Devices With Optically Readable Liquid Reservoirs

Abstract

A device includes a lower reservoir surface, an upper reservoir surface, and a reservoir sidewall extending between the upper and lower reservoir surfaces which together define a reservoir. The reservoir is configured to be completely filled by a liquid such that the liquid forms a column contacting the upper reservoir surface, the lower reservoir surface, and the reservoir sidewall, with a meniscus of the liquid being outside of the reservoir. At least one of the upper reservoir surface and the lower reservoir surface is configured to transmit light.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A device comprising:
 a lower reservoir surface;   an upper reservoir surface; and   a reservoir sidewall extending between the upper and lower reservoir surfaces,   wherein:
 the lower reservoir surface, the upper reservoir surface, and the reservoir sidewall define a reservoir, 
 the reservoir is configured to be completely filled by a liquid such that the liquid forms a column contacting the upper reservoir surface, the lower reservoir surface, and the reservoir sidewall, with a meniscus of the liquid being outside of the reservoir, and 
 at least one of the upper reservoir surface and the lower reservoir surface is configured to transmit light. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a channel coupled to the reservoir sidewall. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the meniscus is located within the channel. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising a well fluidically coupled to the reservoir via the channel, wherein the meniscus is located within the well. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising an assay chamber fluidically coupled to the reservoir via the channel. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the assay chamber comprises an inlet. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , further comprising a reagent within the assay chamber. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the reagent is configured to react with liquid received in the assay chamber via the inlet. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the channel is configured to convey the liquid from the assay chamber to the reservoir responsive to application of a force to the assay chamber. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the force comprises a centrifugal force. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , further comprising a rotatable disc in which the reservoir is disposed, wherein rotating the disc generates the centrifugal force. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 9 , further comprising a source of gas configured to apply the force via the gas. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the assay chamber includes a lower assay chamber surface, an upper assay chamber surface, and an assay chamber sidewall extending between the upper and lower assay chamber surfaces. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the assay chamber sidewall includes a first portion extending substantially perpendicularly to the upper and lower assay chamber surfaces. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the assay chamber sidewall includes a second portion extending at an obtuse angle from the lower assay chamber surface. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein responsive to application of the force, the liquid is conveyed upward along the second portion and into the channel. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the assay chamber sidewall and the reservoir sidewall are integrally formed with one another. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the upper assay chamber surface and the upper reservoir surface are integrally formed with one another and attached to the integrally formed assay chamber sidewall and the reservoir sidewall. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the lower assay chamber surface and the lower reservoir surface are integrally formed with one another and attached to the integrally formed assay chamber sidewall and the reservoir sidewall. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the assay chamber sidewall, the channel, and the reservoir sidewall are integrally formed with one another. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the assay chamber sidewall and the reservoir sidewall are discrete elements. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the upper assay chamber surface and the upper reservoir surface are discrete elements. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the lower assay chamber surface and the lower reservoir surface are discrete elements. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the assay chamber sidewall, the channel, and the reservoir sidewall are discrete elements. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the channel and the sidewall are integrally formed with one another. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the channel and the sidewall are discrete elements. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the lower reservoir surface, the upper reservoir surface, and the sidewall are discrete elements attached to one another. 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir sidewall defines a circular, rectangular, square, or irregular cross section of the reservoir. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a source of the light. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein the source of the light comprises a laser, light emitting diode, or lamp. 
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein the source of the light is positioned over the upper reservoir surface and configured to transmit the light through the upper reservoir surface. 
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 31 , wherein the source of the light further is configured to transmit the light through the column and then through the lower reservoir surface. 
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein the source of the light is positioned under the lower reservoir surface and configured to transmit the light through the lower reservoir surface. 
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 33 , wherein the source of the light further is configured to transmit the light through the column and then through the upper reservoir surface. 
     
     
         35 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor configured to receive the light transmitted through the at least one of the upper reservoir surface and the lower reservoir surface. 
     
     
         36 . The device of  claim 35 , wherein the sensor is positioned over the upper reservoir surface and is configured to receive the light through the upper reservoir surface. 
     
     
         37 . The device of  claim 35 , wherein the sensor is positioned under the lower reservoir surface and is configured to receive the light through the lower reservoir surface. 
     
     
         38 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the light is generated by fluorescence or chemiluminescence. 
     
     
         39 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the reagent comprises an antibody, enzyme, or particle. 
     
     
         40 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir has a volume of about 1-200 μL, or about 10-100 μL, or about 15-50 μL, or about 10-30 μL, or about 5-20 μL. 
     
     
         41 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid comprises a bodily fluid. 
     
     
         42 . The device of  claim 41 , wherein the bodily fluid comprises whole blood, blood plasma, blood cells, urine, or spit. 
     
     
         43 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid comprises a food sample or a water sample. 
     
     
         44 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid comprises a purified nucleic acid. 
     
     
         45 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid comprises a pharmaceutical compound. 
     
     
         46 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid comprises a buffer or reagent. 
     
