Stand alone microfluidic analytical chip device

An analytical device comprising:

• a signal readout system, having
• a card reader having a test card receptacle,
• at least one sample analysis element, and
• a data gathering and processing element, wherein plurality of sample analysis detection elements, the data processing element and the data transmission element are communicatively connected by a communication element, and wherein the card reader receptacle is configured to accept a test card comprising:
• a pump-free microfluidic system, having
• a sample extraction location,
• at least one sample preparation location,
• a plurality of microfluidic channels on a non-recessed surface, the plurality of microfluidic channels being defined by regions of the surface having different hydrophilicity relative to other areas of the surface, at least some of the microfluidic channels being configured to promote movement of fluid from the sample extraction location to the sample preparation location in the absence of a pressure applied to the fluid, and
• at least one sample analytical chamber comprising one or more of a electrochemical analysis chamber, an optical analysis chamber, a biomaterial analysis chamber, or a spectrophotometry chamber,
• wherein the sample extraction location, the sample preparation location, and the at least one sample analytical chamber are interconnected by at least one of the plurality of microfluidic channels on a first substrate having the surface, wherein:
• the signal readout system is configured to receive from a microfluidic analytical chip of the pump-free microfluidic system instructions specifying, at least in part, one or more optical modes of measuring the fluid and execute the instructions to measure the fluid with the one or more optical modes.