Patent Publication Number: US-2020290037-A1

Title: Cartridge and system for analyzing body liquid

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 62/580,496 filed Nov. 2, 2017, 62/581,728 filed Nov. 5, 2017, and 62/694,083 filed Jul. 5, 2018, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     This invention was made with government support under contract number HDTRA1-17-C-0011 awarded by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and grant number W81XWH-17-1-0694 awarded by the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity. The government has certain rights in the invention. 
    
    
     FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to a medical device and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to a cartridge and system for analyzing a sample of body liquid, such as, but not limited to, blood. 
     The discovery of a vast number of disease biomarkers and the establishment of miniaturized medical systems facilitates the prediction, diagnosis and/or monitoring of treatment of diseases in a point-of-care (POC) setting. Point-of-care systems can rapidly deliver test results to medical personnel, other medical professionals and patients. Early diagnosis of a disease or disease progression can allow medical personnel to begin or modify therapy in a timely manner. 
     Multiplexed biomarker measurement can provide additional knowledge of the condition of a patient. For example, when monitoring the effects of a drug, three or more biomarkers can be measured in parallel. Typically, microtiter plates and other similar apparatuses have been used to perform multiplexed separation-based assays. A microtiter plate can perform a large number of assays in parallel. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 8,409,872 discloses a cartridge having two or more lines of well groups arranged in parallel, wherein each well group comprises a diluting well, and a reaction well in which a component in the sample reacts with a substance. A diluting solution is filled in the diluting well of each well group, and the cartridge is then sealed. The cartridge seal is pierced and the sample is dispensed in the diluting well of each well group to dilute the sample. The component in the diluted sample is reacted with the substance, and the amount of the reaction product is measured. 
     Additional background art includes U.S. Published Application Nos. 20130287651 and 20140017712, and U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,157,047, 7,473,396, 8,142,737, 8,211,386, 8,333,930, 8,383,421, 8,476,080, 8,697,377, 9,335,339, 9,446,406. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a cartridge device for analyzing a liquid, such as, but not limited to, a body liquid. The cartridge comprises a first member having a plurality of wells for performing assays; and a second member, connected to the first member, and having a compartment for holding at least one disposable pipette tip in a generally upright orientation. 
     While the embodiments below are described with a particular emphasis to body liquid, it is to be understood that the device, kit, system and method described herein can be also employed in some embodiments of the present invention for analyzing other types of liquids, such as, but not limited to, liquid from river, sewage, water reservoir, food product and the like. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, the second member is hingedly connected to the first member. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, the second member is slideably connected to the first member. 
     Optionally, the first and second members are not connected to each other and are loaded separately into a system that analyzes the liquid. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, the second member is oriented for holding the disposable pipette tip(s) in a generally upright orientation. 
     According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a kit for analyzing a liquid (e.g., body liquid). The kit comprises a first member having a plurality of wells for performing assays; and a second member, connectable to the first member, and having a compartment for holding at least one disposable pipette tip. 
     According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a cartridge device for analyzing liquid (e.g., body liquid). The cartridge device comprises a first plurality of wells, each having a tapered base; and a second plurality of wells. The two pluralities of wells are formed in a monolithic structure. At least some of the wells of the first plurality of wells contain a reagent therein. In some embodiments of the present invention one or more of the wells of the first plurality of wells is empty. One or more of the wells of the second plurality of wells is empty. In use, one or more of the empty wells of the second plurality of wells is optionally and preferably filed with a liquid to be analyzed, such as, but not limited to, a body liquid. Optionally, one or more of the wells of the second plurality of wells contain a reagent therein. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention the device comprises a covering structure covering the wells, the covering structure being selected from the group consisting of a pierceable foil, a non-flexible openable lid, a flexible openable lid, a one way valve, a labyrinth structure. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, some of the wells are open and are not covered by a foil. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention the bottom of at least some the wells are shaped in a general conic shape. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention the bottom of at least some the wells are shaped in a generally spheric, round shape. 
     According to some embodiments of the bottom shape of the wells is spheric-round for some of the wells and conic for some other wells. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, the device comprises a waste collecting chamber. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, the waste collecting chamber is covered by a structure selected from the group consisting of a pierceable foil, a non-flexible openable lid, a flexible openable lid, and a one way valve. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, the waste collecting chamber comprises a moisture absorber. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, the waste collecting chamber is covered by a lid connected to or being an extension of the second member, to be exposed when the second member is hinged in a generally upright orientation. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, the waste collecting chamber is covered by a foil, which is pierced to expose a waste collecting chamber before deposing waste to it. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention the waste collecting chamber is comprised of multiple chambers, each is a single use chamber, to which there is a single deposing of waste. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, the waste collecting chamber is comprised on one chamber, with several entrance points. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, the waste collecting chamber sealing foil is capable of being pierced several times in the same location 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, the waste collecting chamber sealing foil is covered by a label. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, the waste collecting chamber covering label is scored along a pattern to form a frangible piercing location defined by the pattern. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, there is a plurality of frangible piercing locations, defined by a respective plurality of scored patterns. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, at least two adjacent scored patterns are separated from each other. According to some embodiments of the invention, any two adjacent scored patterns are separated from each other 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, at least one scored pattern has a shape of a cross. According to some embodiments of the invention, the cross is a right angle cross, e.g., shape of a plus symbol. According to some embodiments of the invention, the cross is acute angle cross, e.g., shape of an X symbol. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, at least two adjacent scored pattern have shapes of differently oriented crosses or differently shaped crosses, to ensure that said scored patterns are separated from each other. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, the scored patterns comprise right angle crosses, e.g., shape of plus symbols, and acute angle crosses, e.g., shape of X symbols, arranged in alternating manner. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, the waste collecting chamber extends to beneath the wells. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention the waste collecting chamber is part of the first member. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, the waste collecting chamber is part of the second member. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, the device comprises a first waste collecting chamber, which is part of the first member, and a second waste collecting chamber, which is part of the second member. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention the second member is partitioned into a plurality of partitions, each constituted for holding one pipette tip. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, the partitions are not isolated from each other. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, the partitions are isolated from each other. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, a number of the partitions equals at least a number of the assays. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention the wells comprise at least one well containing a first antibody immobilized on a solid magnetic carrier, and at least one well containing a second antibody labeled with labeling substance, and wherein the antibodies are selected to specifically bind to a target substance in the liquid (e.g., body liquid). 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, the labeling substance is an enzyme, and wherein the antibodies and the enzyme are selected for detecting the target substance by a sandwich ELISA test. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, the antibodies are selected to specifically bind to a protein selected from the group consisting of TRAIL protein, CRP protein and IP-10 protein. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, the device comprises the disposable pipette tip within the compartment. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, the first member comprises a cavity constituted for receiving and fittedly holding a container containing the liquid (e.g., body liquid). 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, the cartridge device has a shape defined by a polygonal cross-section along a horizontal plane. According to some embodiments of the invention, the cartridge device has a shape of a cuboid. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, the cartridge device has a shape defined by a round cross-section along a horizontal plane. According to some embodiments of the invention, the cartridge device has a shape of cylinder or a cylindrical sector. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, the cartridge device has a plurality of connectable modular elements each constituted for performing a different assay. According to some embodiments of the invention each modular element having a respective portion of the first and second members, and constituted for performing a different assay. According to some embodiments of the invention, at least one modular element has a respective portion of the first member, and one modular element serves as the second member. 
     According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a kit for analyzing a liquid (e.g., body liquid), the kit comprising, in separate packaging, the cartridge device and the container. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, the container has a volume of from about 5 μl to about 500 μl or from about 50 μl to about 350 μl or from about 100 μl to about 300 μl. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, the container has a flat base. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, the container comprises a lid. According to some embodiments of the invention, the lid is a foldable lid. According to some embodiments of the invention, the lid is pierceable. According to some embodiments of the invention, the lid is pierceable and foldable. According to some embodiments of the invention, the lid is hingedly connected to the container. According to some embodiments of the invention, the lid is pierceable and hingedly connected to the container. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, the container is transparent to visible light. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, an inner wall of the container is at least partially coated with an anticoagulant. 
     According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a system for analyzing a liquid such as, but not limited to, a body liquid. The system comprises: a cartridge holder, adapted for receiving the cartridge device and having a lever system for automatically hinging the second member responsively to the receiving. The system further comprises an internal analyzer system, having an analysis chamber and being configured for analyzing the liquid (e.g., body liquid) when enclosed in the analysis chamber. The system further comprises a robotic arm system carrying a pipette; and a controller configured for controlling the robotic arm system to establish a relative motion between the cartridge device and the pipette such that the pipette sequentially visits at least the cartridge device, the analysis chamber, and the compartment, and releases a tip of the pipette into the compartment. 
     According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a system for analyzing a liquid (e.g., body liquid). The system comprises a first cartridge holder, adapted for receiving a first cartridge member having a plurality of wells for performing assays; and a second cartridge holder, adapted for receiving a second cartridge member having a compartment for holding at least one disposable pipette tip, wherein the first and second cartridge holders are optionally and preferably separated from each other. The system can further comprise an internal analyzer system having an analysis chamber, and being configured for analyzing the liquid (e.g., body liquid) when enclosed in the analysis chamber, and a robotic arm system carrying a pipette. The system can further comprise a controller configured for controlling the robotic arm system to establish a relative motion between the cartridge members and the pipette such that the pipette visits at least the tip compartment, picks up a tip from the compartment, visits the wells, the analysis chamber, and releases a tip of the pipette back into the compartment. 
