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EP-4735176-A1 - LIQUID HANDLING DEVICE

EP4735176A1EP 4735176 A1EP4735176 A1EP 4735176A1EP-4735176-A1

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a liquid handling device, comprising: a fluidic layer comprising: a plurality of channels; and an opening in a surface of the fluidic layer, wherein the opening extends through at least part of the thickness of the fluidic layer to one of the plurality of channels; a rigid layer comprising an actuatable portion; and a liquid storage capsule positioned between the fluidic layer and the actuatable portion, wherein the liquid storage capsule comprises: a body defining a volume in which a liquid is stored, the body comprising a first deformable portion, a main liquid storage portion, and a restriction connecting the first deformable portion to the main liquid storage portion; and a sealing layer configured to seal the volume; wherein the liquid storage capsule is positioned over the opening such that a portion of the sealing layer covers the opening; wherein the actuatable portion comprises a protrusion extending towards the liquid storage capsule, wherein the actuatable portion is actuatable from a first position, in which the protrusion does not deform the first deformable portion, to a second position, in which the protrusion deforms the first deformable portion into contact with the portion of the sealing layer to cause rupture of the portion of the sealing layer, wherein when the actuatable portion is in the second position, the protrusion does not deform the restriction.

Inventors

  • LUXTON, RICHARD
  • PATEL, Jimish
  • DEAL, Peter
  • REIS, Nuno
  • HITICAS, Darius
  • ABDALLA, Aya
  • TYLER-LAI, Adam
  • LINDEN, VINCENT

Assignees

  • Osler Diagnostics Limited

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20240625

Claims (20)

  1. 1. A liquid handling device, comprising: a fluidic layer comprising: a plurality of channels; and an opening in a surface of the fluidic layer, wherein the opening extends through at least part of the thickness of the fluidic layer to one of the plurality of channels; a rigid layer comprising an actuatable portion; and a liquid storage capsule positioned between the fluidic layer and the actuatable portion, wherein the liquid storage capsule comprises: a body defining a volume in which a liquid is stored, the body comprising a first deformable portion, a main liquid storage portion, and a restriction connecting the first deformable portion to the main liquid storage portion; and a sealing layer configured to seal the volume; wherein the liquid storage capsule is positioned over the opening such that a portion of the sealing layer covers the opening; wherein the actuatable portion comprises a protrusion extending towards the liquid storage capsule, wherein the actuatable portion is actuatable from a first position, in which the protrusion does not deform the first deformable portion, to a second position, in which the protrusion deforms the first deformable portion into contact with the portion of the sealing layer to cause rupture of the portion of the sealing layer, wherein when the actuatable portion is in the second position, the protrusion does not deform the restriction.
  2. 2. A liquid handling device according to claim 1 , wherein the protrusion is unable to pass into the opening.
  3. 3. A liquid handling device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the liquid storage capsule is positioned over the opening such that the first deformable portion and the restriction are at least partly positioned over the opening.
  4. 4. A liquid handling device according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first deformable portion comprises a first region and a second region, wherein a first distance between the first region and the sealing layer is greater than a second distance between the second region and the sealing layer.
  5. 5. A liquid handling device according to claim 4, wherein the first region and the second region are concentric, such that the first region surrounds the second region.
  6. 6. A liquid handling device according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein a width of the opening is less than a width of the protrusion.
  7. 7. A liquid handling device according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the protrusion comprises an end that engages the first deformable portion of the liquid storage capsule.
  8. 8. A liquid handling device according to claim 7, wherein the end of the protrusion is flat.
  9. 9. A liquid handling device according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the end of the protrusion has a cross-section with a major sector shape.
  10. 10. A liquid handling device according to any of claims 7 to 9 wherein the protrusion comprises a groove defining a cross-section of the end of the protrusion.
  11. 11. A liquid handling device according to claim 10, wherein the groove is aligned with the restriction of the liquid storage capsule.
  12. 12. A liquid handling device according to claim 10 or claim 11 when dependent on claim 9, wherein the groove defines the major sector shape of the cross-section of the end of the protrusion.
  13. 13. A liquid handling device according to any of claims 7 to 12, wherein the cross-section of the end of the protrusion includes one or more outwardly extending projecting ribs.
  14. 14. A liquid handling device according to claim 13 when dependent on claim 9, wherein the one or more outwardly extending projecting ribs extend from a curved portion of the major sector shape.
  15. 15. A liquid handling device according to any of claims 1 to 14, wherein: the protrusion is a first protrusion and the actuatable portion comprises a second protrusion extending towards the liquid storage capsule; the body of the liquid storage capsule comprises a second deformable portion; the opening is a first opening and the fluidic layer comprises a second opening that extends through at least part of the thickness of the fluidic layer to one of the plurality of channels; the portion of the sealing layer is a first portion of the sealing layer, and the liquid storage capsule is positioned over the second opening such that a second portion of the sealing layer covers the second opening; wherein, in the first position, the second protrusion does not deform the second deformable portion; wherein, in the second position, the second protrusion deforms the second deformable portion into contact with the second portion of the sealing layer to cause rupture of the second portion of the sealing layer.
  16. 16. A liquid handling device, comprising: a first liquid storage container and a second liquid storage container, wherein each of the first and second liquid storage containers is configured to be opened by creating an inlet and an outlet in the liquid storage container; and a fluidic layer, comprising: a network of channels; and a pneumatic port configured to receive a positive pressure; wherein the network of channels comprises: a first liquid storage container inlet channel configured to provide a fluidic connection between the pneumatic port and the inlet in the first liquid storage container when the first liquid storage container is opened; and a second liquid storage container inlet channel configured to provide a fluidic connection between the pneumatic port and the inlet in the second liquid storage container when the second liquid storage container is opened.
  17. 17. A liquid handling device according to claim 16, further comprising: a first liquid storage container valve configured to control the flow of liquid from the outlet of the first liquid storage container; and a second liquid storage container valve configured to control the flow of liquid from the outlet of the second liquid storage container.
  18. 18. A liquid handling device according to claim 17, wherein the network of channels further comprises: a first liquid storage container outlet channel configured to be in fluidic communication with the outlet in the first liquid storage container when the first liquid storage container is opened, wherein the first liquid storage container valve is on the first liquid storage container outlet channel.
  19. 19. A liquid handling device according to claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the network of channels further comprises: a second liquid storage container outlet channel configured to be in fluidic communication with the outlet in the second liquid storage container when the second liquid storage container is opened, wherein the second liquid storage container valve is on the second liquid storage container outlet channel.
  20. 20. A liquid handling device according to any of claims 16 to 19, wherein the liquid handling device further comprises a well, wherein the well is defined at least partially by an opening extending through at least part of the thickness of the fluidic layer, wherein the well is in fluidic communication with the pneumatic port, the first liquid storage container inlet channel and the second liquid storage container inlet channel.

