Systems and methods using hand-held devices for detecting a target analyte loaded on a cartridge

A method for detecting a target-analyte, said method comprising:

• obtaining a hand-held target-analyte detection device and a cartridge containing a target analyte, and wherein said hand-held target-analyte detection device includes a switch, a compression assembly, a cartridge stage, and a cartridge inlet;
• activating said switch and placing said compression assembly in a non-operational state and a pressing surface of said compression assembly is released, displacing away from said cartridge stage and thereby providing an unobstructed loading path for said cartridge to be secured inside said cartridge stage;
• loading said cartridge through said cartridge inlet and receiving said cartridge inside said cartridge stage to form a loaded cartridge stage;
• pressing said pressing surface of said compression assembly towards said loaded cartridge stage and thereby sealing off access through said cartridge stage and providing a sealed environment for said target analyte inside said cartridge.

A method for assembling a hand-held detection device, said method comprising:

• obtaining a compression assembly having at pressing surface and at least two guide posts such that said guide posts being coupled to said pressing surface, wherein said guide posts include a shaft and washer;
• assembling a locking plate including at least two guide-post-engaging apertures and a switch frame including at least two vertical displacement apertures such that at least two of said guide-post-engaging apertures and at least two of said vertical displacement apertures are aligned to allow vertical displacement of said shafts;
• passing at least two terminating ends of at least two of said guide posts through at least two of said guide-post-engaging apertures and at least two of said vertical displacement apertures;
• and
• installing at least two washers on at least two of said terminating ends to secure at least two of said guide-post-engaging apertures and at least two of said vertical displacement apertures within at least two of said shafts.