Containment of On-Board Reagents

Tensentric instruments provide efficient and hands-off analysis of lab samples, replacing complex, time-consuming and potentially error-prone steps crucial for diagnosing diseases, monitoring health and guiding treatment decisions. Our systems incorporate the functionalities of a biochemical laboratory. Processes such as the mixing of liquids, DNA synthesis, bioseparation, aliquoting, amplification of biomolecules, or detection of specific substances by optical or electrochemical methods can be integrated in a cartridge. Our systems include components such as filters, pumps, valves, mixers, and sensors. Cartridges can isolate and manage internal substances for safe disposal after use, including sensitive lyophilized reagents, substances needing protection from environmental exposure, hazardous chemicals, or biological samples, while removing the possibility of cross-contamination. These systems can perform complex processes in point-of-care environments, saving time and cost by eliminating the need for specialized labs and highly trained technicians and by streamlining tedious multi-stepped processes that often require expensive dedicated lab equipment. 

Tensentric has developed numerous methods for containment, preservation and release of fluids within a cartridge, including integrated blisters, reagent thimbles, and foil blisters.

Integrated Blisters

Tensentric has developed unique thermoformed cartridges with foil sealed cavities containing reagents that can all be modified.  An elastomeric layer maintains a fluidic seal and allows an actuator to pierce the foil. Once pierced, the fluid flows out of the reservoir under gravity and feeds into a mixing reservoir. 

Reagent Thimbles

To accommodate larger reagent volumes, Tensentric developed a self-piercing thimble with foil lidding. The thimble is installed into a tight-fitting body within the cartridge. An actuator depresses the thimble, whereupon the foil lidding is pierced. The assembly acts like a syringe expressing the reagent through a drain hole and into a pump that is primed by the fluid. An upstream check valve and vent allow the fluid to be further pulled downstream by pump pressure. 

Foil Blisters

Tensentric manufactures foil blisters that can be easily integrated into any cartridge design, including custom shapes and volumes, and multi-cavity blisters containing different reagents. Blisters serve to isolate and preserve reagents that are expressed into a cartridge fluid channel as a controlled process. They provide long-term stability and reproducible volume delivery while minimizing introduction of air into microfluidic channels. Self-piercing blisters allow fluid to drain into a cartridge as the foil lid is crushed.  Air-filled blisters are also used to drive downstream fluidics. Blisters can provide a low-cost and simpler manufacturing option for cartridge micro and meso-fluidic uses.