IP Library › Patent Application 16798208
Patent Application
App. No. 16/798,208

FLUID HANDLING CASSETTE

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
16/798,208
Abstract

A fluid handling module that is removably engageable with a bodily fluid analyzer is provided. The module may comprise a fluid handling element, and a fluid component separator that is accessible via the fluid handling element and configured to separate at least one component of a bodily fluid transported to the fluid component separator. The fluid handling element may have at least one control element interface.

Claims (25)

1 . A method for extracting and analyzing a bodily fluid of a patient, said method comprising:

attaching a fluid handling module to a main analysis and control instrument, wherein:

said fluid handling module comprises at least one fluid handling element having a control element interface and a fluid component separator accessible via said fluid handling element; and

said main instrument comprises a bodily fluid analyzer and at least one control element;

engaging said at least one control element interface of said fluid handling element with said at least one control element of said main instrument; and

controlling fluid flow between said at least one fluid handling element and said fluid component separator with said control element.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising connecting said fluid handling module to said bodily fluid of said patient, wherein said controlling comprises drawing a sample of said bodily fluid from said patient into said fluid component separator.

3 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising:

with said fluid component separator, separating a first component from said drawn portion of bodily fluid; and

with said bodily fluid analyzer, analyzing said first component of said bodily fluid to determine the concentration of an analyte.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein said fluid handling module further comprises a sample cell in fluid communication with said fluid component separator, said method further comprising:

holding at least a portion of said first component of said bodily fluid in said sample cell; and

with said bodily fluid analyzer, analyzing said first component of bodily fluid in said sample cell.

5 . The method of claim 4 , further comprising interfacing said sample cell with said bodily fluid analyzer.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said fluid component separator comprises a centrifuge rotor and said main instrument further comprises a centrifuge drive motor and said engaging comprises interfacing said centrifuge rotor with said drive motor.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:

said at least one fluid handling element comprises a fluid passageway;

said at least one control element comprises a valve actuator; and

said controlling comprises selectively controlling fluid communication along said fluid passageway.

8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein said controlling comprises controlling fluid communication between said fluid component separator and said fluid handling element.

9 . The method of claim 7 , wherein said controlling comprises reversing the direction of fluid flow in said fluid handling element.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:

said at least one fluid handling element comprises a syringe;

said at least one control element further comprises a syringe drive; and

said engaging comprises interfacing said syringe with said drive motor.