CAPTURE ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF USE OF THIS

Abstract

This disclosure provides a capture assembly for optional use in an automated sample analyzer. The sample analyzer includes an optical assembly for scanning a sample cavity of a flat substrate, for example, a multi-cavity plate loaded onto and secured to the capture assembly, to perform an assay, for example, the detection of an analyte in the sample. The capture assembly automatically aligns the flat substrate around a drive shaft's axis of rotation and secures the substrate to the drive shaft to prevent unwanted slippage or movement of the substrate during startup, shutdown, and rotation at various speeds, ensuring that the sample cavity is reliably detected by the optical assembly.

Description

CAPTURE ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF USE OF THIS CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC §119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 63 / 026,581, filed on May 18, 2020. The disclosure of the prior application is deemed to be part of the disclosure of this application and is incorporated therein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to diagnostics and more specifically to a capture assembly for receiving, aligning, and securing a flat substrate within an automated sample analyzer for optical analysis of the substrate at a rotational speed, as well as to related methods of use for performing an assay. BACKGROUND Direct-to-consumer (DTC) diagnostics involve direct access by consumers (e.g., patients) to diagnostic tests and test results related to healthcare or wellness without a prescription. Recently, the U.S. and international DTC diagnostics markets have expanded rapidly as a result of growing consumer interest in tracking personalized information about fitness, wellness, and health. A key to the success of direct-to-consumer (DTC) diagnostics is the availability of robust technologies to accurately assess a wide range of diagnostically significant analytes with short turnaround times and low cost. While certain handheld or portable devices, such as blood glucose meters or urine test strips, have been developed to facilitate personalized medical testing (clinical tests or point-of-care testing [POCT]) performed by healthcare providers, technologies are still needed that enable reliable, rapid, and cost-effective analysis of multiple analytes, for example, at a point-of-contact (POCO) site, such as a pharmacy or retail store. The technique includes various conventional sample analyzers that use scanning optical detection modules to perform diagnostic tests. Some of these analyzers use a multi-cavity plate that includes sample cavities that are continuously scanned as the plate rotates around an axis, thus enabling the analysis of multiple analytes. Performing an optical analysis of a multi-cavity plate rotating at high speed presents several challenges. For example, the plate must be securely attached to the rotating mechanism to ensure there is no slippage. MA / IZ / ¿U¿O / U1 u / υο the plate during startup, shutdown, and rotation of the plate at varying rotational speeds. This ensures that the optical assembly can reliably detect the position of individual sample cavities on the plate while the plate is subjected to rotational speed. Another challenge is ensuring that the plate aligns properly with the optical assembly when loaded into the sample analyzer without requiring a clinical technician to perform cumbersome and / or complex manipulations during the loading process. Many approaches have been used to address these challenges. However, there is a continuing need for new sample analyzer designs that prevent or mitigate these challenges. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This disclosure provides a capture assembly for optional use in an automated sample analyzer. The sample analyzer includes an optical assembly for scanning a sample cavity of a flat substrate, for example, a multi-cavity plate loaded onto and secured to the capture assembly, to perform an assay, for example, the detection of an analyte in a sample. The capture assembly automatically aligns the flat substrate around a drive shaft's axis of rotation and secures the substrate to the drive shaft to prevent unwanted slippage or movement of the substrate during startup, shutdown, and rotation at various speeds, ensuring that the sample cavity is reliably detected by the optical assembly. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the disclosure provides a gripping assembly that includes a clamping mechanism and a drive shaft optionally coupled to a rotary motor. In certain aspects, the clamping mechanism is configured to grip and secure a flat substrate and includes: i) a bushing that will contact a lower surface of the flat substrate, wherein the bushing has one or more elements disposed on an upper surface of the bushing configured to engage the lower surface of the flat substrate and position the flat substrate on the upper surface of the bushing in a plane of rotation; and ii) a clamping portion configured to reversibly contact an upper surface of the flat substrate. In some aspects, the clamping portion is operable to reversibly transition from a first configuration to a second configuration.In the first configuration, the clamping portion is not in contact with the top surface of the flat substrate. In the second configuration, the clamping portion is in contact with the top surface of the flat substrate, thus clamping the flat substrate between the top surface of the hub and the clamping portion. The drive shaft has a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the plane of rotation. This shaft is operatively coupled to the hub and is capable of rotating the flat substrate in the plane of rotation by transferring rotational force from the drive shaft to the hub and the flat substrate. In another embodiment, the disclosure provides a sample analyzer that includes the capture assembly of the invention. In certain aspects, the sample analyzer includes an optical assembly having a light source and a light detector. In some aspects, the optical assembly is operable to irradiate a reaction mixture disposed within a cavity of a flat substrate attached to the clamping mechanism with light emitted by the light source and to detect the light emitted from the reaction mixture by means of the light detector. In yet another embodiment, the disclosure provides a method for performing an assay. The method includes: a) placing a flat substrate having a cavity disposed within a perimeter of the substrate on a sample analyzer support platform, wherein the cavity contains a reaction mixture comprising a sample and reagent; b) moving the capture assembly from the first position to the second position, causing one or more bushing elements to engage a lower surface of the flat substrate and orient the flat substrate in the plane of rotation, and the clamping portion to move from the first configuration to the second configuration to clamp the flat substrate between the one or more bushing elements and the flange of the clamping portion; c) rotating the flat substrate within the plane of rotation; and d) detecting an analyte within the reaction mixture.In certain respects, the analyte is detected with the optical assembly of the sample analyzer described herein. In yet another embodiment, the disclosure provides a method for securing a flat substrate to a drive shaft. The method includes: a) placing a flat substrate on a support platform of a clamping assembly of the disclosure; and b) moving the assembly from the first position to the second position, causing the clamping portion to transition from the first configuration to the second configuration to clamp the flat substrate between one or more bushing elements and the flange of the first member of the clamping portion. In some aspects, the one or more bushing elements engage with the underside of the flat substrate and automatically orient and / or align the flat substrate in the plane of rotation during the transition of the assembly from the first position to the second position. In some aspects, the plane of rotation is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft. In another embodiment, the disclosure provides a method for securing a flat substrate to a drive shaft. The method includes: a) placing a flat substrate on a support platform of a clamping assembly of the disclosure; and b) moving the assembly from the first position to the second position, causing the clamping portion to move from the first configuration to the second configuration to clamp the flat substrate between one or more bushing elements and the flange of the first member of the clamping portion and the flange of the third member of the clamping portion. In certain aspects, the one or more bushing elements engage with the underside of the flat substrate and automatically orient and / or align the flat substrate. MA / E / ZUZÓ / UI Ul»0 the plane of rotation during the transition of the assembly from the first position to the second position. In some respects, the plane of rotation is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1A is a schematic showing the general architecture of the capture assembly in one aspect of the invention. Figure 1B is an expanded schematic of portions of the capture assembly in one aspect of the invention. Figure 2 is a side view of the clamping mechanism in one aspect of the invention. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the clamping mechanism shown in Figure 2. Figure 4 is an expanded view of the clamping mechanism shown in Figure 2. Figure 5 shows the bushing of a clamping mechanism about to be coupled to a flat substrate in an aspect of the present invention. Figure 6 is a perspective view of a flat, disc-shaped substrate having sample cavities arranged radially in concentric rings around the circumference of the disc in one aspect of the invention. Figure 7 is a top view of the flat substrate illustrated in Figure 6. Figure 8 is a bottom view of the flat substrate illustrated in Figure 6. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the entire height of the flat substrate illustrated in Figure 6 and through its center. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the clamping mechanism in one aspect of the present invention. Figure 11 is an enlarged view of Figure 10. Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the clamping mechanism in one aspect of the present invention. Figure 13 is a schematic showing the loading of a flat substrate onto a support platform in one aspect of the present invention. Figure 14 is a side view of the capture assembly in one aspect of the present invention. Figure 15 is a side view of the capture assembly in one aspect of the present invention. Figure 16 is a side view of the capture assembly in one aspect of the present invention. Figure 17 is a side view of the capture assembly in one aspect of the present invention. Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view of the clamping mechanism in one aspect of the present invention. Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view of the clamping mechanism in one aspect of the present invention. Figure 20A shows the coupling of the flat substrate with the bushing in one aspect of the present invention. Figure 20B shows the coupling of the flat substrate with the bushing in one aspect of the present invention. Figure 21 is a side view of the capture assembly in one aspect of the present invention. Figure 22 is a side view of the capture assembly in one aspect of the present invention. Figure 23 is a side view of the capture assembly in one aspect of the present invention. Figure 24 is a schematic showing the architecture of an optical assembly of disclosure in one aspect of the invention. Figure 25 is a perspective view of the capture assembly in an aspect of the present invention in which the assembly is configured in a clamshell configuration. Figure 26A is a perspective view of the capture assembly in one aspect of the present invention. Figure 26B is a cross-sectional view of the capture assembly of Figure 26A where the clamping portion is in an open configuration. Figure 26C is a cross-sectional view of the capture assembly of Figure 26A where the clamping portion is in a closed configuration. Figure 27A is an enlarged view of the capture assembly in one aspect of the present invention. The assembly includes three ball fittings 55 arranged on the bushing 50 that engage with snap-fit ​​fittings 56 on the underside of the flat substrate 80. Figure 27B is an enlarged view of the capture assembly in one aspect of the present invention. The assembly includes a ball fitting 55 disposed on the bushing 50 that engages fittings on the underside of the flat substrate 80. Figure 28A is an expanded schematic of the capture assembly in one aspect of the present invention. Figure 28B is a side view of the capture assembly in Figure 28A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This disclosure is based on an innovative capture assembly for optional use in an automated sample analyzer. The capture assembly automatically aligns a flat substrate around a drive shaft's axis of rotation and secures the substrate to the drive shaft to prevent unwanted slippage or movement of the substrate during the MA / t / ZUZÓ / UI u / υο Start-up, stopping and rotation of the substrate at various rotation speeds, ensuring that the sample cavity is reliably detected by the sample analyzer. Before describing the present compositions and methods, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular assemblies, methods, and experimental conditions described, as such assemblies, methods, and conditions may vary. It should also be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing only particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting, as the scope of the present invention is limited only by the appended claims. As used in this specification and in the accompanying claims, the singular forms a, an, the, and the include plural references unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Thus, for example, references to the assembly or the method include one or more assemblies, methods, and / or steps of the type described herein that will become obvious to persons of average skill upon reading this disclosure, etc. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by persons of a general skill in the trade to which this disclosure pertains. Although any method and material similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in practice or in testing the invention, preferred methods and materials are described below. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the disclosure provides a grasping assembly that includes a clamping mechanism and a drive shaft optionally coupled to a rotary motor. Figures 1A and 1B show an overview of the assembly. As shown in Figure 1A, the assembly includes a clamping mechanism and optionally a rotary motor. The rotary motor is coupled to the clamping mechanism by a drive shaft extending along the motor's axis of rotation (line AA). In Figure 1A, the grasping mechanism is shown in a first unclamped configuration in which portions of the clamping mechanism are uncoupled and not in contact with a flat substrate (not shown) to be coupled to the assembly as further discussed herein. Figure 1B shows an expanded view of assembly 10 with the clamping mechanism 20 oriented along the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft 40 so that the clamping mechanism 20 is operable to rotate around the axis of rotation of the rotating motor 30. Figures 2-4 illustrate the clamping mechanism shown in Figures 1A and 1B. As shown, the clamping mechanism 20 includes a bushing 50 and a clamping portion 60. The bushing 50 is configured to contact a lower surface of the flat substrate and optionally includes one or more elements 70 disposed on an upper surface of the bushing. The one or more elements 70 are configured to engage the lower surface of the flat substrate and automatically position and align the flat substrate over the upper surface of the bushing 50 in a plane of rotation that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft and the rotating motor. Again, the capture mechanism of Figures 2 and 3 is shown in a first unclamped configuration in which portions of the clamping mechanism 20 are uncoupled and not in contact with a flat substrate (not shown) that will be coupled to the assembly as further discussed herein. In use, the underside of a flat substrate engages with the hub. As shown in Figure 5, one or more fittings 90 on the underside of the flat substrate 80 engage with one or more elements 70 on the top surface of the hub 50. In certain respects, the fittings on the underside of the flat substrate 80 and the elements 70 of the hub 50 are configured such that the flat substrate 80 is automatically positioned or otherwise oriented in an optimal plane of rotation about the axis of rotation once the elements 70 make contact with the fittings 90 on the underside of the substrate 80. This ensures that the flat substrate 80 is properly oriented on the hub 50 before the substrate 80 rotates at high speed and ensures that an optical assembly of a sample analyzer can properly analyze a sample cavity 100 of the flat substrate 80 while the substrate 80 is rotating in the plane of rotation. Figures 6-9 illustrate a flat substrate 80 for use with the capture assembly in one aspect of this disclosure. The flat substrate 80 is disc-shaped and has a multi-cavity format for performing different assays simultaneously. The flat substrate 80 includes a plurality of sample cavities 100, each configured to contain a reaction mixture comprising a sample and reagent. As shown in Figures 6-8, the sample cavities 100 are arranged within the circumference of the disc around the radius. A central through-hole 110 is arranged at the center of the disc.As shown in Figures 6-7, the sample cavities 100 are arranged in concentric circles around the circumference of the disk so that, as the disk rotates around the plane of rotation, each sample cavity is irradiated with excitation light emitted by an illumination source in an optical assembly of the sample analyzer. An illumination detector in the optical assembly detects the emitted light from each irradiated sample cavity 100. In this way, the emitted light from each sample cavity 100 can be continuously detected and recorded as the disk rotates in the plane of rotation, allowing an optical image to be generated for each sample cavity 100. The emitted light can also be detected after the various movements that align a sample cavity 100 with illumination and detection are completed. As further discussed herein, the clamping portion is configured to reversibly contact a top surface of the flat substrate. In some respects, the clamping portion is operable to reversibly transition from a first unclamped configuration to a second clamped configuration. When in the first unclamped configuration, the clamping portion is not in contact with the top surface of the flat substrate, and when in the second configuration, the clamping portion is in contact with either the top surface of the flat substrate or a surface of a through-hole in the flat substrate, thereby clamping the flat substrate between the top surface of the bushing and the clamping portion or otherwise securing the flat substrate to the bushing. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the clamping mechanism 20 with the clamping portion 60 in the second configuration. In the second configuration, the flat substrate 80 is compressed or otherwise clamped between the bushing 50 and one or more members of the clamping portion 60. Figure 11 is an enlarged view of the clamping mechanism 20 illustrated in Figure 10. In certain aspects, the clamping portion 60 includes three clamping members (120, 130, 140). The clamping members are also shown in Figure 4. As shown in Figure 12, the bushing 50 has a central tube 150 that extends through the bushing along the longitudinal axis (line AA) of the shaft (not shown). The first member 120 has a flange 160 that contacts the upper surface of the flat substrate 80 when the clamping portion 60 is in the second configuration. The second member 130 includes a shaft 170 extending along the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft 40 and has an expanded diameter region 180 configured to contact the first member 120 and exert a compressive force on the flat substrate 80 between the hub 50 and the flange 160 of the first member 120.The third member 140 has a flange 190 that contacts the upper surface of the flat substrate 80 when the clamping portion 60 is in the second configuration. The expanded diameter region 180 is configured to contact the third member 140 and exert a compressive force on the flat substrate 80 between the bushing 50 and the flange 190 of the third member 140. In some respects, in the second configuration, the expanded diameter region 180 simultaneously contacts the first member 120 and the third member 140 and exerts a force on them to clamp the flat substrate 80. Although this disclosure illustrates a clamping mechanism that includes a clamping portion having three members, it will be appreciated that clamping can be achieved with more or fewer than three members. In various aspects, the clamping portion may include 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 clamping members. For example, the clamping portion may have a single member with an operable annular flange to clamp the flat substrate. In another aspect, the clamping portion may include two members, where a first member has a flange and a second member is operable to exert a force on the first member to clamp a flat substrate. In several respects, it is a spring that generates the clamping force, as shown in Figures 2-4, 10, and 11. Spring 200 is disposed between the lower part of the bushing 50 and a spring platform 210 located below the bushing 50 above the clamping mechanism 20. A dowel pin 220 passes through a through groove 230 of the second member 130 and is rigidly connected to the spring platform 210, which transmits the force from spring 200 to the MA / t / ZUZÓ / UI u / υο second member 130, which causes the expanded diameter region 180 of the second member 130 to exert a downward force on the first and third members (120, 140) and therefore on the upper surface of the flat substrate 80 in the second configuration. In several respects, the clamping portion 60 transitions from a first uncoupled configuration to a second clamped configuration. Figure 12 shows the clamping portion 60 in the first uncoupled configuration. In the first configuration, the spring 200 is compressed between the lower part of the bushing 50 and the spring platform 210, causing the expanded diameter region 180 of the second member 130 to rise above the first and third members (120, 140) so that the second member 130 exerts no downward force on the first or third member (120, 140) and the clamp is uncoupled. In certain aspects, in the first configuration, the first and third members (120, 140) are oriented towards the central axis of the central hub tube 150 and the flanges of the first and third members (120, 140) are in a retracted position, so that the terminal region of the clamping mechanism 20 above the hub 50 can pass through the central through hole 110 of the flat substrate 80. The spring 200 is held compressed by a clamping release arm 240 that exerts an upward force on the lower part of the spring platform 210, causing the expanded diameter region 180 of the second member 130 to rise above the first and third members (120, 140) and the flanges of the first and third members (120, 140) to retract towards the central axis of the central hub tube 150. In some aspects, the assembly also includes a support platform to support the flat substrate before the flat substrate is coupled and the assembly is completed. As shown in Figure 13, the support platform 250 is located above the clamping mechanism 20. The clamping portion is in its first uncoupled configuration. In practice, a technician or medical professional, for example, places a flat substrate 80, such as a multi-cavity plate, onto the support platform 250. Figure 14 shows assembly 10 with a flat substrate 80 loaded onto the support platform 250. The clamping portion is shown in the first uncoupled configuration. In some respects, assembly 10 is operable to reversibly move from a first position to a second position. Figure 14 shows the assembly in the first position with the clamping portion also in the first configuration. In some respects, when assembly 10 is in