Adaptation of a Processing of an in Particular Biological Sample Using a Processing Unit

Abstract

A method for adapting a processing of an in particular biological sample using a processing unit includes identifying a cartridge in an identification region for a processing parameter, reading the processing parameter from the identified cartridge by the processing unit and adapting the processing depending on the processing parameter, and processing the sample in the cartridge with the processing unit.

Claims

1. A method for adapting a processing of a biological sample using a processing unit, said method comprising: identifying a cartridge, wherein the identification of the cartridge being performed in at least one identification region for a processing parameter; reading of the processing parameter from the identified cartridge with the processing unit and adapting the processing depending on the processing parameter; and processing of the sample in the cartridge by the processing unit.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the identification of the cartridge includes identifying a label that includes the at least one identification region for the processing parameter.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the processing is adapted with respect to a sample type of the sample.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: with a communication interface, prompting a user to enter the processing parameter if the reading of the processing parameter is unsuccessful.

5. A label for a microfluidic cartridge, comprising: at least one identification region for a processing parameter used for adapting a processing of the cartridge.

6. The label according to claim 5, wherein at least one identification region includes identifiable information about the processing parameter.

7. The label according to claim 5, wherein the processing parameter includes information about at least one sample type.

8. The label according to claim 7, wherein the at least one identification region includes a first identification region for a first sample type and a second identification region for a second sample type.

9. The label according to claim 5, wherein the at least one identification region has an identification field that includes a code in which information about the processing parameter is encoded.

10. The label according to claim 5, wherein the at least one identification region includes at least one of (i) a sample identification region for a sample identifier and (ii) a cartridge identification region for a cartridge identifier of the cartridge.

11. A cartridge comprising: at least one identification region including a processing parameter for adapting a processing of the cartridge.

12. The cartridge according to claim 11, further comprising: a label having the at least one identification region.

13. The cartridge according to claim 11, further comprising: a cartridge identifier applied to a surface of the cartridge.

14. A processing unit for processing a cartridge, wherein the processing unit is configured to adapt the processing with respect to a processing parameter read by the processing unit using the method according to claim 1.

15. A microfluidic system comprising: the processing unit according to claim 14; and the cartridge, which includes the at least one identification region including the processing parameter for adapting the processing of the cartridge.

16. The cartridge according to claim 13, wherein the cartridge is a microfluidic cartridge.

17. The cartridge according to claim 13, wherein the cartridge identifier is applied to the label.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown schematically in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description. The same reference signs are used for the elements having the same effect and shown in the various drawings, so repeated description of these elements is omitted.

[0028] Shown are:

[0029] FIGS. 1a, 1b, exemplary embodiments of the label according to the invention,

[0030] FIG. 2 exemplary embodiments of the system according to the invention, comprising exemplary embodiments of the cartridge according to the invention and the processing unit according to the invention, and

[0031] FIG. 3 a flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0032] FIGS. 1a and 1b show an exemplary embodiment of the label 100 according to the invention. For example, as shown, the label 100 has a generally rectangular shape with optionally rounded corners and a size of, e.g., six centimeters by centimeters. The label 100 is designed to be applied to a surface of a microfluidic cartridge, e.g., via an adhesive bottom surface of the label 100. In this example, the processing parameter is the sample type.

[0033] In this example, the label 100 has a first identification region 110, which is bounded by a rectangular border. The first identification region includes four identification fields 111, 112, 113, 114, which are distinguished from one another by further lines. The first identification field 111 includes a preprinted name of a sample type in plain writing (eNAT). The second identification field 112 is provided for manual marking by the user, as shown in FIG. 1b. As an alternative to checking the box, a sample identifier can be entered into the third identification field 113, e.g., in the form of a bar code (as shown), e.g., by affixing another label to the third identification field 113. To this end, the third identification field has, e.g., a size of 25 millimeters by 10 millimeters, which corresponds to a typical size of labels for samples in the laboratory field. In this example, the fourth identification region 114 includes a QR code that encodes the sample type (in this case, eNAT) for optical reading by a processing unit. Due to the local separation of the identification fields 111, 112, 113, 114, the visibility of the first identification field 111 and also of the fourth identification field 114 and the respective sample type indicated therein is not impaired when the second identification field 112 is checked or when the third identification field is filled in. In this example, the entry in the first identification field 111 (eNAT) and/or the QR code in the fourth identification field 114 represent the identifiable information described above, which is labeled by checking the box in the second identification field 112 and/or entering it in the third identification field 113, thereby selecting the process parameter (in this case the sample type) eNAT.

[0034] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the label 100 includes four locally separated identification regions 110, 120, 130, 140, preferably all four regions 110, 120, 130, 140 each having the described four identification fields. Each identification region 110, 120, 130, 140 represents a different sample type, as shown in the respective first identification fields 111, 121, 131, 141, although in this example the first identification field 141 of the fourth identification region 140 is left blank for a user to fill in. By checking one of the second identification fields, as shown in the second identification field 112 in FIG. 1b, or by filling in one of the third identification fields, in particular by affixing a sample identification label 113 as shown in FIG. 1a, the type of sample is thus labeled as a processing parameter. In other embodiments, the label 100 can include a different number of identification regions and also a different number of identification fields in each case, whereby the number of identification regions can depend in particular on the number of possible different types of samples.

