Patent ID: 7718421

Claim:
A sample processing apparatus, comprising: a tubule, comprising: a proximal end having an opening through which a sample is introducible; a distal end; and at least a first segment containing at least one substance capable of specific binding to a preselected component of a sample when the sample is added to the tubule, a second segment distal to the first segment and containing a wash reagent, and a third segment distal to the second segment and containing an amplification reagent, each of which segments is: defined by the tubule; fluidly isolated, at least in part by a fluid-tight seal formed by a bonding of opposed wall portions of the tubule to one another such that: (a) the seal is broken by application of fluid pressure on a segment that is fluidly isolated in part by the seal; and (b) the seal is capable of being clamped where the opposed wall portions of the tubule are bonded, without breaking the seal, to prevent the seal from being broken by application of fluid pressure on a segment that is fluidly isolated in part by the seal; so expandable as to receive a volume of fluid expelled from another segment; and so compressible as to contain substantially no fluid when so compressed; a cap for closing the opening, the cap containing a chamber in fluid communication with the tubule, and the cap permitting free escape of gasses but retaining all liquid volumes and infectious agents in the tube; a rigid frame to which the tubule's proximal and distal ends are held; and an integral tubule tensioning mechanism or an attachment of the tubule to the frame that pulls the tubule sufficiently taut so as to facilitate compression and flattening of the tubule.