An analyte is separated from a fluid sample by introducing the sample into a
cartridge
having an extraction chamber containing capture material for capturing the analyte.
The sample is forced to flow through the extraction chamber to capture the analyte
with the capture material in the extraction chamber. The captured analyte is then
eluted from the extraction chamber by forcing an elution fluid to flow through
the extraction chamber. The cartridge may optionally include a lysing region for
lysing sample components (e.g., cells spores, or microorganisms), a waste chamber
for storing waste fluid, and reaction or detection chambers for chemically reacting
or detecting the eluted analyte.
