Patent attributes
A segmented multi-use automated assay cartridge for conducting a fluid assay includes a plurality of microfluidic assay circuits having the fluid flow channels configured to perform an assay on a sample, each circuit is configured to receive fluids for performing the assay (e.g., sample, buffer, detection analyte, dye, etc.) and each circuit is also configured to dispense waste fluid of the assay to a corresponding fluidic waste channel. A waste tower is configured to received waste fluid from the fluidic waste channel and to dispense the waste fluid to a common waste reservoir, whereby the assay waste fluid from each circuit comingles in the common waste reservoir and does not comingle with waste fluid from other circuits in the device in the fluidic waste channel, which allows multiple different assays to be run by the cartridge at different times.