Abstract:
A cartridge for dispensing a fluid is presented. The cartridge comprises a reservoir chamber for receiving the fluid. The reservoir chamber has a fluid outlet. The cartridge further comprises a controllable dispenser component for dispensing a dispensing volume of the fluid from the reservoir chamber. The dispenser component is connected to the fluid outlet of the reservoir. The cartridge further comprises a single compressible fluid pump with a single elastic pumping element and a conduit extending from the fluid pump towards the fluid outlet. The fluid pump discharges a mixing volume of the fluid from the conduit into the reservoir chamber upon compression of the elastic pumping element. The mixing volume depends on the degree of compression of the elastic pumping element. The fluid pump sucks in the mixing volume from the reservoir into the conduit upon decompression of the elastic pumping element.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of PCT/EP2014/065482, filed Jul. 18, 2014, which is based on and claims priority to EP 13179523.9, filed Aug. 7, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present disclosure generally relates to the field of fluidics and, in particular, to cartridges for dispensing microfluidic portions of fluids for the purpose of performing an analysis of a biological sample. 
         [0003]    In medical laboratories, in vitro diagnostics are commonly performed on biological samples. Such tests may be performed manually using pipettes or maybe performed using an automatic analyzer. Automatic analyzers may automatically add reagents to the biological sample and may measure one or more physical properties of the biological sample during analysis. Automatic analyzers are known in the prior art. For example, one such automatic analyzer includes a reagent cassette holding mechanism for holding a plurality of reagent cassettes. Another analyzer has a reagent pipettor. The reagent pipettor is used for dispensing a reagent into a vessel containing a sample to initiate a chemical reaction. 
         [0004]    One known cartridge dispenses a reagent contained in a reagent reservoir. The cartridge comprises a reservoir which defines an enclosed gas space above the reagent. The cartridge further includes a gas vent that admits, in use, gas to the gas space. 
         [0005]    One known microfluidic device for fluid manipulates and analyzes fluid samples. A bellows pump is fluidly connected to a microfluidic channel with a liquid barrier interposed between the bellows pump and an end of the microfluidic channel wherein the liquid barrier is gas permeable and liquid impermeable. 
         [0006]    There is a need for to new and improved cartridges for dispensing microfluidic portions of fluids for the purpose of performing an analysis of a biological sample. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    According to the present disclosure, a cartridge for dispensing a fluid, an automatic analyzer and a method of analyzing a biological sample are disclosed. The cartridge can comprise a reservoir chamber operable for receiving the fluid. The reservoir chamber can have a fluid outlet. The cartridge also can comprise a controllable dispenser component for dispensing a dispensing volume of the fluid from the reservoir chamber. The dispenser component can be connected to the fluid outlet of the reservoir. The cartridge can further comprise a compressible fluid pump with an elastic pumping element and a conduit extending from the fluid pump towards the fluid outlet. The fluid pump can discharge a mixing volume of the fluid from the conduit into the reservoir chamber upon compression of the elastic pumping element. The mixing volume can depend on the degree of compression of the elastic pumping element. The fluid pump can suck in the mixing volume from the reservoir into the conduit upon decompression of the elastic pumping element. 
         [0008]    Accordingly, it is a feature of the embodiments of the present disclosure to provide new and improved cartridges for dispensing microfluidic portions of fluids for the purpose of performing an analysis of a biological sample. Other features of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent in light of the description of the disclosure embodied herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The following detailed description of specific embodiments of the present disclosure can be best understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the cartridge according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  illustrates the cartridge where the bellows are integrated into the housing of the cartridge according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  illustrates the cartridge having a membrane instead of bellows according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  illustrates schematically an end portion of a conduit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  illustrates a block diagram of an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  illustrates the cartridge without a baffle and flexible reservoir chamber walls according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    In the following detailed description of the embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration, and not by way of limitation, specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0017]    Embodiments can be particularly advantageous for storing and dispensing a fluid in a suspension containing particles that sediment on a bottom portion of the cartridge. Prior to dispensing a portion of the fluid for the purpose of performing an analysis, the sedimented particles, or at least a portion of the sedimented particles, can be suspended by a fluid flow that can be directed towards the sedimented particles and can mix the particles with the fluid so that the particles can be put back into suspended state. In other words, the sedimented particles can be re-suspended by the fluid caused by discharging a mixing volume from the end of the conduit when the compressible fluid pump is compressed. This can have the advantage that the concentration and distribution of the particles in the fluid fraction of the suspension can reach a predefined level before the dispensing volume is dispensed from the cartridge for the purpose of performing an analysis. This can ensure that the analysis can be performed with a reproducible degree of precision. 