the first position, the clamping portion 60 is in the first configuration. As shown in Figure 14, in the first position, the support platform 250 is in contact with the flat substrate 80, and the bushing 50 is not in contact with the flat substrate 80. The flat substrate 80 is located on the support platform 250 above the bushing 50 and the clamping portion 60. From the first position, assembly 10 moves to a second position that causes the hub to engage with the underside of the flat substrate 80 and the clamping portion to move from the MA / t / ZUZÓ / UI u / υο The first configuration is decoupled to the second configuration, which clamps the flat substrate and secures the flat substrate to assembly 10 in a plane of rotation perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotating motor. Once assembly 10 moves to the second position, the clamping portion is in the second configuration, which clamps the flat substrate as discussed herein, and the flat substrate is no longer in contact with the support platform. In operation, as the assembly moves from the first position to the second position, the clamping portion moves from the first configuration to the second configuration. In some respects, moving the assembly from the first position to the second position causes the clamping portion to move from the first configuration to the second configuration. In some respects, during the transition from the first position to the second position, the assembly is raised so that the bushing engages with the underside of the flat substrate, and the clamping portion moves through the center through-hole of the flat substrate while in the first configuration. Figures 15-17 show the transition of the assembly from the first position to the engagement stage when the bushing is engaged with the underside of the flat substrate and the clamping portion passes through the center through-hole of the flat substrate.Corresponding enlarged views of Figures 15-16 are shown in Figure 18, and Figure 19 is a corresponding enlarged view of Figure 17. In certain aspects, as the assembly rises in the Z direction and comes into contact with the lower surface of the flat substrate, the flat substrate aligns itself in a plane of rotation perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft. This is achieved by the engagement of the fittings on the underside of the flat substrate and the elements arranged around the hub. This is illustrated in Figures 20A and 20B, which show the engagement of the elements 70 to the fittings 90 as the assembly moves in the Z direction. The elements 70 shown are configured as projections extending from the surface of the hub 50 in the Z direction and are spaced around the circumference of the hub 50 within the perimeter of the hub surface. The elements 70 are equally spaced around the circumference of the hub 50 with a gap 260 between adjacent elements 70.The tip of each element includes inclined surfaces 270 that form a terminal point. It will be noted that the 70 elements can have various sizes and geometric shapes. For example, an element may have a cross-sectional shape that is circular, ellipsoidal, oval, triangular, rectangular, square, pentagonal, and the like, including any polygonal shape. In addition, the element may have two more cross-sectional shapes in different regions of the element. Similarly, the bushing may include any number of elements arranged in various patterns. For example, the bushing may include 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, or more elements. The elements may be arranged in any format on the surface of the bushing so as to form spaces between the elements or otherwise provide a structure for attaching one or more accessories to the underside of a MA / t / ZUZÓ / UI u / υο flat substrate that facilitates the alignment of the substrate on the bushing. Similarly, the one or more 90° fittings on the underside of the flat substrate can have various sizes and geometric shapes. For example, a fitting can have a cross-sectional shape that is circular, ellipsoidal, oval, triangular, rectangular, square, pentagonal, and so on, including any polygonal shape. Furthermore, the fitting can have two additional cross-sectional shapes in different regions. Likewise, the flat substrate can include any number of fittings, which can be arranged in various patterns on the underside of the substrate or within a through-hole in the substrate. For example, the flat substrate can include 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, or more fittings.The accessories can be arranged in any format on the substrate surface for the coupling of one or more elements onto the hub, which facilitates the alignment of the substrate on the hub. With reference to Figures 20A and 20B, in use, each fitting 90 on the lower surface of the flat substrate 80 is guided into a space 260 by the inclined surfaces 270, orienting the flat substrate 80 in a plane of rotation that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft. The fittings 90 on the lower surface of the flat substrate 80 are spherical protrusions. Each spherical protrusion includes a tip 280 projecting from the surface of the protrusion. The tip 280 includes a narrow strip of material 290 extending along the surface of the protrusion perpendicular to the axis of rotation.In certain respects, as the assembly moves in the Z direction to engage the flat substrate 80, the tip 280 makes contact with the inclined surface 270 of the element 70 and is guided into space 260 to align or otherwise orient the flat substrate 80 in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft. In one aspect, the lower surface of the flat substrate includes three fittings arranged radially around the central through-hole and equidistant from each other. In this aspect, each fitting has the shape shown in Figures 20A and 20B. In certain aspects, to help align the flat substrate, the bushing is slowly rotated to facilitate contact between the elements 70 of the bushing 50 and the fittings 90 of the lower surface of the flat substrate 80. Once the flat substrate 80 is aligned over the bushing 50 in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft, the flat substrate 80 is compressed between the bushing 50 and the clamping portion members 60 as the clamping portion 60 is moved into the second configuration. In some respects, this is achieved by the continuous movement of the assembly from the first position to the second position. With reference to Figures 21-23, the continued movement of assembly 10 to the second position causes the clamping release arm 240 to disengage, allowing the spring 200 to expand and causing the clamping portion to move from the first configuration to the MA / IZ / ¿U¿O / U1 U / 90 second configuration. As shown in Figures 21-23, in certain respects, the uncoupling of the clamping release arm 240 is caused by the release of the drive hub clamp 300 that is operably connected to the clamping release arm 240. When the assembly 10 is in the first position as shown in Figures 21, the drive hub clamp 300 is engaged, causing the clamping release arm 240 to engage with the spring platform 210 and the clamping portion 60 to be in the first configuration. As assembly 10 moves from the first position to the second position, the drive hub clamp 300 is released by interaction with a gripping surface 310 arranged on an inclined cam profile 320 of assembly 10. Figure 22 shows assembly 10 in an intermediate position between the first and second positions, where the drive hub clamp 300 is disengaging as assembly 10 moves horizontally along the X-axis. In a sense, the drive hub clamp 300 is held in the engaged position by a torsion spring that exerts a force on the clamp to engage the clamping release arm 240.As assembly 10 moves horizontally, the drive hub clamp 300 progressively disengages as it passes through the inclined cam profile 320, causing the clamping portion to move from the first configuration to the second configuration. Simultaneously, assembly 10 moves vertically as it passes through an inclined cam profile, which moves hub 50 upward in the Z direction to align with and engage the flat substrate 80 over hub 50. As shown in Figure 23, once assembly 10 moves to the second position, the clamping portion is in the second configuration, and the flat substrate 80 is secured to hub 50 in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft (line AA). Although the disclosure illustrates the capture assembly with reference to Figures 1-23, the invention may also include those capture assembly configurations and concepts illustrated in Figures 25-28. In another embodiment, the disclosure also provides a method for securing a flat substrate to a drive shaft. The method includes: a) placing a flat substrate on a support platform of a clamping assembly of the disclosure; and b) moving the assembly from the first position to the second position, causing the clamping portion to transition from the first configuration to the second configuration to clamp the flat substrate between one or more bushing elements and the flange of the first member of the clamping portion and the flange of the third member of the clamping portion. In certain aspects, the one or more bushing elements engage with the underside of the flat substrate and automatically orient and / or align the flat substrate in the plane of rotation during the transition of the assembly from the first position to the second. MA / t / ZUZÓ / UI u / υο position. In some aspects, the plane of rotation is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the transmission shaft. In several respects, the capture assembly includes one or more processors operatively coupled to the rotary motor to control the rotation of the flat substrate. The capture assembly may also include one or more additional motors or actuators optionally coupled to the processor that control the movement of the capture assembly between the first and second positions. In some ways, once the flat substrate is clamped and the assembly is moved to the second position, the substrate is rotated around the axis of rotation. The rotary motor can be operated to start, stop, or vary the rotation speed of the flat substrate between approximately 0 and 12,000 revolutions per minute (RPM), or even in increments of 1,000, 2,000, 3,000, 4,000, 5,000, 6,000, 7,000, 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, 11,000, or 12,000. In certain aspects, once the flat substrate is clamped and the assembly is moved to the second position, the substrate is rotated and the cavities of the flat substrate are optically analyzed. Accordingly, in another embodiment, the disclosure provides a sample analyzer that includes the capture assembly of the invention. In certain aspects, the sample analyzer includes an optical assembly having a light source and a light detector. In some aspects, the optical assembly is operable to irradiate a reaction mixture disposed within a cavity of a flat substrate held by the clamping mechanism with light emitted by the light source and to detect the light emitted from the reaction mixture by the light detector. Figure 24 is a schematic showing the general architecture of the optical assembly 400 in certain aspects of the invention. With reference to Figure 24, the optical assembly 400 includes a light source 410 that emits excitation light 420, which is directed to and focused on a focal point 430 within the plane of rotation 440, thereby irradiating a reaction mixture within a cavity of the flat substrate 80. The emission light 450 from the reaction mixture is then directed to an illumination detector 460 of the optical assembly 400. Thus, in certain aspects, the optical assembly 400 has a light source 410 and an illumination detector 460 and is operable to irradiate the reaction mixture with excitation light 420 emitted by the light source 410 and to detect the emission light 450 from the reaction mixture by means of the illumination detector 460.The optical assembly 400 is configured to generate a match of the focal points 430 of the illumination and detection light paths on the rotation plane 440 of the flat substrate 80. As shown in Figure 24, the rotation plane 440 is generally perpendicular to the optical axis of the light emitted by the illumination source 410 passing through the rotation plane 440. In another embodiment, the