초록 ▼

Mixing structures for use on sample processing devices are disclosed. The mixing structures include one or more mixing chambers in fluid communication with a process chamber, such that changing the rotational speed of the sample processing device forces sample material into and out of the mixing cha

Mixing structures for use on sample processing devices are disclosed. The mixing structures include one or more mixing chambers in fluid communication with a process chamber, such that changing the rotational speed of the sample processing device forces sample material into and out of the mixing chamber to achieve mixing of the sample material. The mixing chambers are in fluid communication with the process chambers through mixing ports that are located on the distal sides of the process chambers with respect to the axis about which the sample processing device is rotated.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. Sample mixing structure on a sample processing device, the sample processing device adapted to rotate about an axis of rotation, the sample mixing structure comprising: a process chamber comprising a delivery port on a proximal side of the process chamber and a valve on

The invention claimed is: 1. Sample mixing structure on a sample processing device, the sample processing device adapted to rotate about an axis of rotation, the sample mixing structure comprising: a process chamber comprising a delivery port on a proximal side of the process chamber and a valve on a distal side of the process chamber, wherein the proximal side of the process chamber is located closer to the axis of rotation than the distal side of the process chamber; and a mixing chamber comprising a mixing port and a distal side, wherein the mixing port is located on the distal side of the process chamber, and wherein the distal side of the mixing chamber is located no further from the axis of rotation than the distal side of the process chamber; wherein rotation of the sample processing device about the axis of rotation moves at least a portion of sample material in the process chamber into the mixing chamber through the mixing port when the mixing port is open; and wherein, when the valve of the process chamber is open, rotation of the sample processing device about the axis of rotation moves the sample material out of the process chamber and the mixing chamber. 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the valve of the process chamber is closed. 3. A device according to claim 1, wherein a radial axis extends through the proximal side and the distal side of the process chamber. 4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the radial axis intersects the axis of rotation, and wherein the radial axis extends through the delivery port and the valve of the process chamber. 5. A device according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the mixing chamber is located in a tangential direction off to a side of the process chamber relative to the radial axis. 6. A device according to claim 1, wherein the process chamber is located between a first major side and a second major side of the sample processing device, wherein at least a portion of the mixing chamber is located between the process chamber and the second major side of the sample processing device. 7. A device according to claim 6, wherein substantially all of the mixing chamber is located between the process chamber and the second major side of the sample processing device. 8. A device according to claim 1, wherein the mixing port comprises a valve, and wherein the valve of the mixing port is closed. 9. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a reagent in the mixing chamber. 10. A device according to claim 1, wherein the valve is closed when rotation of the sample processing device about the axis of rotation moves at least a portion of sample material in the process chamber into the mixing chamber through the mixing port when the mixing port is open. 11. Sample mixing structure on a sample processing device, the sample processing device adapted to rotate about an axis of rotation, the sample mixing structure comprising: a process chamber comprising a delivery port on a proximal side of the process chamber and a closed valve on a distal side of the process chamber, wherein the proximal side of the process chamber is located closer to the axis of rotation than the distal side of the process chamber; and a mixing chamber comprising a mixing port and a distal side, wherein the mixing port is located on the distal side of the process chamber and wherein the distal side of the mixing chamber is located no further from the axis of rotation than the distal side of the process chamber; wherein the process chamber is located between a first major side and a second major side of the sample processing device, wherein at least a portion of the mixing chamber is located between the process chamber and the second major side of the sample processing device; wherein rotation of the sample processing device about the axis of rotation moves at least a portion of sample material in the process chamber into the mixing chamber through the mixing port when the mixing port is open; and wherein, when the closed valve of the process chamber is opened, rotation of the sample processing device about the axis of rotation moves the sample material out of the process chamber and the mixing chamber. 12. A device according to claim 11, wherein the closed valve is closed when rotation of the sample processing device about the axis of rotation moves at least a portion of sample material in the process chamber into the mixing chamber through the mixing port when the mixing port is open. 13. A sample processing device adapted to rotate about an axis of rotation, the sample processing device comprising: two or more sample mixing structures in a sample processing device, each of the two or more sample mixing structures comprising: a process chamber comprising a delivery port on a proximal side of the process chamber and a valve on a distal side of the process chamber, wherein the proximal side of the process chamber is located closer to the axis of rotation than the distal side of the process chamber; and a mixing chamber comprising a mixing port and a distal side, wherein the mixing port is located on the distal side of the process chamber and wherein the distal side of the mixing chamber is located no further from the axis of rotation than the distal side of the process chamber; wherein rotation of the sample processing device about the axis of rotation moves at least a portion of sample material in the process chamber into the mixing chamber through the mixing port when the mixing port is open; and wherein, when the valve of the process chamber is open, rotation of the sample processing device about the axis of rotation moves the sample material out of the process chamber and the mixing chamber. 14. A device according to claim 13, wherein the valve of the process chamber in at least one sample mixing structure of the two or more sample mixing structures is closed until opened. 15. A device according to claim 13, wherein a radial axis extends through the proximal side and the distal side of the process chamber in each sample mixing structure of the two or more sample mixing structures. 16. A device according to claim 15, wherein the radial axis intersects the axis of rotation in at least one sample mixing structure of the two or more sample mixing structures, and wherein the radial axis extends through the delivery port and the valve of the process chamber. 17. A device according to claim 13, wherein at least a portion of the mixing chamber in at least one sample mixing structure of the two or more sample mixing structures is located in a tangential direction off to a side of the process chamber relative to the radial axis. 18. A device according to claim 13, wherein the process chamber in at least one sample mixing structure of the two or more sample mixing structures is located between a first major side and a second major side of the sample processing device, wherein at least a portion of the mixing chamber is located between the process chamber and the second major side of the sample processing device. 19. A device according to claim 18, wherein substantially all of the mixing chamber in at least one sample mixing structure of the two or more sample mixing structures is located between the process chamber and the second major side of the sample processing device. 20. A device according to claim 13, wherein the mixing port in at least one sample mixing structure of the two or more sample mixing structures comprises a valve, and wherein the valve of the mixing port is closed. 21. A device according to claim 13, further comprising a reagent in the mixing chamber in at least one sample mixing structure of the two or more sample mixing structures. 22. A device according to claim 13, wherein the valve is closed when rotation of the sample processing device about the axis of rotation moves at least a portion of sample material in the process chamber into the mixing chamber through the mixing port when the mixing port is open.