Cartridge for assays with magnetic particles

Abstract

The invention relates to a cartridge ( 100 ) and a corresponding sensor device for the detection of target components in a liquid sample. The cartridge ( 100 ) comprises a sample chamber(SC), at least two reservoirs( 131, 132 ) that can be furnished with magnetic particles(MP, MP′), and at least two corresponding sensitive zones ( 121, 122 ) in which solved magnetic particles and/or target components can be detected. When a magnetic actuation field(B) of a given configuration is established in the sample chamber, the magnetic particles of different reservoirs migrate predominantly to different sensitive zones. Thus a mixing of magnetic particles can be avoided.

1 . A cartridge ( 100 - 300 ) for the detection of target components in a liquid sample, comprising
 a) a sample chamber (SC) which can be filled with the sample and in which a magnetic actuation field (B) of a given configuration can be established;   b) at least two reservoirs ( 131 - 331 ,  132 - 332 ) for magnetic particles (MP, MP′) that are soluble in the sample;   c) at least two sensitive zones ( 121 - 321 ,  122 - 322 ) in which magnetic particles and/or target components can be detected,   wherein magnetic particles (MP, MP′) of different reservoirs will predominantly reach different sensitive zones when migrating in a sample filling the sample chamber under the influence of the magnetic actuation field (B).   
     
     
         2 . The cartridge ( 100 - 300 ) according to  claim 1 ,
 characterized in that the sensitive zones ( 121 - 321 ,  122 - 322 ) extend in a common plane and that the gradient in the magnetic actuation field (B) crosses this plane substantially perpendicularly.   
     
     
         3 . The cartridge ( 100 - 300 ) according to  claim 1 ,
 characterized in that at least two reservoirs ( 131 - 331 ,  132 - 332 ) are filled with magnetic particles (MP, MP′) that are specific with respect to different target components.   
     
     
         4 . The cartridge ( 100 - 300 ) according to  claim 1 ,
 characterized in that at least two sensitive zones ( 121 - 321 ,  122 - 322 ) are specific with respect to different target components.   
     
     
         5 . The cartridge ( 100 ) according to  claim 1 ,
 characterized in that the reservoirs ( 131 ,  132 ) and the sensitive zones ( 121 ,  122 ) are located on different inner surfaces of the sample chamber (SC), particularly on opposing surfaces.   
     
     
         6 . The cartridge ( 200 ) according to  claim 1 ,
 characterized in that the reservoirs ( 231 ,  232 ) overlap with the corresponding sensitive zones ( 221 ,  222 ).   
     
     
         7 . The cartridge ( 300 ) according to  claim 1 ,
 characterized in that the reservoirs ( 331 ,  332 ) are disposed on the same surface as and next to the corresponding sensitive zones ( 321 ,  322 ).   
     
     
         8 . The cartridge ( 100 - 300 ) according to  claim 1 ,
 characterized in that the reservoirs ( 131 - 331 ,  132 - 332 ) are filled with amounts of magnetic particles (MP, MP′) that substantially balance mutual interactions when the magnetic particles migrate in the sample.   
     
     
         9 . The cartridge ( 100 - 300 ) according to  claim 1 ,
 characterized in that the sample chamber (SC) is part of or connected to a fluidic system ( 103 ,  104 ,  105 ) via which a sample flow can be directed through the sample chamber.   
     
     
         10 . The cartridge ( 100 - 300 ) according to  claim 1 ,
 characterized in that it comprises an integrated magnetic field generator.   
     
     
         11 . The cartridge ( 100 - 300 ) according to  claim 1 ,
 characterized in that it comprises an integrated sensor unit ( 110 ) for detecting magnetic particles (MP, MP′) and/or target components in the sensitive zones ( 121 - 311 ,  122 - 322 ).   
     
     
         12 . A sensor device for the detection of target components in a liquid sample, comprising
 a) a cartridge ( 100 - 300 ) according to  claim 1 ;   b) a magnetic field generator ( 1 ) for generating a magnetic actuation field (B) inside the cartridge;   c) a sensor unit ( 110 ) for detecting magnetic particles (MP, MP′) and/or target components inside the cartridge.   
     
     
         13 . The cartridge ( 100 - 300 ) according to  claim 1 ,
 characterized in that it comprises at least one optical, magnetic, mechanical, acoustic, thermal or electrical sensor unit, particularly a coil, a Hall sensor, a planar Hall sensor, a flux gate sensor, a SQUID, a magnetic resonance sensor, a magneto-restrictive sensor, or magneto-resistive sensor ( 110 ) like a GMR, a TMR, or an AMR element.   
     
     
         14 . A method for the detection of target components in a liquid sample, comprising the following steps:
 filling the sample chamber (SC) of a cartridge ( 100 - 300 ) with the sample;   letting magnetic particles (MP, MP′) migrate through the sample from at least two reservoirs ( 131 - 331 ,  132 - 332 ) to at least two sensitive zones ( 121 - 321 ,  122 - 322 );   establishing a magnetic actuation field (B) of a given configuration in the sample chamber such that magnetic particles (MP, MP′) of different reservoirs will predominantly migrate to different sensitive zones;   detecting magnetic particles and/or target components in the sensitive zones.   
     
     
         15 . Use of the cartridge ( 100 - 300 ) or the sensor device according to  claim 1  for molecular diagnostics, biological sample analysis, or chemical sample analysis.