Systems and methods for determining a chemical state

A valveless, single use, microfluidic cartridge for performing an assay, the cartridge comprising:

• a sealable sample chamber;
• a first microfluidic blister comprising a first reagent;
• optionally a second blister comprising a second reagent;
• optionally a third blister comprising a third reagent;
• a first mixing chamber;
• a second mixing chamber;
• a first bellows;
• a second bellows;
• a reading cuvette connected to the first mixing chamber;
• wherein
• the sample chamber, first blister and optionally the second blister are each connected to the first mixing chamber;
• the first mixing chamber is connected to the second mixing chamber via a tortuous channel;
• the first bellows is connected to the second mixing chamber;
• the second bellows is adapted to force liquids from the first mixing chamber towards the reading cuvette;
• and wherein the cartridge is being adapted to:
• receive a sample into said sample chamber and to seal said sample chamber such that said cartridge is a closed system after sealing said sample chamber;
• pass a predetermined quantity of said sample into said first mixing chamber;
• transfer said first reagent from said first blister into said first mixing chamber;
• operate said first bellows to transfer liquid back and forth between said first and said second mixing chambers, to mix said sample and said first reagent;
• optionally transfer said second reagent from said second blister into said first mixing chamber and optionally operate said first bellows to transfer liquid back and forth between said first and said second mixing chambers;
• optionally transfer said third reagent from said third blister into said second mixing chamber and optionally operate said first bellows to transfer liquid back and forth between said first and said second mixing chambers;
• operate said second bellows to transfer liquid from said first mixing chamber, toward said reading cuvette.