Microfluidic cartridge

A nucleic acid analyzer, comprising:

• a microfluidic cartridge module configured to accept at least one microfluidic cartridge comprising:
• at least one nucleic acid analysis portion, each nucleic acid analysis portion including:
• a fluidic network defined within the nucleic acid analysis portion, the fluidic network being configured for micro-liter volumes or less, the fluidic network including at least one frangible seal formed from a depression defined in a fluidic channel with a fluid flow resistance determined by a depth and a width of the depression;
• a sample input at a beginning of the fluidic network, the sample input having a fitting that is configured to be mated to a complementary fitting of a sample acceptor to form a fluid-tight seal;
• a plurality of vent ports and fluidic channels in the fluidic network configured to effectuate hydrodynamic movement within the fluidic network;
• an extraction mixture reservoir in the fluidic network, the extraction mixture reservoir being configured to hold an enzymatic mixture for performing nucleic acid extraction on a sample provided by the sample acceptor;
• a mixing chamber in the fluidic network, the mixing chamber being configured to mix amplification reagents and a portion of an extracted nucleic acid mixture;
• and
• an amplification chamber in the fluidic network, the amplification chamber being configured to hold an amplification mixture during nucleic acid amplification;
• a pressure module configured to be coupled to the plurality of vent ports to effectuate hydrodynamic movement within the fluidic network of the microfluidic cartridge;
• an extraction thermal module configured to impart temperatures to any of the microfluidic cartridge and the sample acceptor during nucleic acid extraction;
• an amplification thermal module configured to impart temperatures to the microfluidic cartridge during nucleic acid amplification;
• a high voltage module configured to apply high voltages on the microfluidic cartridge;
• a power module configured to provide operation powers to the nucleic acid analyzer;
• a detection module configured to detect labeled or dyed nucleic acids;
• and
• a controller module configured to control the pressure module, the extraction thermal module, the amplification thermal module, the high voltage module, the power module, and the detection module according to a control procedure.