Point of care diagnostic platform

Abstract

Disclosed is a point of care diagnostic system that includes an analytic cartridge adapted to receive a blood draw tube such that the cartridge can directly accept a blood sample from the blood draw tube. The cartridge is adapted to perform an assay on the blood sample and to produce an indication of an assay result entirely within the cartridge.

1 . A point of care diagnostic system, comprising: 
 an analytic cartridge adapted to receive a blood draw tube such that the cartridge can directly accept a blood sample from the blood draw tube, the cartridge adapted to perform an assay on the blood sample and to produce an indication of an assay result entirely within the cartridge.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge includes a dock for receiving a draw tube.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge includes at least one flow channel fluidly coupled to a draw tube when the draw tube is mounted in the cartridge.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the cartridge includes a calibration chamber fluidly coupled to the flow channel.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the cartridge includes a waste chamber fluidly coupled to the flow channel.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge includes wet and dry chemistries.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge includes at least one of immunoassay, hematology, electrolyte, general chemistry and molecular diagnostic capabilities.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge is bar-coded.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the cartridge is bar-coded with information for test protocols, and lot expiration dates.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein fluids are retained and sealed in the cartridge.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cartridges include serialized identification.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein a sample ID barcode is attached to the cartridge for automatic patient identification.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a sample contained in a draw tube is removable after analysis.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge includes wet and dry chemistries and at least one substrate that carries a chemistry.  
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge is configured to isolate biohazards in the cartridge from an operator of the cartridge.  
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge is configured to provide introduction of a blood sample to the cartridge while isolating biohazards in the cartridge from an operator.  
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge is configured to provide introduction of a blood sample to the cartridge without exposing an operator to patient material in the cartridge.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge is configured to provide removal of a blood sample from a vial and introduction of the blood sample to the cartridge without exposing the patient or an operator to the blood sample.  
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge is configured to provide that an operator is not exposed to contents in the cartridge.  
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge is configured to work with whole blood.