Abstract: Apparatuses and methods related to a point-of-care portable assay device are described herein. In an embodiment, a device for analyzing a fluid sample includes a fluid actuation source configured to engage a port on a test card. The fluid actuation source is configured to apply pressure to the port to cause the fluid sample to move along a microchannel of the test card to enable one or more assays to be performed. The device also includes a controller configured to receive an indication as to which one or more assays are to be performed, cause the fluid actuation source to move the fluid sample into one or more regions on the test card, cause a plurality of electrical contacts to provide power to the test card for performing the one or more assays, and determine at least one test result based on the performed assays.

Abstract: A heater for a microfluidic test card is disclosed herein. In a general example embodiment, a test card for analyzing a fluid sample includes at least one substrate layer including a microchannel extending through at least a portion of one of the substrate layers, and a printed substrate layer that is bonded to or printed on one substrate layer of the at least one substrate layer. The printed substrate layer includes a heater printed on the printed substrate layer so as to align with at least a portion of the microchannel. The heater includes two electrodes aligned on opposite sides of the microchannel, and a plurality of heater bars electrically connecting the two electrodes. The plurality of heater bars includes a central heater bar disposed between outer heater bars.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods related to a point-of-care portable assay device and the use thereof with a test card are described herein. In a general embodiment, a device for monitoring a polymerase chain reaction in a fluid sample includes a vacuum source configured to pull the fluid sample through a microchannel, a current source configured to cause the polymerase chain reaction while the fluid sample is located within the microchannel, a light source configured to illuminate the polymerase chain reaction while the current source causes the polymerase chain reaction, a camera imaging device configured to record an image of the polymerase chain reaction while the light source illuminates the polymerase chain reaction, and a controller configured to analyze the image of the polymerase chain reaction and output a resulting analysis of the polymerase chain reaction.