         [0018]    Embodiments can be particularly advantageous as no rotating parts may be required for mixing the sedimented particles with the fluid for re-suspending the sedimented particles within the fluid. This can be accomplished by providing a single compressible fluid pump with a single elastic pumping element and an attached conduit extending from the fluid pump towards the fluid outlet which can be particularly beneficial for microfluidic applications. Upon applying pressure onto the elastic pumping element, the elastic pumping element can be compressed, thereby compressing a pumping volume within the pumping element. The pressure on the pumping volume can cause the pumping volume to move towards the conduit which can ultimately lead to a flow of fluid from the conduit. 
         [0019]    In this case “elastic” can mean that application of force or pressure onto the pumping element can cause the pumping element to change its shape. However, once the force or pressure vanishes, the pumping element can return to its original shape by itself. Thus, there may be no need for additional steps for preparing the pumping element for a subsequent pumping step. Note that the pumping element may not necessarily have to be made of elastic (that is reversibly deformable) material to be “elastic” as a whole. The pumping element may also be elastic because of its shape, for example, if it is formed by bellows. An example of a pumping element being elastic because of its material can be an elastic membrane. 
         [0020]    In accordance with some embodiments, the reservoir chamber of the cartridge can have a bottom portion forming a sink. The sink can comprise the fluid outlet of the reservoir chamber and the conduit extending into the sink for a predetermined distance from the fluid outlet. This can have the advantage of causing a fluid flow locally in this sink area by discharging the mixing volume from the conduit that can be in proximity to the fluid outlet such that the local concentration and distribution of the particles in the suspension can reach its predefined level. During a dispensing step, this portion of the fluid that is in proximity to the fluid outlet can be dispensed such that the dispensing volume can comprise the fluid with the re-suspended particles in a defined concentration range. Another advantage can be that the dead volume can be limited so that the cartridge can remain fully operational even when almost empty due to the fact that any remaining portion of the fluid can be collected in the sink and can thus be mixed by the fluid flow caused by the pumping motion applied to the compressible fluid pump. 
         [0021]    In accordance with some embodiments, the cartridge can have a baffle forming a ventilation channel. In accordance with some embodiments, the ventilation channel can have a ventilation volume equal to or larger than the mixing volume that can be dispensed by the fluid pump when the fluid pump is maximally compressed and, therefore, a maximum pumping volume can be displaced by this compression. This can have the advantage of minimizing the influx of ambient gases like oxygen or carbon dioxide from the surrounding atmosphere into the cartridge in order to limit degradation (e.g. by oxygenation) of the fluid contained in the reservoir chamber. 
         [0022]    A “cartridge” as understood herein can comprise a receptacle for storing and dispensing a fluid. The cartridge can have a mechanical interface that can match the mechanical interface of a holder of an automatic analyzer. The mechanical interfaces of the cartridge and the automatic analyzer can enable mounting and release of the cartridge to and from the holder such that the cartridge can be conveniently replaced by a new cartridge when the cartridge is empty. 
