Analysis system for testing a sample

Abstract

An analysis system for testing a biological sample wherein a sensor cover can be or is pneumatically lowered onto a sensor apparatus in order to detect an analyte of the sample. A sensor array having a plurality of sensor fields are fluidically separated from one another by lowering the sensor cover. The sensor apparatus has a housing that is sealingly mounted on the sensor cover in an edge region, the housing surrounding a chip or support of the sensor apparatus at least partially. The sensor cover has a raised portion in a center on a side remote or opposite from the sensor apparatus or is centrally reinforced.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An analysis system for testing a sample, comprising:
 a main body having a plurality of channels, and a sensor arrangement for detecting an analyte of the sample, the sensor arrangement comprising a sensor apparatus having capture molecules and a sensor cover that is flexible at least in part for covering the sensor apparatus, the sensor cover being lowerable onto or towards the sensor apparatus in an actuated state,   wherein, in an unactuated state, the sensor cover is at least substantially planar or flat on a side facing the sensor apparatus and   wherein the sensor cover has a raised portion in a center on a side remote or opposite from the sensor apparatus or is centrally reinforced.   
     
     
         2 . The analysis system according to  claim 1 , further comprising pneumatic means for lowering the sensor cover. 
     
     
         3 . The analysis system according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor apparatus is pressed or sealed against the sensor cover in an edge region of the sensor cover. 
     
     
         4 . The analysis system according to  claim 1 , wherein sensor apparatus has a housing that is sealingly mounted on the sensor cover in an edge region, the housing at least partially surrounding a chip or support. 
     
     
         5 . The analysis system according to  claim 4 , wherein the chip or support is integrally cast in the housing. 
     
     
         6 . The analysis system according to  claim 4 , wherein the sensor array of the chip or support not covered by the housing on a measuring side. 
     
     
         7 . The analysis system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a pneumatic connection for supplying a working medium to at least one of the analysis system and the sensor cover. 
     
     
         8 . The analysis system according to  claim 7 , wherein the pneumatic connection is connected for supplying a pressure chamber with the working medium. 
     
     
         9 . The analysis system according to  claim 8 , wherein the sensor cover is arranged between the pressure chamber and the sensor apparatus and fluidically separates the pressure chamber from the sensor arrangement. 
     
     
         10 . The analysis system according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor cover is made of an elastomer. 
     
     
         11 . The analysis system according to  claim 8 , wherein the sensor cover comprises a cover part that is lowerable onto the sensor apparatus, a side part and a connecting part that is flexible, and wherein the cover part is connected to the side part by means of the connecting part. 
     
     
         12 . The analysis system according to  claim 11 , wherein the cover part is thicker and/or more rigid than at least one of the connecting part and the side part. 
     
     
         13 . The analysis system according to  claim 11 , wherein the connecting part is thinner than the side part. 
     
     
         14 . The analysis system according to  claim 11 , wherein the side part surrounds the cover part in a collar-shaped manner. 
     
     
         15 . The analysis system according to  claim 11 , wherein the side part is held directly between the sensor apparatus and the main body, 
     
     
         16 . The analysis system according to  claim 11 , wherein the side part forms a seal for at least one of the sensor apparatus, a sensor compartment and the pressure chamber. 
     
     
         17 . The analysis system according to  claim 11 , wherein at least one of an inlet and an outlet extend through the side part. 
     
     
         18 . The analysis system according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor arrangement comprises a sensor compartment between the sensor apparatus and the sensor cover, an inlet into the sensor compartment and an outlet out of the sensor compartment, at least one of the inlet and the outlet extending through the sensor cover. 
     
     
         19 . The analysis system according  claim 18 , wherein at last one of the inlet and the outlet diverge towards the sensor compartment. 
     
     
         20 . The analysis system according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor arrangement comprises a sensor compartment that is delimited or defined by the sensor cover and the sensor apparatus. 
     
     
         21 . The analysis system according to  claim 20 , wherein a fluid flow path is provided through the sensor compartment at least substantially vertically in a normal operating position of the cartridge. 
     
     
         22 . The analysis system according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the sensor apparatus and the sensor cover are held in a depression or receptacle by means of heat staking the main body. 
     
     
         23 . The analysis system according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor apparatus electrochemically detects analytes bonded to the capture molecules. 
     
     
         24 . The analysis system according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor apparatus comprises a sensor array having a plurality of sensor fields, wherein the sensor fields are fluidically separated from one another by lowering the sensor cover. 
     
     
         25 . The analysis system according to  claim 1 , wherein the sample is a biological sample. 
     
     
         26 . An analysis system for testing a sample, comprising:
 a main body having a plurality of channels, and   a sensor arrangement for detecting an analyte of the sample,   wherein the sensor arrangement comprises a sensor apparatus having capture molecules and a sensor cover that is flexible at least in part for covering the sensor apparatus, the sensor cover being lowerable onto or towards the sensor apparatus in an actuated state, and   wherein the sensor apparatus has a housing that is sealingly mounted on the sensor cover in an edge region, the housing surrounding a chip or support of the sensor apparatus at least partially.   
     
     
         27 . The analysis system according to  claim 26 , wherein the chip or support is integrally cast in the housing. 
     
     
         28 . The analysis system according to  claim 26 , wherein a sensor array of the chip or support is not covered by the housing on a measuring side. 
     
     
         29 . The analysis system according to  claim 26 , wherein the sensor apparatus comprises a plurality of electrical contacts or contact surfaces. 
     
     
         30 . An analysis system for testing a sample, comprising
 a main body having a plurality of channels, and   a sensor arrangement for detecting an analyte of the sample,   wherein the sensor arrangement comprises:   a sensor apparatus having capture molecules and a sensor cover that is flexible at least in part for covering the sensor apparatus, the sensor cover being lowerable onto or towards the sensor apparatus in an actuated state, and   a sensor array having a plurality of sensor fields, the sensor fields being fluidically separated from one another by lowering the sensor cover.   
     
     
         31 . The analysis system according to  claim 30 , wherein the sensor apparatus is adapted for electrochemically detecting analytes bonded to the capture molecules. 
     
     
         32 . The analysis system according to  claim 30 , further comprising pneumatic means for lowering the sensor cover.