INSTRUMENT FOR PROCESSING CARTRIDGE FOR PERFORMING ASSAYS IN A CLOSED SAMPLE PREPARATION AND REACTION SYSTEM

摘要

In one embodiment, a multiplex fluid processing cartridge includes a sample well, a deformable fluid chamber, a mixing well with a mixer disposed therein, a lysis chamber including a lysis mixer, an electrowetting grid for microdroplet manipulation, and electrosensor arrays configured to detect analytes of interest. An instrument for processing the cartridge is configured to receive the cartridge and to selectively apply thermal energy, magnetic force, and electrical connections to one or more discrete locations on the cartridge and is further configured to compress the deformable chamber(s) in a specified sequence.

主权项

1. A system for performing sample diagnostics comprising:
a fluid sample processing cartridge including a deformable fluid chamber supported on a planar substrate and configured to hold a fluid therein when in an undeformed state and to collapse upon application of an external compression force to expel at least a portion of the fluid from the fluid chamber; an instrument configured to process the fluid sample processing cartridge, wherein the instrument comprises: a control console; and one or more processing modules operatively coupled to the control console to exchange power and signal transmissions with the control console, each processing module comprises one or more processing bays, each processing bay comprising: a frame having a mounting plate; a cartridge processing assembly positioned below the mounting plate and configured to receive the fluid sample processing cartridge and secure the fluid sample processing cartridge within the processing bay; and a compression mechanism assembly positioned above the mounting plate and configured to selectively apply an external compression force to the deformable fluid chamber to collapse the deformable chamber and expel at least a portion of the fluid from the fluid chamber.