         [0023]    In accordance with some embodiments, the cartridge can comprise a reservoir chamber for receiving and holding the fluid and the reservoir chamber can also be operable for receiving a ventilation gas. The reservoir chamber can comprise an inlet for receiving the ventilation gas. At least a portion of the reservoir chamber can be operable for being filled with the ventilation gas when the cartridge is placed in an operating position. The inlet can be located in the portion operable for being filled with the ventilation gas. The fluid can comprise a reagent. The cartridge can further comprise a baffle for restricting gas diffusion through the inlet. The reservoir chamber can receive the ventilation gas via the baffle. Since the ventilation gas can be provided directly to the gas within the reservoir, there may be no formation of bubbles within the fluid fraction comprised within the reservoir chamber which otherwise can cause variations of the pressure within the reservoir chamber. In accordance with some embodiments, the baffle can provide the ventilation gas directly to the portion of the reservoir chamber operable for being filled with the ventilation gas. Embodiments may therefore have the advantage that there can always be equilibrium in pressure between outside of the cartridge and in the gas within the reservoir chamber. Embodiments may also have the advantage that the baffle can reduce the diffusion of gases into the reservoir chamber which may damage or degrade the fluid (e.g., if the reservoir chamber contains oxygen-sensitive reagents which may degrade by contact with the ambient air). The baffle may also reduce evaporation of the fluid within the reservoir chamber because the diffusion of gas or vapor out of the reservoir chamber can also be reduced. 
         [0024]    A “controller” as used herein can encompass a device, machine, or apparatus for controlling the operation and/or function of one or more other devices. Examples of a controller may include, but are not limited to: a computer, a processor, an imbedded system or controller, a programmable logic controller, and a microcontroller. A ‘computing device’ or ‘computer’ as used herein can encompass any device comprising a processor. A ‘processor’ as used herein can encompass an electronic component which may be able to execute a program or machine executable instruction. 
         [0025]    A ‘hardware interface’ as used herein can encompass an interface which can enable a processor or other controller to interact with and/or control an external computing device and/or apparatus. A hardware interface may allow a processor to send control signals or instructions to an external computing device and/or apparatus. 
         [0026]    In one embodiment, a cartridge for dispensing a fluid can be provided. The cartridge can comprise a reservoir chamber operable for receiving a fluid and for receiving a ventilation gas. A ventilation gas as used herein can encompass a gas which can be used to equalize the pressure outside of the reservoir chamber and inside the reservoir chamber when fluid is removed from the reservoir chamber. The reservoir chamber can comprise an inlet for receiving the ventilation gas and an outlet for dispensing the fluid. At least a portion of the reservoir chamber can be operable for being filled with the ventilation gas when in an operating position. The inlet can be located in the portion operable for being filled with the ventilation gas. In other words, when the cartridge is in an operating position, ventilation gas can be added to the reservoir chamber at a location where there is already ventilation gas or which can be immediately filled with the ventilation gas. The fluid can comprise a reagent. A reagent as used herein can be a substance or compound that can be added to a (bio-) chemical system in order to initiate or facilitate a chemical or biochemical reaction or to identify or monitor if such a reaction occurs. 
         [0027]    In accordance with some embodiments, the cartridge can further comprise a baffle for restricting gas diffusion through the inlet. The reservoir chamber can be operable for receiving the ventilation gas via the baffle. A baffle as used herein can encompass a structure which can cause gas to follow a particular path in order to reach the inlet. The baffle can provide a restriction of the diffusion of gas in and/or out of the inlet. As such the gas diffusion as used herein may refer to the diffusion of ventilation gas into the cartridge and/or gas already present in the reservoir chamber from diffusing out. This embodiment may be advantageous because it may preserve the lifetime of the reagent within the cartridge. For instance, depending upon the reagent constituents, the ventilation gas may cause the reagent to lose effectiveness or to lose its chemical reactivity; also gas inside the reservoir chamber may contain vapors from the fluid. The baffle can restrict the diffusion of the fluid vapor out of the inlet also. This may help to prevent the concentration of a particular reagent from changing. 
         [0028]    In another embodiment, the cartridge can comprise a closing element like a cap. The closing element may be operable for being moved into an open position for opening the inlet and/or for enabling access to the pump. In some embodiments, the closing element may seal the inlet directly, that is the sealing effect of the closing element is at the inlet. In other embodiments, the closing element can seal the baffle or a portion of the baffle. This can indirectly seal the inlet. 
