Systems and assemblies for point-of-care fluidic assays

Abstract

Systems and assemblies for performing point-of-care, fluidic assays having self-contained, portable fluidic assay systems or assemblies. A housing comprises an assaying assembly, an inspiration actuator, and an expulsion actuator. The inspiration and expulsion actuators may include one-way valves. The assaying assembly is configured to provide a visual indicator in response to being contacted by one or more target analytes within a fluid-assay sample mixture. The fluidic assay assembly has a reciprocal plunger disposed therewithin and, in some embodiments, the plunger has a resilient member to bias the plunger in one direction. Movement of the plunger in a first direction implements an inspiration stroke for drawing the assay sample such that it contacts the fluid from the fluid chamber and continued movement of the plunger implements an expulsion stroke for expelling the fluid-assay sample mixture through the outlet opening to the receptacle of the assaying assembly.