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. An instrument configured to process 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, said instrument comprising:
a cartridge carriage assembly configured to receive and hold a fluid sample processing cartridge inserted into the instrument; a heating and control assembly adjacent the cartridge carriage assembly and configured for movement with respect to the cartridge carriage assembly between a first position not in operative contact with the cartridge carried within the cartridge carriage assembly and a second position in operative contact with the cartridge carried within the cartridge carriage assembly; one or more movable magnet assemblies, each mounted for movement with respect to the cartridge independently of the heating and control assembly between a first position applying substantially no magnetic force to the cartridge and a second position applying magnetic force to corresponding discrete portions of the cartridge; a cam block assembly configured for powered movement and operatively coupled to the heating and control assembly for converting powered movement of the cam block assembly into movement of the heating and control assembly with respect to the cartridge carriage assembly between the first position of the heating and control assembly and the second position of the heating and control assembly and operatively coupled to the one or more moveable magnet assemblies for converting powered movement of the cam block assembly into movement of each magnet assembly with respect to cartridge carriage assembly between the first position of the magnet assembly and the second position of the magnet assembly and; e) a deformable chamber compression assembly 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.