     According to some embodiments of the system has dimensions of Xcm×Ycm×Zcm, wherein each of X, Y and Z is from about 75 to about 125, e.g., about 100. According to some embodiments of the system has dimensions of Xcm×Ycm×Zcm, wherein each of X, Y and Z is from about 35 to about 65, e.g., about 50. According to some embodiments of the system has dimensions of Xcm×Ycm×Zcm, wherein each of X, Y and Z is from about 16 to about 30, e.g., about 23. According to some embodiments of the system has dimensions of Xcm×Ycm×Zcm, wherein each of X and Y is from about 20 to about 26, e.g., about 23, and wherein Z is from about 26 to about 34, e.g., about 30. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, the cartridge device comprises a pierceable film covering the wells, and the controller is configured for controlling the robotic arm system to pierce the film while visiting the cartridge device. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, the cartridge device comprises a waste collecting chamber, wherein the controller is configured for controlling the robotic arm system to visit the waste collecting chamber after visiting the analysis chamber. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, the second member is partitioned into a plurality of partitions, and the controller is configured for controlling the robotic arm system to release different pipette tips into different partitions. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention the first member comprises a cavity constituted for receiving and fittedly holding a container containing the liquid (e.g., body liquid), wherein the controller is configured for controlling the robotic arm system to visit the container. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention the wells comprise at least one well containing a first antibody immobilized on a solid magnetic carrier, and at least one well containing a second antibody labeled with labeling substance, wherein the antibodies are selected to specifically bind to a target substance in the liquid (e.g., body liquid), wherein the a controller is configured for establishing the relative motion such that the pipette aspirates the liquid (e.g., body liquid), the immobilized first antibody and the labeled second antibody into the tip, and wherein the system comprises a magnetic system constituted for separating the solid magnetic carrier, thereby also the target substance, from other components in the tip. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, the system comprises a heating system. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, the heating system comprises a stage configured to automatically engage the cartridge device from below responsively to the receiving of the cartridge device. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, the heating system is configured to heat the cartridge by conduction. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, the heating system is configured to heat the cartridge device by radiation or convection but without conduction. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, the analysis chamber is a dark chamber and the analyzer system is an optical analyzer configured for detecting chemiluminescent signals from the pipette tip when the pipette tip is in the dark chamber. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, an inner wall of the dark chamber is at least partially coated by a reflective coating. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all technical and/or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the invention, exemplary methods and/or materials are described below. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be necessarily limiting. 
     Implementation of the method and/or system of embodiments of the invention can involve performing or completing selected tasks manually, automatically, or a combination thereof. Moreover, according to actual instrumentation and equipment of embodiments of the method and/or system of the invention, several selected tasks could be implemented by hardware, by software or by firmware or by a combination thereof using an operating system. 
     For example, hardware for performing selected tasks according to embodiments of the invention could be implemented as a chip or a circuit. As software, selected tasks according to embodiments of the invention could be implemented as a plurality of software instructions being executed by a computer using any suitable operating system. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, one or more tasks according to exemplary embodiments of method and/or system as described herein are performed by a data processor, such as a computing platform for executing a plurality of instructions. Optionally, the data processor includes a volatile memory for storing instructions and/or data and/or a non-volatile storage, for example, a magnetic hard-disk and/or removable media, for storing instructions and/or data. Optionally, a network connection is provided as well. A display and/or a user input device such as a keyboard or mouse are optionally provided as well. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Some embodiments of the invention are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of embodiments of the invention. In this regard, the description taken with the drawings makes apparent to those skilled in the art how embodiments of the invention may be practiced. 
       In the drawings: 
         FIGS. 1A-I  are schematic illustrations of a top view ( FIG. 1A ) a side view ( FIGS. 1B, 1H and 1I ) and perspective views ( FIGS. 1C and 1D -G) of a cartridge device having a first member and a second member, according to some embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 2A-I  are schematic illustrations of non-limiting examples for arrangements of partitions within a member of the device shown in  FIGS. 1A-D , according to some embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 3A-K  are schematic illustrations of a container suitable for being loaded into a cavity of the device shown in  FIGS. 1A-I , according to some embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic illustration of a system for analyzing a liquid (e.g., body liquid), according to some embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 5A-D  are schematic illustrations showing partial laid-open views of the system shown in  FIG. 4 , according to some embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 5E-G  are schematic illustrations showing positions of a stage of heating system before ( FIG. 5E ), during ( FIG. 5F ) and after ( FIG. 5G ) a motion of a cam within the system shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIGS. 6A-C  are schematic illustrations of a robotic arm system according to some embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic illustration showing an exploded view of an internal analyzer system, according to some embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 8A-C  are schematic illustrations of a cross-section along a horizontal plane of the internal analyzer system, according to some embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a graph showing an optical signal detected from a pipette tip as the pipette tip moves vertically at a constant horizontal position, as obtained in experiments performed according to some embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a graph showing a depended of an intensity decay on a horizontal location of the pipette tip, as obtained during experiments performed according to some embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 11A-C  are schematic illustrations of an operation procedure of the system shown in  FIG. 4 , according to some embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic illustration of a covering label scored with a plurality of patterns to form frangible piercing locations, according to some embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 13A and 13B  are schematic illustrations of a cartridge device having a first member and a second member that is slideably connected to the first member, according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 14A and 14B  are schematic illustrations of a cartridge device in which wells are arranged in rows, wherein in each row the wells and the tips are co-linear with each other, according to some embodiments of the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 15A and 15B  are schematic illustrations of a cartridge device in embodiments of the present invention in which the device has a shape of cylinder. 
         FIGS. 16A-D  are schematic illustrations of a member of a cartridge device that contains compartments for pipette tips and a waste collecting chamber, according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 17A-F  are schematically illustrations of a container for holding liquid (e.g., body liquid), according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 18A-C  are schematically illustrations of a cartridge device suitable for receiving the container of  FIGS. 17A-F , according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to a medical device and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to a cartridge and system for analyzing a sample of liquid (e.g., body liquid), such as, but not limited to, blood. 
     Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components and/or methods set forth in the following description and/or illustrated in the drawings and/or the Examples. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. 
     The technique of the present embodiments can optionally and preferably provide an effective means for analysis of body liquid from a subject. The technique of the present embodiments may be used in a wide variety of circumstances including identification and quantification of analytes that are associated with specific biological processes, physiological conditions, disorders or stages of disorders. As such, the technique of the present embodiments have a broad spectrum of utility in, for example, distinction between bacterial and viral infections, disease diagnosis, drug screening, phylogenetic classification, parental and forensic identification, disease onset and recurrence, individual response to treatment versus population bases, and monitoring of therapy. 
     The techniques of the present embodiments are particularly useful for measuring proteins for the diagnosis of bacterial infections, viral infections and non-bacterial, non-viral diseases. The techniques of the present embodiments can optionally and preferably employ pattern recognition algorithms for the identification of the type of infection a subject is suffering from, which in turn allows for the selection of an appropriate treatment regimen. Various embodiments of the invention address limitations of current diagnostic solutions by: (i) allowing accurate diagnostics on a broad range of pathogens; (ii) enabling rapid diagnosis (within minutes); (iii) insensitivity to the presence of non-pathogenic bacteria and viruses (thus reducing the problem of false-positive); and (iv) eliminating the need for direct sampling of the pathogen, thus enabling diagnosis of inaccessible infections. Thus, some methods of the invention allow for the selection of subjects for whom antibiotic treatment is desired and prevent unnecessary antibiotic treatment of subjects having only a viral infection or a non-infectious disease. Some methods of the invention also allow for the selection of subjects for whom anti-viral treatment is advantageous. 
     While some of the embodiments described herein relate to applications directed to the diagnosis of bacterial infections, viral infections and non-bacterial, non-viral diseases distinction, it is to be understood that many other applications can benefit from the technique of the present embodiments, and are therefore encompassed by at least some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
       FIGS. 1A-I  are schematic illustrations of a top view ( FIG. 1A ) a side view ( FIGS. 1B, 1H and 1I ) and perspective views ( FIGS. 1C and 1D -G) of a cartridge device  10  suitable for analyzing a liquid (e.g., body liquid), according to some embodiments of the present invention. Cartridge device  10  is particularly useful for loading to a system that is configured for automatically performing the analysis, such as, but not limited to, an automatic POC system. A representative example of a system suitable for receiving cartridge device  10  is provided below. Cartridge device  10  can be used during analysis of any type of body liquid, particularly a mammalian body liquid, e.g., a body liquid of a human. 
     Representative examples of body liquids contemplated according to some embodiments of the present invention include, without limitation, whole blood, a fraction of whole blood, capillary blood, serum, plasma, urine, saliva, semen, stool, sputum, cerebral spinal fluid, tears, sweat, interstitial fluid, mucus, nasal mucus, amniotic fluid, sample collected by a nasal swab, or the like. In some embodiments of the present invention cartridge device  10  is used during analysis of a whole blood of a human, in some embodiments of the present invention cartridge device  10  is used during analysis of a fraction of whole blood of a human, in some embodiments of the present invention cartridge device  10  is used during analysis of a capillary blood of a human, in some embodiments of the present invention cartridge device  10  is used during analysis of a serum of a human, and in some embodiments of the present invention cartridge device  10  is used during analysis of a plasma of a human. The cartridge device  10  also suitable for analyzing a liquid other than a body fluid, such as, but not limited to, a liquid sample from river, a liquid sample from sewage, a liquid sample from water reservoir, a liquid sample from food product, etc. 
     Cartridge device  10  optionally and preferably comprises a first member  12  having a plurality of wells  14  for performing assays. Wells  14  are shown arranged in a rectangular array, but other arrangements (e.g., circular array, honeycomb array, etc.) are also contemplated. 
     At least a portion of wells  14  contains substances for mixing with the liquid (e.g., body liquid) in order to allow performing the assays. Typically, one or more wells can contain reactive substances (e.g., antibodies) that react with one or more target substances (e.g., antigens) in the body liquid (e.g., by forming immune complexes) once contact is establish between the reactive substance in the respective well and the body liquid. One or more wells can also contain a diluent for diluting the body liquid. One or more wells can also contain a wash buffer for allowing performing assays including a wash step. As a representative example, which is not to be considered as limiting, wells  14   a  can contain reactive substances, wells  14   b  can contain a diluent, and wells  14   c  can contain a wash buffer, but any of wells  14  can potentially include any of the above, or other substances, as desired. 
     Preferably, cartridge device  10  comprises a pierceable film  22  covering wells  14  to seal wells  14  and to maintain the respective substances within wells  14 , thereby preventing evaporation, flow-out, drop and/or contamination during transportation of device  10  and optionally and preferably also while loading device  10  to a receiving system, such as, but not limited to, a POC system. Pierceable film  22  can be of any type, such as, but not limited to, an aluminum laminate foil, a plastic film or the like. 
     The substances in wells  14  are optionally and preferably selected for use in an immunological assay utilizing an antigen-antibody reaction. Representative examples of immunological assays suitable for the present embodiments include, without limitation, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), particularly but not necessarily a sandwich ELISA, a chemiluminescent immunoassay, an immunofluorescence assay, a radioimmunoassay, immunochromatography and immunonephelometry. 
     For example, wells  14  can comprise one or more wells containing a first antibody immobilized on a solid carrier, optionally and preferably a solid magnetic carrier, and one or more wells containing a second antibody labeled with labeling substance, wherein the first and second antibodies are selected to specifically bind to the target substance in the body liquid. The labeling enzyme and the antibodies are optionally and preferably selected for detecting the target substance by a sandwich ELISA. 
     Labeling substances suitable for use according to some embodiments of the present invention include, without limitation, enzymes, free radicals, radioisotopes, fluorescent dyes, bacteriophages, or coenzymes. Representative examples of suitable enzymes including, without limitation, horseradish peroxidase and alkaline phosphatase. Representative examples of suitable fluorescent labels including, without limitation, fluorescein, Alexa, green fluorescent protein and rhodamine. 
