Cartridges and Instruments for Sample Analysis

摘要

Provided herein are instruments and cartridges for processing samples. The cartridges include fluidic circuits in which fluid movement can be regulated by diaphragm valves. In certain cartridges, deformable material providing a diaphragm contacts an interface in the instrument that actuates the diaphragm directly, without intervening actuation layer. Certain cartridges have a plurality of fluidic circuits and fluid distribution channels or pneumatic distribution channels configured to deliver fluids or pneumatic pressure to any of the fluidic circuits, selectively. Certain cartridges have compartments containing on-board reagents. Compartments can be closed by a film attached to a body the cartridge through a heat seal.

主权项

1. A cartridge comprising:
(a) a body comprising a polymer and comprising at least one functional feature on a surface of the body and configured to transmit fluid (e.g., a port, a via, a fluid channel, a chamber, a valve inlet and valve outlet and/or a valve seat); and (b) a layer of deformable material thermally bonded to the body and covering the functional feature (optionally, wherein at least one portion of the layer comprises a permanent deformation), and wherein application of positive or negative pressure to at least one portion of the layer actuates the deformable material into or out of contact with a functional feature on the surface of the body; and wherein the cartridge is configured to engage a cartridge interface configured to supply positive or negative pressure to the at least one portion of the layer.