EP0820348B1 - Analysis card - Google Patents

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/IB97/00112 Sec. 371 Date Nov. 14, 1997 Sec. 102(e) Date Nov. 14, 1997 PCT Filed Feb. 12, 1997 PCT Pub. No. WO97/28899 PCT Pub. Date Aug. 14, 1997An analysis card containing two mutually separate chambers separated by a frangible partition that is arranged within the card and made of an absorbent and preferably plastic material for absorbing light energy having at least a predetermined wavelength, and converting it into heat energy capable of at least locally removing the material.

Description

The present invention relates to the treatment of a analysis card.

By "analysis" is meant any process or process allowing to identify, separate, isolate, determine, detect, or quantify, a material, a product, a substance, or compound, referred to as generic "analyte", from a sample or sample to be analyzed, previously diluted or not with any suitable medium, for example a solvent. The analyte sought may be chemical, biochemical, or still biological, for example in the latter case a antigen or antibody.

By "analysis card" is meant any device, module, or system, internally arranged for carry out the different processes or reactions necessary for the identification, separation, detection or quantification of the analyte, different treatments, in particular within said card, or manipulation of the analysis card, for example automatically. Such an analysis card, well known to those skilled in the art, constitutes a closed assembly vis-à-vis the outside or its immediate environment, with the exception of course of all passages or means equivalent, allowing in particular and initially introduce the sample or sample to be analyzed. A such analysis card contains the reagent (s), physico-chemical, chemical, biochemical, or organic, distributed and maintained in the card, according to the flow of the sample to be analyzed, and the reaction processes or reactions to perform for complete the analysis. An analysis card such that envisaged by the present invention, constituting in general a disposable device or assembly, i.e. thrown away or destroyed after use, understands or incorporates within it a plurality of chambers, arranged in series and / or in parallel, one of which, for example the last, is notably an optical measurement chamber. These analysis cards can be produced or produced according to all appropriate techniques, for example in one or several parts assembled (for example welding) together to others, made for example by molding one or several identical or different plastics.

By "room" is meant in the claims and the description of any enclosure, or passage, ensuring reception and / or circulation of any liquid, fluid, or gas present in the analysis card.

The present invention relates to a card particular analysis, allowing a setting operation in communication of at least two rooms, arranged in an analysis card, and initially isolated one by compared to the other, this operation being carried out at distance and no action or mechanical contact with the card analysis.

The present invention lies in cooperation of two essential means, namely, on the one hand a light beam, in particular coherent, having at least one predetermined wavelength λ, and a power predetermined P, obtained from a light source, in particular laser, and on the other hand of a structure or arrangement of an analysis card, in which are provided at least two isolated rooms, one with respect to to the other, and to the outside; but this structure is specifically adapted to the implementation of this light beam, to establish at least one passage between at least two chambers of said card.

More specifically, according to the present invention, the two rooms are separated from each other by a partition, perforable, arranged within the card, in absorbent material, in particular plastic, absorbing light energy from the light beam above, to transform it into thermal energy likely to eliminate at least locally said material ; and two cavities are formed on the side and on the other side of the bulkhead, and are in communication with or included in the two rooms respectively; and an window in transparent material at least for the wavelength λ is arranged opposite said partition, and delimits with the latter one of said cavities, called the incidence of a light ray.

(a) à partir de la source lumineuse, notamment laser, on dispose du faisceau lumineux précité, ayant une puissance lumineuse prédéterminée P ;

(b) la carte d'analyse est agencée comme défini précédemment ;

(c) on dispose la carte d'analyse par rapport au faisceau lumineux, en sorte que l'incidence du rayon lumineux illuminant la cloison perforable soit sensiblement perpendiculaire à cette dernière ;

(d) on contrôle ou commande la source lumineuse, en sorte que l'énergie thermique dissipée au sein de la cloison perforable n'excède pas celle nécessaire à l'élimination locale du matériau absorbant, par exemple par fusion, vaporisation, ou sublimation, selon un trou perforant de part en part cette cloison, d'extension radiale limitée ou contrôlée.

