Modular point-of-care devices, systems, and uses thereof

Abstract

The present invention provides devices and systems for use at the point of care. The methods devices of the invention are directed toward automatic detection of analytes in a bodily fluid. The components of the device are modular to allow for flexibility and robustness of use with the disclosed methods for a variety of medical applications.

1 - 78 . (canceled) 
     
     
         79 . A device for detecting an analyte in a bodily fluid sample, comprising:
 a fluid transfer device comprising at least one pipette head configured to engage with at least one pipette tip;   a detector for detecting a signal indicative of a presence or absence of the analyte;   a stage for receiving a cartridge; and   a temperature control unit.   
     
     
         80 . The device of  claim 79 , wherein the temperature control unit controls the temperature of the device at a temperature of about 0° C. to about 100° C. 
     
     
         81 . The device of  claim 79 , wherein the temperature control unit controls the temperature of the device at a temperature of about 15° C. to about 50° C. 
     
     
         82 . The device of  claim 79 , wherein the temperature control unit controls the temperature of the device at a temperature of about 30° C. to about 40° C. 
     
     
         83 . The device of  claim 79 , wherein the temperature control unit provides active cooling. 
     
     
         84 . The device of  claim 79 , wherein the temperature control unit comprises a thermoelectric device. 
     
     
         85 . The device of  claim 79 , wherein the temperature control unit comprises a heating block. 
     
     
         86 . The device of  claim 85 , wherein the heating block is configured to receive at least one assay unit. 
     
     
         87 . The device of  claim 86 , wherein the heating block is configured to receive a plurality of assay units. 
     
     
         88 . The device of  claim 87 , wherein the heating block provides the same temperature to the plurality of assay units. 
     
     
         89 . The device of  claim 87 , wherein the heating block provides a different temperature to the plurality of assay units. 
     
     
         90 . The device of  claim 85 , wherein the heating block provides a temperature of about 20° C. to about 70° C. 
     
     
         91 . A system for detecting an analyte in a bodily fluid sample, comprising:
 a device comprising:
 a fluid transfer device comprising at least one pipette head configured to engage with at least one pipette tip; 
 a detector for detecting a signal indicative of a presence or absence of the analyte; 
 a stage for receiving a cartridge; and 
 a temperature control unit; 
   and the cartridge comprising:
 at least one sample collection unit for receiving a bodily fluid sample; 
 the at least one pipette tip; 
   at least one assay unit; and
 at least one reagent unit comprising at least one reagent for performing an assay on the bodily fluid sample to detect the analyte; 
 wherein the at least one assay unit and the at least one reagent unit are moveable and are not in fluid communication with each other. 
   
     
     
         92 . The system of  claim 91 , wherein the temperature control unit controls the temperature of the device at a temperature of about 0° C. to about 100° C. 
     
     
         93 . The device of  claim 91 , wherein the temperature control unit controls the temperature of the device at a temperature of about 15° C. to about 50° C. 
     
     
         94 . The system of  claim 91 , wherein the temperature control unit controls the temperature of the device at a temperature of about 30° C. to about 40° C. 
     
     
         95 . The system of  claim 91 , wherein the temperature control unit provides active cooling. 
     
     
         96 . The system of  claim 91 , wherein the temperature control unit comprises a thermoelectric device. 
     
     
         97 . The system of  claim 91 , wherein the temperature control unit comprises a heating block. 
     
     
         98 . The system of  claim 97 , wherein the heating block is configured to receive at least one assay unit. 
     
     
         99 . The system of  claim 98 , wherein the heating block is configured to receive a plurality of assay units. 
     
     
         100 . The system of  claim 99 , wherein the heating block provides the same temperature to the plurality of assay units. 
     
     
         101 . The system of  claim 99 , wherein the heating block provides a different temperature to the plurality of assay units. 
     
     
         102 . The system of  claim 97 , wherein the heating block provides a temperature of about 20 to about 70° C. 
     
     
         103 . A method for detecting an analyte in a bodily fluid sample, comprising:
 receiving in a device a cartridge comprising a bodily fluid sample obtained from a subject, wherein the cartridge further comprises:
 at least one pipette tip; 
 at least one assay unit; and 
 at least one reagent unit comprising at least one reagent for performing an assay on the bodily fluid sample to detect the analyte; 
 wherein the at least one assay unit and the at least one reagent unit are and moveable and are not in fluid communication with each other; 
   and wherein the device comprises:
 a fluid transfer device comprising at least one pipette head configured to engage with the at least one pipette tip; 
 a detector for detecting a signal indicative of a presence or absence of the analyte; 
 a stage for receiving the cartridge; and 
 a thermal control unit; 
   transferring by the fluid transfer device, at least a portion of the bodily fluid sample and the at least one reagent into fluid communication in the at least one assay unit;   incubating the at least one assay unit at a temperature controlled by the thermal control unit; and   detecting the signal with the detector.   
     
     
         104 . The method of  claim 103 , wherein the temperature controlled by the thermal control unit is about 0° C. to about 100° C. 
     
     
         105 . The method of  claim 103 , wherein the thermal control unit comprises a heating block configured to receive at least one assay unit. 
     
     
         106 . The method of  claim 105 , wherein the heating block is configured to receive a plurality of assay units. 
     
     
         107 . The method of  claim 106 , wherein the heating block provides the same temperature to the plurality of assay units. 
     
     
         108 . The method of  claim 106 , wherein the heating block provides a different temperature to the plurality of assay units.