IP Library Granted Patent US 12,031,979
Granted Patent B2
US 12,031,979 · App. 16/704,184 · Granted Jul 9, 2024

System and method for detection of target substances

Inventors: Scott Sundvor (San Francisco, CA); Steven Portela (San Francisco, CA); Jonathan Ward (San Francisco, CA); John Walton (San Francisco, CA); Jonathan William Kiel (San Francisco, CA); Jeffrey Mekler (San Francisco, CA); Shireen Yates (San Francisco, CA); Jacob Mooney (San Francisco, CA); Dane Weitmann (San Francisco, CA); Joseph Horrell (San Francisco, CA)
Assignee: Nima Acquisition, LLC
G01N33/5308G01N33/02G01N33/54366
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,031,979
App. No.
16/704,184
Granted
Jul 9, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system and method includes a test container for detecting a target substance in a consumable sample, where the test container includes a test container body defining a test container top, a test container bottom opposing the test container top, a first chamber proximal the test container top, and a second chamber proximal the test container bottom, a magnetic diaphragm situated between the first chamber and the second chamber, the magnetic diaphragm obstructing flow of the consumable sample, and the magnetic diaphragm including a magnetic element embedded in the magnetic diaphragm, and a driving element geometrically complementary to the first chamber, the driving element including a consumable sample grinding feature protruding from a surface of the driving element.

Claims (65)

1. A test container for detecting a harmful substance, the test container comprising:

a first chamber configured to receive a sample;

a second chamber positioned below the first chamber and configured to be in fluid communication with the first chamber, the first chamber vertically aligned with the second chamber, the first chamber or the second chamber including a reagent that produces a dispersion when combined with the sample;

an analysis chamber in fluid communication with the second chamber; and

a detection substrate positioned within the analysis chamber, the detection substrate being positioned entirely outside the second chamber, the detection substrate including a test strip;

wherein the sample is configured to be placed within the first chamber, combine with the reagent in the first chamber or the second chamber, and flow from the second chamber into the analysis chamber to be detected by the detection substrate to detect the harmful substance within the sample;

wherein the detection substrate includes an active region having an antibody that is complementary with the harmful substance;

wherein the detection substrate includes a control region to provide a control readout;

wherein the detection substrate is configured to soak up a portion of the dispersion, the portion of the dispersion being positioned within the analysis chamber prior to being soaked up by the detection substrate, and

wherein the portion of the sample moves upwardly along the detection substrate via a capillary flow.

2. The test container of claim 1 , wherein the harmful substance is a food allergen.

3. The test container of claim 1 , further comprising a detection window, and

wherein the detection window facilitates observation of the active region of the detection substrate.

4. The test container of claim 1 , wherein the first chamber is in selective fluid communication with the second chamber.

5. The test container of claim 4 , wherein the first chamber includes a first opening configured to receive the sample for placement into the first chamber, and a second opening opposite the first opening, and

wherein the test container further comprises a diaphragm positioned between the first chamber and the second chamber, the diaphragm extending across the second opening.

6. The test container of claim 5 , wherein the diaphragm is configured to move between a first configuration and a second configuration,

wherein in the first configuration the diaphragm retains the sample within the first chamber, and

wherein in the second configuration the diaphragm facilitates delivery of the sample from the first chamber to the second chamber.

7. The test container of claim 6 , wherein the diaphragm is configured to break thereby transitioning the diaphragm from the first configuration to the second configuration to release the sample from the first chamber into the second chamber.

8. The test container of claim 7 , further comprising:

a body; and

a cap that is configured to engage with the body of the test container to seal the test container, and

wherein when the cap seals the test container, the diaphragm is configured to break to release the sample from the first chamber into the second chamber.

9. A test container for detecting a harmful substance, the test container comprising:

a first chamber configured to receive a sample;

a second chamber positioned below the first chamber and configured to be in fluid communication with the first chamber, the first chamber vertically aligned with the second chamber, the first chamber or the second chamber including a reagent that produces a dispersion when combined with the sample;

an analysis chamber in fluid communication with the second chamber; and

a detection substrate that includes a test strip, the detection substrate including an active region having an antibody that is complementary with the harmful substance that is a food allergen, the detection substrate positioned within the analysis chamber and entirely outside the second chamber;

wherein the sample is configured to be placed within the first chamber, combine with the reagent in the first chamber or the second chamber, and flow from the second chamber into the analysis chamber to be detected by the detection substrate to detect the harmful substance within the sample;

wherein the detection substrate is configured to soak up a portion of the dispersion from within the analysis chamber, and

wherein the portion of the sample moves upwardly along the detection substrate via a capillary flow.

10. The test container of claim 9 , further comprising a port positioned between the analysis chamber and the second chamber, the port facilitating fluid communication between the analysis chamber and the second chamber.

11. The test container of claim 9 , further comprising a cap that is configured to threadingly engage a body of the test container to seal the test container.

12. The test container of claim 11 , wherein the cap includes a shaft and a head,

wherein the shaft is configured to be inserted into the first chamber, and

wherein the head has a larger width than a width of the first chamber.

13. The test container of claim 9 , further comprising a detection window that facilitates observation of the active region of the detection substrate.

14. The test container of claim 9 , wherein the first chamber includes a reagent;

wherein the sample that includes the harmful substance is configured be placed within the first chamber, combined with the reagent in the first chamber, directed into the second chamber, and directed into the analysis chamber so that the harmful substance in the sample is detected by the detection substrate.

15. The test container of claim 9 , further comprising a diaphragm positioned between the first chamber and the second chamber; and

wherein the diaphragm is configured to break thereby transitioning the diaphragm from a first configuration that retains the sample within the first chamber to a second configuration to release the sample from the first chamber into the second chamber.

