Cartridge for detecting target analyte

A cartridge for detecting a target analyte, comprising:

• a sample chamber into which sample is inserted;
• a metering chamber connected to the sample chamber to meter a predetermined amount of sample;
• a mixing chamber connected to the metering chamber to receive magnetic beads;
• a waste chamber connected to the metering chamber;
• a plurality of buffer chambers connected to the mixing chamber to receive a buffer;
• a detection chamber connected to the mixing chamber to detect the target analyte;
• a metering flow path connecting the sample chamber and the metering chamber;
• a waste flow path connecting the metering chamber and the waste chamber;
• a mixing flow path connecting the metering chamber and the mixing chamber;
• a plurality of buffer flow paths connecting each buffer chamber and the mixing chamber;
• a detection flow path connecting the mixing chamber and the detection chamber;
• a first pneumatic flow path communicating with a first pneumatic port;
• a second pneumatic flow path communicating with a second pneumatic port,
• a first valve configured to open and close the metering flow path;
• a second valve configured to open and close the mixing flow path and to be driven independently of the first valve;
• a chamber region in which the sample chamber, the metering chamber, and the mixing chamber are disposed;
• a valve region in which the first and second valves are disposed;
• a buffer region in which the plurality of buffer chambers are disposed;
• a pre-processing region comprising the chamber region, the valve region, and the buffer region;
• and
• a detection region in which the detection chamber is disposed,
• wherein the pre-processing region and the detection region are arranged in a horizontal direction and mutually non-overlapping in the horizontal direction, wherein the chamber region, the valve region, and the buffer region within the pre-processing region are sequentially arranged in a vertical direction and mutually non-overlapping in the vertical direction,
• wherein the sample chamber, the metering chamber, and the mixing chamber within the chamber region are sequentially arranged in the horizontal direction,
• wherein the plurality of buffer chambers are disposed lower than the mixing chamber in the gravitational direction when the cartridge is mounted in a detection device, and each of the plurality of buffer chambers is a blister chamber configured to transfer a contained buffer when pressure is applied, and
• wherein when the cartridge is in a standing state in which a top of the cartridge is positioned up, the vertical direction extends from the top of the cartridge to the bottom of the cartridge, and the horizontal direction extends from one side of the cartridge to the other side of the cartridge.