         [0029]    A closing element as used herein may in some embodiments be a mechanical part operable to open or close the inlet. Examples of closing elements may include, a removable piece of plastic, a piece of tape, and a mechanical part which can be operable to interlock with the cartridge such as a screw cap. Also clamping elements which can close flexible parts of the baffle can be used as closing elements. 
         [0030]    In another embodiment, the inlet can be operable for maintaining a constant pressure within the portion of the reservoir chamber that can be operable for being filled with the ventilation gas. This embodiment may be beneficial, because maintaining the pressure at a constant value can enable more accurate dispensing of the fluid. In some embodiments, the inlet can be operable for maintaining a constant pressure within the portion of the reservoir chamber that can be operable for being filled with the ventilation gas when dispensing fluid. For example, an inlet can be submerged within the fluid. Gas can enter into the cartridge reservoir by bubbling at the inlet. 
         [0031]    In some embodiments, the ventilation gas may be normal atmospheric air. In some embodiments, the baffle can be open to the atmosphere. 
         [0032]    In another embodiment, the closing element can be operable for being moved to an open position to open the inlet. The closing element may be removable or may be movable but fixed to the cartridge. 
         [0033]    In another embodiment, the cartridge can further comprise the fluid. i.e., is in a filled state. 
         [0034]    In another embodiment, the fluid can comprise a dispersion or suspension. A dispersion or suspension as used herein can encompass particles or particulates suspended within the fluid. 
         [0035]    In another embodiment, the fluid may comprise latex particles. 
         [0036]    In another embodiment, the fluid may comprise nanoparticles. 
         [0037]    In another embodiment, the fluid may comprise magnetic particles. 
         [0038]    In another embodiment, the cartridge can further comprise a dispenser for dispensing the fluid. The dispenser can be operable for receiving the fluid from the outlet of the reservoir chamber. In some embodiments, the dispenser may be a microfluidic dispenser for dispensing a microfluidic portion of the fluid. In other embodiments, the dispenser may comprise a nozzle. For instance, the dispenser may comprise a straight tube or may comprise a nozzle with one or more valves contained within it. 
         [0039]    In another embodiment, the dispenser can be operable to dispense fluid at a rate independent of the baffle. In other words, the dispensing of the fluid may not be regulated or controlled by the baffle. 
         [0040]    For example, an apparatus can controllably release a substance. A regulator element can restrict the flow of gas into the apparatus and can effectively control the release rate of a fluid. In contrast to this, in some embodiments, fluid can be dispensed at a rate that can be effectively independent of the baffle. The baffle, according to some embodiments, may have such a small effect on the rate of dispensing that the effect is much smaller than the actual volume dispensed. This may enable more accurate dispensing of the fluid. 
         [0041]    In another embodiment, the dispenser can be a micro-fluidic dispensing assembly. 
         [0042]    In another embodiment, the dispenser can be operable for dispensing any one of the following: volumes less than 10 μL, less than 500 nL, less than 200 nL, less than 100 nL, and less than 20 nL. 
         [0043]    An automatic analyzer for holding or receiving a cartridge according to an embodiment is also presented. The automatic analyzer can comprise an actuator assembly operable for actuating the dispenser. The automatic analyzer can also comprise an actuator assembly operable for actuating the fluid pump. The automatic analyzer can further comprise a controller for controlling the operation of the actuator assembly and the fluid pump. 
         [0044]    The dispenser and the fluid pump may be mechanically, pneumatically, magnetically, and/or electrically actuated. This can be dependent upon the implementation and how the dispenser can be constructed. In one embodiment, the cartridge can be in an operating position when installed into the automatic analyzer. 
         [0045]    Referring initially to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 1  illustrates a cartridge  100  according to an embodiment. The cartridge  100  can comprise a reservoir chamber  102  for holding a fluid  104 . The reservoir chamber  102  can only be partially filled with the fluid  104 . There can be a region filled with gas  106 , such as air, at the top of the reservoir chamber  102 . 