Description

LIQUID HANDLING DEVICE FIELD The present disclosure relates to liquid handling devices, liquid handling systems and methods of moving liquids in liquid handling devices. BACKGROUND Point-of-care diagnostic devices are typically used for carrying out diagnostic tests, such as immunoassays, on a biological sample (such as whole blood, blood serum or blood plasma). In order to carry out such diagnostic tests, the biological sample needs to be transferred to the diagnostic device. The diagnostic device is subsequently inserted into an analyser device (or instrument), which controls the movement of fluids (e.g. biological samples, reagents, buffer solutions, etc.) within the diagnostic device and conducts measurements of biomarkers, in order to conduct the diagnostic test. Point-of-care detection brings a diagnostic test conveniently and immediately to a patient, allowing better and faster clinical decisions to be made. However, integration of diagnostic tests into a point- of-care device or system is challenging. Preparation of a sample for an immunoassay may require mixing of multiple solutions and reagents, with precise control of volumes and mixing times. Further, the device is ideally automated to obviate the need for a medical professional to be present. Accordingly, there exists a need for improved liquid handling devices capable of performing liquid handling operations for use in point-of-care diagnostic tests. SUMMARY This summary introduces concepts that are described in more detail in the detailed description. It should not be used to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. The inclusion of multiple statements in the same paragraph of the summary does not imply that there is a structural or functional relationship between such statements. According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a liquid handling device, comprising: a fluidic layer comprising: a plurality of channels; and an opening in a surface of the fluidic layer, wherein the opening extends through at least part of the thickness of the fluidic layer to one of the plurality of channels; a rigid layer comprising an actuatable portion; and a liquid storage capsule positioned between the fluidic layer and the actuatable portion, wherein the liquid storage capsule comprises: a body defining a volume in which a liquid is stored, the body comprising a first deformable portion, a main liquid storage portion, and a restriction connecting the first deformable portion to the main liquid storage portion; and a sealing layer configured to seal the volume; wherein the liquid storage capsule is positioned over the opening such that a portion of the sealing layer covers the opening; wherein the actuatable portion comprises a protrusion extending towards the liquid storage capsule, wherein the actuatable portion is actuatable from a first position, in which the protrusion does not deform the first deformable portion, to a second position, in which the protrusion deforms the first deformable portion into contact with the portion of the sealing layer to cause rupture of the portion of the sealing layer, wherein when the actuatable portion is in the second position, the protrusion does not deform the restriction. The protrusion may be unable to pass into the opening. The liquid storage capsule may be positioned over the opening such that the first deformable portion and the restriction are at least partly positioned over the opening. The opening may have an obround shape. The first deformable portion may comprise a first region and a second region, wherein a first distance between the first region and the sealing layer is greater than a second distance between the second region and the sealing layer. The first region and the second region may be concentric, such that the first region surrounds the second region. A width of the opening may be less than a width of the protrusion. The protrusion may comprise an end that engages the first deformable portion of the liquid storage capsule. The end of the protrusion may be flat. The end of the protrusion may have a cross-section with a major sector shape. The protrusion may comprise a groove defining a cross-section of the end of the protrusion. The groove may be aligned with the restriction of the liquid storage capsule. The groove may define the major sector shape of the cross-section of the end of the protrusion. The cross-section of the end of the protrusion may include one or more outwardly extending projecting ribs. The one or more outwardly extending projecting ribs may extend from a curved portion of the major sector shape. The protrusion may be a first protrusion and the actuatable portion may comprise a second protrusion extending towards the liquid storage capsule. The body of the liquid storage capsule may comprise a second deformable portion. The opening may be a first opening and the fluidic layer may com