An analysis card in accordance with the present invention makes it possible to implement the following method, and more particularly the following steps, cooperating with each other:

(A) from the light source, in particular laser, there is available the aforementioned light beam, having a predetermined light power P;

(b) the analysis card is arranged as defined above;

(c) the analysis card is placed in relation to the light beam, so that the incidence of the light ray illuminating the perforable partition is substantially perpendicular to the latter;

(d) the light source is controlled or controlled, so that the thermal energy dissipated within the perforable partition does not exceed that necessary for the local elimination of the absorbent material, for example by fusion, vaporization, or sublimation, according to a perforating hole right through this partition, of limited or controlled radial extension.

It is understood that the light beam used according to the invention can be convergent, parallel, or divergent, the essential condition being the density of power of the light beam striking the partition penetrable. When the light beam is parallel or diverging, suitable guiding means can be provided before and / or after the beam, to satisfy the essential condition mentioned above.

As described in document US-A-5 411 065, we have already proposed to use a laser light beam for perforate a wall from a distance. However, so far, in the absence of a particular arrangement in accordance with this invention it had not been possible to use the same means for establishing controlled communication between two rooms within the same analysis card.

The method of using the card according to the present invention allows therefore its manipulation, in particular by automatic track, driving, in relation to the beam luminous, in particular laser, at the perforation of any partition, arranged within said card, and this in preserving the rest or the integrity of the latter. A such a process therefore appears particularly suitable for analysis devices today, working for a large part, if not all, automatically.

• la Figure 1 représente, de manière schématique, une étape du procédé de traitement d'une carte d'analyse, selon l'invention ;
• la Figure 2 représente cette même carte d'analyse, telle qu'obtenue après l'étape ou opération représentée schématiquement à la Figure 1 ;
• les Figures 3 à 5 représentent respectivement, toujours de manière schématique, trois étapes successives d'un procédé de traitement selon l'invention, mises en oeuvre avec une carte d'analyse réalisée selon un autre mode d'exécution de l'invention ;
• la Figure 6 représente, de manière schématique, un dispositif de traitement d'une carte d'analyse, selon l'invention.

The present invention is now described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

• Figure 1 shows, schematically, a step in the method of processing an analysis card according to the invention;
• Figure 2 shows this same analysis card, as obtained after the step or operation shown schematically in Figure 1;
• Figures 3 to 5 show respectively, still schematically, three successive stages of a treatment method according to the invention, implemented with an analysis card produced according to another embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 6 shows, schematically, a device for processing an analysis card according to the invention.

In accordance with the representations of Figures 1 and 2, the analysis card 1 shown is intended for cooperate with or adapted to a laser light source 4, emitting a coherent light or light beam 5, having a predetermined wavelength λ, and a power predetermined light P.

The analysis card 1 has a general shape substantially flattened, and includes, so assembled, for example by gluing, a flat body 14, by example polystyrene or polycarbonate wafer, previously engraved or imprinted, as described below, between two external walls, or films 15 and 16, for example in transparent plastic vis-à-vis the beam luminous. In particular, films 15 and 16 can be in polypropylene, silicon or germanium.

As described below, two chambers 2 and 3 are obtained and included in the analysis card 1, in being, on the one hand isolated each with respect to outside the map, and on the other hand isolated at the start one over the other. To this end, the two rooms 2 and 3 are separated from each other by a partition 7 that can be pierced by laser light from source 4, absorbent material, in particular plastic material, absorbing light energy of wavelength λ from the laser source, to transform it into thermal energy or calorific likely to eliminate or make disappear at least locally or occasionally the material of the partition 7. Two cavities 8 and 9 are provided on either side and on the other side of the partition 7, and are respectively in communication with the two rooms 2 and 3. Two windows 10 and 11, obtained from a transparent material for the wavelength λ of the laser light of the source 4, are arranged on both sides and in opposite the partition 7, and delimit with this last the two cavities 8 and 9, one 8 used to the incidence of an identical light beam or from light beam 5 from source 4, and the other used for the emergence of the light ray, after perforation of the partition 7.

