Upon a cartridge for containing a specimen sample for optical analysis
View Patent ↗An improved cartridge for holding a fluid sample with a small volume is disclosed herein. The cartridge has a test chamber and a vestibule through which the test fluids are inserted into the test chamber. Improved grips are flared-out to aid manipulation. The handle portion is reinforced to prevent flexing, and a prefabricated trough along the edge of the land surface prevents introduction of the adhesive into the region for analysis. The cartridge has a stopper having a dual sealing mechanism, which seals the test chamber inlet between the vestibule and the test chamber, and the mouth of the vestibule so that when the stopper is in place, the test chamber is closed to the admission of air or other contaminants. The vestibule is similarly closed against escape of the overflow from the test chamber. The stopper is composed of a single elastomer. An improved locking mechanism has two flexible walls on either side of the handhold that locks into their respective keepers on the cartridge to provide a secure lock. Additionally, an improved method for loading the cartridge allows for an even distribution of magnetically responsive particles contained within a fluid sample to be viewed in an array through the optically clear land surface portion of the cartridge.
1. An improved cartridge with a body of non-magnetic inert material adapted to be slidably engaged in a receptacle of an apparatus for performing optical analysis of a fluid sample, said body having a domed cross section with an optically clear flat land portion adapted to be positioned in a field of observation for optical analysis, a test chamber underlying said flat land portion adapted to be filled vertically along a longitudinal axis with said fluid sample, a vestibule above said test chamber adapted to act as an overflow reservoir capable of being sealed both from said test chamber and an exterior environment, and an inlet between said test chamber and said vestibule, wherein the improvement comprises:
a. a handle portion flanked by a grip area made to flare along a longitudinal axis of said cartridge outwardly from said handle;
b. said handle having an arch-like extension on a stopper face, said stopper face located orthogonal to a first face whereby said first face is located on said domed side of said body, said arch-like extension spans between said grip area; and
c. a second face having an inner framed structure bounded along a radial axis by two keeper elements and along a longitudinal axis by said stopper face and by an enlarged mouth of said vestibule, said second face located opposite said first face of said body.
2. An improved cartridge according to claim 1 comprising a translucent plastic chamber as said body.
3. An improved cartridge according to claim 1 comprising said body selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate, polystyrene, and acrylic.
4. An improved cartridge according to claim 3 consisting of no fluorescent additives.