Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure are directed to configuring an analyzer apparatus for processing a particular sample-processing cartridge. The analyzer apparatus includes a portable container and sample-specific configuration circuitry. The portable container supports and integrates a sample-processing cartridge and the sample-specific configuration circuitry. The sample-specific configuration circuitry identifies configuration information specific to the sample-processing cartridge and configures the analyzer apparatus for a series of state configurations. The configuration can be performed by selecting which of a plurality of biological-sample stimulators to interact with the biological sample, identifying positions in the portable container for each of the selected ones of the plurality of biological-sample stimulators at different times, and while the selected ones of the plurality of biological-sample stimulators are in the identified positions, causing the interactions between the selected ones of the plurality of biological-sample stimulators and the biological sample.

The present disclosure relates to a method for diluting a sample liquid taken from a sampling point for the subsequent determination of a parameter which depends on a concentration of at least one analyte in the sample liquid, including: supplying a first quantity of the sample liquid to a mixing device via a first sample liquid line; supplying a second quantity of the sample liquid to a separator via a second sample liquid line; separating the analyte from the second quantity of the sample liquid supplied to the separator by means of the separator to obtain a dilution liquid that no longer contains the analyte, and mixing at least one portion of the first quantity of the sample liquid supplied to the mixing device via the first sample liquid line with at least one portion of the dilution liquid by means of the mixing device.

Systems and methods for continuous flow polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are provided. The system comprises an injector, a mixer, a coalescer, a droplet generator, a detector, a digital PCR system, and a controller. The injector takes in a sample, partitions the sample into sample aliquots with the help of an immiscible oil phase, dispenses waste, and sends the sample aliquot to the mixer. The mixer mixes the sample aliquot with a PCR master mix and diluting water, dispenses waste, and sends the sample mixture (separated by an immiscible oil) to the coalescer. The coalescer coalesces the sample mixture with primers dispensed from a cassette, dispenses waste, and sends the reaction mixture (separated by an immiscible oil) to the droplet generator. The droplet generator converts the sample mixture into an emulsion where aqueous droplets of the reaction mixture are maintained inside of an immiscible oil phase and dispenses droplets to the digital PCR system. The digital PCR system amplifies target DNAs in the droplets. The detector detects target DNAs in the droplets. The controller controls the system to run automatically and continuously.

Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure are directed to configuring an analyzer apparatus for processing a particular sample-processing cartridge. The analyzer apparatus includes a portable container and sample-specific configuration circuitry. The portable container supports and integrates a sample-processing cartridge and the sample-specific configuration circuitry. The sample-specific configuration circuitry identifies configuration information specific to the sample-processing cartridge and configures the analyzer apparatus for a series of state configurations. The configuration can be performed by selecting which of a plurality of biological-sample stimulators to interact with the biological sample, identifying positions in the portable container for each of the selected ones of the plurality of biological-sample stimulators at different times, and while the selected ones of the plurality of biological-sample stimulators are in the identified positions, causing the interactions between the selected ones of the plurality of biological-sample stimulators and the biological sample.

Systems and methods are provided for sample processing. A device may be provided, capable of receiving the sample, and performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing multiple assays. The device may comprise one or more modules that may be capable of performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing the steps using a small volume of sample.

A sample dilution method. The method comprises the following steps: moving from an initial workstation to a first workstation a ferrying unit bearing a first reactor containing a sample; distributing a diluent into the first reactor located at the first workstation; mixing the diluent and the sample in the first reactor to form a diluted sample; moving to a second workstation the ferrying unit bearing the first reactor containing the diluted sample, and distributing into at least two empty second reactors the diluted sample from the first reactor; moving to the first workstation the ferrying unit bearing all the second reactors containing a diluted sample, and distributing a reagent into the second reactors located at the first workstation; and mixing the reagent and the diluted sample in the second reactor.

Method and apparatus to agitate a liquid are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a carrier having a base that includes a ridge extending from the base and a collar extending from the base. The example apparatus also includes a container supported on the base, the container movable between (A) a locked positon in which the ridge fixedly engages the container to non-rotatably couple the container to the base and (B) an unlocked position in which the container is disengaged from the ridge and the container is rotatable about the collar.

An analyzer having an inner chassis surrounded by a housing includes sample and dilution probes, a mixing housing including first and second mixing chambers, a flow cytometer including a flow cell, and sample and sheath pumps configured to perform first and second pluralities of tasks, respectively. The first plurality of tasks includes: aspirating sample into the sample probe, dispensing sample from the sample probe into the first and second mixing chambers, delivering first sample-dilution fluid mixture to the flow cell, and delivering second sample-dilution fluid mixture to the flow cell. The second plurality of tasks includes: dispensing sheath to the flow cell in cooperation with the delivery of the first sample-dilution fluid mixture to the flow cell, and dispensing sheath to the flow cell in cooperation with the delivery of the second sample-dilution fluid mixture to the flow cell.

Provided are an analyzer that analyzes a specimen with high accuracy and an analysis method for analyzing a specimen with high accuracy. The analyzer according to the present disclosure include a first reaction vessel which contains a reagent, a second reaction vessel which contains a specimen and the reagent, a detector which detects optical characteristics of the first reaction vessel and optical characteristics of the second reaction vessel, and a controller which analyzes components of the specimen in the second reaction vessel using the optical characteristics of the first reaction vessel as a baseline.

A purpose is to provide a monitoring system to monitor whether there is a substance to be monitored in the air, and a detecting device used in the monitoring system. The monitoring system includes a detecting device, an analyzing device, and an abnormality notification system. The detecting device determines whether the air is in an abnormal state on the basis of an output signal from an abnormality detection sensor, pours liquid to be inspected, into which the air is sucked and liquefied, into a previously-installed reagent container when determining the abnormal state, generates mixed liquid in which a reactant in the reagent container and the poured liquid to be inspected are mixed, and drops the generated mixed liquid to an electrode of the analyzing device. The analyzing device determines existence/non-existence of a substance to be monitored on the basis of the mixed liquid dropped to the electrode, and gives a predetermined notification to the abnormality notification system when determining that there is the substance to be monitored. The abnormality notification system gives a predetermined notification when receiving the notification from the analyzing device.