APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR ACTUATING FLUIDS IN A BIOSENSOR CARTRIDGE
An apparatus for actuating of fluids in a biosensor cartridge, the apparatus includes a microfluidic device, the microfluidic device includes a microfluidic circuit comprising at least a reservoir configured to contain at least a fluid and an active flow component in fluidic communication with the at least a reservoir, wherein the active flow component comprises a barrel and a plunger at a first position within the barrel, and an actuator configured to initiate an active flow process, wherein initiating the active flow process comprises accepting the plunger using a mechanical interface mechanically communicated to the actuator and moving the plunger within the barrel from the first position to a second position based on predetermined flow properties, and flow the at least a fluid unidirectionally as a function of the active flow process.
1 . An apparatus for actuating of fluids in a biosensor cartridge, the apparatus comprises:
a microfluidic device, wherein the microfluidic device comprises:
a microfluidic circuit comprising at least a reservoir configured to contain at least a fluid; and
an active flow component in fluidic communication with the at least a reservoir, wherein the active flow component comprises:
a barrel; and
a plunger at a first position within the barrel; and
an actuator configured to:
initiate an active flow process as a function of the active flow component, wherein initiating the active flow process comprises:
accepting the plunger using a mechanical interface mechanically communicated to the actuator; and
moving the plunger within the barrel from the first position to a second position based on predetermined flow properties; and
flow the at least a fluid unidirectionally as a function of the active flow process.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plunger comprises a shaft.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a linear actuator.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a housing.
5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the mechanical interface comprises:
an expandable claw; and
a collar configured to constraint the expandable claw.
6 . The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the collar is preloaded by a spring.
7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the active flow process comprises a reverse flow process and a forward flow process.
8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein flowing the at least a fluid comprises:
flowing the at least a fluid through a sensor area, wherein the sensor area comprises at least a sensor device and at least a sensor interface.
9 . The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the actuator is further configured to:
initiate the forward active flow process when the plunger contacts the spring as the plunger moves within the barrel from the first position to the second position.
10 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein initiating the forward active flow process comprises:
moving the plunger within the barrel from the second position back to the first position.
11 . A method for actuating of fluids in a biosensor cartridge, wherein the method comprises:
initiating, using an actuator, an active flow process as a function of an active flow component of a microfluidic device, wherein:
the microfluidic device further comprising a microfluidic circuit containing at least a reservoir configured to contain at least a fluid;
the active flow component in fluidic communication with the at least a reservoir;
the active flow component comprises:
a barrel and a plunger at a first position within the barrel; and
initiating the active flow process comprises:
accepting the plunger using a mechanical interface mechanically communicated to the actuator; and
moving the plunger within the barrel from the first position to a second position based on predetermined flow properties; and
flowing, using the actuator, the at least a fluid unidirectionally as a function of the active flow process.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the plunger comprises a shaft.
13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the actuator comprises a linear actuator.
14 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the actuator comprises a housing.
15 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the mechanical interface comprises:
an expandable claw; and
a collar configured to constraint the expandable claw.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the collar is preloaded by a spring.
17 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the active flow process comprises a reverse flow process and a forward flow process.
18 . The method of claim 11 , wherein flowing the at least a fluid comprises:
flowing the at least a fluid through a sensor area, wherein the sensor area comprises at least a sensor device and at least a sensor interface.
19 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the actuator is further configured to:
initiate the forward active flow process when the plunger contacts the spring as the plunger moves within the barrel from the first position to the second position.
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein initiating the forward active flow process comprises:
moving the plunger within the barrel from the second position back to the first position.