DEVICES

1 . A device for use in the analysis of a biomolecule in a liquid sample, the device having at least three zones for accommodating at least part of the liquid sample, transfer means for transferring at least part of the liquid sample from a first zone to a second zone and for subsequently transferring at least part of the liquid sample from the second zone to a third zone along respective flow paths, a mechanically powered driver for operating the transfer means, a flow controller for selectively opening the flow paths between the zones, and a manually-operated common actuating member movable between a first and a second position to sequentially control both the mechanically powered driver and the flow controller to achieve transfer of at least part of the liquid sample between said zones, in which movement of the manually-operated common actuating member from the first position to the second position acts on the mechanically powered driver to achieve transfer of at least part of the liquid sample from the first zone to the second zone, and in which the mechanically powered driver effects the subsequent transfer of at least part of the liquid sample from the second zone to the third zone independently of the movement of the manually-operated common actuating member.

2 . The device according to claim 1 , which is arranged and configured to effect the transfer of at least part of the liquid sample from the second zone to the third zone a predetermined time after the transfer of at least part of the liquid sample from the first zone to the second zone.

3 . The device according to claim 1 or 2 , which further comprises a timed release mechanism which is actuated by the movement of the manually-operated common actuating member from the first position to the second position to trigger the transfer of at least part of the liquid sample from the second zone to the third zone a predetermined time after the manually-operated common actuating member has moved to the second position from the first position.

4 . A device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the mechanically powered driver comprises a rotary member.

5 . A device according to claim 4 , in which the transfer means has a displacement member which is linearly movable, the rotary member being coupled to the transfer means by a linkage which converts rotational movement of the rotary member into linear movement of the displacement member, to cause one or more transfers between zones under the power of the drive means.

6 . A device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the displacement member comprises at least one piston.

7 . A device according to claim 6 , in which the piston is one of a pair of such pistons, each movable in a respective cylindrical piston chamber.

8 . A device according to any of the preceding claims, in which the mechanically powered driver includes a mechanical energy store, such as biasing means, for storing mechanical energy for powering the driver.

9 . A device according to claim 8 , in which the mechanical energy store comprises a mechanical spring.

10 . A device according to claim 9 , in which, the mechanical energy store comprises a torsion spring.

11 . A device according to any of claims 8 to 10 , in which the mechanical energy store is preloaded.

12 . A device according to claim 9 as dependent from any claims 8 to 11 , in which the mechanical energy store is preloaded with sufficient energy to cause movement of the displacement member along two, opposite linear strokes.

13 . A device according to any of the preceding claims, in which the at least three zones comprise a sample receiving means through which the sample is introduced into the device, a reaction chamber in which the sample undergoes one or more reactions specific to the analysis and a test region for subsequently analysing the reacted sample.

14 . A device according to claim 13 , in which the sample receiving means comprises a sample receiving chamber.

15 . A device according to claim 14 , which includes a cap or cover for closing the sample receiving chamber during the operation of the device.

16 . A device according to claim 15 , in which the common actuating member comprises the cap or cover for closing the sample receiving chamber.

17 . A device according to any of the preceding claims, in which the device includes a heater for heating at least part of the liquid sample in at least the second zone.

18 . A device according to claim 17 , in which the heater is an electrically powered heater forming part of a printed circuit board (PCB).

19 . A device according to claim 18 in which the PCB also carries control electronics for the device.

20 . A device according to any of claims 17 to 19 , in which the heater is thermally coupled to a reaction chamber and the analysis includes the step of heating at least part of the liquid sample in the reaction chamber.

21 . A device according to claim 20 , in which the reaction chamber is at least partially defined by a thermally conductive material, such as a foil, for example a metallic foil, e.g. aluminium foil.

22 . A device according to claim 21 , in which the device includes biasing means for urging the heater against the thermally conductive material.

23 . A device according to claim 21 or 22 , in which the heater and the thermally conductive material extend beyond the reaction chamber.

24 . A device according to any of claims 13 to 23 , in which the device includes a temperature sensor thermally coupled to the reaction chamber.

25 . A device according to any of the preceding claims, in which the device includes retaining means for temporarily interrupting the operation of the mechanically powered driver so as to delay the completion of the operation of the transfer means for a period.

26 . A device according to claim 25 , in which the retaining means comprises a fusible retaining member for engaging, and acting as a stop to, the mechanically powered driver and a heater for heating the fusible retaining member, causing the fusible retaining member to soften, melt, weaken or break, so as to release the driver therefrom after said period.

27 . A device according to claim 26 , in which the fusible retaining member means comprises a thermoplastic material.

28 . A device according to any of the preceding claims, in which the manually-operated common actuating member is movable along a single actuating member stroke, the device being arranged for this single movement to cause the device to perform a predetermined sequence of operations to achieve said analysis of the sample.

29 . A device according to claim 26 , in which the manually-operated common actuating member. is linearly movable, to perform said stroke.

30 . A device according to any of the preceding claims, in which the flow control means comprises a valve.

31 . A device according to claim 30 , in which the valve includes a rod linearly movable in a valve chamber to bring selective pairs of ports into fluid communication, so as to create said one or more flow paths.

32 . A device according to any of claims 13 to 31 in which the device includes a detent that resists movement of the manually-operated common actuating member beyond a position part way along said stroke, at which position a flow path has been established by the flow control means between the sample receiving means and the reaction chamber and the operation of the transfer means to transfer the sample into the reaction chamber has been triggered, but before completion of the stroke at which position a flow path between the reaction chamber and the test region has been established by the flow control means.

33 . A device according to any of claims 13 to 32 , in which the test region comprises a lateral flow strip.

34 . A device according to any of the preceding claims, in which the device includes monitoring means for monitoring the operation of the device and providing a warning if incorrect operation is detected.

35 . A device according to any of the preceding claims which is a disposable, one shot device.

36 . A method for the analysis of a biomolecule in a liquid sample comprising introducing the liquid sample into the first zone(s) of a device according to any of the preceding claims and moving the manually-operated actuating member from its first position to the second position.

37 . A method according to claim 36 , in which the manually-operated common actuating member is moved in a linear direction between the first and second positions.

38 . A method according to claim 36 or 37 in which the manually-operated common actuating member is moved between the first and second positions at a substantially constant rate.

39 . A method according to any of claims 36 to 38 , in which the third zone comprises a lateral flow strip, the method comprising waiting until the transfers between the first and second, and between the second and third zones, have been completed and observing the lateral flow strip until it displays the result of the analysis.