         [0046]    Adjacent to the reservoir chamber  102  can be a baffle  108 . The baffle  108  in this example can have a vent-to-atmosphere  110 . Traveling through the baffle there can be an optional gas filter  112  which can cover an inlet  114  to the reservoir chamber  102 . The inlet  114  can provide ventilation gas to the gas filled portion  106  of the reservoir chamber  102 . The inlet  114  can be attached to the baffle  108 . 
         [0047]    The fluid  104  can exit the reservoir chamber  102  via an outlet  116 . In this example, there can be a dispenser  118 . The dispenser  118  may comprise a nozzle or tube for dispensing the fluid when it can be actuated by an external device, such as by an actuator assembly of an analyzer (see, for example,  FIG. 5 ). 
         [0048]    The dispenser  118  can serve for dispensing a dispensing volume  101  into a receptacle  103 . For example, the dispensing volume  101  of a reagent fluid contained within the reservoir chamber can be mixed with a biological sample  105  contained in the receptacle  103  for performing an analysis for detecting an analyte. 
         [0049]    The dispenser  118  can be connected to the fluid outlet  116  of the reservoir chamber  102 . 
         [0050]    The cartridge  100  can have a fluid pump  107  that can comprise bellows  109  forming an elastic pumping element outside the housing of the cartridge  100 . The bellows  109  can be connected to a conduit  111  that can extend from the bellows towards the fluid outlet  116 . 
         [0051]    In one embodiment, the fluid  104  can be a suspension containing particles. A portion of the particles, i.e. particles  113 , can form sediment on a bottom portion of the reservoir chamber  102 . In order to re-suspend the sedimented particles  113 , the bellows  109  can be compressed such as by an actuator of an analyzer that holds the cartridge  100  (see, for example,  FIG. 5 ) (or in an alternative element also manually), such that a mixing volume  124  of fluid can be discharged from the end portion  115  of the conduit  111  that can cause a fluid flow mixing the sedimented particles  113  with the fluid  104 , thus re-suspending the particles  113 . 
         [0052]    When the bellows  109  are released, they can decompress and suck in the previously discharged mixing volume  124  from the fluid  104  contained in the reservoir chamber  102  to prepare for the next mixing cycle. 
         [0053]    In accordance with one embodiment, the conduit  111  can be tube- or pipette-shaped as shown in  FIG. 1 . Alternatively, the conduit  111  may have a curved form. For example, the bellows  109  may be arranged on a side of the housing of the cartridge  100  rather than on the top. In this instance, the geometry of the cartridge  100  may require the conduit  111  to have a curved form. 
         [0054]    In one embodiment, the reservoir chamber  102  can have a bottom portion that can form the sink  117  which can comprise the fluid outlet  116 . The conduit  111  can extend into the sink  117  to a predetermined distance d from the fluid outlet  116 . For example, the distance d may be in the range of about 1 mm to about 10 mm. In one embodiment, the distance d can be about 3 mm. This can have the advantage that the fluid flow that can be caused by discharging the mixing volume from the end portion  115  of the conduit  111  can be concentrated within the sink  117  for re-suspending the sedimented particles  113  that have sedimented on the bottom of the sink  117 . This can cause an intense mixing and re-suspending of the particles in this portion of the reservoir chamber. In a next step after finalization of the mixing process, a portion of the fluid  104  that is in the sink  117  can be dispensed as dispensing volume  101  by the dispenser  118 . 
         [0055]    In accordance with some embodiments, the reservoir chamber  102  and the pump that can be constituted by the bellows  109  and the conduit  111  can be a single form piece, such as an injection molded piece, that can be produced such as by two component injection molding. For example, the reservoir chamber  102  may comprise polypropylene and the pump, i.e. the bellows and the conduit  111 , may comprise polyethylene. In still another embodiment, the bellows may be a single form piece with the cover of the cartridge. 
         [0056]    The particles  113  contained in the fluid  104  may comprise magnetic beads such as streptavidine-coated magnetic beads that may be required for performing an electrochemiluminescence analysis. In alternative embodiments (e.g. for clinical chemistry tests), also coated latex particles can be used as particles  113 . The fluid  104  may be any particle enhanced immunoassay reagent comprising suspended particles that may sediment after some storage time. 