     The antibodies may be monoclonal, polyclonal, chimeric, or a fragment of the foregoing, and the step of detecting the reaction product may be carried out with any suitable immunoassay. 
     Suitable sources for antibodies suitable for use according to some embodiments of the present invention include, without limitation, commercially available sources such as, for example, Abazyme, Abnova, AssayPro, Affinity Biologicals, AntibodyShop, Aviva bioscience, Biogenesis, Biotechne, Biosense Laboratories, Calbiochem, Cell Sciences, Chemicon International, Chemokine, Clontech, Cytolab, DAKO, Diagnostic BioSystems, eBioscience, Endocrine Technologies, Enzo Biochem, Eurogentec, Fusion Antibodies, Genesis Biotech, GloboZymes, Haematologic Technologies, Immunodetect, Immunodiagnostik, Immunometrics, Immunostar, Immunovision, Biogenex, Invitrogen, Jackson ImmunoResearch Laboratory, KMI Diagnostics, Koma Biotech, LabFrontier Life Science Institute, Lee Laboratories, Lifescreen, Maine Biotechnology Services, Mediclone, MicroPharm Ltd., ModiQuest, Molecular Innovations, Molecular Probes, Neoclone, Neuromics, New England Biolabs, Novocastra, Novus Biologicals, Oncogene Research Products, Orbigen, Oxford Biotechnology, Panvera, PerkinElmer Life Sciences, Pharmingen, Phoenix Pharmaceuticals, Pierce Chemical Company, Polymun Scientific, Polysiences, Inc., Promega Corporation, Proteogenix, Protos Immunoresearch, QED Biosciences, Inc., R&amp;D Systems, Repligen, Research Diagnostics, Roboscreen, Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Seikagaku America, Serological Corporation, Serotec, SigmaAldrich, StemCell Technologies, Synaptic Systems GmbH, Technopharm, Terra Nova Biotechnology, TiterMax, Trillium Diagnostics, Upstate Biotechnology, US Biological, Vector Laboratories, Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Zeptometrix, Thermo Fischer scientific, Invitrogen, ATCC, Novus biologicals, Hytest, Medix, and Biospacific. However, the skilled artisan can routinely make antibodies, against any of the proteins described herein. 
     Polyclonal antibodies for measuring proteins include without limitation antibodies that were produced from sera by active immunization of one or more of the following: Rabbit, Goat, Sheep, Chicken, Duck, Guinea Pig, Mouse, Donkey, Camel, Rat and Horse. 
     Examples of additional reactive substances, include without limitation: scFv, dsFv, Fab, sVH, F(ab′) 2 , Cyclic peptides, Haptamers, A single-domain antibody, Fab fragments, Single-chain variable fragments, Affibody molecules, Affilins, Nanofitins, Anticalins, Avimers, DARPins, Kunitz domains, Fynomers and Monobody. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, the target substance in the body liquid is TRAIL. Antibodies suitable for measuring TRAIL include without limitation: Mouse, Monoclonal (55B709-3) IgG (Thermo Fisher Scientific); Mouse, Monoclonal (2E5) IgG1 (Enzo Lifesciences); Mouse, Monoclonal (2E05) IgG1; Mouse, Monoclonal (M912292) IgG1 kappa (My BioSource); Mouse, Monoclonal (IIIF6) IgG2b; Mouse, Monoclonal (2E1-1B9) IgG1 (EpiGentek); Mouse, Monoclonal (RIK-2) IgG1, kappa (BioLegend); Mouse, Monoclonal M181 IgG1 (Immunex Corporation); Mouse, Monoclonal VI10E IgG2b (Novus Biologicals); Mouse, Monoclonal MAB375 IgG1 (R&amp;D Systems); Mouse, Monoclonal MAB687 IgG1 (R&amp;D Systems); Mouse, Monoclonal HS501 IgG1 (Enzo Lifesciences); Mouse, Monoclonal clone 75411.11 Mouse IgG1 (Abcam); Mouse, Monoclonal T8175-50 IgG (X-Zell Biotech Co); Mouse, Monoclonal 2B2.108 IgG1; Mouse, Monoclonal B-T24 IgG1 (Cell Sciences); Mouse, Monoclonal 55B709.3 IgG1 (Thermo Fisher Scientific); Mouse, Monoclonal D3 IgG1 (Thermo Fisher Scientific); Goat, Polyclonal C19 IgG; Rabbit, Polyclonal H257 IgG (Santa Cruz Biotechnology); Mouse, Monoclonal 500-M49 IgG; Mouse, Monoclonal 05-607 IgG; Mouse, Monoclonal B-T24 IgG1 (Thermo Fisher Scientific); Rat, Monoclonal (N2B2), IgG2a, kappa (Thermo Fisher Scientific); Mouse, Monoclonal (1A7-2B7), IgG1 (Genxbio); Mouse, Monoclonal (55B709.3), IgG (Thermo Fisher Scientific); Mouse, Monoclonal B-S23* IgG1 (Cell Sciences), Human TRAIL/TNFSF10 MAb (Clone 75411), Mouse IgG1 (R&amp;D Systems); Human TRAIL/TNFSF10 MAb (Clone 124723), Mouse IgG1 (R&amp;D Systems) and Human TRAIL/TNFSF10 MAb (Clone 75402), Mouse IgG1 (R&amp;D Systems). 
     Antibodies for measuring TRAIL include monoclonal antibodies and polyclonal antibodies for measuring TRAIL. Antibodies for measuring TRAIL include antibodies that were developed to target epitopes from the list comprising of: Mouse myeloma cell line NS0-derived recombinant human TRAIL (Thr95-Gly281 Accession # P50591), Mouse myeloma cell line, NS0-derived recombinant human TRAIL (Thr95-Gly281, with an N-terminal Met and 6-His tag Accession # P50591),  E. coli -derived, (Val114-Gly281, with and without an N-terminal Met Accession #:Q6IBA9), Human plasma derived TRAIL, Human serum derived TRAIL, recombinant human TRAIL where first amino acid is between position 85-151 and the last amino acid is at position 249-281. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, the target substance in the body liquid is CRP. Examples of monoclonal antibodies suitable for measuring CRP include without limitation: Mouse, Monoclonal (108-2A2); Mouse, Monoclonal (108-7G41D2); Mouse, Monoclonal (12D-2C-36), IgG1; Mouse, Monoclonal (1G1), IgG1; Mouse, Monoclonal (5A9), IgG2a kappa; Mouse, Monoclonal (63F4), IgG1; Mouse, Monoclonal (67A1), IgG1; Mouse, Monoclonal (8B-5E), IgG1; Mouse, Monoclonal (B893M), IgG2b, lambda; Mouse, Monoclonal (C1), IgG2b; Mouse, Monoclonal (C11F2), IgG; Mouse, Monoclonal (C2), IgG1; Mouse, Monoclonal (C3), IgG1; Mouse, Monoclonal (C4), IgG1; Mouse, Monoclonal (C5), IgG2a; Mouse, Monoclonal (C6), IgG2a; Mouse, Monoclonal (C7), IgG1; Mouse, Monoclonal (CRP103), IgG2b; Mouse, Monoclonal (CRP11), IgG1; Mouse, Monoclonal (CRP135), IgG1; Mouse, Monoclonal (CRP169), IgG2a; Mouse, Monoclonal (CRP30), IgG1; Mouse, Monoclonal (CRP36), IgG2a; Rabbit, Monoclonal (EPR283Y), IgG; Mouse, Monoclonal (KT39), IgG2b; Mouse, Monoclonal (N-a), IgG1; Mouse, Monoclonal (N1G1), IgG1; Monoclonal (P5A9AT); Mouse, Monoclonal (S5G1), IgG1; Mouse, Monoclonal (SB78c), IgG1; Mouse, Monoclonal (SB78d), IgG1 and Rabbit, Monoclonal (Y284), IgG, Human C-Reactive Protein/CRP Biot MAb (Cl 232024), Mouse IgG2B, Human C-Reactive Protein/CRP MAb (Clone 232007), Mouse IgG2B, Human/Mouse/Porcine C-Reactive Protein/CRP MAb (Cl 232026), Mouse IgG2A, Mouse, C-reactive protein (CRP) monoclonal antibody (clone A58014501); Mouse, C-reactive protein (CRP) monoclonal antibody (clone A58015501). 
     Antibodies for measuring CRP include monoclonal antibodies for measuring CRP and polyclonal antibodies for measuring CRP. 
     Antibodies for measuring CRP also include antibodies that were developed to target epitopes from the list comprising of: Human plasma derived CRP, Human serum derived CRP, Mouse myeloma cell line NS0-derived recombinant human C-Reactive Protein/CRP (Phe17-Pro224 Accession # P02741). 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, the target substance in the body liquid is IP-10. Examples of monoclonal antibodies suitable for measuring IP-10 include without limitation: IP-10/CXCL10 Mouse anti-Human Monoclonal (4D5) Antibody (LifeSpan BioSciences), IP-10/CXCL10 Mouse anti-Human Monoclonal (A00163.01) Antibody (LifeSpan BioSciences), MOUSE ANTI HUMAN IP-10 (AbD Serotec), RABBIT ANTI HUMAN IP-10 (AbD Serotec), IP-10 Human mAb 6D4 (Hycult Biotech), Mouse Anti-Human IP-10 Monoclonal Antibody Clone B-050 (Diaclone), Mouse Anti-Human IP-10 Monoclonal Antibody Clone B-055 (Diaclone), Human CXCL10/IP-10 MAb Clone 33036 (R&amp;D Systems), Human CXCL10/IP-10/CRG-2 MAb Clone 33021 (R&amp;D Systems), Human CXCL10/IP-10/CRG-2 MAb Clone 33033 (R&amp;D Systems), CXCL10/INP10 Antibody 1E9 (Novus Biologicals), CXCL10/INP10 Antibody 2C1 (Novus Biologicals), CXCL10/INP10 Antibody 6D4 (Novus Biologicals), CXCL10 monoclonal antibody M01A clone 2C1 (Abnova Corporation), CXCL10 monoclonal antibody (M05), clone 1E9 (Abnova Corporation), CXCL10 monoclonal antibody, clone 1 (Abnova Corporation), IP10 antibody 6D4 (Abcam), IP10 antibody EPR7849 (Abcam), IP10 antibody EPR7850 (Abcam). 
     Antibodies for measuring IP-10 include monoclonal antibodies for measuring IP-10 and polyclonal antibodies for measuring IP-10. 
