Fluid sensing and control in a fluidic analyzer

Abstract

Instrument-cartridge interfaces for fluidic analyzers that have an instrument and a removable cartridge are disclosed. For example, and in one illustrative embodiment, the instrument may include a needle that is adapted to penetrate a septum on a removable cartridge. In another illustrative embodiment, the instrument may include a plunger that is adapted to deform a deformable membrane on a removable cartridge. In yet another illustrative embodiment, the instrument may include a nozzle that is adapted to mate and seal with a flow channel on a removable cartridge. Techniques for detecting the flow rate in a flow channel on a removable cartridge, as well as the position of fluid in a flow channel of a removable cartridge, are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fluidic analyzer, comprising:
 a disposable cartridge having a flow channel for transporting a fluid down the flow channel, the fluid having one or more detectable characteristics; and   an instrument for receiving the disposable cartridge, the instrument having a first detector for detecting at least one of the one or more detectable characteristics of the fluid, the first detector situated at a first location along the flow channel, the instrument using the detection of the one or more detectable characteristics of the fluid by the first detector to determine a measure of flow rate of the fluid in the flow channel.   
     
     
         2 . The fluidic analyzer of  claim 1 , wherein the instrument further comprises a second detector for detecting at least one of the one or more detectable characteristics of the fluid, the second detector positioned at a second location along the flow channel spaced downstream of the first location. 
     
     
         3 . The fluidic analyzer of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid is a sample fluid of interest. 
     
     
         4 . The fluidic analyzer of  claim 3 , wherein the sample fluid of interest is a blood sample. 
     
     
         5 . The fluidic analyzer of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid is a pusher fluid for pushing a sample fluid of interest along the flow channel. 
     
     
         6 . The fluidic analyzer of  claim 5  wherein the pusher fluid is a gas. 
     
     
         7 . The fluidic analyzer of  claim 5  wherein the pusher fluid is a liquid. 
     
     
         8 . The fluidic analyzer of  claim 5  wherein the one or more of the detectable characteristics of the pusher fluid include one or more particles intermixed with the pusher fluid. 
     
     
         9 . The fluidic analyzer of  claim 8  wherein the one or more particles are optically, electrically, and/or magnetically detectable by the first detector. 
     
     
         10 . A fluidic analyzer, comprising:
 a disposable cartridge having a flow channel for transporting a fluid down the flow channel, the fluid having one or more detectable characteristics;   an instrument for receiving the disposable cartridge, the instrument including:
 a first detector for detecting at least one of the one or more detectable characteristics of the fluid, the first detector situated at a first location along the flow channel; 
 a second detector for detecting at least one of the one or more detectable characteristics of the fluid, the second detector positioned at a second location along the flow channel spaced downstream of the first location; 
 the instrument using the detection of the one or more detectable characteristics of the fluid by the first detector and/or the second detector to determine a measure of flow rate of the fluid in the flow channel; and 
 the instrument using the measure of flow rate of the fluid in the flow channel as feedback to control the flow rate of the fluid in the flow channel. 
   
     
     
         11 . The fluidic analyzer of  claim 10 , wherein the fluid is a sample fluid of interest. 
     
     
         12 . The fluidic analyzer of  claim 11 , wherein the sample fluid of interest is a blood sample. 
     
     
         13 . The fluidic analyzer of  claim 10 , wherein the fluid is a pusher fluid for pushing a sample fluid of interest along the flow channel. 
     
     
         14 . The fluidic analyzer of  claim 13  wherein the pusher fluid is a gas. 
     
     
         15 . The fluidic analyzer of  claim 13  wherein the pusher fluid is a liquid. 
     
     
         16 . The fluidic analyzer of  claim 13  wherein the one or more of the detectable characteristics of the pusher fluid include one or more particles intermixed with the pusher fluid. 
     
     
         17 . The fluidic analyzer of  claim 16  wherein the one or more particles are optically, electrically, and/or magnetically detectable by the first detector. 
     
     
         18 . The fluidic analyzer of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more detectable characteristics of the fluid include thermal conductivity and/or resistivity. 
     
     
         19 . A fluidic analyzer, comprising:
 a disposable cartridge having a flow channel for transporting a fluid down the flow channel, the fluid having one or more detectable characteristics;   an instrument for receiving the disposable cartridge, the instrument including:
 a first detector for detecting at least one of the one or more detectable characteristics of the fluid, the first detector situated at a first location along the flow channel; 
 a second detector for detecting at least one of the one or more detectable characteristics of the fluid, the second detector positioned at a second location along the flow channel spaced downstream of the first location; 
 the instrument determining a time lapse between when at least one of the one or more detectable characteristics of the fluid are detected by the first detector and when at least one of the one or more detectable characteristics of the fluid are detected by the second detector; and 
 using the time lapse in the control of the fluidic analyzer. 
   
     
     
         20 . The fluidic analyzer of  claim 19 , wherein the one or more detectable characteristics of the fluid include thermal conductivity, resistivity, particles, and/or temperature.