A system and method for processing and detecting nucleic acids from a set of biological samples, comprising: a molecular diagnostic module configured to receive nucleic acids bound to magnetic beads, isolate nucleic acids, and analyze nucleic acids, comprising a cartridge receiving module, a heating/cooling subsystem and a magnet configured to facilitate isolation of nucleic acids, a valve actuation subsystem including an actuation substrate, and a set of pins interacting with the actuation substrate, and a spring plate configured to bias at least one pin in a configurations, the valve actuation subsystem configured to control fluid flow through a microfluidic cartridge for processing nucleic acids, and an optical subsystem for analysis of nucleic acids; and a fluid handling system configured to deliver samples and reagents to components of the system to facilitate molecular diagnostic protocols.

Electroacoustic device (5) for generating at least one acoustic wave (Fv,Vx), the device comprising a piezoelectric substrate (10) and first (15) and second (20) groups of electrodes (60,65,70,75) arranged on the substrate, each electrode of the first and second groups comprising a track (80.sub.a-f,85.sub.a-f,90.sub.a-d,95.sub.a-d), the tracks (90.sub.a-d,95.sub.a-d) of the electrodes of the first group spiralling around a same spiral axis (Z) along a first winding direction (W.sub.1), and the tracks (80.sub.a-f,85.sub.a-f) of the electrodes of the second group spiralling around said spiral axis along a second winding direction (W.sub.2) opposite to the first winding direction.

A point of use analyzer includes pump, valve, port, and storage channel. The storage channel may hold multiple assay packets composed of reagent aliquots separated by bounding slugs. The storage channel may define an elongated lumen having two ends with each of the ends coupled to the valve. A sampling device for use with the analyzer engages the port and may include a recurrent coaxial tube having a separation medium. A method of using the analyzer with the sampling device includes steps of pumping a fluid to displace a sample into the separation medium and out through the opposed connection.

A point of use analyzer includes pump, valve, port, and storage channel. The storage channel may hold multiple assay packets composed of reagent aliquots separated by bounding slugs. The storage channel may define an elongated lumen having two ends with each of the ends coupled to the valve. A sampling device for use with the analyzer engages the port and may include a recurrent coaxial tube having a separation medium. A method of using the analyzer with the sampling device includes steps of pumping a fluid to displace a sample into the separation medium and out through the opposed connection.

A MEM-based device and method of fabrication, the device comprising a biochip substrate comprising one or more compliant materials, a plurality of mechanical and electrical micro-sensors configured in an array to simultaneously measure electrical and mechanical properties of a sample, wherein a first mechanical micro-sensor is formed as a patterned layer of at least one of the compliant materials, wherein the patterned layer is coupled to a first pillar comprising a dielectric material formed onto the compliant materials, the first pillar being coated with a metal film at a contact surface with the sample and along a side of the first pillar to act as a conductive probe for the first electrical micro-sensor, and wherein the first pillar is formed on the first mechanical micro-sensor to transfer a force to the first mechanical micro-sensor.

The subject of the invention relates to a tool for manipulating a plurality of plugs, taking the form of a comb (1) comprising: a body (7) provided with a row of teeth (4) having pointed distal portions (4p) spaced apart in a linear direction in order to engage with the cavities of the plugs; a system for separating the plugs from the teeth (4) that comprises a slide returned elastically and guided to slide with respect to the body (7) in a direction parallel to the direction of extension of the teeth, the slide being provided with the fingers of the comb, which are movable by sliding between the teeth (4), and a control (11a) accessible from a first portion (1a) of the comb and which, when pressed to move translationally, causes the fingers of the comb to slide in the direction of the pointed distal portions (4p) in order to eject the plugs from the teeth (4).

A storage system having racks and an outer container that receives the racks, each rack receiving a plurality of sample boxes, each box having a wireless ID tag. In certain embodiments, the storage system has reader electronics external to and distinct from the racks and that directly read the wireless ID tag of each box in at least one rack without relying on any reader electronics of any rack. In other embodiments, each rack has a set of rack reader electronics that read the wireless ID tag of each box in at least one rack, and the storage system has at least one removable reader access device removably connectable to the set of rack reader electronics of a rack in order to transmit the ID number of the wireless ID tag of each box in the rack outside of the outer container.

A system is disclosed for measuring head framing and tip straightness in a liquid handler. The present system uses a test plate, having an upper surface formed of clay or other impressionable material. The test plate may be placed at a liquid handling station. Pipette tips may then be loaded onto the head, and the head positioned at the station including the test plate. The head may be actuated in the z-direction so that the tips leave an imprint in the upper surface of the test plate. The imprint of the tips on the test plate may then be analyzed using any of a variety of measurement techniques to determine head framing alignment or misalignment.

A cell chip includes first, second and third elements, a dye dialysis layer, a micro-channel structure and washing solution inlet and outlet. The first element has a first hole and second holes at opposite sides of the first hole. The second element has a third hole corresponding to the first hole and fourth holes corresponding to the second holes. The dye dialysis layer is inserted between the first element and the second element and has a cell-assembly region corresponding to the first and third holes. The micro-channel structure is disposed below the cell-assembly region and between the second and the third elements. The washing solution inlet and outlet are communicatively connected to the micro-channel structure. The washing solution inlet includes the second hole and a corresponding fourth hole. A washing solution flows in the micro-channel structure through the washing solution inlet and outlet.

An apparatus and method for producing a coated analytic substrate using a compact and portable automated instrument located in the laboratory setting at the point of use which can consistently produce one or a plurality of coated analytic substrates “on demand” for using the analytic substrate immediately after coating, preferably without a step of rinsing the coated analytic substrate before use. The apparatus preferably uses applicator cartridges having a reservoir containing the coating compositions used to form the coatings. Preferably the cartridges are removable and interchangeable to facilitate the production of individual analytic substrates having different coatings or different coating patterns. These coated analytic substrates have superior specimen adhesion characteristics due to the improved quality of the coatings applied by the coating apparatus and due to the quickness with which the coated analytic substrates can be used in the lab after production.