Bodily fluid composition analyzer with disposable cassette

Abstract

Disclosed is an apparatus for analyzing the composition of bodily fluid. The apparatus can include a fluid handling network including a patient end configured to maintain fluid communication with a bodily fluid in a patient and a pump unit in operative engagement with the fluid handling network. The pump unit can have an infusion mode, in which the pump unit is operable to deliver infusion fluid to the patient through the patient end, and a sample draw mode, in which the pump unit is operable to draw a sample of the bodily fluid from the patient through the patient end. The apparatus can include a spectroscopic analyzer positioned to analyze at least a portion of the sample; a processor in communication with or incorporated into the spectroscopic analyzer; and stored program instructions executable by the processor to obtain measurements of two or more properties of the sample.

1 . A method for extracting and analyzing a bodily fluid of a patient, the method comprising:
 attaching a disposable fluid handling module to a main analysis and control instrument, wherein:
 the disposable fluid handling module comprises:
 a fluid handling network comprising a fluid passageway; 
 
 at least one fluid handling interface; and 
 a sample analysis chamber configured to intersect an analysis region of the main analysis and control instrument; 
   engaging the at least one fluid handling interface of the fluid handling module with at least one fluid handling components of the main analysis and control instrument through an opening in the fluid handling module;   drawing a sample of the bodily fluid from the patient into the fluid handling module by actuating the at least one fluid handling component;   holding at least one subcomponent of the sample in the sample analysis chamber in a non-flowing state with the at least one fluid handling components; and   analyzing the at least one subcomponent held in a non-flowing state with a body fluid analyzer to determine a concentration of an analyte.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising connecting the disposable fluid handling module to the bodily fluid of the patient, wherein the drawing a sample of the bodily fluid from the patient into the disposable fluid handling module comprises withdrawing a sample of the bodily fluid by actuating a syringe pump. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the fluid handling network comprises a syringe;   the at least one fluid handling components further comprises a syringe drive; and   the engaging comprises interfacing the syringe with the syringe drive.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the disposable fluid handling module comprises a cassette. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the disposable fluid handling module comprises a separator interface integrated configured to engage a fluid component separator; and   the fluid component separator is configured to separate the sample of bodily fluid into multiple subcomponents.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising separating the sample of the bodily fluid into multiple subcomponents by engaging the fluid component separator at the separator interface. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one subcomponent comprises whole blood, plasma or serum. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the fluid component separator is integrated with the fluid handling module. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the fluid component separator is a part of the main analysis and control instrument. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the separator interface comprises a centrifuge rotor configured to engage a centrifuge motor. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the fluid component separator comprises a membrane. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the fluid component separator comprises a centrifuge rotor. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the analyte comprises glucose. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein analyzing the at least one subcomponent comprises performing a spectroscopic analysis of the at least one subcomponent. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein performing the spectroscopic analysis of the at least one subcomponent comprises:
 directing infrared radiation from an optical source towards the at least one subcomponent held in the sample analysis chamber; and   receiving infrared radiation transmitted through or reflected from the at least one subcomponent held in the sample analysis chamber at a detector.