         [0057]    In accordance with one embodiment, the volume of air contained in the baffle  108  can be equal or larger than the maximum mixing volume  124  that can be discharged when the bellows  109  are maximally compressed. This can be to avoid or reduce the influx of air from the surrounding atmosphere into the reservoir chamber  102  when a pumping cycle is executed. 
         [0058]    In accordance with other embodiments, the walls of the reservoir chamber can be flexible. These walls can expand when the fluid pump is compressed (and the additional mixing volume is pressed into the reservoir chamber) and can shrink when the fluid pump is decompressed and when fluid  104  is dispensed so that no baffle is required. Such an embodiment without a baffle is shown in  FIG. 6 . The dashed lines show the variation of the volume of the reservoir chamber  102  during a pumping cycle. 
         [0059]      FIG. 2  shows an alternative embodiment where the bellows  109  are integrated within the housing of the cartridge  100 . The housing of the cartridge  100  may have a top portion with an opening  119  through which the bellows  109  can be accessible for compression. For example, an actuator of an automatic analyzer can be inserted into the opening  119  for compressing the bellows  109 . As a further alternative, a cap as a closing element may be placed into or onto the opening  119  for transportation of the cartridge  100 . The cap can be removed from the opening  119  when the cartridge  100  is put into a holder of the automatic analyzer. Removal of the cap may also open the vent to atmosphere  110 . The embodiment of  FIG. 2  can have the advantage that the pumping element defined by the bellows can be integrated within the housing of the cartridge for easier packaging, transportation, mounting and releasing from the holder of the analyzer. 
         [0060]      FIG. 3  shows a further embodiment of the cartridge  100  where the elastic pumping element can be an elastic membrane  120 . By an external actuator, the membrane  120  can be deformed to extend into the inside of the conduit  111  for compressing the pumping volume as shown by the dotted lines in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 4  shows an end portion  115  of the conduit  111 . The end portion  115  can have openings  122  that can spread around the perimeter of the end portion  115  of the conduit  111 . The end of the conduit  111  that faces the fluid outlet  116  may be closed such that the mixing volume can be discharged through the openings  122  for causing a maximum swirl and mixing effect. 
         [0062]      FIG. 5  illustrates an automatic analyzer  200  according to one embodiment. This automatic analyzer is shown as having three cartridges  100 ,  100 ′ and  100 ″. At least one of the cartridges, such as cartridge  100 , can contain the fluid  104  with suspended and partly sedimented particles  113  in accordance with the embodiments of the  FIGS. 1 to 4 . The other cartridges  100 ′ and  100 ″ may be of identical or similar design and may contain fluids without sedimenting particles thus not requiring the compressible fluid pump of the  FIGS. 1 to 4  embodiments. 
         [0063]    There can be an actuator assembly  204  connected to cartridge  100 . There can be an actuator assembly  204 ′ attached to cartridge  100 ′. There can be an actuator assembly  204 ″ attached to cartridge  100 ″. The actuators  204 ,  204 ′,  204 ″ can be for actuating the dispenser  118  of the cartridges  100 ,  100 ′,  100 ″. 
         [0064]    The automatic analyzer  200  is shown as having a relative mover  210  which can provide relative movement  212  between a receptacle  103  and the cartridges  100 ,  100 ′ and  100 ″. The receptacle  103  is shown as containing a biological sample  105 . The cartridges  100 ,  100 ′,  100 ″ may be used to add one or more fluids to the biological sample  105 . The automatic analyzer  200  may optionally comprise a measurement system  214 . The measurement system may comprise one or more sensors for measuring a physical quantity or physical property of the biological sample  105 . For example, the measurement system  214  may comprise an NMR system, an optical transmission or reflectance measurement system, an electrochemical or optical sensor, a pH meter, a camera system or a chromatography system. The relative mover  210  can also be operable for moving the receptacle  103  to the measurement system  214 . 