disclosure provides a method for performing an assay. In certain aspects, the method includes: a) placing a flat substrate having a cavity arranged MA / IZ / ¿U¿O / U1 u / υo within a perimeter of the substrate on a sample analyzer support platform, wherein the cavity includes a reaction mixture comprising a sample and reagent; b) move the capture assembly from the first position to the second position; c) rotate the flat substrate within the plane of rotation; and d) detect an analyte within the reaction mixture. In certain respects, the analyte is detected with the optical assembly of the sample analyzer described herein. In yet another embodiment, the disclosure provides a method for performing an assay. In certain aspects, the method includes: a) placing a flat substrate having a cavity disposed within a perimeter of the substrate on a sample analyzer support platform, wherein the cavity contains a reaction mixture comprising a sample and reagent; b) moving the capture assembly from the first position to the second position, causing one or more bushing elements to engage a lower surface of the flat substrate and orient the flat substrate in the plane of rotation, and the clamping portion to move from the first configuration to the second configuration to clamp the flat substrate between the one or more bushing elements and the flange of the clamping portion; c) rotating the flat substrate within the plane of rotation; and d) detecting an analyte within the reaction mixture.In certain respects, the analyte is detected with the optical assembly of the sample analyzer described herein. In some respects, the sample analyzer of this disclosure may also include one or more imaging devices operatively coupled to the processor and / or optical assembly. As used herein, an imaging device includes any device or detector capable of capturing an image, including, but not limited to, a camera, a CCD camera, a photodiode, a photomultiplier tube, a laser scanner, and the like. In various aspects of the invention, the capture assembly is configured to rotate a flat substrate having one or more sample cavities arranged within the perimeter of the flat substrate. In one aspect, the flat substrate includes a plurality of cavities, thus defining a multi-cavity plate. In some aspects, the multi-cavity plate can facilitate the parallel execution of two or more different assay formats (e.g., a fluorescence-based and absorbance-based format) or facilitate the execution of different assays for two or more different analytes in a sample (e.g., a high-abundance analyte and a low-abundance analyte). Each different cavity can differ with respect to one or more properties that affect the execution of an assay, e.g., a biochemical assay or a cell-based assay, such as an optical property, geometry or shape, dimension, surface property, or assay reagent content.Generally, the properties of the different cavities are selected to improve the performance of a specific assay format or an assay of a given format for a specific analyte. As used herein, the term cavity, when used in relation to the flat substrate provided herein, refers to a cavity for performing an analytical assay to determine the concentration of an analyte of interest. In this context, the term cavity is used MA / t / ZUZÓ / UI u / υο as a synonym for test cavity and sample cavity. The different cavities in a multi-cavity plate can differ with respect to any property that affects the performance of an assay. Assay performance can be affected, for example, with respect to analyte detection sensitivity (e.g., lower limit of detection), robustness (e.g., Z-factor), signal strength (e.g., absolute signal or signal relative to a positive or negative control), background signal (e.g., signal from a negative control cavity without analyte of interest), signal-to-noise ratio (S / N), signal variability (e.g., standard deviation of positive or negative control cavities), reproducibility, temperature or light sensitivity, sensitivity to interference caused by certain chemicals (e.g., fluorescent compounds, color compounds, oxidizing or reducing compounds, detergents), or other assay factors. In some respects, the property of a cavity that affects the performance of an assay includes the geometry of the cavity (e.g., cube, right parallelepiped or rectangular prism, sphere, cylinder, (inverted) pyramid, (inverted) cone, flat bottom, conical bottom, and the like), a dimension of the cavity (e.g., height, length, depth, or volume), an optical property of the cavity (e.g., color or transparency to light), a surface property (e.g., high binding (e.g., high protein binding, high nucleic acid binding), low binding (e.g., low protein binding, low nucleic acid binding, microspheres in cavities), whether it promotes cell adhesion or cell proliferation, porosity (e.g., glass filter or PVDF membrane) or permeability), temperature (e.g., room temperature, elevated or reduced temperature), or assay reagent content (e.g.,test reagents dried in a cavity or test reagents in solution). Two or more cavities can be arranged on a multi-cavity plate in various different configurations. In some embodiments, the cavities are arranged in columns and rows (e.g., forming a rectangle or a square). In some embodiments, the cavities are arranged in a circle or concentric circles arranged around the center of the circle. In some embodiments, the arrangement of the cavities on the multi-cavity plate is encoded in a barcode (e.g., a two-dimensional or three-dimensional barcode) on the multi-cavity plate. While this disclosure illustrates the use of a flat, disk-shaped substrate, it will be appreciated that the flat substrate can be any geometric shape in which a sample cavity can be enclosed and rotated. For example, the flat substrate can be any polygonal shape when viewed along the axis of rotation, such as, by way of illustration and not limitation, a triangle, square, rectangle, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, nonagon, decagon, dodecagon, etc. Similarly, it will be appreciated that the flat substrate can have an arcuate or special shape when viewed along the axis of rotation, such as, by way of illustration and not limitation, a circle, irregular circle, or ellipse. It will also be appreciated that the perimeter of the flat substrate, when viewed along the axis of rotation, can include any number of arcuate portions, straight portions, grooves, or holes. In some respects, the flat substrate 80 includes a plurality of cavities configured for an absorbance-based test and / or a fluorescence-based test. The cavities configured for an absorbance-based test may include, for example, a transparent or translucent background. In some aspects, the flat substrate may include 2 or more, 3 or more, 4 or more, 5 or more, 6 or more, 7 or more, 8 or more, 9 or more, 10 or more, 15 or more, 20 or more, 25 or more, 30 or more, 35 or more, 40 or more, 45 or more, 50 or more, 60 or more, 70 or more, 80 or more, 90 or more or 100 or more cavities. In certain respects, a flat substrate provided herein includes a transparent or translucent background in one or more cavities. As used herein, the term transparent or translucent is used to describe a material that transmits at least partially light of a wavelength of interest in the ultraviolet or visible range, for example, between 220 nm and 850 nm, between 300 nm and 850 nm, between 400 nm and 800 nm, or between 300 nm and 700 nm. Conversely, a material characterized herein as opaque or solid (for example, solid black or solid white) is a material that does not transmit essentially any light of a wavelength of interest in the ultraviolet or visible range.In some respects, a transparent or translucent cavity bottom or multi-cavity plate transmits at least 1%, at least 3%, at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, or at least 90% of the light that reaches the bottom surface in the sample analyzer provided herein. In some aspects, at least 1%, at least 3%, at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or 100% of the cavities in the multi-cavity plate include a transparent or translucent background. In some aspects, some or all of the cavities in the peripheral circle of cavities in a circular multi-cavity plate include a transparent or translucent background.In some respects, only the cavities in the peripheral circle of cavities in a circular multi-cavity plate comprise a transparent or translucent background. In certain respects, an internal surface of a sample cavity in a flat substrate can be functionalized. A surface can be said to be functionalized when it includes a binder, support, building block, or other reactive portion attached to it, while a surface can be considered non-functionalized when it does not have such a reactive portion attached. A functionalized surface can refer to a surface that has a functional group. A functional group can be a group capable of forming a bond with another functional group. For example, a functional group could be biotin, which can form a bond with streptavidin, another functional group. Illustrative functional groups may include, but are not limited to, aldehydes, ketones, carboxy groups, amino groups, biotin, streptavidin, nucleic acids, small molecules (e.g., for click chemistry), homobifunctional and heterobifunctional reagents (e.g., N-succinimidyl(4-iodoacetyl)aminobenzoate (STAB), dimaleimide, dithio-bis-nitrobenzoic acid (DTNB), N-succinimidyl-S-acetyl-thioacetate (SATA), N-succinimidyl-3-(2-pyrididiumthio)propionate (SPDP), succinimidyl 4-(N-mapheimidomethyl)-cyclohexan-1-carboxylate (SMCC), and 6-hydrazinonicotimide (HYNIC)), and antibodies. In some cases, the functional group is a carboxy group (e.g., COOH). The functional groups on a surface can differ in different regions of the surface. They can also be the same in all regions. For example, the entire internal surface of a sample cavity might contain the same functional group. Alternatively, different regions of the internal surface of a sample cavity might contain different functional groups. Furthermore, it is possible for only portions of a surface to contain functional groups. The addition of functional groups to a surface can be used to create capture regions for immobilizing or binding an analyte. This allows a specific analyte to be concentrated in a specific surface region to enhance its detection and / or analysis. In one aspect, the internal surface of a cavity is functionalized to include an antigen or probe for analyte binding. In another aspect, the internal surface of a cavity is functionalized to capture a microsphere that optionally has a fluorescently labeled portion to improve capture efficiency, separation (for resolution and imaging purposes), and / or control density. This can also be achieved with other capture mechanisms, such as physical texturing or chemical capture.Functionalizing the surface of a cavity allows the inclusion of structures such as gold or silver nanoparticles to enhance the intensity of the radiation emitted from the reaction mixture. This is advantageous for the system architecture because it reduces optical power requirements and allows the use of less expensive light sources. In some aspects, the multi-cavity plate includes one or more pluralities of cavities configured for an absorbance-based test and one or more different pluralities of cavities configured for a fluorescence-based test. In some aspects, one or more pluralities of cavities configured for the absorbance-based test are arranged in a circle of cavities on the periphery of a circular (e.g., disc-shaped) multi-cavity plate. In some aspects, the cavities arranged on the periphery of a circular multi-cavity plate have a diameter of between 0.5 mm and 3.0 mm (e.g., 1.5 mm). In some aspects, the cavities arranged on the periphery of the circular multi-cavity plate include between approximately 1 and 8, 12, 24, or 48 cavities, or between approximately 36 and 48 cavities.In some respects, the one or more pluralities of cavities configured for an absorbance-based assay include one or more pluralities of cavities configured for a cell-based assay (e.g., RBC assay). In some respects, the one or more pluralities of cavities configured for an assay based on... MA / E / ZUZÓ / UI Ul»0 absorbance includes one or more pluralities of cavities configured for a biochemical assay. In some respects, the