Cartridge for sample preparation and molecule analysis, cartridge control machine, sample preparation system and method using the cartridge

1 . A device, comprising:

a cartridge for sample preparation and molecule analysis, the cartridge including:

a body including:

a first surface;

a second surface opposite to the first surface;

an extraction recess that extends into the second surface;

an analysis recess that extends into the second surface, the analysis recess having a parallelepipedal shape with rounded corners at an end of the analysis recess; and

a waste opening;

a first closing wall coupled to the first surface of the body, the first closing wall including a waste recess that is aligned with and overlaps the waste opening, the waste recess is in fluid communication with the waste opening;

a second closing wall coupled to the second surface of the body, the second closing wall including a chip receiving opening in the second closing wall, and the second closing wall including one or more first sidewalls that define and delimit the chip receiving opening; and

a chip within the chip receiving opening, the chip is aligned with and fully overlaps the analysis recess in the body closing off sides of the analysis recess such that a first surface of the chip and respective sides of the analysis recess delimit an analysis chamber, the chip including one or more second sidewalls that abut the one or more first sidewalls, the one or more second sidewalls being spaced apart outward from respective sides of the analysis recess and the analysis chamber is configured to, in operation, collect a solution including assay reagents such that first surface of the chip is exposed to an analysis sample.

2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the chip includes a heating and temperature control element configured to, in operation, heat the solution in the analysis recess.

3 . The device of claim 2 , wherein the chip includes one or more first sidewalls that are transverse to the first surface of the chip, and the one or more second sidewalls of the second closing wall that delimit and define the chip receiving opening.

4 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the chip includes:

a second surface that faces away from the analysis recess, and the second surface is opposite to the first surface of the chip;

an electrical contact that is on the second surface of the chip; and

a heating and temperature control element configured to, in operation, heat a solution in the analysis recess.

5 . The device of claim 1 , wherein:

the extraction recess includes a first end and a second end opposite to the first end;

the body further includes:

a first valve hole that extends through the body from the first surface to the second surface;

a second valve hole that extends through the body from the first surface to the second surface, the second valve hole is closer to the analysis recess than the first valve hole; and

a third valve hole that extends through the body from the first surface to the second surface, the third valve hole is closer to the analysis recess than the first valve hole and the second valve hole;

the cartridge further includes:

a first magnetic shutter in the first valve hole;

a second magnetic shutter in the second valve hole; and

a third magnetic shutter in the third valve hole.

6 . The device of claim 5 , wherein:

the first magnetic shutter includes an opened position in which the first end of the extraction recess is in fluid communication with the waste opening and the waste recess;

the second magnetic shutter includes an opened position in which the second end of the extraction recess is in fluid communication with the waste opening and the waste recess; and

the third magnetic shutter includes an opened position in which the analysis recess is in fluid communication with the waste opening and the waste recess.

7 . The device of claim 5 , wherein;

the body includes a first edge and a second edge transverse to the first edge;

the first valve hole is between the first edge of the body and the second valve hole, the first valve hole includes a first center;

the second valve hole is between the first valve hole and the third valve hole, the second valve hole includes a second center;

the third valve hole is between the second valve hole and the analysis recess, the third valve hole includes a third center; and

the center of the first valve hole, the center of the second valve hole, and the center of the third valve hole are aligned along an axis that is substantially parallel to the second edge.

8 . The device of claim 7 , wherein the analysis recess is along the axis.

9 . A device, comprising:

a cartridge for sample preparation and molecule analysis, the cartridge including:

a body including:

a first main face and a second main face opposite to the first main face;

a first sidewall extends from the first main face to the second main face;

a second sidewall extends from first main face to the second main face, the second sidewall is opposite to the first sidewall;

a third sidewall extends from the first main face to the second main face, the third sidewall is opposite to the first sidewall;

an inlet at the second sidewall and an outlet at the third sidewall;

a waste chamber;

a plurality of reagent chambers separated from the waste chamber by a plurality of first partition walls, each one of the plurality of reagent chambers is separated from an adjacent one of the plurality of reagent chambers by one of the plurality of first partition walls; and

an analysis recess separated from waste chamber by a second partition wall, the analysis recess extends into the second main face, and the analysis recess has a parallelepipedal shape having rounded corners at an end of the analysis recess;

a first closing wall coupled to the first main face;

a second closing wall coupled to the second main face, the second closing wall including a chip receiving opening, and the second closing wall including one or more first sidewalls that define and delimit the chip receiving opening; and

a chip within the chip receiving opening, the chip is coupled to the second main face, the chip fully overlaps the analysis recess, the chip includes a first surface that closes off sides of the analysis recess, the chip including one or more second sidewalls that abut the one or more first sidewalls, the one or more second sidewalls of the chip are spaced outward from the sides of the analysis recess, and the first surface of the chip and the sides of the analysis recess delimit and define an analysis chamber such that the first surface of the chip is exposed to an analysis sample when present within the analysis chamber.

