Universal assay cartridge and methods of use

A sample cartridge for processing and/or analytical testing of a biological fluid sample, the sample cartridge comprising:

• a cartridge body having a plurality of chambers therein, wherein at least one chamber is configured to receive a fluid sample;
• a lysing chamber having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet;
• and
• a filter disposed within the lysing chamber,
• the lysing chamber further comprising,
• a valve body;
• and
• a valve cap,
• wherein the valve body interfaces with the valve cap to define the lysing chamber therebetween,
• wherein the filter is held within the lysing chamber secured between the valve body and the valve cap, and
• wherein the valve body comprises the fluid outlet from the lysing chamber, and the valve cap comprises the fluid inlet into the lysing chamber;
• wherein the filter is formed of glass fibers to facilitate affinity binding with free nucleic acids, and
• wherein the filter has a pore size selected to accommodate correspondingly sized glass beads to facilitate mechanical lysing.