Patent ID: 8017382

Claim:
A cartridge for sensing at least one analyte in a sample, said cartridge comprising: a sample holding chamber for receiving said sample and retaining said sample; a first conduit connected to said sample holding chamber; at least one analyte sensor, wherein said sensor comprises an analyte-responsive surface and said surface is within said first conduit; a second conduit for retaining a fluid, said second conduit connected to said first conduit at a junction; air introduction means for inserting one or more air segments into said first or second conduit, the air introduction means being selected from the group consisting of an air-flap, an air-vent, and a gas liberation compound; a pneumatic pump capable of displacing said sample from said holding chamber into said first conduit, said pump further capable of displacing said fluid from said second conduit into said first conduit; and an analyte sensor comprising a microfabricated base sensor with a bioactive layer, superimposed over at least a portion of said base sensor, said layer comprising a sufficient amount of a biomolecules attached thereto, wherein said biomolecule is sensitive to said analyte.