• dans le corps 14, sont empreintes ou gravées les deux chambres 2 et 3, ainsi que les deux cavités 8 et 9 ; et les parois externes 15 et 16 ferment ces chambres et cavités vis-à-vis de l'extérieur ;
• comme représenté aux figures 1 et 2, et dans la position horizontale de la carte d'analyse, la chambre 2 est située au-dessous de la cavité 8, et la chambre 3 est située au-dessus de la cavité 9 ; l'une 2 des chambres et la cavité 8 qui lui correspond sont fermées par l'une 15 des parois externes, et l'autre chambre 3 et l'autre cavité 9 qui lui correspond, sont fermées par l'autre paroi externe 16 ;
• la cloison perforable 7 est formée dans le corps plat 14, et donc dans son matériau constitutif qui est absorbant de l'énergie lumineuse de longueur d'onde λ ;
• les deux fenêtres 10 et 11 sont formées dans les parois externes 15 et 16 respectivement, dont le matériau constitutif est, comme dit précédemment, transparent pour la longueur d'onde λ.

In practice, taking into account the construction method used for the analysis card 1, the arrangements described above are obtained in the following manner:

• in the body 14, the two chambers 2 and 3 are imprinted or engraved, as well as the two cavities 8 and 9; and the external walls 15 and 16 close these chambers and cavities with respect to the outside;
• as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and in the horizontal position of the analysis card, the chamber 2 is located below the cavity 8, and the chamber 3 is located above the cavity 9; one 2 of the chambers and the cavity 8 which corresponds to it are closed by one of the external walls, and the other chamber 3 and the other cavity 9 which corresponds to it, are closed by the other external wall 16;
• the perforable partition 7 is formed in the flat body 14, and therefore in its constituent material which is absorbing light energy of wavelength λ;
• the two windows 10 and 11 are formed in the external walls 15 and 16 respectively, the constituent material of which is, as said above, transparent for the wavelength λ.

(a) à partir de la source lumineuse 4 à laser, on dispose d'un faisceau lumineux 5 cohérent, ayant la longueur d'onde prédéterminée λ, et la puissance lumineuse P ;

(b) la carte 1 d'analyse présente la structure et l'agencement décrits précédemment, se caractérisant principalement par la cloison 7, disposée au sein de la carte 1, susceptible de recevoir la lumière en provenance de la source 4, au travers de la fenêtre 10, sous la forme d'un rayon lumineux 12 incident ;

(c) on dispose la carte d'analyse 1 par rapport au faisceau lumineux 5, en sorte que l'incidence du rayon lumineux 12 illuminant la cloison 7 soit sensiblement perpendiculaire à cette dernière ;

(d) on contrôle ou commande la source lumineuse laser 4, en sorte que l'énergie thermique dissipée au sein de la cloison 7 n'excède pas celle nécessaire à l'élimination ou disparition locale du matériau absorbant, constitutif de la cloison 7, selon un trou 7a (cf Figure 2) perforant la cloison 7, d'extension radiale limitée, c'est-à-dire juste suffisante pour établir une communication ou plein passage entre les cavités 8 et 9, et par conséquent entre les chambres 2 et 3.

The processing method with the analysis card according to the invention comprises the following steps:

(a) from the laser light source 4, there is a coherent light beam 5, having the predetermined wavelength λ, and the light power P;

(b) the analysis card 1 has the structure and arrangement described above, characterized mainly by the partition 7, disposed within the card 1, capable of receiving light from the source 4, through window 10, in the form of an incident light ray 12;

(c) the analysis card 1 is placed with respect to the light beam 5, so that the incidence of the light ray 12 illuminating the partition 7 is substantially perpendicular to the latter;

(d) the laser light source 4 is controlled or controlled, so that the thermal energy dissipated within the partition 7 does not exceed that necessary for the local elimination or disappearance of the absorbent material constituting the partition 7, according to a hole 7a (see Figure 2) perforating the partition 7, of limited radial extension, that is to say just sufficient to establish communication or full passage between the cavities 8 and 9, and therefore between the chambers 2 and 3.

