Nanopore technologies

Apparatus for use with a sample suspected of containing an analyte, the apparatus comprising:

• a test cartridge, comprising:
• a casing that defines an internal space;
• a membrane having a thickness of 0.1 nm-1 micron, the membrane disposed inside the casing, separating the internal space into a sample chamber and a second chamber, and fluidically and electrically isolating the second chamber from the sample chamber, and the casing shaped to define a port via which the sample is introducible into the sample chamber,
• a first electrode, disposed within the sample chamber;
• a first cartridge-terminal, electrically connected to the first electrode, and accessible from outside of the cartridge;
• a second electrode, disposed within the second chamber;
• a second cartridge-terminal, electrically connected to the second electrode, and accessible from outside of the cartridge;
• and
• a device for use with the test cartridge, the device comprising:
• a dock, comprising a first dock-terminal and a second dock-terminal, and configured to receive the cartridge such that docking of the cartridge with the dock places the first and second cartridge-terminals in electrical contact with the first and second dock-terminals;
• and
• circuitry, electrically connected to the cartridge-terminals,
• wherein the circuitry is configured to perform, while the cartridge remains docked with the dock:
• (a) a verification step during which the circuitry verifies an absence of nanopores in the membrane by applying a pore-detection voltage between the first and second electrodes, and monitoring conduction, between the first and second electrodes, of a pore-detection current resulting from the applying of the pore-detection voltage,
• (b) subsequently, a nanoporation subroutine, in which the circuitry:
• (i) applies nanoporation energy to the membrane, the nanoporation energy configured to ablate a nanopore in the membrane, and
• (ii) monitors conduction of the pore-detection current between the first and second electrodes, and
• (iii) ends the nanoporation subroutine upon detecting that the pore-detection current exceeds a threshold amplitude, the threshold amplitude being indicative of successful formation of a nanopore, and
• (c) subsequently, an assay subroutine, in which the circuitry:
• (i) applies an assay voltage between the first and second electrodes, the assay voltage having a magnitude of 0.01-5 V, and
• (ii) while driving the assay voltage, simultaneously monitors electrical conduction between at least two of the dock-terminals, and
• wherein the circuitry is configured to enable the nanoporation subroutine only if the verification step (1) is performed between (i) docking of the cartridge with the dock, and (ii) performing the nanoporation subroutine, and (2) successfully verifies the absence of nanopores.