Method and apparatus for performing assays

1. An apparatus for performing an assay, including a chemical biological or biochemical assay, on a sample comprising:

a microfluidic assay cartridge or device that contains at least one sample inlet well configured to receive a sample;

a microfluidic sub-unit associated with the microfluidic assay cartridge or device comprising microfluidic channels, micro-valves and at least one hollow element, the at least one hollow element being disposed within a channel and being functionalized on its inside surface with a capture moiety or molecules so as to form at least one reaction vessel;

the microfluidic channels and micro-valves configured to respond to signaling containing information about performing the assay and to controllably receive the sample and at least one reagent through the at least one reaction vessel, and to provide from the at least one reaction vessel light containing information about the assay performed on the sample inside the at least one reaction vessel as a result of said at least one reagent;

wherein the hollow element forming the reaction vessel is a section of long strands of hollow glass tubing of 100 to 500 microns in length, the reaction vessels having been functionalized on their inside surface in a batch process in which a plurality of the reaction vessels are coated at once with the same solution of the capture moiety;

wherein free space exists between the outside of the hollow element forming the reaction vessel and the walls of the microfluidic channels; and

wherein the assay cartridge contains the at least one hollow element within a channel having a piston associated with micro-valves forming a pump.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the microfluidic channels and micro-valves are configured to respond to the signaling containing information about performing the assay and to introduce into the at least one reaction vessel one or more of the following:

assay reagents, including a plurality of assay reagents, including labeled antibodies, and

reagents, including an enzymatic substrate, for producing an emitted signal, and

the at least one reaction vessel configured to allow reactions to take place for performing the assay.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the microfluidic channels and micro-valves are configured to respond to the signaling containing information about performing the assay and to introduce into the at least one reaction vessel a wash solution to remove any non-specifically bound proteins or antibodies.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the microfluidic sub-unit is configured to contain the assay reagents, including the at least one reagent, such as labeled antibodies; or the microfluidic sub-unit is configured to contain the reagents such as an enzymatic substrate for producing the emitted signal; or the microfluidic sub-unit is configured to contain the wash solution to remove any non-specifically bound proteins or antibodies, or some combination thereof.

5. An apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the apparatus comprises an on-board waste receptacle that is configured to capture the wash solution, along with non-specifically bound proteins or antibodies.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the microfluidic assay cartridge is disposable.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a detection system configured to respond to the emitted signal, and provide a detection system signal containing information about the assay performed.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a controller configured to execute a computer program code and to provide the signaling to the microfluidic channels and micro-valves in order to perform the assay.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of microfluidic channels that comprise the microfluidic sub unit, corresponds to a respective one of the at least one sample inlet well, and wherein the microfluidic channels are fluidicly isolatable from each other.

10. A microfluidic assay cartridge or device for performing an assay, including a chemical or biological assay, on a sample, comprising:

at least one sample inlet well configured to receive a sample;

microfluidic channels fluidicly connected to the sample well, at least one of the channels having a piston and associated micro-valves forming a pump and at least one hollow element, the at least one hollow element being functionalized on its inside surface with a capture moiety or molecules so as to form at least one reaction vessel;

the microfluidic channels, micro-valves, and pistons configured to respond to signaling containing information about performing the assay and to controllably receive the sample and at least one reagent through the at least one reaction vessel, and to provide from the at least one reaction vessel light containing information about the assay performed on the sample inside the at least one reaction vessel as a result of said at least one reagent;

wherein the hollow element forming the reaction vessel is a section of long strands of hollow tubing that has been cut to 100 to 500 microns in length, the reaction vessels then being functionalized on their inside surface in a batch process in which a plurality of the reaction vessels are coated at once with the same solution of the capture moiety; and wherein free space exists between the outside of the hollow element forming the reaction vessel and the walls of the microfluidic channels.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the at least one hollow element is functionalized with the capture moiety or molecules on an inner tubular surface, an outer tubular surface or both surfaces so as to form at least one separate and fluidicly-isolated reaction vessel.

12. An apparatus according to claim 10 , where the at least one reaction vessel is contained within a fluidicly-isolated channel.

13. An apparatus according to claim 1 , where the at least one hollow element is configured as a honeycomb with multiple axial cavities or chambers.

14. An apparatus for performing an assay, including a chemical or biological assay, on a sample, comprising:

at least one sample inlet well configured to receive a sample;

microfluidic channels fluidicly connected to the sample well, at least one of the channels having a piston and associated micro-valves forming a pump and at least one hollow element, the at least one hollow element being functionalized on its inside surface with a capture moiety or molecules so as to form at least one reaction vessel;

the microfluidic channels, micro-valves, and pistons configured to respond to signaling containing information about performing the assay and to controllably receive the sample and at least one reagent through the at least one reaction vessel, and to provide from the at least one reaction vessel light containing information about the assay performed on the sample inside the at least one reaction vessel as a result of said at least one reagent;

the microfluidic channels and micro-valves configured to allow the channels to be fluidicly isolated from each other; and

wherein the hollow element forming the reaction vessel is a section of long strands of hollow tubing that has been cut to 100 to 500 microns in length, the reaction vessels then being functionalized on their inside surface in a batch process in which a plurality of the reaction vessels are coated at once with the same solution of the capture moiety.