Flow-thru chip cartridge, chip holder, system & method thereof

Abstract

A system for performing hybridization assays comprises a cartridge for housing a flow through device, where the cartridge includes a test fluid chamber for facilitating a substantially uniform flow of a test fluid mixture through the flow through device, and a fluidics station to deliver the test fluid mixture to the cartridge. The cartridge has a chip holder that holds the flow-through device, which has an array of microchannel passages. The chip holder has a support for placement of the flow though device, the test fluid chamber for directing a substantially uniform flow of a test fluid mixture through the array of microchannel passages of the flow through device, and a first port that receives the test fluid mixture. The cartridge has a sealing system for preventing the leakage of the test fluid around the flow through device. The test fluid chamber is defined in part by a spade-like surface having an inlet for the test fluid mixture.

1 . A cartridge for housing a flow through device, comprising:
 a flow through device having a first side, a second side, and an array of microchannel passages extending through the first and second sides; and   a chip holder for holding the flow through device, the chip holder comprising:
 a body with a support that supports the flow though device; 
 a flow surface formed within the body, the flow surface facing the first side; 
 a test fluid chamber defined at least by the flow surface and the first side, and configured to produce a substantially uniform flow of a test fluid mixture through the microchannel passages; and 
 a first port communicating with the test fluid chamber for passing the test fluid mixture into the test fluid chamber.