System and method for confining reagents within a fluidic device
A method for inserting and retaining a reagent within a disposable cartridge of a diagnostic assay system. The method includes the steps of: (i) drying a reagent in combination with a carrier, and (ii) inserting the carrier, with the dried reagent, into an open end of one of the assay chambers, wherein the carrier facilitates insertion of the pellet into a chamber without contact by an operator.
1. A method for holding a reagent within a disposable cartridge of a diagnostic assay system, the disposable cartridge having at least one assay chamber for combining assay fluids, comprising the steps of:
forming a scaffold structure from one of wire, netting, or open-celled foam material in a shape of a portion of the at least one assay chamber;
mixing a reagent, a binder, and a liquid solvent to produce a liquid reagent-binder;
impregnating the scaffold structure with the liquid reagent-binder; and
drying the liquid reagent-binder to remove the liquid solvent therefrom to produce a dried reagent adhered to the scaffold structure that is formed in the shape of the portion of the at least one assay chamber.
2. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
placing the scaffold structure into the assay chamber prior to the step of impregnating the scaffold structure with the liquid reagent-binder.
3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the step of placing the scaffold structure into the assay chamber includes the step of:
placing the scaffold structure into a sump region of the assay chamber that is a portion of the assay chamber disposed in a lower section of the assay chamber.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the shape of the portion of the at least one assay chamber corresponds to a sump region of the assay chamber that is a portion of the assay chamber disposed in a lower section of the assay chamber.
5. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
forming the liquid reagent-binder in a mold configured to follow a shape of the assay chamber prior to the step of impregnating the scaffold structure; and
removing the dried reagent from the mold and bonding the dried reagent to the portion of the at least one assay chamber.
6. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the step of bonding the dried reagent includes the step of:
placing the scaffold structure into a sump region of the assay chamber.
7. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
enclosing the dried reagent in a carrier pod having a fluid by-pass filter at one end thereof, and
placing the carrier pod into the assay chamber,
wherein the fluid by-pass filter facilitates rehydration of the dried reagent during assay testing.
8. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the carrier pod is placed in a sump region of the assay chamber with the fluid by-pass filter facing downwardly into the sump region.