Cartridge for testing a biological sample

Abstract

A cartridge for analyzing a biological sample, wherein the cartridge includes a fluid system having a plurality of channels and at least one valve, wherein the valve is covered on the outside by a cover, and wherein the valve is configured to be actuated by deforming a wall of the valve.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cartridge for testing a sample, the cartridge comprising:
 a main body;   a continuous film bonded to a back of the main body; and   a fluid system having a plurality of channels and a plurality of valves for controlling the flow of the sample through the fluid system,   wherein each of the plurality of valves comprises a wall that has a flexible portion, a valve chamber, a first opening and a second opening, and wherein the valve is configured to be actuated and closed by deforming the flexible portion of the wall,   wherein the valve chambers of said plurality of valves are formed by depressions in a rear side of the main body, and   wherein the continuous film is common to said plurality of valves, the continuous film covering and fluidically closing all valve chambers and forming the respective walls of said plurality of valves.   
     
     
         2 . The cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein the channels are formed by depressions in a front side of the main body. 
     
     
         3 . The cartridge according to  claim 2 , wherein the cartridge comprises a further continuous film bonded to the front side of the main body, wherein the further continuous film is common to the channels and covers and fluidically closes the channels. 
     
     
         4 . The cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality valves forms a group of normally open valves, wherein the cartridge comprises a further group of other valves of a different type which are initially closed, and wherein the continuous film forms walls of said both groups of valves. 
     
     
         5 . The cartridge according to  claim 1 , further comprising an elastically deformable cover bonded to the continuous film and covering the continuous film at a location remote from the respective valve chambers. 
     
     
         6 . The cartridge according to  claim 5 , wherein the elastically deformable cover is common to the plurality of valves. 
     
     
         7 . The cartridge according to  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of valves forms a group of normally open valves, wherein the cartridge comprises a further group of other valves of a different type which are initially closed, wherein the continuous film forms walls of said both groups of valves, and wherein the continuous film is free from the elastically deformable cover at the locations of the group of other valves of a different type which are initially closed. 
     
     
         8 . The cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge is shaped at least essentially as a rectangular plate. 
     
     
         9 . The cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge is configured to carry out a PCR operation on the sample in the cartridge and to electrochemically measure the sample for the presence of at least one target analyte. 
     
     
         10 . A cartridge for testing a sample, the cartridge comprising:
 a main body;   a continuous film bonded to a backside of the main body; and   a fluid system having a plurality of channels and a plurality of valves for controlling the flow of the sample through the fluid system,   wherein each of the plurality of valves comprises a wall that has a flexible portion, a valve chamber, a first opening and a second opening, and wherein the valve is configured to be actuated and closed by deforming the flexible portion of the wall,   wherein the plurality of valves forms a group of normally open valves,   wherein the cartridge comprises a further group of other valves of a different type which are initially closed, and   wherein the continuous film forms walls of said both groups of valves.   
     
     
         11 . The cartridge according to  claim 10 , wherein the channels are formed by depressions in the front of the main body. 
     
     
         12 . The cartridge according to  claim 10 , wherein the cartridge comprises a further continuous film bonded to the front of the main body, wherein the further continuous film is common to the channels and covers and fluidically closes the channels. 
     
     
         13 . The cartridge according to  claim 10 , further comprising an elastically deformable cover bonded to the continuous film and covering the continuous film at a location remote from the respective valve chambers. 
     
     
         14 . The cartridge according to  claim 13 , wherein the elastically deformable cover is common to the plurality of valves forming the group of normally open valves. 
     
     
         15 . The cartridge according to  claim 13 , wherein the continuous film is free from the elastically deformable cover at the locations of the further group of other valves of a different type which are initially closed. 
     
     
         16 . A cartridge for testing a biological sample, the cartridge comprising:
 a main body having a front and a back;   a fluid system having a plurality of channels and a plurality of valves for controlling the flow of the sample through the fluid system, wherein the channels are formed by depressions of a front side of the main body, and wherein the valves each comprise a valve chamber formed by depressions in the back of the main body, each valve chamber comprising a first and second opening connecting the valve chamber to the channels;   a first continuous film bonded to the front side of the main body, which covers and fluidically closes the channels on the front side;   a second continuous film bonded to a back side of the main body, which covers and fluidically closes the valve chambers on the back; and   an elastically deformable cover bonded to the second continuous film and covering the second continuous film at a location remote from the respective valve chambers,   wherein the second continuous film and the elastically deformable cover are common to the plurality of valves, the valves being configured to be individually actuated and closed by deforming the second continuous film and the elastically deformable cover at the location of the respective valve.   
     
     
         17 . The cartridge according to  claim 16 , wherein the elastically deformable cover is made of foamed plastic material and is configured to reset the second continuous film and open the respective valve after actuation has been finished. 
     
     
         18 . The cartridge according to  claim 16 , wherein the elastically deformable cover comprises at least one of a lower indentation hardness and a lower compression hardness than the second continuous film. 
     
     
         19 . The cartridge according to  claim 16 , wherein each of the valves further comprises a valve seat, wherein the respective valve seat either projects into the respective valve chamber or forms the first opening and wherein, by mechanically actuating the respective valve, the second continuous film can be pressed against the respective valve seat or first opening to close the respective valve. 
     
     
         20 . The cartridge according to  claim 19 , wherein each of the valve seats comprises a respective peripheral projection on a side of the respective valve facing the second continuous film, the peripheral projection forming a contact surface for the second continuous film.