     Antibodies for measuring IP-10 also include antibodies that were developed to target epitopes from the list comprising of: Recombinant human CXCL10/IP-10, non-glycosylated proteins chain containing 77 amino acids (aa 22-98) and an N-terminal His tag Interferon gamma inducible protein 10 (125 aa long), IP-10 His Tag Human Recombinant IP-10 produced in  E. Coli  containing 77 amino acids fragment (22-98) and having a total molecular mass of 8.5 kDa with an amino-terminal hexahistidine tag,  E. coli -derived Human IP-10 (Val22-Pro98) with an N-terminal Met, Human plasma derived IP-10, Human serum derived IP-10, recombinant human IP-10 where first amino acid is between position 1-24 and the last amino acid is at position 71-98. 
     Further exemplary target substances in the body liquid that can be measured in some embodiments of the present invention to assist in distinguishing between bacterial and viral infections include: IL1RA, Mac-2BP, B2M, BCA-1, CHI3L1, Eotaxin, IL1a, MCP, CD62L, VEGFR2, CHP, CMPK2, COROIC, EIF2AK2, ISG15, RPL22L1, RTN3, CD112, CD134, CD182, CD231. CD235A, CD335, CD337, CD45, CD49D, CD66A/C/D/E, CD73, CD84, EGFR, GPR162, HLA-A/B/C, ITGAM, NRG1, RAP1B, SELI, SPINT2, SSEA1, IgG non-specific bound molecules, IL1, I-TAC, TNFR1, L11, CD8A, IL7, SAA, TREM-1, PCT, IL-8, IL-6, ARG1, BCA-1, BRI3BP, CCL19/MIP3b, MCP-2, ABTB1, ADIPOR1, ARHGDIB, ARPC2, ATP6V0B, C1orf83, CD15, CES1, CORO1A, CRP, CSDA, EIF4B, EPSTI1, GAS7, HERC5, IFI6, KIAA0082, IFIT1, IFIT3, IFITM1, IFITM2, IFITM3, LIPT1, IL7R, ISG20, LOC26010, LY6E, LRDD, LTA4H, MAN1C1, MBOAT2, MX1, NPM1, OAS2, PARP12, PARP9, QARS, RAB13, RAB31, RAC2, RPL34, PDIA6, PTEN, RSAD2, SART3, SDCBP, SMAD9, SOCS3, TRIM 22, UBE2N, XAF1 and ZBP1. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention the target substance in the body liquid is originated from or secreted by micro-organisms including bacteria, viruses, parasites (for example  Toxoplasma gondii ) or fungi. These target proteins could be any type of bacterial, viral or fungal protein including for example structural proteins, functional proteins and enzymes (for example hemagglutinin and neuraminidase of the influenza virus), secreted proteins, and microbial toxins (for example botulinum toxin produced by the bacterium  Clostridium botulinum ). Examples of viruses include but not limited to: Influenza A virus (Flu A), Influenza B virus (Flu B), Respiratory syncytial virus A (RSV A), Respiratory syncytial virus B (RSV B), Flu A-H1, Flu A-H1pdm09, Flu A-H3, Adenovirus (AdV), Enterovirus (HEV), Parainfluenza virus 1 (PIV 1), Parainfluenza virus 2 (PIV 2), Parainfluenza virus 3 (PIV 3), Parainfluenza virus 4 (PIV 4), Metapneumovirus (MPV), Bocavirus (HBoV), Rhinovirus (HRV), Coronavirus NL63 (CoV NL63), Coronavirus 229E (CoV 229E), Coronavirus 0C43 (CoV 0C43), Rotavirus, Smallpox, Ebola virus, Hepatitis A virus, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B, Rubella virus, Varicella-Zoster Virus, Epstein-Barr virus, Herpes Simplex Virus, Cytomegalovirus, Measles and Mumps. 
     Examples of bacteria include but not limited to:  Mycoplasma pneumoniae  (MP),  Chlamydophila pneumoniae  (CP),  Legionella pneumophila  (LP),  Haemophilus influenzae  (HI),  Streptococcus pneumoniae  (SP),  Bordetella pertussis  (BP),  Bordetella parapertussis  (BPP), Group A  streptococcus , Group B  streptococcus, E coli, Bacillus anthracis, Francisella tularensis, Burkholderia pseudomallei, Treponema pallidum, Borrelia burgdorferi  and  Helicobacter pylori.    
     In some embodiments of the present invention, the measurement of micro-organism target substance is used to detect the presence of a specific pathogenic or non-pathogenic micro-organism in the body liquid. In some embodiments of the present invention, measurement of micro-organism target substance is used to quantify the levels of a specific pathogenic or non-pathogenic micro-organism in the body liquid in order to evaluate the viral or bacterial load. 
     The techniques of the present embodiments can also be used to measure other types of physiological markers that may help to diagnose or monitor various disease states, response to treatment, injury and biothreat exposure including for example inflammatory markers, cardiac markers, metabolic markers, endocrine markers, neurodegenerative markers, neuronal marker and cancer markers. Examples of physiological markers include: Troponin, Troponin I, TroponinT, Highly sensitive troponin, BNP, IGF-1, CK-MB, Myoglobin, CPK, AP, PTH, Galectin-3, Galectin-1, highly sensitive CRP, tin C-terminal Hydrolase-L1 (UCH-L1), Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP), CKB, Hemoglobin A and Hemoglobin B. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, one or more of the wells contains an inhibitory solution, such as, but not limited to, a metal chelating agent, e.g., EDTA or EGTA, or an enzyme inhibitor, e.g., thepohylline, vanadate or arsenate. 
     According to some embodiments of the present invention at least one of the wells has a tapered (e.g., conical) base. A well with a tapered base shaped has an advantage of ensuring high surface tension of the enclosed liquids, thereby preventing liquid from accumulating at the top part of the well, for example, during transportation. It was found by the inventors that it is particularly advantageous when one or more of the wells that contain the reagents (e.g., antibodies) are tapered, since the cartridge device is typically transported while the reagents are already contained within the wells. 
     According to some embodiments of the present invention, at least one of the wells has a non-tapered base. Such a shape has an advantage that compared to the tapered well, it has a lower risk of bubble formation when liquid is introduced into the well, for example, by pipetting during an assay. It was found by the inventors that this is particularly advantageous when the wells that are designated to contain the liquid are non-tapered, since the assay is typically performed by adding a sample of the liquid (e.g., body liquid) to the well. 
     Thus, the present embodiments contemplate a cartridge device that comprises a first plurality of wells, each having a tapered base; and a second plurality of wells. The two pluralities of wells are formed in a monolithic structure. At least some of the wells of the first plurality of wells contain a reagent therein. In some embodiments of the present invention one or more of the wells of the first plurality of wells is empty. One or more of the wells of the second plurality of wells is empty. In use, one or more of the empty wells of the second plurality of wells is optionally and preferably filed with a liquid to be analyzed, such as, but not limited to, a body liquid. Optionally, one or more of the wells of the second plurality of wells contain a reagent therein. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1A-I , cartridge device  10  optionally and preferably comprises a waste collecting chamber  24  (see,  FIG. 1D ). Waste collecting chamber  24  can optionally and preferably, but not necessarily, comprise a moisture absorber (not shown), such as, but not limited to, a hygroscopic material, a sponge, cellulose fibers, a charcoal, an activated charcoal, a molecular sieve, and/or one or more moisture absorbing substances including, without limitation, a salt, lithium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, phosphorus pentaoxide, silica gel, zeolite, sodium sulfate, activated alumina and activated carbon. Use of hygroscopic material is particularly advantageous since it assists in reducing probability of biohazard. A contaminated fluid is less likely to escape from the waste chamber because it is entrapped within the hygroscopic material. In some embodiments of the present invention, waste collecting chamber  24  extends to beneath, but is physically separated from, wells  14 . 
     The waste collecting chamber is optionally and preferably covered by a structure (not shown) such as, but not limited to, a pierceable foil, a non-flexible openable lid, a flexible openable lid, and a one way valve. For example, the structure covering the waste collecting chamber can be a foil, which is pierced to expose a waste collecting chamber before deposing waste to it. The sealing foil is optionally capable of being pierced several times in the same location. 
     The covering structure can optionally and preferably be in a form of a labyrinth, so that the waste can only escape the cartridge if the device is rotated and inverted in a very specific manner. This significantly reduces the probability for the liquid to inadvertently escape the cartridge. Such a covering structure can be used to cover only the waste collecting chamber  24 , or only the wells  24 , or both the waste collecting chamber  24  and the wells  14 . 
     While  FIG. 1D  illustrates waste collecting chamber  24  as a having single chamber, this need not necessarily be the case, since, the present embodiments also contemplate waste collecting chamber haven multiple separated chambers or sub-chamber, that may be connected thereamongst of separated from each other, for example, by sponge or hygroscopic partition that absorbs waste. These embodiments are particularly useful when it is desired not to access the same preventing the same waste collecting chamber more than once, in which caser each chamber is a single use chamber, into which there is a single deposing of waste. Alternatively, or additionally, the waste collecting chamber can comprise several entrance points. 
     The waste collecting chamber sealing foil or the wells sealing foil can be covered by a label  200 , as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . Optionally and preferably, the covering label  200  is scored or partially cut along a pattern  202  to form a frangible piercing location defined by pattern  202 . Optionally and preferably, there is a plurality of frangible piercing locations, each defined by a respective scored pattern, as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . Two or more adjacent scored patterns (e.g., each pair of adjacent scored patterns) can be separated from each other. The scored pattern has a shape of, for example, a cross or a star. The cross can be a right angle cross, e.g., shape of a plus symbol, or an acute angle cross, e.g., shape of an X symbol. In some embodiments of the present invention, two or more adjacent scored patterns (e.g., each pair of adjacent scored patterns) have shapes of differently oriented crosses or differently shaped crosses, to ensure that the scored patterns are separated from each other. Separating between the scored patterns is advantage from the standpoint of preventing cross-talk between different entry locations to the chamber or different wells. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, the scored patterns comprise right angle crosses, e.g., shape of plus symbols, and acute angle crosses, e.g., shape of X symbols, arranged in alternating manner. 
     Cartridge device  10  optionally and preferably comprises a second member  16 . In some embodiments of the present invention second member  16 , is connected to first member  12 . In preferred embodiments of the invention second member  16  is connected to first member  12  by a hinge  18  ( FIG. 1D ) allowing a rotation of one of the two members  12  and  16  with respect to the other about hinge  18 . Preferably, hinge  18  is configured to allow rotation to form an angle of at least 70° or at least 80° or at least 90° between members  12  and  16 . 
