IP Verse

Systems, Methods, And Apparatuses To Image A Sample For Biological Or Chemical Analysis

Patent No. US12151241 (titled "Systems, Methods, And Apparatuses To Image A Sample For Biological Or Chemical Analysis") was filed by Illumina Cambridge Ltd on Feb 23, 2024.

What is this patent about?

’241 is related to the field of biological and chemical analysis, specifically assay systems. These systems often involve performing a large number of controlled reactions on support surfaces, such as in DNA sequencing. Existing systems may have limited capabilities and cost-effectiveness, creating a need for improved apparatuses for performing assay protocols.

The underlying idea behind ’241 is to create a self-contained, automated system for biological and chemical assays. This involves integrating an optical system for detection, a fluidic system for reagent delivery, and a mechanical system for precise sample positioning. The key insight is to combine these elements within a single casing, enabling automated sample preparation and analysis without manual intervention.

The claims of ’241 focus on a system comprising an optical system, a device holder, and a fluid storage system, all enclosed within a casing. The device holder orients a fluidic device for imaging, featuring a rotatable cover biased towards the open position and a latch for securing it closed. The fluid storage system includes an enclosure with a cavity, a transport platform holding sipper tubes for reagent access, and a drive motor for positioning the tubes.

In practice, the system works by loading a fluidic device containing a sample into the device holder. The rotatable cover secures the device for imaging. The fluid storage system then delivers reagents to the sample via the sipper tubes. The optical system detects reactions within the sample, and the entire process is automated within the enclosed casing. The alignment members on the support structure facilitate precise positioning of the fluidic device, ensuring accurate and repeatable imaging.

This design differentiates itself from prior approaches by integrating all necessary components into a single, enclosed unit. The rotatable cover and latch mechanism simplify sample loading and unloading, while the automated fluid storage system eliminates manual reagent handling. The alignment members and compression arm ensure precise sample positioning and consistent contact with the thermal module, leading to more reliable and accurate assay results. The biased cover and latch provide a user-friendly and secure mechanism for sample handling.

How does this patent fit in bigger picture?

Technical landscape at the time

In the early 2010s when ’241 was filed, assay systems commonly relied on fluidic devices and optical assemblies to detect desired reactions in samples. At a time when DNA sequencing was typically implemented using sequencing-by-synthesis (SBS) protocols, systems often had limited capabilities and were not cost-effective. Hardware or software constraints made it non-trivial to improve the systems, methods, and apparatuses used during assay protocols.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The examiner approved the patent because the prior art did not describe a rotatable cover coupled to a support structure. This cover can move around an axis between open and closed positions. The open position allows a fluidic device to be inserted or removed from a loading region. The closed position secures the fluidic device within the loading region for imaging. The cover is also biased towards the open position.

Claims

This patent contains 20 claims, with independent claims numbered 1, 14, and 17. The independent claims are directed to a system comprising an optical system, a device holder, a fluid storage system, and a casing. The dependent claims generally elaborate on and add detail to the features described in the independent claims.

Key Claim Terms New

Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.

Term (Source)Support for SpecificationInterpretation
Excitation light source
(Claim 1, Claim 14, Claim 17)		“The optical signals may be light emissions from labels or may be transmission light that has been reflected or refracted by the sample. In a fluorescence-detection system, upstream components include those that direct excitation radiation toward the sample and downstream components include those that direct emission radiation away from the sample.”A component of the optical system that provides light to excite a sample for imaging.
Fluidic device
(Claim 1, Claim 14, Claim 17)		“As used herein, a “fluidic device” is an apparatus that includes one or more flow channels that direct fluid in a predetermined manner to conduct desired reactions. The fluidic device is configured to be fluidicly coupled to a fluidic network of an assay system. By way of example, a fluidic device may include flow cells or lab-on-chip devices. Flow cells generally hold a sample along a surface for imaging by an external imaging system.”An apparatus with one or more flow channels that direct fluid in a predetermined manner to conduct desired reactions.
Imaging detector
(Claim 1, Claim 14, Claim 17)		“The optical assembly may include an optical train of optical components that cooperate with one another to direct the optical signals to an imaging device (e.g., CCD, CMOS, or photomultiplier tubes). However, in alternative embodiments, the sample region may be positioned immediately adjacent to an activity detector that detects the desired reactions without the use of an optical train.”A component of the optical system that detects optical signals from a sample.
Optical train
(Claim 1, Claim 14, Claim 17)		“The optical assembly may include an optical train of optical components that cooperate with one another to direct the optical signals to an imaging device (e.g., CCD, CMOS, or photomultiplier tubes). As used herein, the term “optical components” includes various elements that affect the propagation of optical signals. For example, the optical components may at least one of redirect, filter, shape, magnify, or concentrate the optical signals.”A series of optical components that direct optical signals to the imaging detector.
Sipper tubes
(Claim 1, Claim 14, Claim 17)		“The reaction components are typically delivered to a reaction site (e.g., area where sample is located) in a solution or immobilized within a reaction site. As used herein, a “reaction component” or “reactant” includes any substance that may be used to obtain a desired reaction. For example, reaction components include reagents, enzymes, samples, other biomolecules, and buffer solutions.”Tubes with a distal portion positioned to be inserted into a component well of a reaction component tray within the cavity.

Litigation Cases New

US Latest litigation cases involving this patent.

Case NumberFiling DateTitle
1:25-cv-00602May 15, 2025Illumina, Inc. V. Element Biosciences, Inc.

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US12151241

ILLUMINA CAMBRIDGE LTD
Application Number
US18586010
Filing Date
Feb 23, 2024
Status
Granted
Expiry Date
Oct 14, 2031
External Links
Slate, USPTO, Google Patents