Microfluidic analyser for in-vitro biosensing and diagnostics

A microfluidic analyser (100, 200A, 200B, 200C) for in-vitro biosensing and analysis of a biological sample, the microfluidic analyser (100, 200A, 200B, 200C) comprising:

• a platform (102, 202A, 202B, 202C, 402A, 402B, 500) configured to hold at least one cartridge (300) carrying the biological sample and at least one reagent, wherein the at least one cartridge (300) includes one or more sealed ends (304);
• a fluid control unit (108, 1000), coupled to the platform (102, 202A, 202B, 202C, 402A, 402B, 500), configured to regulate flow of the biological sample and the at least one reagent inside the at least one cartridge (300), wherein the fluid control unit (108, 1000) comprises:
• one or more needles (110, 1002, 1102) to pierceably connect with the one or more sealed ends (304) of the at least one cartridge (300) to establish a fluid connection with the at least one cartridge (300);
• a pneumatic unit (112, 1004, 1202) comprising a pump (1014), operably coupled to the one or more needles (110, 1002, 1102), wherein the pneumatic unit (112, 1004, 1202), the pump (1014), and the one or more needles (110, 1002, 1102) are to provide at least one of a positive pressure and a negative pressure to the at least one cartridge (300),
• a plurality of tubes (1006) connected, at a first end (1006A), to a free end (1002B of the one or more needles (110, 1002, 1102);
• electronically controlled valves coupled to a second end (1006B) of the plurality of tubes (1006);
• and
• a plurality of flow control valves (1012), mounted between the one or more needles (110, 1002, 1102) and electronically controlled valves, to regulate at least one of the positive pressure and the negative pressure of the fluid provided at the at least one cartridge (300);
• and
• an optical unit (104, 600) operably coupled to the platform (102, 202A, 202B, 202C, 402A, 402B, 500), wherein the optical unit (104, 600) comprises an optical sensor (124, 604, 800) to detect presence of a fluorescence biomarker in the biological sample held in the at least one cartridge (300).