     The second member  16  can in some embodiments of the present invention be slideably connected to first member  12 , as schematically illustrated in  FIGS. 13A and 13B . In these embodiments, device  10  can be distributed to the users in a state in which second member  16  covers or partially covers first member  12 . In use, second member  16  can slide over first member  12  to expose the wells (or the structure, such as, but not limited to, the sealing foil or label that covers the wells, when employed). Following this sliding, the second member  16  can be completely detached from first member  12 , or can remain hinged to first member  12  in a similar manner that is illustrated in  FIGS. 1D-F . In embodiments in which second member  16  slides over first member  12 , the length of device  10  is shorter than in embodiments in which the members  12  and  16  are connected by hinge  18 . 
     The second cartridge member can in some embodiments of the present invention be separated from the first cartridge member in a manner that they are not to be connected. These embodiments are useful when it is desired to load the two cartridge members separately to a system that is configured for automatically performing the analysis, such as, but not limited to, an automatic POC system. 
     Second member  16  optionally and preferably comprises a compartment  20  (shown in  FIGS. 1D and 1E ) for holding at least one disposable pipette tip  111  (shown in  FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1D ). Optionally, as illustrated in  FIG. 1D , when first member  12  is held horizontally, and second member  16  is rotated downwards about hinge  18 , the compartment  20  holds the pipette tips in a generally upright orientation (e.g., with a deviation of ±20° relative to the direction of gravity). In various exemplary embodiments of the one or more disposable pipette tips  111  are already within compartment  20 , preferably in sterile condition, before the aforementioned rotation of one of the members  12  and  16  (see  FIGS. 1A and 1B ) 
     In some embodiments of the present invention waste collecting chamber  24  is covered by a lid  26  connected to or being an extension of second member  16 . In these embodiments, when second member  16  is hinged to a generally upright orientation, lid  26  is hinged together with second member  16  and collecting chamber  24  is exposed, as illustrated in  FIG. 1D . 
     The present embodiments also contemplate configurations in which the waste collecting chamber  24  is part of the second member  16 . Representative examples of these embodiments are illustrated in  FIGS. 16A-D . Also contemplated, are embodiments in which there is a first waste collecting chamber  24 , which is part of first member  12 , and a second waste collecting chamber, which is part of the second member  16 . 
     Cartridge device  10  can optionally and preferably comprise one or more identifiers  34  disposed on one of its external walls. In the illustrations of  FIGS. 1A and 1C , which are not to be considered as limiting, identifier  34  is on the upper wall of member  16 , but any other wall can be used to carry identifier  34 . Further, more than one identifier can be used, on a respective more than one wall. Identifier  34  can be embossed, debossed or printed, and can be of any type such as, but not limited to, a set of machine-readable symbols, e.g., one-dimensional or barcode symbols, two-dimensional or matrix or area code symbols, or combinations thereof. Also contemplated are other types of identifiers, including, without limitation, a magnetic recording device, an electronic chip, such as, but not limited to, an RFID chip, or the like. 
     Identifier  34  can optionally and preferably encode information pertaining to the contents of wells  14  and/or to the identity of the subject whose body liquid is to be analyzed. Identifier  34  can, in some embodiments of the present invention, encode other types of information, such as, but not limited to, information on the type of target substance to be analyzed, reagent management information, and information on a calibration curve for use in the analysis. When an automatic system, e.g., a POC system, is provided with a device that reads the information from identifier  34 , the operator of the system can merely load cartridge device  10  to such a system without the need to manually operate a work sheet, which is a major cause of an error in conventional POC settings. In some embodiments of the present invention, the record of the information on identifier  34  is configured to be destroyed once cartridge device  10  is used, so as to allow determining whether a particular cartridge device item has been used or is unused. This, can be done, for example, by providing identifier  34  on a seal of film, such as, but not limited to, film  22 , that needs to be pierced or broken before performing the assay. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention compartment  20  of second member  16  is partitioned into a plurality of partitions  28 , each constituted for holding one pipette tip. The partitions can be isolated from each other (namely devoid of fluid communication thereamongst). Alternatively, partitions can be partial in which case partitions  28  are not isolated from each other, and allow some fluid communication thereamongst. 
     Partitions  28  can be arranged in any geometrical arrangement within compartment  20 . Non-limiting examples for arrangements of partitions  28  in member  16  are illustrated in  FIGS. 2A-I .  FIGS. 2A, 2D and 2G  illustrate the internal arrangement of partitions  28  in compartment  20 ,  FIGS. 2B, 2E and 2H  respectively show cartridge device when member  16  is not hinged, and  FIGS. 2C, 2F and 2I  respectively show a perspective view of member  16  once hinged to a vertical orientation. In  FIGS. 2A-C , the cross sections of partitions  28  are arranged along the sides of a trapezoid, in  FIGS. 2D-F , the cross sections of partitions  28  are arranged along the sides of a square, and in  FIGS. 2G-I , the cross sections of partitions  28  are arranged along a straight. Arrangements to form other geometrical shapes are also contemplated. Although  FIGS. 2A-I  all show four partitions in compartment  20 , this need not necessarily be the case, since, for some applications, more or less than four partitions can be employed. Preferably, the number of partitions equals at least the number of assays for which device  10  is to be used. 
     Aside for holding the substances in wells  14  and the disposable tips  111  in compartment  20 , device  10  is preferably also configured for holding the liquid (e.g., body liquid). This can be done in more than one way. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention device  10  comprises a sample chamber  30  for holding the liquid (e.g., body liquid). Chamber  30  can be enacted by one of well  14  or it can be an additional chamber of device  10 , as desired. In embodiments in which cartridge device  10  comprises pierceable film  22 , film  22  preferably covers all wells  14  except chamber  30 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 2B, 2E and 2H . 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, the liquid (e.g., body liquid) is provided in a separate container. In these embodiments, first member  12  of device  10  optionally and preferably comprises a cavity  32  constituted for receiving and fittedly holding a container  40  (not shown in  FIGS. 1A-D , see  FIGS. 3A-K ) containing the liquid (e.g., body liquid). 
     Any of the above configurations for introducing the liquid (e.g., body liquid) into device  10  can be used for any type of liquid (e.g., body liquid). A preferred, albeit not exclusive, use of container  40  is when the body liquid is a whole blood or capillary blood sample, and a preferred, albeit not exclusive, use of chamber  30  is for other types of body liquids, e.g., a serum, a nasal mucus sample, etc. The procedure for loading the body liquid into device  10  may optionally, but not necessarily, also be selected based on the clinical setting in which the operation. For example, use of container  40  is advantageous at a POC clinic, and use of chamber  30  is advantageous at facilities with a central laboratory (e.g., hospitals or research facilities). 
     Cartridge device  10  can, in some embodiments of the present invention, include both chamber  30  and cavity  32 . In these embodiments, when cartridge device  10  is intended for analysis of a liquid (e.g. body liquid) contained in chamber  30  (e.g., for analysis of serum collected in a hospital), cavity  32  is optionally sealed and is not in use, and when cartridge device  10  is intended for analysis of a liquid (e.g., body liquid) contained in container  40  (e.g., analysis of capillary blood collected at a POC facility), chamber  30  is optionally sealed and is not in use. In some embodiments of the present invention cartridge device  10  is accompanied by instructions for use. For example, when cavity  32  is sealed the instructions can include an indication that the liquid (e.g., body liquid) is to be introduced into chamber  30  and that cavity  32  is not to be used, and when chamber  30  is sealed the instructions can include an indication that the liquid (e.g., body liquid) is to be introduced into a separate container (e.g., container  40  described below) which is to be loaded into cavity  32  of device  10 , and that chamber  30  is not to be used. 
     Also contemplated, are embodiments in which the operator is allowed to use both container  40  and chamber  30 . In these embodiments, container  40  and chamber  30  optionally and preferably contain different types of liquids (e.g., different types body liquids). Any combination of different types of liquids, such as, but not limited to, the types of body liquids listed above, is contemplated. Loading two different types of body liquids into the same cartridge device is useful, when it is desired to detect the presence or measure the level of more than one target substance, wherein at least two target substances potentially reside in different types of body liquids. For example, one type of body liquid can be used for detecting the presence or measuring the level of a target substance indicative of the subject&#39;s response to a potential infection, and another type of body liquid can be used for detecting the presence or measuring the level of a target substance indicative of presence or level of a disease causing agent, such as, but not limited to, a micro-organism (e.g., a bacterium, a virus or a fungus). As a representative example, which is not to be considered as limiting, container  40  can contain a capillary blood sample, and chamber  30  can contain a nasal mucus sample. The capillary blood sample in container  40  can be analyzed to detect, e.g., host proteins, and the nasal mucus sample can be analyzed to detect, e.g., micro-organism related proteins. 
     The present embodiments also contemplate configurations in which the two members  12  and  16  are co-linear with each other. Such a configuration is illustrated in  FIGS. 14A and 14B . Shown is a configuration in which wells are arranged in rows, wherein in each row the wells  14  and the partition  28  are co-linear with each other. Each row provides the substances and tip that are to be used in a single assay. Specifically, the wells  14  at a particular row contain the substances that are to be used for the assay, and the partition  28  at that particular row contains the tip  111  in which the assay is to be executed as described below. The cavity  32  for receiving container  40  and the waste collecting chamber  24  can be arranged on a separate row. 
     Device  10  can have several connectable modular elements, each optionally having a respective portion of the first and second members, and constituted for performing a different assay. For example, when the wells  14  and the partition  28  are co-linear with each other and are arranged in rows, the rows can enact the modular elements. This embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 14B  showing a modular element  11   a  in the form of a single row having member  12  with a plurality of wells  14 , and member  16  with a compartment  20  for holding a tip. Several such modular elements  11   a  can be assembled together and the tips  111  can be introduced into the compartment  20  of each modular element  11   a . The modular elements  11   a  can be further assembled with an additional modular element  11   b  that includes cavity  32  for receiving container  40  and the waste collecting chamber  24 , to form the cartridge device illustrated at the right panel of  FIG. 14B . The modular approach is advantageous since it allows flexibility with manufacturing line and product pipeline. For example: one modular element  11   a  can be fabricated to detect one set of protein (e.g., CRP, IP10 and TRAIL), and another modular element  11   a  can be fabricated to detect another set of proteins (e.g., CRP, PCT, ILFLUENZA-related protein and MX1). 
     Device  10  can have any shape. Preferably, the shape is compatible with a cartridge holder of a system that receives device  10  and performs the analysis (see  FIGS. 11A-C ).  FIGS. 1A through 21, and 14A and 14B  illustrate embodiments in which device  10  has a shape defined by a generally polygonal cross-section along the horizontal plane. For example, device  10  can have a shape of a cuboid, preferably with round edges, or several cuboids preferably with round edges, (e.g., each of members  12  and  16  is shaped as a cuboid with round edges). However, this need not necessarily be the case, since some embodiments of the present invention contemplate a cartridge device with a shape defined by a round cross-section along the horizontal plane. These embodiments are illustrated in  FIGS. 15A and 15B . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 15A  device  10  has a shape of cylinder, but embodiments in which device  10  has shape of a cylindrical sector or other round shapes are also contemplated. 
