Genmark Diagnostics Inc
Module with Collapsible Fluid Chamber and Onboard Fluid Chamber Compression Element

Abstract:

A module for processing fluids includes one or more collapsible fluid chambers supported on a substrate, a compression element supported on the substrate and configured to be movable with respect to the one or more chambers, and an actuating element coupled to the compression element and configured to effect movement of the compression element relative to the one or more fluid chambers to collapse each fluid chamber by compressing the fluid chamber between the compression element and the substrate as the compression element moves over the fluid chamber. A method for motivating a fluid out of a fluid chamber comprises the steps of providing a module that includes one or more collapsible fluid chambers supported on a substrate, a compression element supported on the substrate and configured to be movable with respect to the one or more chambers, and an actuating element coupled to the compression element and configured to effect movement of the compression element relative to the one or more fluid chambers and moving the actuator element to move the compression element across at least a portion oft substrate and compress the fluid chamber, thereby motivating the fluid out of the fluid chamber.