Uses of reagents in sample collection and cartridge systems

Abstract

A sample collection container and a cartridge system employ reagent bodies having reagents confined by a restraining agent. The sample collection container comprises one or more reagent bodies, each having one or more reagents confined by a restraining agent. The restraining agent is capable of being broken down to release the reagents which are dispersed through the restraining agent. The cartridge system comprises a reagent component for storing reagents and a processing component for processing the reagents in an assay. At least one of the components includes one or more reagent bodies, each having one or more reagents confined by a restraining agent capable of being broken down. The reagent component and the processing component are configured to be coupled together to form a cartridge, the reagent component and/or the processing component having at least one compartment to accept waste from the assay.

1 .- 40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . A cartridge system comprising:
 (a) a reagent component for storing one or more reagents; and   (b) a processing component for processing the one or more reagents in an assay;   wherein one or more of the components comprise one or more reagent bodies, wherein each body comprises one or more reagents confined by a restraining agent, wherein the restraining agent is capable of being broken down to release the one or more reagents, and wherein the one or more reagents are dispersed through the restraining agent;   and further wherein the reagent component and the processing component are configured to be coupled together to form a cartridge, and wherein the reagent component and/or the processing component comprise at least one compartment configured to accept waste from the assay, the reagent component not taking part in processing the reagents in the assay, except to accept waste from the processing component.   
     
     
         42 . A cartridge system according to  claim 41 , further comprising a sensing component comprising at least one sensing element for detecting an analyle. 
     
     
         43 . A cartridge system comprising:
 (a) a reagent component for storing one or more reagents;   (b) a processing component for processing one or more reagents in an assay; and   (c) a sensing component comprising at least one sensing element for detecting an analyte;   wherein one or more of the components comprise one or more reagent bodies, wherein each body comprises one or more reagents confined by a restraining agent, wherein the restraining agent is capable of being broken down to release the one or more reagents, and wherein the one or more reagents are dispersed through the restraining agent;   and further wherein the reagent component, the processing component and the sensing component are separate components configured to be coupled together to form a cartridge.   
     
     
         44 . A cartridge system comprising:
 (a) a reagent component for storing one or more reagents;   (b) a processing component for processing one or more reagents in an assay; and   (c) a sample preparation component for preparing a sample for the assay;   wherein one or more of the components comprise one or more reagent bodies, wherein each body comprises one or more reagents confined by a restraining agent, wherein the restraining agent is capable of being broken down to release the one or more reagents, and wherein the one or more reagents are dispersed through the restraining agent;   and further wherein the reagent component and the processing component are configured to be coupled together to form a cartridge.   
     
     
         45 . A cartridge system according to  claim 44 , wherein the sample preparation component comprises the one or more of the reagent bodies. 
     
     
         46 . A cartridge system according to  claim 41 , wherein the processing component comprises one or more of the reagent bodies. 
     
     
         47 . A cartridge system according to  claim 41 , wherein the reagent component comprises one or more of the reagent bodies. 
     
     
         48 . A cartridge system according to  claim 47 , which system is configured such that coupling the reagent component to the processing component causes a fluid to pass into the reagent component, wherein the fluid dissolves the restraining agent of the one or more reagent bodies to release the one or more reagents into the processing component from the reagent component. 
     
     
         49 . A cartridge system according to  claim 48 , wherein a sample acts to dissolve the restraining agent of the one or more reagent bodies to release the one or more reagents from the reagent bodies. 
     
     
         50 . A cartridge system according to  claim 41 , wherein either the reagent component and/or the processing component and/or the sample preparation component comprises a sample zone, configured to accept a sample. 
     
     
         51 . A cartridge system according to  claim 50 , wherein the sample zone is configured to deliver the sample to the processing component. 
     
     
         52 . A cartridge system according to  claim 50 , wherein the sample zone is configured to accept a sample collection container. 
     
     
         53 . A cartridge system according to  claim 41 , wherein the processing component comprises one or more microfluidic processing elements. 
     
     
         54 . A cartridge system according to  claim 41 , wherein the reagent component comprises a plurality of reagent storage zones. 
     
     
         55 . A cartridge system according to  claim 54 , wherein one or more of the reagent storage zones comprise one or more reagent bodies, wherein the one or more reagents are suitable for carrying out one or more processing steps selected from analyte and/or sample preparation, analyte and/or sample separation, analyte and/or sample concentration, analyte and/or sample amplification, an analyte and/or sample purification, an analyte and/or sample labelling, and an analyte and/or sample detection. 
     
     
         56 .- 70 . (canceled)