one or more pluralities of cavities configured for a biochemical assay include one or more pluralities of cavities configured for a homogeneous assay (e.g., protein detection, such as general protein absorbance (280 nm) or hemoglobin absorbance in the 540 nm–600 nm range (e.g., hemoglobin, oxyhemoglobin, carboxyhemoglobin, methemoglobin)). In some respects, the one or more pluralities of cavities configured for a biochemical assay include one or more pluralities of cavities configured for a heterogeneous assay (e.g., ELISA). In some respects, the one or more pluralities of cavities configured for a fluorescence-based assay include one or more pluralities of cavities configured for a fluorescence-based cell assay.In some respects, a fluorescence-based cell assay can evaluate cells in suspension, cells attached to microspheres, or cells attached to the bottom of a cavity. In some respects, one or more cavities configured for a fluorescence-based assay include one or more cavities configured for a fluorescence-based biochemical assay. In some respects, one or more cavities configured for a fluorescence-based biochemical assay include one or more cavities configured for a homogeneous fluorescence-based biochemical assay (e.g., an enzyme substrate turnover assay). In some respects, one or more cavities configured for a fluorescence-based biochemical assay include one or more cavities configured for a heterogeneous fluorescence-based biochemical assay (e.g., an ELISA).In some respects, the heterogeneous fluorescence-based biochemical assay involves attaching the analyte to the surface of a microsphere or the surface of a cavity. In some respects, the multi-cavity plate includes one or more cavities configured for a cell-based assay and one or more different cavities configured for a biochemical assay. In some respects, the one or more cavities configured for a cell-based assay include one or more cavities configured for a fluorescence-based cell assay. In some respects, the fluorescence-based cell assay may evaluate cells in suspension or cells attached to the surface of a microsphere or cavity. In some respects, the one or more cavities configured for a cell-based assay include one or more cavities configured for an absorbance-based cell assay.In some respects, one or more cavities configured for a biochemical assay include one or more cavities configured for a homogeneous biochemical assay. In some respects, one or more cavities configured for a homogeneous biochemical assay include one or more cavities configured for a homogeneous fluorescence-based biochemical assay. In some respects, one or more cavities configured for a homogeneous biochemical assay include one or more cavities configured for a homogeneous absorbance-based biochemical assay. In some respects, one or more cavities configured for a biochemical assay include one or more cavities configured for a heterogeneous biochemical assay.In some respects, the plurality of cavities configured for a heterogeneous biochemical assay includes one or more pluralities of cavities configured for a fluorescence-based heterogeneous biochemical assay. In some respects, the one or more pluralities of cavities configured for a heterogeneous biochemical assay include one or more pluralities of cavities configured for an absorbance-based heterogeneous biochemical assay. In some respects, one or more of the pluralities of cavities configured for an absorbance-based assay are arranged in a circle of cavities at the periphery of a circular (e.g., disc-shaped) multi-cavity plate. In some respects, the cavities arranged at the periphery of a circular multi-cavity plate have a diameter of between approximately 0.5 mm and 3.0 mm (e.g., 1.5 mm).In some respects, the cavities arranged on the periphery of the circular multi-cavity plate include between approximately 1 and 8, 12, 24 or 48 cavities, or between approximately 36 and 48 cavities. In some respects, the multi-cavity plate includes two or more different cavity pluralities configured to analyze two or more analytes selected from a small molecule analyte (e.g., a monosaccharide, fatty acid, salt, drug), a large molecule analyte (e.g., a protein, phospholipid, nucleic acid), and a cell (e.g., a red blood cell, a white blood cell). In some respects, a multi-cavity plate includes one or more cavities configured for an assay to detect a cell (e.g., RBC, WBC, circulating cancer cell (CTC), bacterial cell) and one or more different cavities configured for an assay to detect a large molecule analyte (e.g., a protein analyte). In some respects, a multi-cavity plate includes one or more cavities configured for an assay to detect a cell (e.g., an RBC, a WBC, a circulating cancer cell (CTC), a bacterial cell), one or more different cavities configured for an assay to detect a large molecule analyte (e.g., a protein analyte), and one or more different cavities configured for an assay to detect a small molecule analyte (e.g., glucose or cholesterol). In some respects, the multi-cavity plate includes one or more pluralities of cavities configured for an assay to detect a high-abundance analyte (e.g., albumin, glucose, or an RBC) and one or more different pluralities of cavities configured for an assay to detect a medium- or low-abundance analyte (e.g., tumor necrosis factor alpha or a CTC). In some respects, the multi-cavity plate has a circular shape (for example, MA / t / ZUZÓ / UI u / υο (disc shape) or ellipsoidal shape. In some aspects, the multi-cavity plate has a square or rectangular shape. In some respects, one or more of the various cavity types include one or more reagents for a biochemical assay. In some respects, the biochemical assay includes the turnover of an enzyme substrate. In some respects, the biochemical assay includes the binding of a binding reagent (e.g., antibody) to an analyte of interest (e.g., insulin, cytokine, or similar). In some respects, the reagents for a biochemical assay include an enzyme or an enzyme substrate. In some respects, the enzyme substrate is a fluorescent substrate (i.e., a substrate that can change its fluorescence properties as a result of enzyme-mediated turnover). In some respects, the enzyme substrate can change its absorbance characteristics in the ultraviolet (e.g., 200 nm–400 nm) or visible (e.g., 350 nm–850 nm) spectrum as a result of enzyme-mediated turnover.In some respects, a biochemical assay is a binding assay (e.g., sandwich immunoassay, ELISA, or similar). In some respects, a biochemical assay is a competence assay (e.g., immunoassay for a steroid hormone). In some respects, a biochemical assay is a homogeneous assay (e.g., (TR-)FRET assay, enzyme substrate turnover assay, or similar). In some respects, a biochemical assay is a heterogeneous assay (e.g., ELISA). In some respects, a biochemical assay is a kinetic assay (e.g., continuous-reading or intermittent-reading). In some respects, a biochemical assay is an endpoint assay. In some respects, the biochemical assay reagent is deposited as a coating on the surface of a plurality of cavities (e.g., a capture or binding reagent, such as an antibody, streptavidin, protein A, protein G, aptamer, oligonucleotide capture probe, or similar).In some respects, the biochemical assay reagent is a dried reagent (for example, to facilitate long-term storage). In other respects, the biochemical assay reagent is in solution (for example, dissolved in an aqueous buffer or an organic solvent). In some respects, one or more of the various cavity types include one or more reagents for a cell-based assay. In some respects, the cell-based assay includes the binding of a binding reagent (e.g., a fluorescently labeled antibody) to a cell-surface marker (e.g., CD20, CD45, or similar). In some respects, the reagents for a cell-based assay include a labeled cell-specific binding reagent (e.g., a fluorescently labeled anti-CD20 antibody) or a microsphere coated with a cell-specific binding reagent (e.g., an antibody directed against a cell-surface marker, e.g., an anti-CD20 antibody). In some respects, the reagents for a cell-based assay include a cell (e.g., a mammalian, bacterial, yeast, or similar cell).In some respects, the cell is an adherent cell (for example, a cell derived from a solid tumor). In some respects, the cell is a cell in. MA / IZ / ¿U¿O / U1 u / υο suspension (e.g., red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), circulating tumor cell (CTC), or similar). In some respects, the cell is a mammalian cell (e.g., human, primate, hamster, mouse, rat, and similar). In some respects, the cell is a yeast cell. In some respects, the cell is a bacterial cell (e.g., gram-positive or gram-negative). In some respects, the cell is a recombinant cell. In some respects, the cell-based assay is a reporter gene assay. In some respects, the reporter gene is luciferase. In some respects, the cell-based assay is a cell enumeration assay. In some respects, the cell-based assay reagent is a dried reagent (e.g., to facilitate long-term storage).In some respects, the cell-based assay reagent is in solution (e.g., dissolved in an aqueous buffer, organic solvent, or tissue culture medium). In some respects, one or more of the different cavities contain one or more reagents for a homogeneous assay. In some respects, the homogeneous assay is a biochemical assay. In some respects, the homogeneous assay is a cell-based assay that uses cells in suspension. In some respects, one or more of the different cavity pluralities include one or more reagents for a heterogeneous assay. In some respects, the reagents for a heterogeneous assay include a microsphere or cavity surface with an immobilized analyte-specific binding reagent (e.g., a covalently bound or physically adsorbed antibody, biotin, or other binding reagent) or a soluble analyte-specific binding reagent (e.g., a fluorescently labeled or enzyme-conjugated antibody, biotin, or other binding reagent). In some respects, a first plurality of cavities includes one or more reagents for a cell-based fluorescence assay (e.g., WBC enumeration). In some respects, a first plurality of cavities includes one or more reagents for a cell-based fluorescence assay, and a second, different plurality of cavities includes one or more reagents for a fluorescence-based biochemical assay (e.g., for blood glucose). In some respects, the fluorescence-based biochemical assay is a homogeneous assay (e.g., for blood glucose). In some respects, the fluorescence-based biochemical assay is a heterogeneous assay (e.g., for insulin, a cytokine, or similar).In some respects, a first plurality of cavities includes one or more reagents for a cell-based fluorescence assay, a second, different plurality of cavities includes one or more reagents for a fluorescence-based biochemical assay, and a third, different plurality of cavities includes one or more reagents for an absorbance-based biochemical assay. In some respects, one or more reagents are dried reagents. In some respects, a first plurality of cavities includes one or more reagents for an absorbance-based cell assay. In some respects, a first plurality of cavities includes one or more reagents for an absorbance-based cell assay (e.g., RBC enumeration), and a second, different plurality of cavities includes one or more reagents for a fluorescence-based biochemical assay (e.g., for blood glucose). In some respects, the fluorescence-based biochemical assay is a homogeneous assay (e.g., for blood glucose). In some respects, the fluorescence-based biochemical assay is a heterogeneous assay (e.g., for insulin, a cytokine, or similar).In some respects, a first plurality of cavities includes one or more reagents for an absorbance-based cell assay, a second, different plurality of cavities includes one or more reagents for a heterogeneous fluorescence-based biochemical assay, and a third, different plurality of cavities includes one or more reagents for a homogeneous fluorescence-based biochemical assay. In some respects, one or more reagents are dried reagents. In some respects, a first plurality of cavities includes one or more reagents for an absorbance-based biochemical assay. In some respects, a first plurality of cavities includes one or more reagents for an absorbance-based biochemical assay, and a second, different plurality of cavities includes one or more reagents for a fluorescence-based biochemical assay. In some respects, the