Electrochemical detection system
First Claim
1. A cartridge for performing a plurality of assay protocols comprising:
- a blister pack including a plurality of blister domes for storing a respective reagent;
the blister pack having a deformable upper portion and a frangible lower portion for the controlled release of the respective reagent when a mechanical force is applied to one or more of the plurality of blister domes;
a fluidic backbone engaged to the blister pack, the fluidic backbone including a plurality of channels in selective fluid flow communication with a plurality of flow cells through an arrangement of valves such that each of the plurality of flow cells is isolated from the other flow cells during the performance of a plurality of assay protocols, the fluidic backbone defining at least one puncture site base, wherein the at least one puncture site base comprises a raised inner rim and a raised outer rim and defines an outlet and a well in fluid communication with at least one of the plurality of channels;
a plurality of sensors operatively associated with a respective flow cell for detecting a reaction during the performance of a plurality of assays;
wherein each of the plurality of sensors comprises at least one working electrode and a reference electrode supported by a backing;
wherein the deformable upper portion and the frangible lower portion define a finger channel in fluid flow communication between one of the plurality of blister domes and at least one puncture valve site; and
wherein the blister pack is engaged to the raised inner rim and the raised outer rim so that the at least one puncture site base is positioned immediately adjacent to the at least one puncture valve site.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrochemical detection system having a disposable cartridge capable of performing a plurality of assay protocols is disclosed. The cartridge includes a blister pack for the long-term storage and controlled release of multiple reagents. The blister pack is bonded to and operatively associated with a fluidic backbone for providing the fluid pathways, storage capacity, and fluid control functions for performing multiple assay protocols. The cartridge further includes a plurality of sensors having a multiple electrode arrangement in operative association with a respective flow cell defined by the fluidic backbone. After the user has transferred a sample into the cartridge and engaged the cartridge to the reader, the reader operatively interfaces with the cartridge such that different assay protocols may be simultaneously performed in isolation from one another inside the cartridge. The reader may be one of many readers that operatively communicate data to a remote server for processing.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A cartridge for performing a plurality of assay protocols comprising:
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a blister pack including a plurality of blister domes for storing a respective reagent;
the blister pack having a deformable upper portion and a frangible lower portion for the controlled release of the respective reagent when a mechanical force is applied to one or more of the plurality of blister domes;a fluidic backbone engaged to the blister pack, the fluidic backbone including a plurality of channels in selective fluid flow communication with a plurality of flow cells through an arrangement of valves such that each of the plurality of flow cells is isolated from the other flow cells during the performance of a plurality of assay protocols, the fluidic backbone defining at least one puncture site base, wherein the at least one puncture site base comprises a raised inner rim and a raised outer rim and defines an outlet and a well in fluid communication with at least one of the plurality of channels; a plurality of sensors operatively associated with a respective flow cell for detecting a reaction during the performance of a plurality of assays; wherein each of the plurality of sensors comprises at least one working electrode and a reference electrode supported by a backing; wherein the deformable upper portion and the frangible lower portion define a finger channel in fluid flow communication between one of the plurality of blister domes and at least one puncture valve site; and wherein the blister pack is engaged to the raised inner rim and the raised outer rim so that the at least one puncture site base is positioned immediately adjacent to the at least one puncture valve site. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A cartridge for performing a plurality of assay protocols comprising:
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a blister pack including a plurality of blister domes for storing a respective reagent;
the blister pack having a deformable upper portion and a frangible lower portion for the controlled release of the respective reagent when a mechanical force is applied to one or more of the plurality of blister domes;a fluidic backbone engaged to the blister pack, the fluidic backbone including a plurality of channels in selective fluid flow communication with a plurality of flow cells through an arrangement of valves such that each of the plurality of flow cells is isolated from the other flow cells during the performance of a plurality of assay protocols; a plurality of sensors operatively associated with a respective flow cell for detecting a reaction during the performance of a plurality of assays; wherein the cartridge is adapted to operatively engage a reader capable of mechanically actuating the cartridge from only one side of the cartridge; and wherein the reader mechanically actuates the cartridge using a plurality of actuating pistons or rollers.
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Specification