[0035] Further, the label 100 has, as a possible further processing parameter, a cartridge identifier 150 in a cartridge identification region 160 adjacent to the identification regions 110, 120, 130, 140, whereby the cartridge identifier 150 in this example is implemented as a QR code. The label 100 therefore provides a physical link between the cartridge identifier, the sample type identifier, and optionally the sample identifier.

[0036] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a microfluidic system 1000 comprising exemplary embodiments of a processing unit 700 according to the invention and a cartridge 500 according to the invention.

[0037] The cartridge 500 comprises a sample chamber 510 for receiving the biological sample being processed using the cartridge 500 and the processing unit 700. The sample chamber 510 can in this case be closed using a lid 520 of the sample chamber 510 before the cartridge 500 is inserted into a well 760 of the processing unit 700 for processing.

[0038] In this example, the label 100 has already been applied to the cartridge 500 and can be read by the processing unit 700. To this end, the processing unit 700 comprises an optical sensor 710, e.g. a camera or barcode scanner. The processing unit 700 further comprises a wireless communication interface 730 for exchanging data, e.g., based on Bluetooth, WLAN or NFC, and an interaction surface 740, e.g. a touch-sensitive display surface, also referred to as a touch screen, for entering and displaying information. The processing unit 700 further comprises means (not shown) for processing the cartridge 500. These means can be mechanical, pneumatic or thermal actuators typical in the microfluidics field for performing microfluidic processes in the cartridge, e.g., plungers, heating elements or compressed air ports.

[0039] A processor 720 of the processing unit 700 is configured to read one or multiple processing parameters, e.g., the sample type identifier, cartridge identifier, and optionally the sample identifier via the optical sensor 710, and to adjust and perform processing of the cartridge 500 depending on the sample type.

[0040] In this regard, FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of the method 600 according to the invention, which can, e.g., be performed using a microfluidic system 1000, as described hereinabove.

[0041] In a first step 601, a sample is taken, e.g. a biological sample from a human or an animal, e.g., a body fluid such as blood, sputum, or a swab. The sample is brought into contact with a medium used for preservation, and/or transport, or already during sampling, e.g., with a liquid medium such as eNAT or UTM or with a cotton swab. Before or after this, in a second step, a sample identifier is created to uniquely identify the sample, in particular in the form of a unique code, e.g. a number and/or a bar code.

[0042] In a second step 602, a cartridge 500 suitable for the sample and the desired type of processing is provided and labeled with one or more processing parameters in one or more identification regions. In this example, by checking one of the second identification fields or by filling in one of the third identification fields, in particular by affixing a sample identification label 113 (as shown in FIG. 1a) or by checking the second identification field 112 (as shown in FIG. 1b), it is thus determined as a processing parameter which sample type and thus which sample medium is present.

[0043] In a third step 603, the processing parameter is read via the optical sensor 710 of the processing unit 700 and an adjustment of the processing is made (in this case, a determination of the microfluidic sequences suitable for the sample medium present and thus the sample type present). The reading of the processing parameter in this case preferably comprises the optical reading of a large portion or preferably the entire label 100. Quite preferably, at least all identification regions 110, 120, 130, 140 present on the label 100 are read. For this purpose, the processing unit 700 can be configured to recognize the identification regions 110, 120, 130, 140, e.g., via the illustrated boundary lines on the label and/or the QR codes in the fourth identification fields. Identification of one of the identification regions 110, 120, 130, 140 made in the second or third identification fields is then used by the processor 720 of the processing unit in order to determine the specified sample type. In this case, the labeled identification region 110, in particular the labeled second or third identification field, determines which sample type is present, this sample type being designated by the plain text entry in the first identification region 111 and/or the coded entry in the fourth identification region 114. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1a, the sample type eNAT was labeled by entering an identification in the form of a barcode and numerical code in the third identification field 113. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1b, the sample type eNAT was also labeled, but in this case by checking the second identification field 112. In both cases, as shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b, the sequence of the upcoming processing is then adapted for a processing of a sample with the sample medium eNAT by the processor 720. For example, the method of purification of the sample is adapted for the most effective and efficient extraction of the essential sample components from the eNAT medium. This is, e.g., performed by adapting ultrasonic lysis parameters in duration and intensity, the volume adaptation of lysis, binding or wash buffers, and process parameters such as incubation times, temperatures, and sequential or parallel fluidic processes.

[0044] In another exemplary embodiment, a dry sample such as a swab can be labeled swab. The flow of the associated processing is thus adapted for a processing of a sample with the swab sample medium by the processor 720. An increased volume is used in this case to flush out the dry swab during processing.

[0045] The adaptation of processing can also comprise adaptation of processing steps, e.g., in particular a selection of evaluation paths of measured test results and cartridge data, and a display mode of results. For example, defining a curve scaling for a sample type can be advantageous.

[0046] If the information read about the processing parameter cannot be processed by the processing unit 700, then a request to the user to manually enter the processing parameter can be made in an intermediate step 603a via a communication interface, in particular via the display 740. This can happen if, e.g., the identification 602 of the cartridge has been performed incorrectly or illegibly.

[0047] In a fourth step 604, the sample is processed by the processing unit after successful adaptation of the processing in the cartridge 500.