a first tube connected between the second valve and the third valve for accommodating the mixture or the first fluid, wherein the first tube is configured to prevent the second fluid from reaching the second valve, and a second tube connected between the third valve and the fourth valve for accommodating the second fluid, wherein the second tube is configured to accommodate a required amount of the second fluid.

The foregoing and other aspects of the present invention are best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings embodiments that are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific instrumentalities disclosed. Included in the drawings are the following Figures:.

The following disclosure describes embodiments directed to a fluid metering device that utilizes a single-precision metering pump, a single manifold, and a valve assembly to precisely measure two different fluids while minimizing cross-contamination between the fluids. Because only a single-precision metering pump and a single manifold are required in the fluid metering device described herein, the cost is significantly reduced compared to conventional multi-pump systems. The fluid metering device can be used for any scenario where fluid separation is required including, without limitation, immunoassay wash separation.

In an embodiment, a single machined manifold having fluidic channels is connected to a precision metering pump and a valve assembly including four valves to precisely dispense water and a wash solution, while minimizing cross-contamination between the water and the wash solution. Two tubes are connected externally to the manifold in a "loop" configuration for minimal cross-contamination. Moreover, due to the use of external tubes, an expensive layered manifold (e.g., <NUM>-layer manifold) is not required, which further reduces the overall cost of the system.

<FIG> illustrates a block diagram depicting a working principle of a fluid metering device <NUM>, in accordance with different embodiments described herein. As shown in <FIG>, the fluid metering device <NUM> includes four valves (the first valve <NUM>, the second valve <NUM>, the third valve <NUM>, and the fourth valve <NUM>) and a metering pump <NUM>. In an embodiment, the first valve <NUM> is a two-way valve, while the second valve <NUM>, the third valve <NUM>, and the fourth valve <NUM> are three-way valves. In another embodiment, all the four valves can be three-way valves. In one scenario, when the first valve <NUM> is opened, the second valve <NUM> is connected to the third valve <NUM>, and the third valve <NUM> is connected to the waste discharge port <NUM>, the metering pump <NUM> can aspirate water from the water supply port <NUM>, and dispense the water to the waste discharge port <NUM>, so that waste in the first tube <NUM> can be discharged. In another scenario, when the first valve <NUM> is opened, and the second valve <NUM> is connected to the water dispense port <NUM>, then the metering pump <NUM> can aspirate water from the water supply port <NUM>, and dispense the water to the water dispense port <NUM>. The water dispense port <NUM> can then dispense water externally to another device (not shown in <FIG>).

In a further scenario, when the first valve <NUM> is closed, the second valve <NUM> is connected to the third valve <NUM>, the third valve <NUM> is connected to the fourth valve <NUM>, and the fourth valve <NUM> is connected to the wash supply port <NUM>, then the metering pump <NUM> can aspirate a wash solution from the wash supply port <NUM> into the second tube <NUM>. The length of the second tube <NUM> may be selected depending on the required amount of wash solution, and the second tube <NUM> itself can accommodate all the required amount of wash solution. The capacity of the second tube <NUM> can be greater than or equal to the required amount of wash solution. In an embodiment, the aspirated wash solution is a little (e.g., several milliliters) more than the required amount of wash solution to be dispensed, because some wash solution may be mixed with the water and thus contaminated, and has to be discharged from the waste discharge port <NUM>. In an example, the second tube <NUM> is full of the wash solution, and the extra wash solution enters into the first tube <NUM> and is mixed with the water in the first tube <NUM>.

In a further scenario, when the first valve <NUM> is closed, the second valve <NUM> is connected to the third valve <NUM>, the third valve <NUM> is connected to the fourth valve <NUM>, and the fourth valve <NUM> is connected to the wash dispense port <NUM>, then the wash solution in the second tube <NUM> can be dispensed externally to another device through the wash dispense port <NUM>. Because the second tube <NUM> can accommodate enough wash solution for dispensation, thus no liquid from the first tube <NUM> will be dispensed out.

