Disposable dispensing cartridge for medical assay instrumentation

摘要

A disposable dispensing cartridge comprises a reservoir adapted to contain a solution to be dispensed; a chamber in fluidic communication with the reservoir through a first unidirectional valve. The chamber comprises an outlet portion with a second unidirectional valve allowing passage of the solution out of the chamber. The disposable cartridge is connectable via a second connecting portion to a pressurizing device. The pressurizing device is adapted to apply a reduced pressure within the chamber; drawing a predetermined volume of solution from the reservoir, through the first unidirectional valve, into the chamber; and to apply a raised pressure within the chamber, drawing the determined volume of solution out of the chamber, through the second unidirectional valve. The second connecting portion comprises a check valve being arranged to allow gas, but not the solution, to flow in and/or out of the chamber via the second connecting portion. The disposable cartridge is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

主权项

1. A disposable dispensing cartridge comprising:
a reservoir adapted to contain a solution to be dispensed; a chamber in fluidic communication with the reservoir through a first unidirectional valve, wherein the first unidirectional valve is positioned between the reservoir and the chamber so that flow of the solution is in a direction out of the reservoir, through the first unidirectional valve, and into the chamber, the chamber comprising an outlet portion located at a first end of the chamber and a second connecting portion located at a second, opposite, end of the chamber, the outlet portion of the chamber comprising a second unidirectional valve allowing passage of the solution in a direction out of the chamber; wherein the second connecting portion comprises a check valve being arranged to allow gas, but not the solution, to flow in and/or out of the chamber via the second connecting portion; wherein the outlet portion has an opening communicating with the exterior surface of the disposable dispensing chamber, the second unidirectional valve being positioned in the outlet portion to allow the flow of fluid out of the chamber via the opening of the outlet portion; wherein the disposable cartridge is removably connectable via the second connecting portion to a pressurizing device, wherein said disposable cartridge comprising the check valve and second connecting portion is mechanically independent of the pressurizing device before said disposable cartridge is removably connected to the pressurizing device, the pressurizing device being adapted to apply a reduced pressure within the chamber, drawing a predetermined volume of solution from the reservoir, through the first unidirectional valve, into the chamber; and to apply a raised pressure within the chamber, drawing the determined volume of solution out of the chamber, through the second unidirectional valve; and wherein the check valve is exposed to the outside environment before the disposable cartridge is removably connected to the pressurizing device.