fluorescence-based biochemical assay is a homogeneous assay. In some respects, the fluorescence-based biochemical assay is a heterogeneous assay. In some respects, a first plurality of cavities includes one or more reagents for an absorbance-based biochemical assay, a second, different plurality of cavities includes one or more reagents for a heterogeneous fluorescence-based biochemical assay, and a third, different plurality of cavities includes one or more reagents for a homogeneous fluorescence-based biochemical assay.In some respects, one or more reagents are dried reagents. In some respects, a first plurality of cavities includes one or more reagents for a fluorescence-based biochemical assay. In some respects, a first plurality of cavities includes one or more reagents for a fluorescence-based biochemical assay, and a second, different plurality of cavities includes one or more reagents for an absorbance-based biochemical assay. In some respects, the absorbance-based biochemical assay is a homogeneous assay. In some respects, the absorbance-based biochemical assay is a heterogeneous assay. In some respects, a first plurality of cavities includes one or more reagents for a fluorescence-based biochemical assay, a second, different plurality of cavities includes one or more reagents for a heterogeneous absorbance-based biochemical assay, and a third, different plurality of cavities includes one or more reagents for a homogeneous absorbance-based biochemical assay.In some respects, one or more reagents are dried reagents. In certain respects, the methods described herein include mixing a sample with one or more reagents and loading the sample into the sample cavity. The flat substrate is then MA / t / ZUZÓ / UI u / υο secures the capture assembly and rotates, and the sample is analyzed. In certain aspects, the methods described herein include loading a sample into the sample cavity containing one or more reagents to produce a mixture. The flat substrate is then secured to the capture assembly and rotated, and the sample is analyzed. In some aspects, the methods described herein utilize microspheres that have a fluorescently labeled portion. In some aspects, the method involves mixing a sample and a reagent containing microspheres to produce a mixture, and loading the mixture into the sample cavity. The flat substrate is then secured to the capture assembly and rotated, and the sample is analyzed. In some respects, the methods described in this disclosure include collecting a sample from a subject. In some respects, the sample is collected in a sample container. In some respects, the sample container is a sterile container or capsule. In other respects, a trained technician places the sample container onto the detection system. In some aspects, the methods include optionally performing a quality control test on the sample. If the sample passes the quality control test, it is analyzed for the analytes of interest to the subject. If the sample fails the quality control test, it is discarded, the analytes of interest are not analyzed, or the results of the analysis of the analytes of interest are not reported to the subject. In some aspects, the quality control test is performed before the analysis of the analytes of interest to the subject. In some aspects, the quality control analysis is performed concurrently with the analysis of the analytes of interest to the subject. In some respects, the sample is a blood sample. In some respects, the blood sample is blood drawn by finger prick. In some respects, the volume of the blood sample is between approximately 15 pL and approximately 150 pL, between approximately 20 pL and approximately 125 pL, between approximately 25 pL and approximately 100 pL, or between approximately 50 pL and approximately 70 pL. In some cases, the blood sample volume is around 10 pL, around 15 pL, around 20 pL, around 25 pL, around 30 pL, around 35 pL, around 40 pL, around 45 pL, around 50 pL, around 55 pL, around 60 pL, around 65 pL, around 70 pL, around 75 pL, around 80 pL, around pL, around 90 pL, around 95 pL, or around 100 pL. In some cases, the blood sample volume is between around 50 pL and around 100 pL.In some respects, the blood sample volume is approximately 55 pL. Devices and methods for collecting blood by finger prick are known in the art. Useful example devices for collecting blood by finger prick may include, for instance, devices from Seventh Sense Biosystems (e.g., those using TAP Touch-Activated Phlebotomy™ or HemoLink™ technology). In some respects, the blood collected from a... MA / E / ZUZÓ / UI Ul»0 Subject by fingerstick includes less than 20%, less than 15%, less than 10%, less than 5%, less than 3%, less than 2%, or less than 1% interstitial fluid. In some respects, blood collected from the subject by fingerstick includes at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% venous blood. In some respects, interstitial fluid is not detectable in blood collected from the subject by fingerstick. In some cases, the blood sample is obtained by venipuncture (e.g., with a needle). In some cases, a phlebotomist collects the blood sample. In some cases, the blood sample is collected using an evacuated tube or a vacuum tube (e.g., Vacutainer® from Becton Dickinson & Co., Vacuette® from Greiner Bio-One GmbH). In some cases, the blood sample is between approximately 1 mL and approximately 50 mL, between approximately 5 mL and approximately 30 mL, and between approximately 10 mL and approximately 20 mL. In some cases, the blood sample is approximately 15 mL.In some respects, the blood sample is an aliquot of a larger sample, for example, an aliquot of between approximately 1 pL and approximately 250 pL, between approximately 5 pL and approximately 200 pL, between approximately 10 pL and approximately 175 pL, between approximately 15 pL and approximately 150 pL, between approximately 20 pL and approximately 125 pL, between approximately 25 pL and approximately 100 pL, or between approximately 50 pL and approximately 70 pL. In some respects, the aliquot is between approximately 1 pL and approximately 10 pL. In some respects, the aliquot is between approximately 50 picoliters (50 pL) and approximately 100 nanoliters (100 nL). In some aspects, the methods also include centrifuging the sample. In some aspects, the methods also include diluting the sample. In some aspects, the sample is diluted in a multi-cavity plate provided herein. In some aspects, the sample is diluted and transferred to a sample cavity of a flat substrate provided herein. In some aspects, diluting the sample includes preparing a serial dilution of the sample. In some aspects, sample dilutions are prepared, for example, using a piezoelectric or acoustic liquid handling device (e.g., Labcyte Echo®). In some respects, diluting a sample involves preparing a serial dilution of the sample. In some respects, serial dilution includes 2-fold, 3-fold, 5-fold, or 10-fold serial dilutions, such as 2-point, 3-point, 4-point, 5-point, 6-point, 7-point, 8-point, 9-point, 10-point, 11-point, or 12-point serial dilutions. In some respects, the sample is not serially diluted; for example, a sample dilution series might include 1:3, 1:5, 1:10, 1:100, and 1:500 sample dilutions. In some respects, the dilution factors or the number of dilutions in a dilution series depend on which two or more analytes of interest are selected. In some respects, the methods provided herein include seamless integration of patient sample collection (e.g., finger prick) into the preparation Sample preparation (e.g., centrifugation, bulk sample dilution, sample placement in multi-cavity plates), sample testing (e.g., initiation of biochemical or cell-based assays in a multi-cavity plate), and communication of test results to the subject. In some aspects, sample preparation begins within 60 min, within 45 min, within 30 min, within 20 min, within 15 min, within 10 min, within 5 min, within 3 min, or within 1 minute after sample collection.In some aspects, testing of samples in a multi-cavity plate (e.g., a traditional plate or a multi-cavity plate provided herein) begins within 60 min, within 45 min, within 30 min, within 20 min, within 15 min, within 10 min, within 5 min, within 3 min, or within 1 minute after sample collection.In some aspects, sample testing is completed within 12 hours, 10 hours, 8 hours, 6 hours, 4 hours, 3 hours, 2 hours, 90 minutes, 60 minutes, 45 minutes, 30 minutes, or 20 minutes after sample collection. In some aspects, test results are communicated to the customer (e.g., via email) or made accessible in a database within 12 hours, 10 hours, 8 hours, 6 hours, 4 hours, 3 hours, 2 hours, 90 minutes, 60 minutes, 45 minutes, 30 minutes, or 20 minutes after sample collection. In some respects, the sample is a biological sample obtained from a subject. In some respects, the biological sample is a liquid sample. In some respects, the liquid sample is a blood sample (e.g., whole blood, plasma, or serum), a urine sample, or any other body fluid (e.g., amniotic fluid, bile, breast milk, cerebrospinal fluid, gastric acid, lymph, mucus (e.g., phlegm or nasal drainage), pericardial fluid, peritoneal fluid, pleural fluid, pus, eye crust, saliva, semen, sputum, synovial fluid, sweat, tears, vaginal secretion, vomit, and the like). The sample may be obtained invasively or non-invasively. Invasive sample collection may include, for example, collection with an intravenous or hypodermic needle. In some cases, the sample may be obtained by finger prick with a finger-prick device. Finger-prick devices that may be used in the methods provided herein include, but are not limited to, a TAP Touch Activated Phlebotomy™ device from Seventh Sense Biosystems or a HemoLink™ device from Tasso, Inc. In some respects, the subject is a human patient who has a disease, disorder, or other condition (e.g., a metabolic disease, a genetic disorder, an inflammatory disease, an autoimmune disease, a neurodegenerative disorder, a psychiatric disorder, and the like). In some respects, the sample is a human blood sample. In some respects, the human blood sample is obtained using a finger-prick device. The analytes, or clinical parameters, that can be analyzed with the sample analyzer or methods described herein may include analytes or clinical parameters related to a subject's pathological condition, general health status, well-being or lifestyle, a subject's genotype, or combinations thereof. The analytes described herein may include any molecular or cellular component of a biological sample. In some respects, analytes include a protein (e.g., PSA), a nucleotide (e.g., an mRNA expression level or a DNA sequence), a sugar (e.g., glucose or a post-translational protein modification), a lipid (e.g., triglycerides) or a lipid particle (e.g., LDL, HDL, VLDL, and the like), a metabolite (e.g., lactate, pyruvate), a mineral or metal ion (e.g., Na+, Fe2+), a vitamin (e.g., ascorbic acid), a cell (e.g., white blood cell, platelet, virus, pathogen cell, such as a bacterium or eukaryotic pathogen), or combinations thereof. Analytes may be analyzed qualitatively (e.g., presence or absence) or quantitatively (e.g., analyte concentration or amount of analytes per volume).Analyte concentrations can be expressed in absolute terms (e.g., concentration of analytes in a sample) or relative terms (e.g., percentage of a population). In some respects, a subject's pathological condition may include, for example, but not limited to, a metabolic disorder (e.g., diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and the like), liver disease (e.g., cirrhosis), kidney disease (e.g., acute or chronic kidney disease, kidney cancer), pancreatic disease (e.g., acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, hereditary pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer), an inflammatory disorder (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease), a cardiovascular disorder (e.g., angina, myocardial infarction, stroke, atherosclerosis), an immune or autoimmune disorder (e.g., lupus erythematosus, celiac disease), a type of cancer (e.g., multiple myeloma, lymphoma, leukemia, prostate cancer, breast cancer, and the like), an infectious disease (e.g., Lyme disease, HIV, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and the like),an endocrine disorder (e.g., Cushing's syndrome, growth hormone deficiency), a blood disorder (e.g., anemia, a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia, or hematologic cancer), a psychiatric or behavioral condition or disorder (e.g., attention deficit disorder), and others. In some respects, the analytes or clinical parameters related to a subject's pathological condition may include, for example, but not limited to, adenovirus DNA, alanine aminotransferase (ALT / SGPT), albumin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alpha-1-acid glycoprotein, alpha-1 lyoantitrypsin (e.g., total), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), amphetamines, amylase, antibodies against red blood cells (RBCs), antinuclear antibodies (ANA), apolipoprotein (e.g., apo A-1, apo B), aspartate aminotransferase (AST / SGOT), B-lymphocyte count, beta-2 microglobulin, bilirubin (e.g., direct or total), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), Borrelia antibody, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), calcitonin, calcium (e.g., blood, urine), cancer antigens (by for example, CA 125, CA 15-3, CA 27.29, CA 19-9), carbon dioxide, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), anticardiolipin antibody (ACA, for example, IgG),complete blood count (CBC), CD4 or CD8 counts (e.g., ratios or absolute counts), Chlamydia trachomatis, chloride (e.g., blood, urine), cholesterol, cholinesterase, complement component 3 or 4 antigens, cortisol (e.g., total), C-peptide, C-reactive protein (CRP, e.g., high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP)), creatine kinase, creatinine (e.g., blood or urine), antibody against cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP), IgG, cystatin C, antibody against cytomegalovirus (CMV) (e.g., IgG or IgM), D-dimer, antibody against deamidated gliadin peptide (DGP) (e.g., IgA or IgG), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-5), deoxypyridinoline crosslinks (DPD) (collagen crosslinks, e.g., urine), antibody against double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) (e.g., IgG), E. coli Shiga-like toxin, EBV early D antigen (EA-D), EBV nuclear antibody, EBV viral capsid antigen (VGA),anti-endomysial antibody (EMA, e.g., IgM or IgG), erythrocyte sedimentation rate, antibodies against extractable nuclear antigens (ENA panel) (RNP, Smith, SSA, SSB, SCO-70, JO-1), ferritin, fibrinogen, gastrin, glucose, growth hormone (HGH), Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), IgG, hematocrit (HCT), hemoglobin (HGB), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), hepatitis A (HAV) antibody (e.g., IgM, total), hepatitis B (HBV) nucleocapsid antibody (e.g., IgM, total), hepatitis B (HBV) surface antibody, hepatitis B (HBV), DNA, hepatitis C (HCV) antibody, hepatitis C (HCV) genotype, hepatitis C (HCV), RNA, HER-2 / neu, herpes simplex 1 (HSV1), herpes simplex 2 (HSV2), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1), HIV1 / HIV-2, homocysteine, immunoglobulins (e.g., IgA, IgG, IgM, IgE, IgG, IgM), IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1),Insulin, iron, iron-binding capacity (IBC; e.g., total (TIBC)), lactate dehydrogenase, lead, lipase, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), lymphocyte enumeration, magnesium, measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) immunity, microalbumin (e.g., urine), myoglobin, Neisseria gonorrhea (e.g., DNA), natural killer (NKC) cells, eggs and parasites, parathyroid hormone (PTH), partial thromboplastin time (PTT), phosphorus, inorganic, platelets, potassium (e.g., blood, urine), prealbumin, prostate-specific antigen (PSA; e.g., free or total), protein (e.g., total; e.g., blood or urine), prothrombin time (PT / INR), red blood cell (RBC) count, reticulocyte (RC) count, rheumatoid factor (e.g., total), rubella (measles) antibody (e.g., IgG or IgM), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), sodium (e.g., blood or urine),Streptolysin O antibody (ASO; e.g., titer), T lymphocytes (e.g., total count), triiodothyronine, thyroglobulin, anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (TAA), anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG), thyroxine (e.g., free T4 or total T4), anti-tissue transglutaminase (tTG) antibody (e.g., IgA or IgG), Toxoplasma (e.g., IgG or IgM), transferrin, triglycerides, triiodothyronine (e.g., free T3 or total T3), troponin I (tCNI), tuberculosis, uric acid, varicella-zoster (VZV) antibody, and white blood cell (WBC) count. In some aspects, an individual's general health status, well-being, or lifestyle may include or be affected by, for example, but not limited to, allergies / hypersensitivities, blood pressure, body weight (e.g., body mass index), diet (e.g., Western diet, Mediterranean diet, processed foods, home-cooked meals), alcohol consumption habits (e.g., frequency, amount, or type of alcohol consumption), drug and medication use (e.g., prescription drugs, recreational drugs, doping), environmental factors (e.g., pollution, climate), exercise habits (e.g., frequency, intensity, type of exercise), fertility, pregnancy, rest period (e.g., day or night, duration, frequency), smoking, stress levels (e.g., chronic, acute), vacation schedule, work schedule, and other factors. In some respects, the analytes or clinical parameters related to a subject's general health status, well-being, or lifestyle may include, for example, among others, ACTH (corticotropin), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP;for example, maternal), amphetamine, androstenedione, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), apolipoprotein (for example, apo A-1, apo B), barbiturates (for example, urine), benzodiazepines (for example, urine), cortisol (for example, total), cyclosporine A, ecstasy (MDMA), estradiol, estriol (for example, unconjugated), estrone, ethanol, folate (folic acid), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), glucose, hCG-human chorionic gonadotropin (for example, blood or urine, qualitative or quantitative), insulin, lithium, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), marijuana (THC), methadone (dolophine), methamphetamines, opiates, phencyclidine (PCP), progesterone, prolactin, propoxyphene, testosterone (for example, free or total), tricyclic antidepressants (by for example, urine), vitamin B-12, vitamin D 25-OH.; In some respects, an individual's genotype may include genes related to their health or pathological conditions (e.g., life expectancy, susceptibility to disease), or other physical or mental traits (e.g., energy level, athletic ability, intelligence). In some respects, an individual's genotype may also include genes related to their lineage (e.g., family ties, geographic origins). In some respects, the analytes, or clinical parameters, that can be analyzed with the sample analyzer or the methods described herein may include a biomarker (e.g., biomarker level in a patient) analyzed in relation to a treatment MA / t / ZUZÓ / UIU A patient's pharmaceutical lyo, for example, treatment with a biotherapeutic product or small molecule drug (for example, an antibody or other recombinant protein). In some respects, the biomarker is analyzed while a clinical trial is being developed, for example, to analyze the efficacy of a clinical drug candidate in a patient, to analyze a patient's adherence to the treatment regimen, or to select a patient who might benefit from the treatment. In some respects, the analysis includes an analysis of red blood cells (RBCs; for example, RBC count), platelets (for example, platelet count), or white blood cells (WBCs; for example, WBC count). In some respects, WBCs include all WBCs in a blood sample (for example, cluster of differentiation 45 (CD45)-positive cells, for example, CD45RA or CD45RO sotype; for example, total WBC count). In some respects, WBCs include a T lymphocyte (for example, cluster of differentiation 3 (CD3)-positive cells), a B lymphocyte (for example, cluster of differentiation 19 (CD19)-positive cells), a natural killer (NK) cell (for example, CD3-negative cells and cluster of differentiation 16 (CD16) and cluster of differentiation 56 (CD56)-positive cells), or combinations of these. In some respects, the T lymphocyte includes a helper T lymphocyte (e.g., CD4-positive cells) or a cytotoxic T lymphocyte (e.g., CD8-positive cells).In some respects, helper T cells or cytotoxic T cells can be further classified as undifferentiated lymphocytes (e.g., CD4RA+ or CD8RA+) or memory lymphocytes (e.g., CD4RO+ or CD8RO-). In some respects, the blood cell panel includes a circulating tumor cell (CTC; e.g., CTC count). In some respects, a CTC includes a traditional CTC (e.g., a CD45-negative, creatine kinase (CK)-positive cell with an intact nucleus), a cytokeratin (CK)-negative CTC (e.g., a CD45-negative cell with cancer-like morphology), a small CTC (e.g., a CD45-negative cell with a size and morphology similar to an average white blood cell), or a CTC cluster (e.g., two or more CTCs fused together, e.g., a cluster of small CTCs or traditional CK-negative cells).In some respects, the blood cell panel includes CD45 (e.g., CD45RA or CD45RO, or both), CD3, CD16, CD56, CD4, CD8, CK, cell morphology (e.g., cell shape or size, tumor cell-like or WBC-like appearance or phenotype, intact or apoptotic nucleus, and the like), or combinations of these. In some aspects, a complete blood count (CBC) is performed, which includes white blood cell (WBC) count, white blood cell differential (DIFF), absolute neutrophil count, % neutrophils (Neu, PMN, neutrophils), absolute lymphocyte count, % lymphocytes (Lymph), absolute monocyte count, % monocytes (Mono), absolute eosinophil count, % eosinophils (EOS), absolute basophil count, % basophils (BASO), red blood cell (RBC) count, red blood cell distribution width (RDW), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and platelet count (PIT). MA / t / ZUZÓ / UI u / yo mean platelet volume (MPV) or combinations of these. The analytes, or clinical parameters, that can be analyzed using the multi-cavity plates, systems, or methods described herein may include analytes present at a wide range of different concentrations in a sample (e.g., a blood or urine sample). Analytes may include high-abundance, medium-abundance, and low-abundance analytes. In some respects, high-abundance analytes include analytes present in a sample at concentrations >100 μM, for example, >500 μM, >1 mM, >2 mM, >3 mM, >4 mM, >5 mM, >6 mM, >7 mM, >8 mM, >9 mM, >10 mM, >15 mM, >20 mM, >25 mM, >50 mM, >75 mM, >100 mM, >125 mM, >150 mM, or >200 mM. In some respects, medium abundance analytes include analytes present in a sample at concentrations between 100 nM and 100 μM (e.g., between 100 nM and 1 μM, between 1 μM and 10 μM, or between 10 μM and 100 μM).In some respects, low abundance analytes include analytes present in a sample at concentrations <100 nM, such as <10 nM, <1 nM, <100 pM, <10 pM or <1 pM. In some respects, the sample analyzer also includes a sample dilution station. In some respects, the sample dilution station includes a liquid handling device capable of preparing a dilution or series of dilutions from a small sample volume (e.g., 1–200 pL of a human blood sample). In some respects, the sample dilution station includes a sample dilution plate (e.g., a traditional disposable multi-cavity plate) and a multi-cavity plate provided herein. In some respects, the sample dilution station includes a liquid handling device capable of transferring an aliquot of a sample or sample dilution from the sample dilution plate to a multi-cavity plate provided herein.In some respects, the liquid handling device is capable of preparing a series of sample dilutions directly in the multi-cavity plate provided herein. In some aspects, the sample analyzer includes an operator interface that has a data input device, a display, and optionally, a barcode reader. In some aspects, the processor controls the operation of the sample dilution station. In some respects, the sample analyzer includes an operator interface (e.g., for a trained technician) that has a data input device (e.g., keyboard, touch screen, voice recognition device), a display (e.g., computer screen) and, optionally, a barcode reader. Although the invention has been described with reference to the preceding examples, it is understood that the spirit and scope of the invention encompass modifications and variations. Accordingly, the invention is limited only by the following claims.