As shown in Figure 1, the incidence of the radius bright 12 illuminating the partition 7 is at the same time substantially perpendicular to the plane of the map 1 analysis, and corresponds to the reference direction 6 of the light beam 5 emitted by the source 4.

The axis of the light ray 12 illuminating the partition 7 crosses the latter substantially at its center, in providing a border on either side of the hole perforating 7a, unaffected by the light energy of the laser ray.

Preferably, the light ray 12 illuminating the partition 7 is converging at a point focal 13 arranged in the center or within the partition 7. But the light ray 12 can also be, or parallel, or divergent, for the purposes of the illumination of partition 7, according to the distribution of light energy, desired in the impact zone of the light ray 12.

When at least room 3 is filled with a liquid, preferably during steps (c) and (d), we control the displacement of the liquid present in the chamber 3, for example by capillary action and / or aspiration, so that the cavity 9, on the other side of the cavity 8 of incidence relative to the perforable partition 7, remains full or empty of any liquid. A cavity 9 remaining empty of any liquid at the time of illumination with the light beam 5 allows in particular to preserve the liquid or liquids circulating in the analysis card, any untimely or excessive heating.

The embodiment shown in Figures 3 to 5 differs from that shown in Figures 1 to 2, by the fact that the analysis card 1 includes "n", in the occurrence 3 chambers 2, 3, 17, arranged in series, but can also be arranged in parallel, separated two to two by "n-1", in this case two partitions perforables 7 and 18, "n" being an integer, and one bedrooms 2, 3 and 17, which can in particular be a bedroom optical measurement. So as to allow a process automatic with a single laser light beam, the perforable partitions 7 and 18 are distributed in the card 1, so that two partitions cannot be aligned with a single light beam incident 12. As previously indicated, the card of analysis of Figures 3 to 5 contains a liquid filling chamber 3, which will travel towards the chamber 2, after perforation of the partition 7, as shown in Figure 4, then to room 17, after perforation of the partition 18, as partially shown in Figure 5.

• un générateur 20 de lumière cohérente, ayant la longueur d'onde prédéterminée λ et la puissance lumineuse P, comprenant une source laser, et des moyens 25 de collimation et de mise en forme du faisceau lumineux émis par la source laser ; un faisceau de puissance limitée, par exemple de 2 mW, est émis par un pointeur en lumière visible et superposé au faisceau laser pour son guidage ;
• des moyens optiques 29 de couplage du faisceau lumineux quasi-parallèle, pour injecter ce dernier dans une fibre optique 21, ou des moyens optiques de guidage tels que prisme ou lentille, avec un bon rendement ;
• des moyens optiques 30 de collimation et/ou de mise en forme du faisceau, permettant d'obtenir un "spot" circulaire de diamètre et de densité de puissance, déterminés sur le plan de travail où le perçage sera effectué, situé sur ou dans chaque cloison 7 ou 18 ;
• des moyens 51 de positionnement de la carte d'analyse 1, dans un plan perpendiculaire par rapport à la direction de référence 6, en sorte que l'incidence du rayon lumineux 12 illuminant chaque cloison perforable 7 ou 18, soit sensiblement perpendiculaire à chaque dite cloison ; ces moyens de positionnement 51 assurent un déplacement de la carte d'analyse selon deux directions de référence 22 et 23 sensiblement perpendiculaires.

As shown in FIG. 6, a device 19 for processing an analysis card 1 according to the invention comprises:

• a coherent light generator 20, having the predetermined wavelength λ and the light power P, comprising a laser source, and means 25 for collimating and shaping the light beam emitted by the laser source; a beam of limited power, for example of 2 mW, is emitted by a pointer in visible light and superimposed on the laser beam for its guidance;
• optical means 29 for coupling the quasi-parallel light beam, to inject the latter into an optical fiber 21, or optical guide means such as a prism or lens, with good efficiency;
• optical means 30 for collimating and / or shaping the beam, making it possible to obtain a circular "spot" of diameter and power density, determined on the work surface where the drilling will be carried out, located on or in each partition 7 or 18;
• means 51 for positioning the analysis card 1, in a plane perpendicular to the reference direction 6, so that the incidence of the light ray 12 illuminating each perforable partition 7 or 18 is substantially perpendicular to each said partition; these positioning means 51 ensure a displacement of the analysis card in two reference directions 22 and 23 substantially perpendicular.

