Reader device and method of signal amplification

Abstract

Fluid collection devices, analysis instruments and methods for making and using same are disclosed. The fluid collection device is provided with a device and an electrochemical cell. The device has first and second walls defining a microfluidic channel, and a sample application port communicating with the microfluidic channel. The first wall and the second wall are spaced a distance less than 150 microns. The electrochemical cell is disposed on the first wall to contact a sample travelling through the micro-fluidic channel. The electrochemical cell comprising molecule receptors such that a physical property of the first electrochemical cell is effected upon one or more of the molecule receptors binding to an electroactive species within the sample.

1 . A fluid collection device, comprising:
 a device having a first wall and a second wall defining a channel, and a sample application port communicating with the channel;   a first electrochemical cell disposed on the first wall to contact a sample travelling through the channel, the first electrochemical cell comprising first electroactive species such that a physical property of the first electrochemical cell is effected upon one or more of the first electroactive species binding to a first biomolecule;   a second electrochemical cell disposed on the second wall of the device to contact the sample, the second electrochemical cell comprising second electroactive species such that a physical property of the second electrochemical cell is effected upon one or more of the second electroactive species binding to a second biomolecule; and   sensor contacts having a plurality of conductors connected to the first and second electrochemical cells.   
     
     
         2 . The fluid collection device of  claim 1 , wherein the first wall and the second wall are opposing. 
     
     
         3 . The fluid collection device of  claim 2 , wherein the first wall and the second wall are spaced a distance less than 150 microns. 
     
     
         4 . The fluid collection device of  claim 1 , wherein the first electrochemical cell is adjacent to and facing the second electrochemical cell. 
     
     
         5 . The fluid collection device of  claim 1 , wherein the first electrochemical cell includes at least two electrodes. 
     
     
         6 . The fluid collection device of  claim 5 , wherein the electrodes of the first electrochemical cell are non-interdigitated electrodes. 
     
     
         7 . The fluid collection device of  claim 5 , wherein the second electrochemical cell has at least two electrodes. 
     
     
         8 . The fluid collection device of  claim 7 , wherein the electrodes of the second electrochemical cell are non-interdigitated electrodes. 
     
     
         9 . The fluid collection device of  claim 5 , wherein at least one of the electrodes of the first electrochemical cell is a circular electrode. 
     
     
         10 . The fluid collection device of  claim 7  wherein all of the electrodes of the first electrochemical cell and the second electrochemical cell are circular electrodes. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A method of making a fluid collection device, comprising the steps of:
 applying a first electrochemical cell of a biosensor on a first wall of a device;   applying a second electrochemical cell of the biosensor on a second wall of the device, the first and second walls defining a channel extending between the first electrochemical cell and the second electrochemical cell, the channel communicating with a sample application port; and   applying sensor contacts having a plurality of conductors to the device such that the conductors are connected to the first and second electrochemical cells.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first electrochemical cell and the second electrochemical cell include non-interdigitated electrodes. 
     
     
         16 - 25 . (canceled)