Fluidically isolated pumping and metered fluid delivery system and methods

Abstract

An apparatus and method for pumping and optionally mixing of small quantities of biological fluid wherein the pumping mechanism is segregated from the biological fluid being pumped. The micro-pump pushes the biological fluid by compressing a cartridge housing the blood and reagents with collapsible walls with a roller or ball bearing, synchronized perpendicular plungers, or an acutely-angled member to push the biological fluid by collapsing the walls of the cartridge in the direction of flow.

1 - 11 . (canceled)  
     
     
         12 . A micro pumping device for transporting biological fluid comprising: 
 a first reservoir for containing at least one first biological fluid, said first reservoir comprising a deformable material;    a second reservoir for containing a second biological fluid; said second reservoir comprising a deformable material;    a mixing chamber to collect a mixture of the first and second biological fluids; said chamber connected to said first reservoir and said second reservoir through a channel, said channel forking into a first leg and a second leg, said first leg connected to said first reservoir, and said second leg connected to said second reservoir, said mixing chamber and said channel comprising a deformable material; and    a means for collapsing said first reservoir, said second reservoir, and said channel.    
     
     
         13 . A method of micro pumping biological fluid comprising: 
 collapsing a cartridge matrix comprising at least one pliable surface and at least one reservoir and channel, wherein said collapsing is adapted to transport biological fluid contained within said reservoir.    
     
     
         14 . A method of micro pumping according to  claim 13  wherein: 
 said collapsing comprises sweeping across said at least one pliable surface with at least one of the following: a roller bearing, a ball bearing, or a unitary member.    
     
     
         15 . A method of micro pumping according to  claim 13  wherein: 
 said collapsing comprises pressing down on said pliable surface with plungers.    
     
     
         16 . An analytical instrument comprising: 
 a cartridge adapted to receive at least one biological fluid, said cartridge comprising an analytical system chosen from electrochemical, chemiluminescence, optical, electrical, and mechanical methods, wherein said cartridge comprises a pliable surface; and    a collapsor adapted to transporting small volumes of biological fluid for said analytical system by collapsing said pliable surface with a compression force.    
     
     
         17 . An analytical instrument according to  claim 16  wherein: 
 said collapsor comprises at least one bearing chosen from roller bearings and ball bearings.    
     
     
         18 . An analytical instrument according to  claim 16  wherein: 
 said collapsor comprises a series of plungers, said plungers having a longitudinal axis oriented perpendicular to said pliable surface.    
     
     
         19 . An analytical instrument according to  claim 16  wherein: 
 said collapsor comprises a singular member, said member having a longitudinal axis oriented less than perpendicular to said pliable surface.    
     
     
         20 . The micro pumping device of  claim 12 , further comprising a cartridge including a pliable surface and a rigid core adjacent to the pliable surface, wherein said means for collapsing delivers a compressive force to said pliable surface.  
     
     
         21 . The micro pumping device of  claim 20 , wherein said means for collapsing comprises a collapsor and a collapsor surface with protrusions having predetermined spacing, said predetermined spacing creating corresponding concavities in said pliable surface as said collapsor collapses said pliable surface against said rigid core, displacement from said corresponding concavities thereby causing a predetermined amount of biological fluid to be delivered from the cartridge.  
     
     
         22 . The micro pumping device of  claim 21 , wherein said means for collapsing includes at least one bearing.  
     
     
         23 . The micro pumping device of  claim 22 , wherein said collapsor surface comprises a circumference of said bearing; said protrusions disposed at predetermined locations about said circumference such that each adjacent pair of protrusions defines a correspondingly predetermined volume.  
     
     
         24 . The micro pumping device of  claim 21 , wherein said device further comprises a network including staggered channels and reservoirs such that motion in one direction by said collapsor results in a sequential collapse of said staggered channels and reservoirs.  
     
     
         25 . The micro pumping device of  claim 21 , wherein said pliable surface includes a self-sealing membrane.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising delivering a force from a collapsor to said pliable surface whereby said pliable surface is compressed against a rigid core adjacent to the pliable surface.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising: 
 creating concavities in said pliable surface as said collapsor collapses said pliable surface against said rigid core, said concavities corresponding to protrusions on a collapsor surface having predetermined spacing; and    delivering an amount of biological fluid from said cartridge; wherein said amount of biological fluid is determined by displacement from said corresponding concavities.    
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said collapsor surface comprises a circumference of said bearing, said protrusions disposed at predetermined locations about said circumference such that each adjacent pair of protrusions defines a correspondingly predetermined volume.  
     
     
         29 . The analytical instrument of  16  wherein: 
 said collapsor comprises a unitary member.    
     
     
         30 . The analytical instrument of  17 , wherein said collapsor includes a collapsor surface with protrusions having predetermined spacing, said predetermined spacing creating corresponding concavities in said pliable surface as said collapsor collapses said pliable surface against a rigid core, displacement from said corresponding concavities thereby causing a predetermined amount of biological fluid to be delivered from the cartridge.  
     
     
         31 . The analytical instrument of  30 , further comprising a bearing, wherein said collapsor surface comprises a circumference of said bearing; said protrusions disposed at predetermined locations about said circumference such that each adjacent pair of protrusions defines a correspondingly predetermined volume.