Claims

1. An assembly comprising: a) a clamping mechanism configured to clamp and secure a flat substrate, wherein the clamping mechanism comprises: i) a bushing that will come into contact with a lower surface of the flat substrate, wherein the bushing comprises one or more elements disposed on an upper surface of the bushing configured to engage with the lower surface of the flat substrate and position the flat substrate on the upper surface of the bushing in a plane of rotation;and (i) a clamping portion configured to reversibly contact a top surface of the flat substrate, wherein the clamping portion is operable to reversibly change from a first configuration to a second configuration, wherein, when in the first configuration, the clamping portion is not in contact with the top surface of the flat substrate, and wherein, when in the second configuration, the clamping portion is in contact with the top surface of the flat substrate, thereby clamping the flat substrate between the top surface of the hub and the clamping portion; and (b) a drive shaft having a longitudinal axis, wherein the axis is operatively coupled to the hub and is operable to rotate the flat substrate in the plane of rotation.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the plane of rotation is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

3. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein the hub has a perimeter arranged around the longitudinal axis of the shaft and a through hole within the perimeter of the hub extending through the hub along the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

4. The assembly according to claim 3, wherein the clamping portion comprises a first member and a second member.

5. The assembly according to claim 4, wherein the first member has a flange configured to come into contact with the upper surface of the flat substrate when the clamping portion is in the second configuration.

6. The assembly according to claim 5, wherein the second member comprises a shaft extending along the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft and having an expanded diameter region configured to contact the first member when in the second configuration to cause the flange to contact the upper surface of the flat substrate. MA / IZ / ¿U¿O / U1 u / yo 7. The assembly according to claim 6, wherein the clamping portion further comprises a third member having a flange configured to contact the upper surface of the flat substrate when the clamping portion is in the second configuration.

8. The assembly according to claim 7, wherein the expanded diameter region is configured to come into contact with the third member when it is in the second configuration to cause the flange of the third member to come into contact with the upper surface of the flat substrate.

9. The assembly according to claim 8, wherein the first, second and third members pass through the through hole of the hub.

10. The assembly according to claim 5, further comprising a support platform for supporting the flat substrate.

11. The assembly according to claim 10, wherein the assembly is operable to reversibly move from a first position to a second position, wherein, when the assembly is in the first position, the platform is in contact with the flat substrate and the bushing is not in contact with the flat substrate, and wherein, when the assembly is in a second position, the platform is not in contact with the flat substrate and the bushing is in contact with the flat substrate.

12. The assembly according to claim 11, further comprising a clamping release arm operable to cause the clamping portion to move from the first configuration to the second configuration during the transition of the assembly apparatus from the first position to the second position.

13. The assembly according to claim 12, wherein, when the clamping portion is in the second configuration, the assembly is in the second position and the clamping release arm is uncoupled.

14. The assembly according to claim 13, further comprising an operable spring for tensioning one or more bushing elements against the lower surface of the flat substrate when the clamping portion is in the second configuration.

15. The assembly according to claim 14, further comprising a motor operable for reversibly moving the assembly from the first position to the second position.

16. The assembly according to claim 15, further comprising an operable processor for controlling the movement of the assembly from the first position to the second position.

17. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the flat substrate is a disk. MA / t / ZUZÓ / UIU lyo 18. The assembly according to claim 17, wherein the hub is a disc having a centrally located through hole.

19. The assembly according to claim 18, wherein one or more elements are arranged within a circumference of the hub.

20. The assembly according to claim 19, wherein the hub comprises at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or more elements.

21. The assembly according to claim 20, wherein the elements are arranged radially on the upper surface of the hub around the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

22. The assembly according to claim 21, wherein the elements are uniformly distributed around the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

23. The assembly according to claim 22, wherein each element has a shape that allows adjacent elements to form an operable groove for coupling to an element disposed on the lower surface of the flat substrate.

24. The assembly according to claim 23, wherein the flat substrate element is arranged within the groove in the second configuration and is in contact with the adjacent elements.

25. The assembly according to claim 23, wherein each element includes a tapering surface, wherein the tapering surface of each adjacent element forms the groove.

26. The assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a motor operatively coupled to the shaft, wherein the motor is configured to rotate the flat substrate in the plane of rotation.

27. The assembly according to claim 26, further comprising a processor for controlling a rotation speed of the flat substrate.

28. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the clamping mechanism is configured to prevent the flat substrate from sliding around the plane of rotation during rotation of the flat substrate.

29. A sample analyzer comprising the assembly according to any of the preceding claims.

30. The sample analyzer according to claim 29, further comprising one or more operable processors for controlling the automation of the sample analyzer.

31. The sample analyzer according to claim 30, further comprising an optical assembly having a light source and a light detector, wherein the optical assembly is operatively coupled to one or more processors and is operable to irradiate a reaction mixture disposed within a cavity of a flat substrate attached to the clamping mechanism with light emitted by the light source and detect the light emitted from the reaction mixture by means of the light detector.

32. The sample analyzer according to claim 31, further comprising one or more imaging devices.

33. The sample analyzer according to claim 32, wherein the one or more imaging devices are operatively coupled to the processor and / or optical assembly.

34. The sample analyzer according to claim 31, wherein the one or more processors include a functionality for quantifying the amount of an analyte within the reaction mixture based on the amount of light emission detected.

35. The sample analyzer according to claim 31, wherein the one or more processors include functionality for continuously collecting and processing sequential measurements of emission light detected at dynamic intervals during substrate rotation.

36. The sample analyzer according to claim 35, wherein the processor includes a functionality for correlating sequential measurements of detected emission light with the cavity.

37. The sample analyzer according to claim 31, wherein the substrate has a plurality of cavities, each containing a reaction mixture.

38. The sample analyzer according to claim 37, wherein the one or more processors include a functionality for quantifying the amount of an analyte within each reaction mixture based on the light emission detected from each reaction mixture.

39. The sample analyzer according to claim 38, wherein the one or more processors include functionality for continuously collecting and processing sequential measurements of emission light detected at dynamic intervals during substrate rotation.

40. The sample analyzer according to claim 39, wherein the one or more processors include a functionality for correlating sequential measurements of light emission detected with each cavity.

41. The sample analyzer according to claim 31, wherein the reaction mixture comprises a fluorescently labeled portion.

42. The sample analyzer according to claim 41, wherein the fluorescently labeled portion comprises a microsphere.

43. The sample analyzer according to claim 42, wherein the microsphere is magnetic.

44. The sample analyzer according to claim 31, further comprising a magnetic source configured to interact with the reaction mixture.

45. A method for performing an assay comprising: a) placing a flat substrate having a cavity disposed within a perimeter of the substrate on the support platform of the sample analyzer according to any of claims 29-44, wherein the cavity comprises a reaction mixture including a sample and reagent; b) moving the assembly from the first position to the second position, whereby one or more bushing elements engage with a lower surface of the flat substrate and orient the flat substrate in the plane of rotation, and the clamping portion moves from the first configuration to the second configuration to clamp the flat substrate between the one or more bushing elements and the flange of the clamping portion; c) rotating the flat substrate within the plane of rotation; and d) detecting an analyte within the reaction mixture.

46. ​​The method according to claim 45, wherein the analyte is detected by detecting the light emission from the reaction mixture using the optical assembly and one or more processors.

47. The method according to claim 46, further comprising determining the optimum focus by moving the assembly so that the substrate is in a suitable position with respect to the optical assembly to detect the emission light from the reaction mixture.

48. The method according to claim 47, wherein determining the optimum focus comprises: collecting and processing sequential measurements of detected emission light at dynamic intervals during substrate rotation and adjusting the substrate position according to instructions from one or more processors by changing a height of the substrate rotation plane with respect to the optical assembly.

49. The method according to claim 48, wherein determining the optimum focus further comprises determining a location of a cavity bottom before collecting and processing sequential measurements of detected emission light.

50. The method according to claim 46, further comprising collecting and processing sequential measurements of emission light detected at dynamic intervals during substrate rotation.

51. The method according to claim 50, further comprising determining the amount of an analyte in the reaction mixture based on sequential measurements.

52. The method according to claim 46, wherein the substrate has a plurality of cavities, each containing a reaction mixture.

53. The method according to claim 52, further comprising quantifying the amount of an analyte within each reaction mixture as a function of the light emission detected in each reaction mixture.

54. The method according to claim 52, further comprising collecting and processing sequential measurements of emission light detected at dynamic intervals during substrate rotation.

55. The method according to claim 54, further comprising correlating the sequential measurements of light emission detected with each cavity. ML / t / ZUZÓ / UIU lyo 56. A method for securing a flat substrate comprising: a) placing a flat substrate on the support platform of the assembly according to any of claims 10-16; and b) moving the assembly from the first position to the second position, thereby causing the clamping portion to move from the first configuration to the second configuration to clamp the flat substrate between one or more bushing elements and the flange of the first member of the clamping portion.

57. The method according to claim 56, wherein one or more elements of the bushing are coupled to the lower surface of the flat substrate and automatically orient and align the flat substrate in the plane of rotation during the transition of the assembly from the first position to the second position.

58. A method for securing a flat substrate comprising: a) placing a flat substrate on the support platform of the assembly according to any of claims 10-16; and b) moving the assembly from the first position to the second position, thereby causing the clamping portion to move from the first configuration to the second configuration to clamp the flat substrate between one or more bushing elements and the flange of the first member of the clamping portion and the flange of the third member of the clamping portion.

59. The method according to claim 58, wherein one or more elements of the bushing are coupled to the lower surface of the flat substrate and automatically orient and align the flat substrate in the plane of rotation during the transition of the assembly from the first position to the second position.

Images