After the required amount of wash solution is dispensed, the third valve <NUM> can be switched to connect to the waste discharge port <NUM>. While the first valve <NUM> is opened and the second valve <NUM> is connected to the third valve <NUM>, the metering pump <NUM> can aspirate water from the water supply port <NUM>, and dispense the water to the waste discharge port <NUM>. Thus, the waste (a mixture of wash solution and water) in the first tube <NUM> can be discharged from the waste discharge port <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the fluid metering device <NUM> further includes a booster pump <NUM> connected to the water supply port <NUM>. The booster pump <NUM> can increase the pressure of the water to, e.g., <NUM> psi (pound-force per square inch). The pressurized water allows for more water volume to be flushed through the fluid metering device <NUM> compared to the water at atmospheric pressure. In another embodiment, the water pressure can be increased by another approach, e.g., a water tank with compressed air, or an increase in water elevation.

<FIG> illustrates a structure of the fluid metering device <NUM>, in accordance with different embodiments described herein. The fluid metering device <NUM> is a compact assembly, instead of multiple disconnected assemblies. As shown in <FIG>, the fluid metering device <NUM> comprises a metering pump <NUM>, a valve assembly <NUM> including four valves (i.e., the first valve <NUM>, the second valve <NUM>, the third valve <NUM>, the fourth valve <NUM> as shown in <FIG>), and a manifold <NUM> containing fluid channels. The fluid metering device <NUM> further includes a plurality of tubes (i.e., the first tube <NUM> for connecting the second valve <NUM> and the third valve <NUM>, and the second tube <NUM> for connecting the third valve <NUM> and the fourth valve <NUM>, the third tube <NUM> for wash solution supply, the fourth tube <NUM> for waste discharge, the fifth tube <NUM> for water supply), a connecting plate <NUM> for easy connection, and a tube winding case <NUM> around which the first tube <NUM> and the second tube <NUM> wrap.

Continuing with reference to <FIG>, two fluid tubes (i.e., the first tube <NUM> and the second tube <NUM>) are used as buffers between different fluids (e.g., a wash solution and water). The two fluid tubes may be made of low-cost tubes, instead of expensive fluid channels within a layered manifold as in conventional systems. The valve assembly <NUM> enables a waste (i.e., a mixture of a wash solution and water) to be discharged through a waste discharge port <NUM> (shown in <FIG>), or the two fluid tubes to be linked together. The valve assembly <NUM> can direct each of the two fluids either through one of the fluid tubes or to one of the dispense ports. In an embodiment, the metering pump <NUM> is a precision metering pump, which is a positive displacement pump.

In an embodiment, the manifold <NUM> is used to provide most of the connections shown in <FIG>. For example, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the manifold <NUM> can be used to connect between the water supply port <NUM> and the first valve <NUM>, between the first valve <NUM> and the metering pump <NUM>, between the metering pump <NUM> and the second valve <NUM>, between the second valve <NUM> and the first tube <NUM>, between the first tube <NUM> and the third valve <NUM>, between the third valve <NUM> and the waste discharge port <NUM>, between the third valve <NUM> and the second tube <NUM>, between the second tube <NUM> and the fourth valve <NUM>, between the fourth valve <NUM> and the wash dispense port <NUM>, and between the fourth valve <NUM> and the wash supply port <NUM>. In this embodiment, the manifold <NUM> only has straight channels for the fluids (e.g., water, wash solution, or waste), and allows for straightforward machining operations to fabricate, instead of complex layered construction, which can significantly reduce the cost.

