Liquid analytical reagent dispensing apparatus and analytical kits and methods of use related thereto

An analytical reaction kit, the kit comprising:

• a reaction cassette, the reaction cassette comprising:
• a body, the body comprising a top perimeter side, a bottom perimeter side, a first perimeter side, a second perimeter side, a bottom portion, and a top portion thereby forming a reaction cassette chamber;
• an inlet for introducing a liquid test sample into the reaction cassette chamber;
• and
• a reaction chamber in liquid communication with the inlet;
• a liquid analytical reagent dispensing apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
• a container having a first end, a second end, a first side, a second side, a bottom side, a top side, a first cavity being open at the top side of the container, a flange extending around the open top of the first cavity, and a second cavity being open near the second end of the container;
• a first liquid reagent disposed within the first cavity;
• a second liquid reagent disposed within the second cavity;
• and
• a single flexible cover removably affixed to the flange of the container to seal the first liquid reagent in the first cavity and the second liquid reagent in the second cavity, wherein upon complete removal of the single flexible cover from the flange, the first liquid reagent flows from the first cavity, while the second liquid reagent remains and is contained in the opened second cavity when the container is oriented such that the first end of the container is positioned substantially vertically beneath the second end of the container;
• and
• a capillary, the capillary capable of being partially inserted into the inlet of the reaction cassette to thereby introduce a liquid test sample into the reaction chamber.

A method for performing analytical reactions to determine the presence of an analyte in a liquid test sample, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a reaction cassette having a substantially horizontal axis of rotation, the reaction cassette comprising:
• a body, the body comprising a top perimeter side, a bottom perimeter side, a first perimeter side, a second perimeter side, bottom portion, and a top portion thereby forming a reaction cassette chamber;
• an inlet for introducing a liquid test sample into the reaction cassette chamber;
• a reaction channel in liquid communication with the inlet;
• and
• a liquid analytical reagent dispensing apparatus incorporated into the reaction cassette, the apparatus comprising:
• a container having a first end, a second end, a first side, a second side, a bottom side, a top side, a first cavity being open at the top side of the container, a flange extending around the open top of the first cavity, and a second cavity being open near the second end of the container;
• a first liquid reagent disposed within the first cavity;
• a second liquid reagent disposed within the second cavity;
• and
• a single flexible cover removably affixed to the flange of the container to seal the first liquid reagent in the first cavity and the second liquid reagent in the second cavity, wherein upon complete removal of the single flexible cover from the flange, the first liquid reagent flows from the first cavity, while the second liquid reagent remains and is contained in the opened second cavity the first end of the container is positioned substantially vertically beneath the second end of the container;
• introducing the liquid test sample via the inlet of the reaction cassette into the reaction chamber;
• removing the single flexible cover thereby introducing the first liquid reagent from the first cavity into the reaction channel, whereby the first liquid reagent mixes with the liquid test sample to thereby form a first reaction mixture in the reaction channel;
• measuring a detectable response in the first reaction mixture to determine the presence of at least one analyte present in the first reaction mixture;
• rotating the reaction cassette about the horizontal axis such that the second liquid reagent is selectively introduced from the second cavity into the reaction channel;
• oscillating the reaction cassette about such horizontal axis to agitate the first liquid reaction mixture so as to mix the first reaction mixture with the second liquid reagent thereby forming a second reaction mixture;
• and
• measuring a detectable response in the second reaction mixture to determine the presence of at least one analyte present in the second reaction mixture.