16. The test container of claim 15 , further comprising:

a body; and

a cap that is configured to engage with the body of the test container to seal the test container; and

wherein when the cap seals the test container, the diaphragm is configured to break to release the sample from the first chamber into the second chamber.

17. A test container for detecting a harmful substance, the test container comprising:

a first chamber configured to receive a sample, the first chamber including a first opening configured to receive the sample for placement into the first chamber, and a second opening opposite the first opening;

a second chamber positioned below the first chamber and configured to be in fluid communication with the first chamber, the first chamber vertically aligned with the second chamber, the first chamber or the second chamber including a reagent that produces a dispersion when combined with the sample;

a diaphragm positioned between the first chamber and the second chamber, the diaphragm extending across the second opening, the first chamber being in selective fluid communication with the second chamber;

an analysis chamber in fluid communication with the second chamber; and

a detection substrate positioned within the analysis chamber, the detection substrate being positioned entirely outside the second chamber, the detection substrate including a test strip; and

wherein the sample is configured to be placed within the first chamber, combine with the reagent in the first chamber or the second chamber, and flow from the second chamber into the analysis chamber to be detected by the detection substrate to detect the harmful substance within the sample.

18. The test container of claim 17 , wherein the diaphragm is configured to break thereby transitioning the diaphragm from a first configuration that retains the sample within the first chamber to a second configuration to release the sample from the first chamber into the second chamber.

19. The test container of claim 18 , further comprising:

a body; and

a cap that is configured to engage with the body of the test container to seal the test container; and

wherein when the cap seals the test container, the diaphragm is configured to break to release the sample from the first chamber into the second chamber breaks; and

wherein the harmful substance is a food allergen.

20. The test container of claim 1 , wherein the harmful substance is gluten.

21. The test container of claim 9 , wherein the harmful substance is gluten.

22. The test container of claim 17 , wherein the detection substrate is configured to detect the harmful substance that is gluten.

23. The test container of claim 9 , further comprising a grinder that is configured to grind the sample within the first chamber.

24. The test container of claim 9 , further comprising a magnet positioned within the second chamber that is configured to rotate within the second chamber.

25. The test container of claim 9 , wherein the test container is configured to be received within a receiving port of an analysis device.

Assignments (15)
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 20, 2025
From: MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, LP
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 071672/0100 →
PARTIAL TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS, RECORDED ON OCTOBER 21, 2021, AT REEL/FRAME 058040/0001 Recorded Jun 20, 2025
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, LP (F/K/A MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, INC.); NIMA PARTNERS, INC. (AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO NIMA ACQUISITION, LLC)
Reel/Frame 071672/0198 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS, RECORDED ON APRIL 1, 2022, AT REEL/FRAME 059476/0640 Recorded Jun 20, 2025
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: NIMA PARTNERS, INC. (AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO NIMA ACQUISITION, LLC)
Reel/Frame 071672/0221 →
PARTIAL TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jun 20, 2025
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, LP (F/K/A MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, INC.); NIMA PARTNERS, INC. (AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO NIMA ACQUISITION, LLC)
Reel/Frame 071675/0957 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS (REEL/FRAME 060382/0577) Recorded Jun 20, 2025
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: NIMA PARTNERS, INC. (AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO NIMA ACQUISITION, LLC)
Reel/Frame 071676/0468 →
PARTIAL TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS (REEL/FRAME 057927/0091) Recorded Jun 20, 2025
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, LP (F/K/A MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, INC.); NIMA PARTNERS, INC. (AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO NIMA ACQUISITION, LLC)
Reel/Frame 071676/0571 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 6, 2025
From: NIMA ACQUISITION, LLC
To: NIMA PARTNERS, INC.
Reel/Frame 070142/0009 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 17, 2022
From: NIMA ACQUISITION, LLC
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 060382/0577 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 1, 2022
From: NIMA ACQUISITION, LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 059476/0640 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 21, 2021
From: MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, LP
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 057927/0091 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 21, 2021
From: MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, LP
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 058040/0001 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 14, 2021
From: MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, INC.
To: MEDLINE INDUSTRIES, LP
Reel/Frame 057807/0297 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE LIST OF ASSIGNORS TO INCLUDE JOSEPH HORRELL PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 051189 FRAME 0612. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Oct 15, 2020
From: SUNDVOR, SCOTT; PORTELA, STEVEN; WARD, JONATHAN; WALTON, JOHN; KIEL, JONATHAN WILLIAM; MEKLER, JEFFREY; YATES, SHIREEN; MOONEY, JACOB; WEITMANN, DANE; HORRELL, JOSEPH
To: NIMA LABS, INC.
Reel/Frame 054085/0703 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 12, 2020
From: NIMA LABS, INC.
To: NIMA ACQUISITION, LLC
Reel/Frame 054030/0036 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 5, 2019
From: SUNDVOR, SCOTT; PORTELA, STEVEN; WARD, JONATHAN; WALTON, JOHN; KIEL, JONATHAN WILLIAM; MEKLER, JEFFREY; YATES, SHIREEN; MOONEY, JACOB; WEITMANN, DANE
To: NIMA LABS, INC.
Reel/Frame 051189/0612 →
Continuity (9)
Continuation 16278388 · Feb 18, 2019
Division 15265171 · Sep 14, 2016
Continuation In Part 14498298 · Sep 26, 2014
Continuation In Part 14227543 · Mar 27, 2014
Provisional Application 62234748 · Sep 30, 2015
Provisional Application 62218196 · Sep 14, 2015
Provisional Application 61874590 · Sep 6, 2013
Provisional Application 61806425 · Mar 29, 2013
Related Publication 20200110079A1 · Apr 9, 2020