Cartridge for biochemical use and biochemical processing device

摘要

A cartridge sealed from an external air is used to enable mixing with a reagent, agitating, purification, reaction, etc. Provided inside the cartridge sealed from the external air are a chamber for the reagent to be transported, a chamber to which the reagent is transported, and the chambers are connected by a liquid transport channel. A groove is made in a cartridge body and a membrane as an elastic body is pasted onto the groove to form the liquid transport channel. Air pressure is given to the membrane to change the volume of the liquid transport channel and thereby move the fluid inside. The inlet of each chamber has a valve function to move the fluid inside in a desired direction according to change of the liquid transport channel. This enables transportation of the liquid inside the cartridge sealed from the external air.

主权项

1. A cartridge able to be mounted on a cartridge holder having a plurality of extendable plungers, the cartridge comprising:
a cartridge body having a top side and a bottom side, and a plurality of chambers formed in the cartridge body, including a first chamber and a second chamber; a top cover mounted on the top side of the cartridge body, the top cover including a resealable access port over the second chamber for enabling a sample to be deposited into the second chamber; a first channel formed on the bottom side of the cartridge body, the first channel extending between an opening of the first chamber and an opening of the second chamber to enable liquid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber; a vent formed on the top side of the cartridge body or in the top cover and extending between the second chamber and the first chamber to enable venting between the second chamber and the first chamber; an elastic membrane attached to the bottom side of the of the cartridge body overlying the opening of the first chamber, the opening of the second chamber and the first channel; and a plug positioned in the opening of the first chamber so that, when the cartridge is mounted on the cartridge holder, the plug is positioned to be contacted by extension of a first one of the extendable plungers, the plug being movable within the opening of the first chamber to unseal, at least in part, the opening of the first chamber, wherein:
following contact of the first plunger with the plug, the elastic membrane is positioned by the extension of the first plunger to prevent liquid from leaving the first chamber until the first plunger is retracted; andthe elastic membrane overlying the first channel is movable toward and away from the bottom side of the cartridge body to pump liquid from the first chamber to the second chamber in coordination with extension and retraction of the first plunger and a second plunger.