Reducing optical interference in a fluidic device

Abstract

This invention is in the field of medical devices. Specifically, the present invention provides portable medical devices that allow real-time detection of analytes from a biological fluid. The methods and devices are particularly useful for providing point-of-care testing for a variety of medical applications. In particular, the medical device reduces interference with an optical signal which is indicative of the presence of an analyte in a bodily sample.

1 . A method of detecting an analyte in a sample of bodily fluid, the method comprising:
 providing the sample of bodily fluid into a fluidic device having a housing and being configured to run an assay for detecting the analyte in the sample, wherein the fluidic device comprises a sample collection unit, an assay assembly, and a waste chamber;   inserting the fluidic device into a reader assembly, wherein the reader assembly comprises an identification detector, a communication assembly, and a detection assembly;   detecting an identifier of the fluidic device by the identification detector;   transmitting, by the identification detector, the identifier to the communication assembly;   transmitting, by the communication assembly, the identifier to an external device;   receiving, from the external device, a protocol to execute on the fluidic device based on the identifier;   allowing the sample of bodily fluid to react with a reactant immobilized in the assay assembly of the fluidic device, wherein the assay assembly is configured to yield a fluorescent signal indicative of the presence of the analyte in the sample of bodily fluid; and   detecting, by the detection assembly, the analyte in the sample by detecting the fluorescent signal.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 detecting a concentration of the analyte in the sample based on the fluorescent signal with the detection assembly.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the detection assembly comprises one of a digital camera, a charge coupled device (CCD), a photomultipliers, and a phototube. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the assay assembly further comprises a reagent chamber, a reaction site, and a fluidic channel that connects the reagent chamber with the reaction site, wherein the reactant is immobilized in the reaction site of the assay assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the waste assembly comprises a quenching site and a quenching agent configured to reduce interference of the fluorescent signal. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the quenching site further comprises an absorbent material saturated with the quenching agent. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 controlling movements of the sample within the fluidic device by an actuating element in the reader assembly, wherein the actuating element includes one of a pump and a value.