In an embodiment, the connecting plate (also called a "gang" plate) <NUM> is provided on top of the manifold <NUM> and connected to the manifold <NUM> and the tube winding case <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a layout of the connecting plate <NUM>, in accordance with different embodiments described herein. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the connecting plate <NUM> includes seven slots which communicate with fluid channels of the manifold <NUM> respectively. The first slot <NUM> is used to connect to the third tube <NUM> for wash solution supply; the second slot <NUM> is used to connect to one end of the second tube <NUM> for connecting the third valve <NUM> and the fourth valve <NUM>; the third slot <NUM> is used to connect to the fifth tube <NUM> for water supply; the fourth slot <NUM> is used to connect to one end of the first tube <NUM> for connecting the second valve <NUM> and the third valve <NUM>; the fifth slot <NUM> is used to connect to the other end of the second tube <NUM>; the sixth slot <NUM> is used to connect to the fourth tube <NUM> for waste discharge; the seventh slot <NUM> is used to connect to the other end of the first tube <NUM>. The slot positions correspond to positions and functions of the fluid channels in the manifold <NUM>. The slot positions may be different if the fluid channels in the manifold <NUM> are designed differently in positions and/or functions. The plurality of tubes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> can be connected to the manifold <NUM> through the connecting plate <NUM>, which can gather the plurality of tubes together for easy connection and space minimization.

<FIG> illustrates an explosive view of the tube winding case <NUM>, in accordance with different embodiments described herein. As shown in <FIG>, the tube winding case <NUM> includes a case body <NUM>, the first tube <NUM>, a first circular cover <NUM> for covering the first tube <NUM>, the second tube <NUM>, and a second circular cover <NUM> for covering the second tube <NUM>. The case body <NUM> accommodates two valves, e.g., the first valve <NUM> and the second valve <NUM>. The second tube <NUM> for accommodating a wash solution is much longer than the first tube <NUM> for accommodating water or waste (e.g., four or five times longer); thus, the second tube <NUM> may have more loops than that of the first tube <NUM>. The first tube <NUM> and the second tube <NUM> may wrap around the tube winding case <NUM> separately. The first circular cover <NUM> and the second circular cover <NUM> can accommodate and cover the first tube <NUM> and the second tube <NUM>, respectively.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a structure of the tube winding case <NUM> connected to the connecting plate <NUM>, in accordance with different embodiments described herein. <FIG> depicts the tube winding case <NUM> including the first circular cover <NUM> and the second circular cover <NUM>, while <FIG> depicts the tube winding case <NUM> removing the first circular cover <NUM> and the second circular cover <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates another structure of the fluid metering device <NUM>, in accordance with different embodiments described herein. The difference between this embodiment and the embodiment as shown in <FIG> is how the tube winding case is employed. As shown in <FIG>, the first tube <NUM> and the second tube <NUM> directly wrap around two valves (e.g., the first valve <NUM> and the second valve <NUM>). The tube winding case <NUM> encloses the first tube <NUM> and the second tube <NUM>.

<FIG> shows another block diagram depicting a working principle of a fluid metering device <NUM>, in accordance with different embodiments described herein. The unique features of this example are best understood in contrast to <FIG>. In <FIG>, water is supplied from a pressurized source (i.e., booster pump <NUM>) and enters into the fluid metering device <NUM> through the first two-way valve <NUM>, while the wash solution (e.g., Potassium Chloride, Potassium Phosphate, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Azide, Disodium Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid, Polysorbate <NUM>, etc.) is supplied at an atmospheric pressure and drawn into the fluid metering device <NUM> by the metering pump <NUM>. By contrast, in the embodiment as shown in <FIG>, the first valve <NUM> is a three-way valve, and the water from the water supply port <NUM> is provided at atmospheric pressure. No booster pump is provided in this embodiment, and the metering pump <NUM> can dispense the water to the second valve <NUM> through the first valve <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates another block diagram depicting a working principle of a fluid metering device <NUM>, in accordance with different embodiments described herein. In the embodiment as shown in <FIG>, a second booster pump <NUM> is provided and connected to the wash supply port <NUM>, and the wash solution from the wash supply port <NUM> can also be provided at an elevated pressure, e.g., <NUM> psi. Additionally, a fifth valve <NUM> (a three-way valve) is provided between the third valve <NUM> and the second tube <NUM>. In a scenario, the fifth valve <NUM> and the fourth valve <NUM> are opened to allow the wash solution at an elevated pressure (a pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure) to flow from the wash supply port <NUM> to the waste discharge port <NUM>. When the second tube <NUM> is charged with the required amount of the wash solution, the fourth valve <NUM> is closed to stop the wash supply, and the fifth valve <NUM> is still opened to allow the pressure to dissipate to the waste discharge port <NUM>.