     In embodiments in which device  10  has a shape defined by a round cross-section along the horizontal plane (e.g., as illustrated in  FIG. 15A ), it can also be assembled from a plurality of modular elements. For example, each modular elements can have a shape of a cylindrical sector, as illustrated in  FIG. 15B . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 15A , member  12  is assembled from several modular elements  11   a , each containing a plurality of wells  14  and compartment  20  for holding the tips (not shown), but other arrangements are also contemplated according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 3A-K  are schematic illustrations of a container  40  suitable for being loaded into cavity  32  of device  10 , according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention container  40  has a flat base  46 . The advantage of these embodiments is that the flat base  46  ensures that container  40  can be stably place on a surface, such as a desk. Another advantage is that the flat base provides more area to attach labels and stickers, such as, but not limited to, identification label. Container  40  optionally and preferably has an internal compartment  42  for holding the liquid (e.g., body liquid). Compartment  42  is typically from about 5 μl to about 500 μl or from about 50 μl to about 350 μl or from about 100 μl to about 300 μl in volume. Such a volume is sufficiently small to be considered non-threatening psychologically, particularly when the subject is a child, but still succulently large to allow accurate measurement of multiple target substances. An inner wall of compartment  42  is optionally and preferably coated, at least partially, with an anticoagulant. 
     Preferably, compartment  42  is transparent to visible light to provide the practitioner with a view of the liquid (e.g., body liquid). Height reference marks  44  can optionally and preferably be provided on the wall of compartment  42  to indicate the recommended maximum and minimum filling heights of the liquid (e.g., body liquid) within compartment  42 . 
     Container  40  preferably comprises a lid  48  that seals the internal compartment  42  to preventing coagulation, evaporation, flow-out, drop and/or contamination during transportation of container  40  and optionally and preferably also while loading of container  40  into cavity  32  of device  10 . The lid  48  optionally and preferably prevent the anticoagulant from being exposed to oxygen, hence to preserves its efficacy in preventing coagulation. The lid  48  is also useful since it allows carrying container  40  into from one place to another with reduced or no biohazard exposure. The lid  48  is also useful for allowing to collect several samples in a remote location (e.g, pediatric ward, retirement home). 
     Lid  48  can be foldable or hingedly connected to the body of container  40 . In some embodiments of the present invention lid  48  is pierceable, to allow extracting samples of the liquid (e.g., body liquid) from compartment  42  for analysis. This can be achieved, for example, by making the portion of lid  48  that is above compartment  42  in the form of a pierceable film  50 . Film  50  the can be of any type, such as, but not limited to, an aluminum laminate foil, a plastic film or the like. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention container  40  is provided with gripping ribs  52  allowing the operator to hold the container  40  in a comfortable manner. 
       FIGS. 17A-F  are schematically illustrations of container  40  in other embodiments of the present invention. In these embodiments, liquid (blood in the present illustration) is drawn out of the body by a capillary collector  170  having a sealing element  172  (e.g., a sealing rubber) thereon ( FIG. 17A ). Container  40  can have two cavities: a first cavity  180  receives the capillary collector  170 , and a second cavity  182  is in fluid communication with the first cavity  180  and is constituted to receive from the first cavity  180  liquid  186  drawn out of the capillary collector  170 . 
     Once the liquid is in capillary collector  170 , capillary collector is introduced ( FIG. 17B ) into an opening  174  of container  40 , such that sealing element  172  engages the container&#39;s body and seals opening  174  ( FIG. 17C ). Container  40  optionally and preferably has another opening  176  that is covered by a sealing foil  178 . In use, tip  111  is pulled from member  16  of device  10  ( FIG. 17E ), and is brought into contact with element  172  to pierce element  172  ( FIG. 17D ). Air or diluent is forced out of tip  111  so as to extract the liquid (e.g., body liquid) out of capillary collector  170 , and into the cavity of container  40  ( FIG. 17D ). Thereafter, tip  111  is brought into contact with foil  178  to pierce foil  178  and to aspirate the body fluid from container  40  ( FIG. 17F ). A representative example of a configuration of device  10  suitable for this embodiments is illustrated in  FIGS. 18A-C . In these embodiments cavity  32  for receiving container  40  is formed in second member  16 , and container  40  is introduced into cavity in horizontal orientation. Once member  16  is hinged, container  40  assumes a generally upright orientation and the procedure described in  FIGS. 17D-F  is executed. 
     Device  10  and container  40  can be provided as a kit for analyzing the liquid (e.g., body liquid). The kit can include device  10  and container  40  in the same packaging or more preferably in separate packaging. 
     In use of the kit, the lid  48  of container  40  is opened and the liquid (e.g., body liquid) is transferred, preferably directly from the subject, into compartment  42 . For example, when the body liquid is blood, a blood vessel in a finger of the subject can be pierced and the finger of subject can be guided to cover compartment  42  such that the blood exits the blood vessel and enters compartment  42 . The lid  48  is then closed to seal compartment  42 , and container  40  is placed in cavity  32  of device  10 . Preferably, an acoustical indication (e.g., a click) or mechanical detent is effected when container  40  is fittedly placed in its position, for example, by means of a snap-in mechanism (not shown) mounted on container  40  and/or in cavity  32 . Thus, container  40  collects the liquid directly from the subject, and is then placed as is in cartridge device  10 . This is advantageous over conventional blood collecting devices which require a two-step operation in which first the blood is collected, e.g., by a capillary device, and then transferred from the capillary device to a container. 
     The advantage of having container  40  as a separate element from cartridge device  10 , is that it allows using of the same cartridge for different sample types, thereby eliminating manufacturing issues. For example, the same type of cartridge device  10  can be used with serum, blood, saliva, and the like. Another advantage is that the cartridge without the liquid sample can be stored in a refrigerator, allowing using container  40  for sampling the liquid away from the cartridge. 
     Cartridge device  10  and/or container  40  can be made of any material known in the art of disposable devices. In some embodiments, at least one of the components of cartridge device  10  and/or container  40  is constructed of a polymeric material. Non-limiting examples of materials suitable for the present embodiments include polystyrene, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polydimethysiloxanes (PDMS), polyurethane, polyvinylchloride (PVC), polysulfone, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), and glass. 
     Cartridge device  10  and/or container  40  or one or more of the subcomponents thereof can be manufactured by variety of methods including, without limitation, stamping, injection molding, embossing, casting, blow molding, machining, welding, ultrasonic welding, thermal bonding and three-dimensional printing. The subcomponents of cartridge device  10  and/or container  40  can be affixed to each other by any known technique, including, without limitation, thermal bonding, ultrasonic welding, friction fitting (press fitting), adhesives or, a natural adhesion between the two components 
       FIGS. 4-7  are schematic illustrations of a system  100  for analyzing a liquid (e.g., body liquid), according to some embodiments of the present invention. System  100  can be used as a POC system. System  100  comprises a cartridge holder  102 , adapted for receiving a cartridge device, such as, but not limited to, cartridge device  10 , and an internal analyzer system  104 , having an analysis chamber  106  and being configured for analyzing the liquid (e.g., body liquid) when enclosed in analysis chamber  106 . In embodiments in which members  12  and  16  are separated from each other, system  100  preferably comprises two cartridge holders  102  such that each of members  12  and  16  is loaded separately into system  100 . While, for clarity of presentation  FIGS. 4-7  show only one cartridge holder, one of ordinary skills in the art, provided with the details described herein would know how to adjust system  100  to the case in which each of members  12  and  16  is loaded into a separate cartridge holder. 
     System  100  can also comprise a robotic arm system  108  carrying a pipette  110  having a disposable tip  111 . Pipette  110  can be a controllable air displacement pipette, as known in the art, and tip  111  can be detachable from pipette  110 . System  100  further comprises a controller  112  configured for controlling robotic arm system  108  to establish a relative motion between device  10  and pipette  110  such that tip  111  of pipette  110  sequentially visits at least cartridge device  10  and analysis chamber  106 . Controller  112  optionally and preferably ensures that pipette  110  connects to, and picks up, one of the tips  111  in compartment  20  of device  10  (see  FIG. 1D ) before visiting wells  14  and container  40  or chamber  30 , and further ensures that pipette  110  releases tip  111  into compartment  20 , after visiting analysis chamber  106 . Controller  112  optionally also configured to control pipette  110  (e.g., by controlling piston motions within pipette  110 ) to aspirate liquids into tip  111  and/or dispense liquid out of tip  111 . Controller  112  optionally and preferably receives signals from a data processor  113 . Preferably, but not necessarily, both controller  112  and data processor  113  are mounted on the same control board  138 . 
     System  100  optionally and preferably comprises a display  114  for displaying information thereon. For example, display  114  can receive display instructions from internal analyzer system  104  to display the results of the analysis performed by internal analyzer system  104 . In some embodiments of the present invention, system  100  comprises a reader device  136  for reading information stored on device  10 , for example, by means of identifier  34  (not shown, see, e.g.,  FIG. 1A ). Reader device  136  is compatible with the type of storage on device  10 . For example, when device  10  comprises an identifier in the form of a barcode, reader device  136  can be embodied as an optical barcode reader device, and when device  10  comprises an identifier in the form of an electronic chip, e.g., an RFID chip, reader device  136  can be embodied as an RFID reader device. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, system  100  employs an analysis protocol based on the information read by reader device  136 , for example, by selecting a protocol from a list of protocols recorded on a computer readable medium accessible by data processor  113 . Alternatively, the list of protocols can be recorded on an external computer readable medium, in which case the information read by reader device  136  is optionally and preferably transferred over a network to an external computer (not shown), that selects the protocol from the list of protocols and transfers it to system  100 . The protocol to be run by system  100  may comprise instructions to controller  112  to perform the protocol, including but not limited to a particular assay to be run and a detection method to be performed. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, system  100  comprises a magnet  150 , for applying a magnetic field. The magnet  150  can be a permanent magnet or an electromagnet, as desired. Magnet  150  is particularly useful when wells  14  of device  10  comprise one or more wells containing an antibody that is immobilized on a solid magnetic carrier. The magnetic field generated by magnet  150  can then be used for separating the target substance from other components in tip  111  of pipette  110 , as further detailed hereinabove. 
     In some embodiments of the invention, there is more than one magnet which performs part or all the task of separating the target substance from other components in tip  111 . 