     
         47 . A method comprising:
 completely filling a reservoir with a liquid, the reservoir comprising:
 a lower reservoir surface; 
 an upper reservoir surface; and 
 a reservoir sidewall extending between the upper and lower reservoir surfaces; 
   wherein the liquid forms a column contacting the upper reservoir surface, the lower reservoir surface, and the reservoir sidewall;   wherein a meniscus of the liquid is located outside of the reservoir; and   transmitting light through at least one the upper reservoir surface and the lower reservoir surface.   
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein a channel is coupled to the reservoir sidewall. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the meniscus is located within the channel. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein a well is fluidically coupled to the reservoir via the channel, wherein the meniscus is located within the well. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein an assay chamber is fluidically coupled to the reservoir via the channel. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the assay chamber comprises an inlet. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein a reagent is within the assay chamber. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53 , further comprising:
 receiving the liquid in the assay chamber via the inlet; and   reacting the liquid with the reagent in the assay chamber.   
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 54 , further comprising:
 applying a force to the assay chamber; and   conveying, by the channel, the liquid from the assay chamber to the reservoir responsive to application of the force.   
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the force comprises a centrifugal force. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the reservoir is disposed in a rotatable disc, wherein applying the force comprises generating the centrifugal force by rotating the disc. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the force is applied via a gas. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the assay chamber includes a lower assay chamber surface, an upper assay chamber surface, and an assay chamber sidewall extending between the upper and lower assay chamber surfaces. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein the assay chamber sidewall includes a first portion extending substantially perpendicularly to the upper and lower assay chamber surfaces. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 60 , wherein the assay chamber sidewall includes a second portion extending at an obtuse angle from the lower assay chamber surface. 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein responsive to application of the force, the liquid is conveyed upward along the second portion and into the channel. 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein the assay chamber sidewall and the reservoir sidewall are integrally formed with one another. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein the upper assay chamber surface and the upper reservoir surface are integrally formed with one another and attached to the integrally formed assay chamber sidewall and the reservoir sidewall. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein the lower assay chamber surface and the lower reservoir surface are integrally formed with one another and attached to the integrally formed assay chamber sidewall and the reservoir sidewall. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein the assay chamber sidewall, the channel, and the reservoir sidewall are integrally formed with one another. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein the assay chamber sidewall and the reservoir sidewall are discrete elements. 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 67 , wherein the upper assay chamber surface and the upper reservoir surface are discrete elements. 
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 67 , wherein the lower assay chamber surface and the lower reservoir surface are discrete elements. 
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein the assay chamber sidewall, the channel, and the reservoir sidewall are discrete elements. 
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the channel and the sidewall are integrally formed with one another. 
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the channel and the sidewall are discrete elements. 
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the lower reservoir surface, the upper reservoir surface, and the sidewall are discrete elements attached to one another. 
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the reservoir sidewall defines a circular, rectangular, square, or irregular cross section. 
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 47 , further comprising generating the light. 
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 75 , wherein the light is generated by a laser, light emitting diode, or lamp. 
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 75 , further comprising transmitting the light into the column through the upper reservoir surface. 
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 77 , further comprising transmitting the light through the column and then through the lower reservoir surface. 
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 75 , further comprising transmitting the light into the column through the lower reservoir surface. 
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 79 , further comprising transmitting the light through the column and then through the upper reservoir surface. 
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 47 , further comprising receiving, by a sensor, the light transmitted through the at least one of the upper reservoir surface and the lower reservoir surface. 
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 81 , wherein the sensor receives the light through the upper reservoir surface. 
     
     
         83 . The method of  claim 81 , wherein the sensor receives the light through the lower reservoir surface. 
     
     
         84 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the light is generated by fluorescence or chemiluminescence 
     
     
         85 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the reagent comprises an antibody, enzyme, or particle. 
     
     
         86 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the reservoir has a volume of about 1-200 μL, or about 10-100 μL, or about 15-50 μL, or about 10-30 μL, or about 5-20 μL. 
     
     
         87 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the liquid comprises a bodily fluid. 
     
     
         88 . The method of  claim 87 , wherein the bodily fluid comprises whole blood, blood plasma, blood cells, urine, or spit. 
     
     
         89 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the liquid comprises a food sample or a water sample. 
     
     
         90 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the liquid comprises a purified nucleic acid. 
     
     
         91 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the liquid comprises a pharmaceutical compound. 
     
     
         92 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the liquid comprises a buffer or reagent. 
     
     
         93 . A blood analysis apparatus comprising:
 means for completely filling a reservoir with a liquid comprising a blood sample, the reservoir having a lower reservoir surface, an upper reservoir surface, and a reservoir sidewall extending between the upper and lower reservoir surfaces, the liquid forming a column contacting the upper reservoir surface, the lower reservoir surface, and the reservoir sidewall;   means for positioning a meniscus of the liquid outside of the reservoir;   means for transmitting light through at least one the upper reservoir surface and the lower reservoir surface; and   means for characterizing the blood sample.