Fluid handling cassette

Abstract

A fluid handling module that is removably engageable with a bodily fluid analyzer is provided. The module may comprise a fluid handling element, and a fluid component separator that is accessible via the fluid handling element and configured to separate at least one component of a bodily fluid transported to the fluid component separator. The fluid handling element may have at least one control element interface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for extracting and analyzing a bodily fluid of a patient, said method comprising:
 attaching a fluid handling module to a main analysis and control instrument, wherein:
 said fluid handling module comprises at least one fluid handling element having a control element interface and a fluid component separator accessible via said fluid handling element; and 
 said main instrument comprises a bodily fluid analyzer and at least one control element; 
   engaging said at least one control element interface of said fluid handling element with said at least one control element of said main instrument; and   controlling fluid flow between said at least one fluid handling element and said fluid component separator with said control element.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising connecting said fluid handling module to said bodily fluid of said patient, wherein said controlling comprises drawing a sample of said bodily fluid from said patient into said fluid component separator. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 with said fluid component separator, separating a first component from said drawn portion of bodily fluid; and   with said bodily fluid analyzer, analyzing said first component of said bodily fluid to determine the concentration of an analyte.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said fluid handling module further comprises a sample cell in fluid communication with said fluid component separator, said method further comprising:
 holding at least a portion of said first component of said bodily fluid in said sample cell; and   with said bodily fluid analyzer, analyzing said first component of bodily fluid in said sample cell.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising interfacing said sample cell with said bodily fluid analyzer. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said fluid component separator comprises a centrifuge rotor and said main instrument further comprises a centrifuge drive motor and said engaging comprises interfacing said centrifuge rotor with said drive motor. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said at least one fluid handling element comprises a fluid passageway;   said at least one control element comprises a valve actuator; and   said controlling comprises selectively controlling fluid communication along said fluid passageway.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said controlling comprises controlling fluid communication between said fluid component separator and said fluid handling element. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said controlling comprises reversing the direction of fluid flow in said fluid handling element. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said at least one fluid handling element comprises a syringe;   said at least one control element further comprises a syringe drive; and   said engaging comprises interfacing said syringe with said drive motor.