Cartridge-based automated rapid test analyzer

A system comprising:

• a cartridge comprising:
• a first chamber configured to receive a test sample including a target substance, the first chamber filled and hermetically sealed during manufacture of the cartridge with micromagnetic particles treated so as to bind to the target substance;
• a first reservoir filled and hermetically sealed during manufacture of the cartridge with at least one reagent labeled with at least one fluorescent compound, the reagent adapted to bind to micromagnetic particles that are bound to the target substance;
• and
• an authentication chip adapted to provide authentication of the cartridge, identification of the cartridge, and data storage for the cartridge including providing test configuration parameters for initializing and performing the test, test subject data relating to a person or animal being tested, and storing test results data comprising results data from a completed test or data indicating an aborted test;
• and
• an apparatus comprising:
• a light source disposed so as to excite the at least one fluorescent compound with a light;
• an optical sensor disposed so as to detect an emitted spectrum of light from the excited at least one fluorescent compound;
• a loading bay disposed on the apparatus to receive the cartridge;
• a door disposed on the apparatus to cover the loading bay;
• at least one blunt prong disposed on an interior of the door to provide actuation force directly from the at least one blunt prong to at least one blister reservoir disposed on the cartridge when the door is closed, so as to dispense the at least one blister reservoir;
• and
• a device disposed relative to the cartridge to move at least a portion of contents of the cartridge among a plurality of chambers of the cartridge;
• wherein the device disposed relative to the cartridge to move at least a portion of the contents of the cartridge among chambers of the cartridge comprises a motor having disposed on a drive shaft thereof a pinion, a rack meshed with the pinion, and a magnet disposed on the pinion and disposed relative to the cartridge so as to move at least a portion of the contents of the cartridge among chambers of the cartridge when the motor is driven;
• wherein driving of the motor is controlled by a computer system comprising a processor, memory to store program instructions and data and accessible by the processor, and program instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to control driving of the motor;
• and
• wherein the apparatus is configured to read data from the authentication chip upon insertion of the cartridge into the apparatus.