<FIG> shows another block diagram depicting a working principle of a fluid metering device <NUM>, in accordance with different embodiments described herein. In the embodiment as shown in <FIG>, a second booster pump <NUM> is provided and connected to the wash supply port <NUM>, and the wash solution from the wash supply port <NUM> can also be provided at an elevated pressure, e.g., <NUM> psi. Additionally, a sixth valve <NUM> (a two-way valve) is provided between the tube <NUM> and the waste discharge port <NUM>. In a scenario, the sixth valve <NUM> is opened to allow the wash solution at an elevated pressure to flow from the wash supply port <NUM> to the waste discharge port <NUM>. When the second tube <NUM> is charged with the required amount of the wash solution, the fourth valve <NUM> is closed to stop the wash supply, and the sixth valve <NUM> is still opened to allow the pressure to dissipate to the waste discharge port <NUM>, while the third valve <NUM> and the metering pump <NUM> are used to dissipate the pressure to the first tube <NUM>.

The fluid metering device <NUM> is a compact assembly, instead of multiple disconnected assemblies. Thus, all the components are positioned near to each other, and distances between components are reduced. Accordingly, fluid volumes between components are reduced. In turn, the reduction in fluids allows the fluid metering device <NUM> to be designed as a stiff fluidic system with a high resonant frequency, well above frequencies of the components, because the resonant frequency of a fluid channel is inversely proportional to the length of the fluid channel. Accordingly, oscillations of the fluid metering device <NUM> can be significantly reduced, thus decreasing settling time after pump motion stops.

Further, cross-contamination on a system (e.g., an immunoassay analyzer) utilizing the fluid metering device <NUM> is significantly less, while the metering accuracy and precision are also improved. <FIG> show improved metering accuracy and precision in an immunoassay analyzer system utilizing fluid metering device <NUM>. <FIG> depict metering inaccuracy and imprecision for water at a dispense speed of <NUM> uL/s, compared to the specification requirements. <FIG> depict metering inaccuracy and imprecision for a wash solution at a dispense speed of <NUM> uL/s, compared to the specification requirements.

Claim 1:
A fluid metering device comprising:
a first fluid supply port (<NUM>) for receiving a first fluid;
a first fluid dispense port (<NUM>) for dispensing the first fluid;
a second fluid supply port (<NUM>) for receiving a second fluid;
a second fluid dispense port (<NUM>) for dispensing the second fluid;
a waste discharge port (<NUM>) for discharging a mixture of the first fluid and the second fluid;
a metering pump (<NUM>) for measuring a volume of each of the first fluid and the second fluid; and
a valve assembly (<NUM>) used for directing the first fluid from the first fluid supply port to the first fluid dispense port (<NUM>), directing the second fluid from the second fluid supply port (<NUM>) to the second fluid dispense port (<NUM>), and directing the mixture to the waste discharge port (<NUM>),
characterized in that the valve assembly (<NUM>) includes a first valve (<NUM>) connected to the first fluid supply port (<NUM>) and the metering pump (<NUM>), a second valve (<NUM>) connected to the first fluid dispense port (<NUM>), a third valve (<NUM>) connected to the second valve (<NUM>) and the waste discharge port (<NUM>), and a fourth valve (<NUM>) connected to the third valve (<NUM>), the second fluid supply port (<NUM>) and the second fluid dispense port (<NUM>); and in that the fluid metering device further comprises
a first tube (<NUM>) connected between the second valve (<NUM>) and the third valve (<NUM>) for accommodating the mixture or the first fluid, wherein the first tube (<NUM>) is configured to prevent the second fluid from reaching the second valve (<NUM>); and
a second tube (<NUM>) connected between the third valve (<NUM>) and the fourth valve (<NUM>) for accommodating the second fluid, wherein the second tube (<NUM>) is configured to accommodate a required amount of the second fluid.