Analysis device and method for testing a sample

Abstract

An analysis device and analysis system for testing a biological sample using a receivable cartridge having at least one actuator for actuating a valve of the cartridge. A pressurized gas supply is provided for supplying a pressurized working medium, and a connection element pneumatically connects the pressurized gas supply to the cartridge for supplying the cartridge with the pressurized working medium, so that the at least one actuator is pneumatically operated by the pressurized gas supply.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An analysis device for testing a sample by means of a receivable cartridge, comprising:
 a pressurized gas supply for providing a pressurized working medium,   a connection element to pneumatically connect the pressurized gas supply to the cartridge for supplying the cartridge with the pressurized working medium, and   at least one actuator for actuating a valve on the cartridge, the at least one actuator being pneumatically operated by means of the pressurized gas supply.   
     
     
         2 . The analysis device according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressurized gas supply is electrically operated. 
     
     
         3 . The analysis device according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one actuator has a movable actuation element for mechanically actuating the valve. 
     
     
         4 . The analysis device according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one actuator comprises a plurality of actuators for independently actuating a plurality of valves on the cartridge. 
     
     
         5 . The analysis device according to  claim 4 , wherein each of the plurality of actuators is assigned its own control valve in order for the plurality of actuators to be controlled independently of each other. 
     
     
         6 . The analysis device according to  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of actuators are connected to the pressurized gas supply via a common line. 
     
     
         7 . An analysis system for testing a sample, comprising:
 a cartridge for receiving the sample, and   an analysis device for receiving the cartridge and subsequently carrying out testing using the cartridge,   wherein the cartridge comprises a fluid system having a plurality of channels and valves for controlling flow through the channels and at least one pneumatic connection,   wherein the analysis device comprises a pressurized gas supply for providing a pressurized working medium, a connection element to pneumatically connect the pressurized gas supply to the at least one pneumatic connection for supplying the cartridge with the pressurized working medium, and at least one actuator for actuating the valves on the cartridge, the actuator being pneumatically operated by means of the pressurized gas supply.   
     
     
         8 . The analysis system according to  claim 7 , wherein the pressurized gas supply is electrically operated. 
     
     
         9 . The analysis system according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one actuator has a movable actuation element for mechanically actuating the valve. 
     
     
         10 . The analysis system according to  claim 7 , wherein said at least one actuator comprises a plurality of actuators for independently actuating the plurality of valves on the cartridge. 
     
     
         11 . The analysis system according to  claim 10 , wherein each of the plurality of actuators is assigned a respective one of the plurality of control valves for independent actuation thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The analysis system according to  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of actuators are connected to the pressurized gas supply via a common line. 
     
     
         13 . The analysis system according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one pneumatic connection is formed by a corresponding opening in a main body of the cartridge. 
     
     
         14 . The analysis system according to  claim 7 , wherein the cartridge further comprises a manipulating apparatus and the at least one pneumatic connection is assigned to the manipulating apparatus for pneumatically actuating the manipulating apparatus. 
     
     
         15 . The analysis system according to  claim 7 , wherein the cartridge further comprises a pump apparatus, and wherein the at least one connection is arranged for pneumatically resetting the pump apparatus. 
     
     
         16 . The analysis system according to  claim 7 , wherein the cartridge further comprises a sensor apparatus with a sensor cover, and wherein the at least one connection enables the sensor apparatus to pneumatically operate the sensor cover. 
     
     
         17 . The analysis system according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one pneumatic connection comprises two pneumatic connections. 
     
     
         18 . The analysis system according to  claim 17 , wherein the cartridge further comprises a sensor apparatus and a pump apparatus, one of the two pneumatic connections being assigned to the pump apparatus for pneumatically resetting the pump apparatus and the other one of the two pneumatic connections enabling the sensor apparatus to pneumatically operate a sensor cover of the sensor apparatus. 
     
     
         19 . An analysis device for testing a sample by means of a cartridge that is receivable in the analysis device, comprising:
 at least one pneumatically operated actuator for actuating a valve on the cartridge, and   a pneumatically operated apparatus for mounting, positioning and/or clamping the cartridge when received in the analysis device.   
     
     
         20 . The analysis device according to  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a pressurized gas supply for providing a pressurized working medium, the at least one actuator being pneumatically operated by means of the pressurized gas supply, and   a connection element to pneumatically connect the pressurized gas supply to the cartridge for supplying the cartridge with the pressurized working medium.