     A partial laid-open view of system  100 , illustrating cartridge holder  102  according to some embodiments of the present invention is provided in  FIG. 5A . As shown, in these embodiments cartridge holder  102  comprises a lever system  116  for automatically hinging the second member  16  of device  10 , when cartridge holder  102  receives device  10 . In embodiments in which the first and second members of device  10  are slideably connected, lever system  116  is configured for automatically sliding the second member over the first member and hinging the second member. Lever system  116  is preferably controlled by controller  112 , automatically upon receipt of device  10  by holder  102 . In some embodiments of the present invention, controller  112  controls lever system  116  to draw device  10  inwardly along directing  118  prior to the hinging of second member  16 . A recess  120  is optionally and preferably also provided for fixing second member  16  in its vertical position after member  16  is hinged by level system  116 . Once cartridge device  10  is in its position, controller  112  preferably controls lever system  116  to disengage from device  10 , for example, upward and forward along direction  122 . 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, system  100  comprises a heating system  124 . Heating system  124  can be of any type. The heating system can be configured to heat the cartridge by conduction, radiation and/or convection. In some embodiments of the present invention, the heating system heats the cartridge device by conduction. Alternatively, the heating system heats the cartridge device by radiation or convection but without conduction. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, system  124  comprises a resistive heating element  128 . When resistive heating is employed, heating system  124  is preferably position below device  10  and in thermal communication therewith. Preferably, heating system  124  comprises a stage  126  configured to automatically engage cartridge device  10  from below once cartridge device  10  is its place. This can be done in more than one way. 
     For example, in one embodiment, illustrated in  FIGS. 5B-C , a cam  130  and a roller  132  are employed to raise heating element  128 . In these embodiments, heating system  124  can also facilitates the alignment of cartridge device  10 , in which case cam  130  also engages a datum feature  134  into member  16  for better alignment.  FIG. 5C  illustrates an exploded view of heating system  124 . 
     In other embodiments, illustrated in  FIGS. 5D-G , stage  126  is biased upwards by a spring (not shown) but is held at a lower position by cam  130 . Once cartridge device  10  is received, cam  130  is pushed by device  10  and releases stage  126  to move upwards.  FIGS. 5E-G  illustrate the position of stage  126  before ( FIG. 5E ), during ( FIG. 5F ) and after the completion ( FIG. 5G ) of the motion of cam  130 . 
     An additional partial laid-open view of system  100 , illustrating robotic arm system  108  according to some embodiments of the present invention is provided in  FIGS. 6A-C . Shown are three orthogonal Cartesian axes X, Y and Z of motion, where Z is along the vertical direction. In some embodiments of the present invention robotic arm system  108  is configured to move pipette  110  along a planar path in the Y-Z plane, and to move holder  102  linearly, and optionally reciprocally, along the X axis. These embodiments are illustrated in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . In alternative embodiments of the present invention, robotic arm system  108  is configured to move pipette  110  along a planar path in the X-Z plane, and to move holder  102  linearly, and optionally reciprocally, along the Y axis. These embodiments are illustrated in  FIG. 6C . In any event, the motion of robotic arm system  108  is preferably selected to allow tip  111  of pipette  110  to visit each of wells  14  of device  10 , to visit compartment  20  of member  16 , to visit analysis chamber  106 , and to visit at least one of container  40  (when loaded into cavity  32  of device  10 ) and chamber  30  (when containing the liquid). When compartment  20  is partitioned into partitions  28 , controller  112  is preferably configured for controlling robotic arm system  108  to pick up different pipette tips from different partitions and to correspondingly release different pipette tips into different partitions. 
     In embodiments in which cartridge device  10  comprises a waste collecting chamber  24 , controller  112  of system  100  is preferably configured for controlling robotic arm system  108  to visit also waste collecting chamber  24 , after visiting analysis chamber  106 . In embodiments in which container  40  is placed in cavity  32  of cartridge device  10 , controller  112  is configured for controlling robotic arm system  108  to visit container  40 . When container  40  and/or cartridge device  10  comprises a pierceable film, controller  112  is preferably configured for controlling robotic arm system  108  to pierce the film by tip  111  of pipette  110 . 
       FIG. 7  is a schematic illustration showing an exploded view of internal analyzer system  104 , according to some embodiments of the present invention. Preferably, analysis chamber  106  is a dark chamber and internal analyzer system  104  is an optical analyzer configured for detecting chemiluminescent signals from the pipette tip  111  (not shown in  FIG. 7 ) when the pipette tip is in dark chamber  106 . In the illustrated embodiment, dark chamber  106  is tubular and is held by a tube holder  140 . An optical detector  142  such as, but not limited to, a photomultiplier tube (PMT) is mounted on a side wall of camber  106  by means of a mount structure  144  having an opening  146  for optical signal to propagate from chamber  106  through opening  146  and into optical detector  142 . A sealing ring  148  is optionally and preferably introduced at opening  146  for preventing stray light from entering optical detector  142 . 
     It was found by the inventors that the detection sensitivity varies with the variation of the position of the tip of the pipette within chamber  106 , and particularly variations in the distance of the tip from the optical detector  142 .  FIGS. 8A-C  are schematic illustrations of a cross-section along a horizontal plane of internal analyzer system  104 , once assembled. Also shown, are three different horizontal positions of the tip  111  of pipette  110  once introduced into chamber  106 . The distance between the tip  111  of pipette  110  and optical detector  142  is marked in  FIGS. 8A-C  by ΔX.  FIGS. 8A-C  correspond to three different values of ΔX, e.g., about 5 mm in  FIG. 8A , about 10 mm in  FIG. 8B , and about 15 mm in  FIG. 8C . 
       FIG. 9  is a graph showing the detected optical signal as the pipette tip moves vertically (along the Z direction) at a constant horizontal position, as obtained in experiments performed according to some embodiments of the present invention using a PMT purchased from Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. Each curve in  FIG. 9  corresponds to a different (constant) value of ΔX, where the actual distance from the sensor in the optical detector is about 8+ΔX mm. A maximum attenuation of about 3.5 was observed. For a PMT purchased from ET Enterprises Ltd., smaller attenuation of 1.8 was observed since the detection window of Hamamatsu PMT is smaller than that on the ET PMT. As demonstrated in  FIG. 9 , the vertical position of the tip has a lesser impact than the horizontal position. The present Inventors also found that the detection is less sensitive to variations of the tip&#39;s horizontal position along the Y axis (perpendicularly to the optical axis of optical detector  142 ). 
     The present inventors found that when the internal walls of chamber  106  are coated, at least partially, by a reflective coating, the sensitivity to the variation in the horizontal distance between the tip and the optical detector is reduced. 
     The reflective coating can be, for example, an aluminum foil (optionally and preferably its matt side), a paper reflective coating, a metallic reflective coating. The reflective coating may be deposed onto the inner wall of chamber  106  by any technique known in the art including, without limitation, thermal disposition or vapor disposition, plating and the like. The reflective coating can also be in the form of a foil or leaf. The reflective coating may optionally and preferably be polished after application, or may be applied in a manner that produces a high degree of reflection without the need for polishing. A protective layer may optionally and preferably be formed or deposited to overly the reflective coating. For example, a protective oxide dielectric coating may be formed, for example using techniques commonly employed to form passivation layers in silicon fabrication processes. The oxide may provide environmental protection to the underlying reflective coating. The oxide may additionally or alternatively serve as a filter, ensuring reflection of certain defined wavelengths or ranges of wavelengths, while reducing or eliminating the reflection of other wavelengths or ranges of wavelengths. Thus, wavelengths which are not of interest may be advantageously suppressed. 
       FIG. 10  is a graph showing an intensity decay as a function of ΔX, where the actual distance from the sensor in the optical detector is about 8+ΔX mm, as obtained during experiments performed according to some embodiments of the present invention using a matt side of an aluminum foil (designated “MattAllie” in  FIG. 10 ) reflective coating, a paper reflective coating, and no reflective coating (control). As shown the intensity curves are considerably shallower with the reflective coating than without the reflective coating. Since the sensitivity is directly proportional to the gradient of these curves,  FIG. 10  demonstrates that the use of reflective coating reduces the positional accuracy required the robotic arm system  108 . 
     While the dark chamber  106  can have any shape or form, certain shapes that enhance reflection toward the optical detector  142  are preferred. Preferably, an interior of the dark chamber  106  has a physical form capable of reflecting or otherwise directing at least a portion of the photons generated by the reaction within the pipette tip towards optical detector  142 . Such reflection can be accomplished using one or more concave inner surfaces as the internal wall of the dark chamber  106 . In at least some instances, the concave inner surface can be generally oval or cylindrical, for example as shown in  FIG. 7 . Also contemplated are embodiments in which the inner wall of dark chamber  106  are generally spherical or hemispherical. 
     A representative operation procedure of system  100  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 11A-C . Cartridge device  10 , with wells filled with substances for performing the assay, with sterile disposable tips placed within compartment  20  of hinged second member  16 , and with container  40  placed within cavity  32 , is introduced by the operator  160  to holder  102  ( FIG. 11A ), wherein container  40  already contains the liquid (e.g., body liquid). Alternatively, instead of container  40  within cavity  32 , chamber  30  can include a liquid (e.g., body liquid) as further detailed hereinabove. Still alternatively, device  10  can be loaded with two types of liquids one type in container  40  and another type in chamber  30 . A non-limiting example includes a scenario in which a capillary blood sample is introduced into container  40  which is then loaded into cavity  32  of device  10  to allow measurements of host (patient) proteins, and a nasal mucus sample (collected by a nasal swab) is introduced into chamber  30  of the same device  10  to allow measurements of presence, absence or level of micro-organism (e.g., bacteria, virus, fungi) related proteins, for example hemagglutinin and neuraminidase of the influenza virus. In this specific exemplary embodiment, device  10  is used to monitor both the host response to a potential infection and to detect or quantify the presence of a disease causing agent. The wells can contain an antibody that is immobilized to the solid magnetic carrier, a labeled antibody, and a wash buffer. 
     Cartridge device  10  is then pushed forward into system  100  ( FIG. 11B ), optionally and preferably until an acoustic indication (e.g., a click) or mechanical detent is effected to indicate that the cartridge device  10  is properly inserted. Lever system  116  (not shown, see  FIG. 5A ) draws cartridge device  10  further inwards and hinges the second member  16  (not shown in  FIGS. 11A-C , see  FIGS. 5A-B ) of device  10 . Heating system  124  engages the bottom of device  10  as further detailed hereinabove. 
     Optionally, the robotic arm picks up one of tips from the tip container by way of driving the robotic arm mandrel into one of the tips in the container, which causes the tip to expand and attach to the robotic arm by friction. The robotic arm then maneuvers the tip such that it leaved container without any obstacles. 
