Method and cartridge for dispensing particles and a reagent fluid in an automatic analyzer

US10864519B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Thorsten Brueckner · Schriesheim, DE
• Nadine Losleben · Mannheim, DE
• Norbert Oranth · Vaterstetten, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 21, 2017
• Grant date: Dec 15, 2020
• Expiry date: Sep 7, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N2035/00574
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method of dispensing a particle mixture and a reagent fluid cartridge are presented. The cartridge comprises a first reservoir partially filled with reagent fluid, a second reservoir partially filled with particles, a pumping chamber, a first pumping chamber conduit connecting the first reservoir and the pumping chamber, a second pumping chamber conduit connecting the second reservoir and the pumping chamber, an outlet for dispensing reagent fluid and particles from the cartridge, an outlet conduit connecting the outlet to the pumping chamber, and a valve sealing the outlet conduit. The method comprises closing the valve, applying a force to the plunger to transport a first defined volume of reagent fluid and second defined volume of particles into the pumping chamber to form a mixture of reagent fluid and particles, opening the valve, and forcing the mixture from the pumping chamber using the plunger to dispense the mixture from the outlet.