10 . The device of claim 9 , wherein:

the body further includes:

an extraction recess, and the extraction recess includes a first end and a second end opposite to the first end;

a vent recess within the body and separated from the waste chamber by a third partition wall;

a first valve hole extends into the second main face of the body to the waste chamber;

a second valve hole extends into the second main face of the body to the waste chamber, the second valve hole is closer to the analysis recess than the first valve hole; and

a third valve hole extends into the second main face of the body to the vent recess, the third valve hole is closer to the analysis recess than the first valve hole and the second valve hole;

the cartridge further includes:

a first magnetic shutter in the first valve hole;

a second magnetic shutter in the second valve hole; and

a third magnetic shutter in the third valve hole.

11 . The device of claim 10 , wherein:

the first magnetic shutter includes an opened position in which the second end of the extraction recess is in fluid communication with the waste chamber;

the second magnetic shutter includes an opened position in which the first end of the extraction recess is in fluid communication with the waste chamber; and

the third magnetic shutter includes an opened position in which the analysis chamber is in fluid communication with the vent recess.

12 . The device of claim 10 , wherein;

the body includes a first edge and a second edge transverse to the first edge;

the first valve hole is between the first edge of the body and the second valve hole, the first valve hole includes a first center;

the second valve hole is between the first valve hole and the third valve hole, the second valve hole includes a second center;

the third valve hole is between the second valve hole and the analysis recess, the third valve hole includes a third center; and

the center of the first valve hole, the center of the second valve hole, and the center of the third valve hole are aligned along an axis that is substantially parallel to the second edge.

13 . The device of claim 9 , wherein the chip includes:

a second surface that faces away from analysis recess, and the second surface is opposite to the first surface of the chip;

an electrical contact that is on the second surface of the chip; and

a heating and temperature control element configured to, in operation, heat a solution within the analysis recess.

14 . The device of claim 9 , wherein the body further comprises:

an extraction recess having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end;

an inlet recess in fluid communication with the inlet and the second end of the extraction recess, the inlet recess extends from the inlet to the extraction recess; and

a plurality of reagent holes are in fluid communication with the inlet recess and the plurality of reagent chambers, each one of the plurality of reagent holes extends to one of the plurality of reagent chambers, and the plurality of reagent holes extend along the inlet recess.

15 . The device of claim 14 , further comprising a plurality of one-shot valves that close off the plurality of reagent holes, each one of the plurality of one-shot valves closes off one of the plurality of reagent holes.

16 . The device of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of one-shot valves include a material that melts when exposed to heat.

17 . A device, comprising:

a cartridge for sample preparation and molecule analysis, the cartridge including:

a body including:

a first side;

a second side opposite to the first side;

an extraction recess that extends into the second side;

an analysis recess that extends into the second side, the analysis recess includes a parallelepipedal shape and an end having rounded corners;

a waste opening that extends into the second side to the first side, the waste opening extends entirely through the body; and

one or more valve holes that extend into the second side to the first side, the one or more valve holes extend entirely through the body;

a first closing wall coupled to the first side of the body, the first closing wall including:

a waste recess in fluid communication with the waste opening;

a first gasket cavity; and

a second gasket cavity;

a first gasket in the first gasket cavity;

a second gasket in the second gasket cavity;

a second closing wall coupled to the second side of the body, the second closing wall including a chip receiving opening, and the second closing wall including one or more first sidewalls that define and delimit the chip receiving opening; and

a chip within the chip receiving opening, the chip is aligned with and overlaps the analysis recess, the chip is coupled to the second side of the body, the chip includes a heating and temperature control element, configured to, in operation, heat a solution in the analysis recess, and the chip closes off sides of the analysis recess delimiting an analysis chamber with the analysis recess and the chip,

one or more second sidewalls of the chip abut the one or more first sidewalls of the second closing wall, and the one or more second sidewalls of the chip are spaced outward from the sides of the analysis recess, and a first surface of the chip and the sides of the analysis recess delimit the analysis chamber, and the first surface of the chip is exposed to the solution when in the analysis recess.

18 . The device of claim 17 , wherein one or more magnetic shutters are in the one or more valve holes, each respective magnetic shutter of the one or more magnetic shutters is in a corresponding valve hole of the one or more valve holes.

19 . The device of claim 17 , wherein the body further includes a first fluid passageway in fluid communication with the first gasket cavity and the extraction recess.

20 . The device of claim 18 , wherein:

the body includes a first portion of a second passageway;

the first closing wall includes a second portion of the second passageway, the second portion is in fluid communication with the first portion; and

the second passageway is in fluid communication with the second gasket cavity and the waste recess.