         [0065]    The arrangement of the cartridges  100 ,  100 ′,  100 ″ and the measurement system  214  is representative. The measurement system  214  may be alternatively also a part of the receptacle  103 . In some embodiments, the receptacle  103  may remain in a fixed position and the cartridges  100 ,  100 ′,  100 ″ may move. The actuation systems  204 ,  204 ′,  204 ″ and the measurement system  214  are shown as being connected to a hardware interface  222  of a computer system  220 . The computer system  220  can function as a controller for the automatic analyzer  200 . 
         [0066]    The computer  220  is further shown as containing a processor  224  which can be able to control the operation and function of the automatic analyzer  200  using the hardware interface  222 . The processor  224  is shown as being connected to a user interface  226 , computer storage  228  and computer memory  230 . The computer storage  228  is shown as containing an analysis request  232 . The analysis request  232  can contain a request to analyze the biological sample  105 . 
         [0067]    The computer storage  228  is shown as containing sensor data  234  received from the measurement system  214 . The computer storage  228  is shown as containing an analysis result  236  which may be determined using the sensor data  234 . The computer memory  230  can contain a control module  240 . The control module  240  can contain computer executable code which can enable the processor  224  to control the operation and function of the automatic analyzer  200 . For instance, the control module  240  may use the analysis request  232  to generate commands to generate and send to the actuation systems  204 ,  204 ′,  204 ″, the measurement system  214  and the relative movement system  210 . The control module  240  may also generate the analysis result  236  using the sensor data  234 . 
         [0068]    The automatic analyzer  200  can have an additional actuator assembly  205  that can be coupled to the cartridge  100 . The actuator assembly  205  can act upon the compressible fluid pump of the cartridge  100 , e.g. on the bellows  109  (see  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 ) or on the elastic membrane  120  (see  FIG. 3 ) if it receives a respective control signal from the control module  240 . 
         [0069]    It can be important to note that the cartridges  100 ,  100 ′ and  100 ″ can be releasably held by the automatic analyzer  200  for convenient replacement if they are empty and for directly dispensing from the cartridges without pipetting. 
         [0070]    In operation, the automatic analyzer that holds the cartridges  100 ,  100 ′ and  100 ″ can perform the following steps for analyzing the biological sample  105 :
       a) The computer system  220  can control the relative mover  210  to place the receptacle  103  underneath the dispenser  118  of the cartridge  100 .   b) The computer system  220  can control the actuator assembly  205  that can be coupled to the cartridge  100  to compress the elastic pumping element of the fluid pump of the cartridge  100  such that any particles  113  of the fluid  104  that may have sedimented can be re-suspended due to the mixing that can be caused by discharging the mixing volume  124  (see  FIGS. 1 to 3 ) from the conduit  111 . Such a compression/depression cycle of the elastic pumping element can be repeated multiple times to ensure a defined and reproducible mixing of the particles within the fluid.   c) The actuator assembly  204  can be controlled by the computer system  220  to act upon the dispenser  118  to dispense a required amount of the fluid  104  into the receptacle  103  for mixing with the biological sample  105 .       
 
         [0074]    In the following, the computer system  220  may control the relative mover  210  to place the receptacle  103  under the dispensers  118  of the cartridges  100 ′ and  100 ″ for dispensing respective amounts of fluids from the cartridge  100 ′ and  100 ″ into the receptacle  103 . Depending on the kind of analysis that is performed, such as an electrochemiluminescence analysis, incubation can be performed before a measurement step that can be executed by the measurement system  214  for determination of the presence of an analyte within the biological sample  105 . 
         [0075]    It is noted that terms like “preferably,” “commonly,” and “typically” are not utilized herein to limit the scope of the claimed embodiments or to imply that certain features are critical, essential, or even important to the structure or function of the claimed embodiments. Rather, these terms are merely intended to highlight alternative or additional features that may or may not be utilized in a particular embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0076]    Having described the present disclosure in detail and by reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the disclosure defined in the appended claims. More specifically, although some aspects of the present disclosure are identified herein as preferred or particularly advantageous, it is contemplated that the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to these preferred aspects of the disclosure.