Test cartridge for analysis instruments

A test cartridge for insertion into an analysis instrument having a linear actuation mechanism, a rotational actuation mechanism, a heater, a pump actuation mechanism, a second linear actuation mechanism, and a cartridge receiver, the test cartridge comprising:

• a test cartridge housing having a form factor configured to be received by the cartridge receiver of the analysis instrument;
• a plurality of first linear translation sensors, each first linear translation sensor having a corresponding first detector and a corresponding first movable element linearly translatable along a corresponding first axis, wherein at least a first portion of each of the first linear translation sensors is positioned within the test cartridge housing such that the corresponding first movable element thereof is configured to engage with the linear actuation mechanism of the analysis instrument when the test cartridge is inserted into the analysis instrument and the linear actuation mechanism of the analysis instrument is actuated, and wherein the first detector of each of the first linear translation sensors is configured to detect a first distance moved by the corresponding first movable element along the corresponding first axis relative to the test cartridge housing and responsive to a linear input provided by the linear actuation mechanism of the analysis instrument when the test cartridge is inserted into the analysis instrument and the linear actuation mechanism of the analysis instrument is actuated;
• a second linear translation sensor having a second detector and a second movable element linearly translatable along a second axis, wherein at least a second portion of the second linear translation sensor is positioned within the test cartridge housing such that the second movable element is configured to engage with the pump actuation mechanism of the analysis instrument when the test cartridge is inserted into the analysis instrument and the pump actuation mechanism of the analysis instrument is actuated, and wherein the second detector is configured to detect a second distance moved by the second movable element along the second axis relative to the test cartridge housing when the test cartridge is inserted into the analysis instrument and the pump actuation mechanism of the analysis instrument is actuated;
• an angular rotation sensor having a third detector and a rotatable element rotatable about a third axis, wherein the angular rotation sensor is positioned within the test cartridge housing such that the rotatable element is configured to engage with the rotational actuation mechanism of the analysis instrument when the test cartridge is inserted into the analysis instrument and the rotational actuation mechanism of the analysis instrument is actuated, and wherein the third detector is configured to detect an angle moved by the rotatable element about the third axis relative to the test cartridge housing when the test cartridge is inserted into the analysis instrument and the rotational actuation mechanism of the analysis instrument is actuated;
• a temperature sensor having a receptacle in the test cartridge housing and a temperature detector positioned within the receptacle, wherein the temperature sensor is positioned within the test cartridge housing such that the receptacle is configured to engage with the heater of the analysis instrument when the test cartridge is inserted into the analysis instrument, and wherein the temperature detector is configured to detect a temperature inside the receptacle when the test cartridge is inserted into the analysis instrument;
• and
• a plurality of load cells, wherein each of the load cells is positioned within the test cartridge housing such that each load cell is configured to engage with the second linear actuation mechanism of the analysis instrument when the test cartridge is inserted into the analysis instrument and the second linear actuation mechanism of the analysis instrument is actuated, and wherein each of the load cells is configured to detect a force applied to the respective load cell when the test cartridge is inserted into the analysis instrument and the second linear actuation mechanism of the analysis instrument is actuated.