| CPC B01L 3/502 (2013.01) [G01N 33/721 (2013.01); B01L 2200/16 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0816 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0838 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0858 (2013.01)] | 28 Claims |

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1. An analytical assay reaction cartridge, comprising:
a base comprising:
a back member;
a sidewall attached to the back member;
a reaction chamber defined by a lower portion of the base;
an inlet for introducing a liquid test sample into the reaction chamber;
a reagent tray disposed and retained within the base, the reagent tray having an upper end, a lower end, a cavity, and an upper edge that extends around a perimeter of the cavity, wherein the cavity is formed to contain a predetermined volume of liquid reagent;
a flexible cover removably attached to the upper edge of the reagent tray to seal the liquid reagent within the cavity and thereby form a sealed chamber between the cavity and the flexible cover, the flexible cover having a portion that extends beyond the upper end of the reagent tray to define a tab portion which can be pulled to remove at least a portion of the flexible cover from the reagent tray and thereby release the liquid reagent into the reaction chamber of the base;
a lid member disposed over the base and sealed to at least a portion of the sidewall of the base so as to seal the reagent tray within the base, the lid member comprising at least one opening through which the tab portion is threaded; and
a pivot member disposed between the reagent tray and the lid member, wherein the tab portion of the flexible cover is folded back upon itself around the pivot member so that the tab portion extends through the at least one opening in the lid member in order to facilitate removal of at least a portion of the flexible cover from the reagent tray for release of substantially all of the liquid reagent into the reaction chamber.
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