Method and apparatus for analyte processing

A cartridge for processing a sample, comprising:

• a body having a first side and a second side opposite the first side;
• first and second channels in the first side of the body;
• a first recess in the second side of the body having first and second apertures, the first recess in fluid communication with (1) the first channel via the first aperture and (2) the second channel via the second aperture;
• and
• a first recess wall surrounding the first recess and adapted to mate with and seal against a flexible sheet covering the first wall and the first recess when installed in a sample processing system.

A system for processing a sample comprising:

• a cartridge comprising a plurality of fluid interfaces, a valve assembly, a plurality of channels, and a plurality of fluid reservoirs, the valve assembly comprising a plurality of valves each having an inlet and outlet, at least one channel providing fluid communication between at least one fluid interface and at least one fluid reservoir through at least one valve;
• a movable head assembly comprising a valve interface assembly adapted to apply a force to the valve assembly to form a sealed fluid chamber in each of the plurality of valves, the valve interface assembly comprising a plurality of movable members each adapted to open and close fluid communication between the inlet and outlet of each of the plurality of valves;
• and
• a pump comprising a plurality of pump interface members each adapted (1) to mate and align with a corresponding one of the plurality of fluid reservoirs and (2) to move a sample between at least one fluid interface and at least one fluid reservoir through at least one channel and at least one valve across a processing device.

An instrument for processing a sample comprising:

• a plate adapted to receive and to support a cartridge;
• a movable head assembly comprising a valve interface assembly adapted to apply a force to a valve assembly on the cartridge to form a sealed fluid chamber in at least one valve in the valve assembly, the valve interface assembly comprising at least one movable member adapted to open and close fluid communication between an inlet and outlet of the at least one valve;
• and
• a pump comprising a plurality of pump interface members adapted to mate and align with a plurality of fluid reservoirs defined on the cartridge.

A method of processing a sample with a cartridge, comprising:

• applying a force to a flexible sheet disposed over a plurality of input valves and a plurality of output valves to provide a sealed chamber in each of the input and output valves, the plurality of input valves comprising a plurality of reagent input valves and a plurality of fluid input valves and the plurality of output valves comprising a plurality of first and second output valves;
• closing the plurality of reagent input valves;
• opening the plurality of fluid input valves;
• closing the plurality of second output valves;
• opening the plurality of first output valves;
• drawing a sample through each fluid input valve, through a corresponding processing device and through a corresponding first output valve;
• processing the samples with each processing device;
• closing the plurality of fluid input valves;
• opening the plurality of reagent input valves;
• drawing reagent through each reagent input valve through a corresponding processing device and through a corresponding first output valve, flow of the reagent causing each of the samples to enter a corresponding fluid reservoir;
• closing the plurality of first output valves;
• opening the plurality of second output valves;
• and
• pushing the sample and the reagent out of the fluid reservoir and through each second output valve.

A method of manufacturing a cartridge for processing a sample, comprising:

• forming a first channel and a second channel in a first side of a body;
• forming a first recess in a second side of the body;
• forming a first aperture in the first recess in fluid communication with the first channel;
• forming a second aperture in the first recess in fluid communication with the second channel;
• forming a first recess wall surrounding the first recess and mating with and sealing against a flexible sheet covering the first recess wall and the first recess when installed in a sample processing system.