     Optionally, the information on identifier  34  (not shown) is read by reader  136 . Controller  112  establishes a relative motion between device  10  and pipette  110  such that pipette  110  visits compartment  20  and connects to one of the new tips in compartment  20  (not shown in  FIGS. 11A-C , see  FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1D, 5A and 5B ). Controller  112  then establishes a relative motion between device  10  and pipette  110  such that pipette  110  aspirates into tip  111  the liquid (either from container  40  or from chamber  30 ), as well as the antibody that is immobilized to the solid magnetic carrier, by visiting container  40  or chamber  30  and the respective wells. Controller  112  also ensure that pipette  110  aspirates into tip  111  the wash buffer from the respective well, and moves the pipette  110  such that tip  111  is proximate to magnet  150  (not shown, see  FIG. 4 ). The magnetic field generated by magnet  150  separates the solid magnetic carrier thereby also the target substance from other components in tip  111  of pipette  110 , wherein the solid magnetic carrier is concentrated at the side wall of tip  111  of pipette  110 . While the solid magnetic carrier is at the side wall, controller  112  causes pipette  110  to release into the waste collection chamber of device  10  the wash buffer from tip  111 , including any component that is not immobilized to the magnetic carrier. 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, two magnets can be used to achieve the separation of the target substance from other materials. One magnet can be used to attract the solid carrier into the tip wall, and another magnet can then be employed to change the magnetic field such that when the pipette is releasing the waste material, the target substance is retained with greater efficacy than achievable with the magnetic field used for attracting the solid carrier. 
     Controller  112  then causes pipette  110  to aspirate into tip  111  the labeled antibody from the respective well. The labeled antibody binds to the target substance on the magnetic carrier. Controller  112  can then optionally and preferably move tip  111  of pipette  110  into a well that contains inhibitory solution, for contacting the outer walls of tip  111  by the inhibitory solution. Preferably, the inhibitory solution does not enter the tip. This can be ensured by not operating pipette  110  to aspirate the inhibitory solution into tip  111 . 
     Controller  112  moves tip  111  of pipette  110  into chamber  106  for analysis by internal analyzer system  104 , which optionally and preferably uses processor  113  for the analysis. For example, processor  113  can receive signals from the optical detector of system  104  and determine the existence, absence, or level of the target substance in the liquid (e.g., body liquid) based on the intensity of the signals. 
     When the outer walls of tip  111  is contacted with the inhibitory solution, of tip  111  preferably enters into chamber  106  immediately after said contact. It was surprisingly found by the Inventors that such a procedure significantly reduces the possibility of non-specific enzyme activity. 
     Once the analysis is completed, controller  112  establishes a relative motion between device  10  and pipette  110  until tip  111  of pipette  110  enters compartment  20  of hinged second member  16  (not shown in  FIGS. 11A-C , see  FIGS. 1A, 1D, 5A and 5B ) of device  10 . Controller  112  releases tip  111  of pipette  110  into compartment  20 . 
     Optionally in some embodiments of the invention, the tip is released by the way of the robot, after having placed tip in the designated location within compartment  20 , then moves up through either a fixed or moving mechanical fork-like structure which is narrower than the width of the tip, but wider than the width of the robotic arm mandrel. The tip is then forced away from the mandrel, and the tip is then released when the robotic arm continues the motion through the mechanical fork-like structure. 
     Optionally and preferably, controller  112  causes robotic arm  108  to pick up another new pipette tip from compartment  20  and performs another assay by repeating the above operations protocol with another set of wells of the same cartridge. Processor  113  can instruct the display  114  to display the results obtained from one or more of the performed assays. 
     Optionally and preferably, the system has a door mechanism, which is opened when a cartridge needs to be loaded into the system, and when a cartridge is ejected from the device. In all other times, the door is closed which prevents operators&#39; access to the internal components of the analyzer. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention device  10  and system  100  are subjected to a calibration and testing procedure. A calibrating liquid and auxiliary liquids for testing the cartridge device  10  and system  100  are stored in a dropper and put into the cartridge device  10  with drops to circumvent use of pipette. Vials with calibrating liquids can be stored within a vial with a nozzle. The operator can tip the vial nozzle into the sample chamber  30 , and apply a predetermined number of drops into sample chamber  30 . The inventors found that this reduces the possibility of bubble formation when dispensing the calibrator fluid into the sample well. 
     According to some embodiments of system  100  has dimensions of Xcm×Ycm×Zcm, wherein each of X, Y and Z is from about 75 to about 125, e.g., about 100. According to some embodiments of the system has dimensions of Xcm×Ycm×Zcm, wherein each of X, Y and Z is from about 35 to about 65, e.g., about 50. According to some embodiments of the system has dimensions of Xcm×Ycm×Zcm, wherein each of X, Y and Z is from about 16 to about 30, e.g., about 23. According to some embodiments of the system has dimensions of Xcm×Ycm×Zcm, wherein each of X and Y is from about 20 to about 26, e.g., about 23, and wherein Z is from about 26 to about 34, e.g., about 30. 
     As used herein the term “about” refers to ±10%. 
     The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance or illustration.” Any embodiment described as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments and/or to exclude the incorporation of features from other embodiments. 
     The word “optionally” is used herein to mean “is provided in some embodiments and not provided in other embodiments.” Any particular embodiment of the invention may include a plurality of “optional” features unless such features conflict. 
     The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, “including”, “having” and their conjugates mean “including but not limited to”. 
     The term “consisting of” means “including and limited to”. 
     The term “consisting essentially of” means that the composition, method or structure may include additional ingredients, steps and/or parts, but only if the additional ingredients, steps and/or parts do not materially alter the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed composition, method or structure. 
     As used herein, the singular form “a”, “an” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term “a compound” or “at least one compound” may include a plurality of compounds, including mixtures thereof. 
     Throughout this application, various embodiments of this invention may be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. For example, description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as well as individual numbers within that range, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range. 
     Whenever a numerical range is indicated herein, it is meant to include any cited numeral (fractional or integral) within the indicated range. The phrases “ranging/ranges between” a first indicate number and a second indicate number and “ranging/ranges from” a first indicate number “to” a second indicate number are used herein interchangeably and are meant to include the first and second indicated numbers and all the fractional and integral numerals therebetween. 
     It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements. 
     ANNEX 
     It will be appreciated that the protein names presented herein are given by way of example. Many alternative names, aliases, modifications, isoforms and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all the alternative protein names, aliases, modifications isoforms and variations. 
     Gene products, are identified based on the official letter abbreviation or gene symbol assigned by the international Human Genome Organization Naming Committee (HGNC) and listed at the date of this filing at the US National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) web site also known as Entrez Gene. 
     TRAIL: The protein, TNF Related Apoptosis Inducing Ligand (TRAIL), encoded by this gene is a cytokine that belongs to the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) ligand family. Additional names of the gene include without limitations APO2L, TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand, TNFSF10 and CD253. TRAIL exists in a membrane bound form and a soluble form, both of which can induce apoptosis in different cells, such as transformed tumor cells. This protein binds to several members of the TNF receptor superfamily such as TNFRSF10A/TRAILR1, NFRSF10B/TRAILR2, NFRSF10C/TRAILR3, TNFRSF10D/TRAILR4, and possibly also to NFRSF11B/OPG. The activity of this protein may be modulated by binding to the decoy receptors such as NFRSF10C/TRAILR3, TNFRSF10D/TRAILR4, and NFRSF11B/OPG that cannot induce apoptosis. The binding of this protein to its receptors has been shown to trigger the activation of MAPK8/JNK, caspase 8, and caspase 3. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene. TRAIL can be proteolytically cleaved from the cell surface to produce a soluble form that has a homotrimeric structure. 
     According to some embodiments, at least one of wells  14  contains an antibody that binds with the soluble (i.e. secreted) form of TRAIL. 
     According to some embodiments, at least one of wells  14  contains an antibody that binds with the membrane form of TRAIL is measured. 
     According to some embodiments, at least one of wells  14  contains an antibody that binds with the membrane form of TRAIL and at least one of wells  14  contains an antibody that binds with the secreted form of TRAIL. 
     IP10: This gene encodes a chemokine of the CXC subfamily and ligand for the receptor CXCR3. Binding of this protein to CXCR3 results in pleiotropic effects, including stimulation of monocytes, natural killer and T-cell migration, and modulation of adhesion molecule expression. Additional names of the gene include without limitations: IP-10, CXCL10, Gamma-IP10, INP10 and chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 10. 
     CRP: C-reactive protein; additional aliases of CRP include without limitation RP11-419N10.4 and PTX1. The protein encoded by this gene belongs to the pentaxin family. It is involved in several host defense related functions based on its ability to recognize foreign pathogens and damaged cells of the host and to initiate their elimination by interacting with humoral and cellular effector systems in the blood. Consequently, the level of this protein in plasma increases greatly during acute phase response to tissue injury, infection, or other inflammatory stimuli. CRP displays several functions associated with host defense: it promotes agglutination, bacterial capsular swelling, phagocytosis and complement fixation through its calcium-dependent binding to phosphorylcholine. 
     IL1RA: The protein encoded by this gene is a cytokine receptor that belongs to the interleukin 1 receptor family. This protein is a receptor for interleukin alpha (IL1A), interleukin beta (IL1B), and interleukin 1 receptor, type I (IL1R1/IL1RA). It is an important mediator involved in many cytokine induced immune and inflammatory responses. Additional names of the gene include without limitations: CD121A, IL-1RT1, p80, CD121a antigen, CD121A, IL1R and IL1ra. 
     PCT: Procalcitonin (PCT) is a peptide precursor of the hormone calcitonin, the latter being involved with calcium homeostasis. Procalcitonin (“pCT”) is a protein consisting of 116 amino acids and having a molecular weight of about 13,000 dalton. It is the prohormone of calcitonin, which under normal metabolic conditions is produced and secreted by the C cells of the thyroid. pCT and calcitonin synthesis is initiated by translation of preprocalcitonin (“pre-pCT”), a precursor peptide comprising 141 amino acids. The amino acid sequence of human pre-pCT was described by Moullec et al. in FEBS Letters, 167:93-97 in 1984. pCT is formed after cleavage of the signal peptide (first 25 amino acids of pre-pCT). 
     SAA: encodes a member of the serum amyloid A family of apolipoproteins. The encoded protein is a major acute phase protein that is highly expressed in response to inflammation and tissue injury. This protein also plays an important role in HDL metabolism and cholesterol homeostasis. High levels of this protein are associated with chronic inflammatory diseases including atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer&#39;s disease and Crohn&#39;s disease. This protein may also be a potential biomarker for certain tumors. Alternate splicing results in multiple transcript variants that encode the same protein. 
     Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims. 
     All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention. To the extent that section headings are used, they should not be construed as necessarily limiting.