For example, the generator 20 emits a light at 800 nm, with guide light at 670 nm. The power of the light source thus constituted is 700 mW, for a power actually used of the order 300 mW. The optical fiber 21 used is a fiber multimode with a core diameter of 200 µm. At the exit of the optical fiber 21, a lens 30 makes it possible to focus the light energy on the center 13, located on or in each partition 7 or 18.

• cloison 7 ou 18 réalisée en polystyrène, ayant une épaisseur de 0,3 mm ;
• parois externes 15 et 16, réalisées en polypropylène, silicium ou germanium, selon une épaisseur de 2 à 7/10è de mm pour un film en polypropylène ;
• un générateur 20 de lumière cohérente, tel que décrit précédemment ;
• aucun liquide n'étant présent dans les chambres 2 et 3 et cavités 8 et 9 ;

il a été possible de percer un trou 7a, de diamètre 0,5 mm, en deux secondes environ.With the following conditions:

• partition 7 or 18 made of polystyrene, having a thickness of 0.3 mm;
• external walls 15 and 16, made of polypropylene, silicon or germanium, with a thickness of 2 to 7 / 10ths of a mm for a polypropylene film;
• a coherent light generator 20, as described previously;
• no liquid being present in chambers 2 and 3 and cavities 8 and 9;

it was possible to drill a hole 7a, with a diameter of 0.5 mm, in about two seconds.

The present invention can be implemented according to different modes of execution; especially one rooms, connected according to this invention, can itself communicate with the atmosphere or the environment in which the analysis card is located.

Claims (9)

1. Analysis card (1), in which two chambers (2, 3), which are isolated from one another, are formed, characterized in that the two chambers -are separated from one another by a perforable partition (7) which is arranged within the said card and is made of material, in particular plastic, absorbing light energy having at least a predetermined wavelength λ to convert it into heat energy which can at least locally remove the said material, two cavities (8, 9) are formed on either side of the partition (7) and are respectively in communication with or contained in the two chambers (2, 3) respectively, a window (10, 11) made of a material which is transparent at least to the wavelength λ is arranged facing the said partition (7) and defines therewith one (8) of the said cavities, referred to as the incident light ray (12) cavity.
2. Card according to Claim 1, characterized in that another window (11), made of a material which is transparent at least to the wavelength λ, facing the said partition (7), defines therewith the other (9) of the said cavities, referred to as the emergent light ray cavity.
3. Card according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a body (14) in which the two chambers (2, 3) and the two cavities (8, 9) are embossed or etched and at least one external wall (15, 16) which closes off the said chambers and cavities from the outside.
4. Card according to Claim 3, of substantially flattened shape, characterized in that it comprises a flat body (14) between two external walls (15, 16).
5. Card according to Claim 3, characterized in that one (2) of the chambers and the cavity (8) which corresponds to it are closed off by one (15) of the external walls, and the other chamber (3) and the other cavity (9), which corresponds to it, are closed off by the other external wall (16).
6. Card according to Claim 3, characterized in that the perforable partition (7) is formed in the flat body (14), the constituent material of which absorbs light energy of wavelength λ.
7. Card according to Claim 3, characterized in that the window (10) is formed in the external wall (15), the constituent material of which is transparent to the wavelength λ.
8. Card according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises n chambers (2, 3, 17) which are arranged in series and/or parallel and are separated in pairs by n-1 perforable partitions (7, 18), "n" being a whole number, and one of the chambers being, in particular, an optical measurement chamber, the said perforable partitions being distributed in the said card in such a way that no two partitions can be aligned with the same incident light beam (12).
9. Ready-to-use analysis card according to Claim 1, in which at least one chamber (3) is filled with a liquid.

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