Assay cartridges and methods of using the same

Abstract

Assay modules, preferably assay cartridges, are described as are reader apparatuses which may be used to control aspects of module operation. The modules preferably comprise a detection chamber with integrated electrodes that may be used for carrying out electrode induced luminescence measurements. Methods are described for immobilizing assay reagents in a controlled fashion on these electrodes and other surfaces. Assay modules and cartridges are also described that have a detection chamber, preferably having integrated electrodes, and other fluidic components which may include sample chambers, waste chambers, conduits, vents, bubble traps, reagent chambers, dry reagent pill zones and the like. In certain preferred embodiments, these modules are adapted to receive and analyze a sample collected on an applicator stick.

1 .- 86 . (canceled) 
     
     
         87 . A cartridge for conducting a plurality of assays, comprising:
 a flow cell having an inlet, an outlet and a detection chamber, said inlet, detection chamber and outlet defining a flow path through the flow cell, said detection chamber comprising:   a plurality of working electrodes having assay reagents immobilized thereon, said electrodes being arranged in a one-dimensional array along the flow path;   a common counter electrode.   
     
     
         88 . The cartridge of  claim 87 , wherein said counter electrode is arranged so that it is roughly equidistant from each working electrode. 
     
     
         89 . The cartridge of  claim 87 , wherein said counter electrode has a length, the length being roughly aligned with the flow path and wherein the array and the counter electrode are arranged side by side across the flow path. 
     
     
         90 . The cartridge of  claim 87 , wherein the flow path and/or the array are roughly linear in shape. 
     
     
         91 . The cartridge of  claim 87  wherein said working and counter electrodes comprise carbon ink. 
     
     
         92 . The cartridge of  claim 87 , said detection chamber further comprising at least one detection chamber surface, wherein at least a portion of said detection chamber surface is transparent. 
     
     
         93 . The cartridge of  claim 87  further comprising an optical detector adapted and arranged to detect luminescence from said detection chamber. 
     
     
         94 .- 95 . (canceled) 
     
     
         96 . An assay cartridge comprising
 a sample chamber having a sample introduction port with a sealable closure,   a first waste chamber,   a first waste chamber vent port connected to said waste chamber and   a first detection chamber connected to said sample chamber by a first sample conduit and to said first waste chamber by a first waste conduit.   
     
     
         97 . The assay cartridge of  claim 96 , further comprising a sample chamber vent port connected to said sample chamber. 
     
     
         98 . The assay cartridge of  claim 97 , wherein said first sample conduit includes a capillary break. 
     
     
         99 . The assay cartridge of  claim 96 , wherein said capillary break comprises a z-transition. 
     
     
         100 . The assay cartridge of  claim 99 , wherein said cartridge comprises two planar fluidic networks in different planes of said cartridge and said z-transition comprises a fluid conduit segment that connects said two planar fluidic networks. 
     
     
         101 . The assay cartridge of  claim 99 , wherein said capillary break comprises a double z-transition. 
     
     
         102 . An assay cartridge comprising
 an extraction reagent chamber for holding an extraction reagent;   a sample chamber adapted to receive an applicator stick, said sample chamber connected to said extraction reagent chamber by an extraction reagent conduit, said sample chamber having a sample introduction port with a sealable closure;   a first detection chamber connected to said sample chamber by a first sample conduit.   
     
     
         103 . The assay cartridge of  claim 102 , further comprising a filter between said sample chamber and said sample conduit. 
     
     
         104 . The assay cartridge of  claim 102 , wherein said sample chamber is an elongated cavity within said cartridge, said sample introduction port being located at one end of the elongated cavity. 
     
     
         105 . The assay cartridge of  claim 104 , wherein said sample and extraction reagent conduits are connected to and arranged along the length of said cavity. 
     
     
         106 . The assay cartridge of  claim 104 , wherein
 said elongated cavity that has a first elongated region and a second elongated region, said regions oriented at an angle with respect to each other, and   said angle is selected to bend said shaft upon insertion of said applicator stick into said sample chamber and promote fracture of said shaft.   
     
     
         107 . The assay cartridge of  claim 106 , wherein said fracture produces a shortened applicator stick fragment comprising a sample collection head of said applicator stick, said fragment having a length less than the length of said cavity. 
     
     
         108 . The assay cartridge of  claim 102 , further comprising
 a wash reagent chamber for holding a wash reagent, said wash reagent chamber connected to said detection chamber via a wash conduit and   a waste chamber connected to said sample conduit via a waste conduit.   
     
     
         109 . The assay cartridge of  claim 102 , further comprising
 a waste chamber connected to said detection chamber via a waste conduit and   a wash reagent chamber for holding wash reagent, said wash chamber connected to said sample conduit via a wash conduit.   
     
     
         110 . The assay cartridge of  claim 102 , wherein said extraction reagent chamber comprises nitrous acid or a nitrate salt. 
     
     
         111 . The assay cartridge of  claim 102 , further comprising a bubble trap linked to said sample conduit. 
     
     
         112 .- 157 . (canceled) 
     
     
         158 . A kit comprising the cartridge of any of  claim 96  and an applicator stick. 
     
     
         159 . The kit of  claim 158 , wherein said cartridge comprises a sample chamber and said applicator stick is to long to seal in said sample chamber and wherein said applicator stick has a weak point configured so as to allow said applicator stick to be cleaved at said weak point so as to form a head segment that may be sealed in said sample chamber.