A diagnostic test reader system including two or more reader modules and at least one mother module is provided. Each of the reader modules includes a unique code and is configured for reading a specific test cartridge type. Each of the reader modules is configured to be in data communication with the mother module for receiving instructions from the mother module and for transmitting read and/or derived data to the mother module. The mother module is configured for communicating individually with each of the reader modules.

A micro-plate reader for use with a portable electronic device having a camera includes an opto-mechanical attachment configured to attach/detach to the portable electronic device and includes an array of illumination sources. A slot in the opto-mechanical attachment is dimensioned to receive an optically transparent plate containing an array of wells. Optical fibers are located in the opto-mechanical attachment and transmit light from each well to a reduced size header having, wherein the fiber array in the header has a cross-sectional area that is ?10? the cross-sectional area of the wells in the plate. A lens located in the opto-mechanical attachment transmits light from the header fibers to the camera. Software executed on the portable electronic device or other computer is used to process the images to generate qualitative clinical determinations and/or quantitative index values for the separate wells.

A test plate processing system for processing multiple test plates, comprising one or more software controlled processing devices, a liquid handler configured to place a predetermined amount of a test substance on the plate when the cover is in the first position, a software controlled test plate storage device having one or more test plate storage modules configured to house a plurality of test plates, and a software controlled test plate transport device configured to move one or more test plates to and from the test plate storage device. Each of the processing devices can have a working surface and a lifting mechanism configured to move a cover of the test plate between a first position and a second position relative to a plating surface of the test plate, wherein the cover is further away from the plating surface in the first position than in the second position.

A test plate processing system for processing multiple test plates, comprising one or more software controlled processing devices, a liquid handler configured to place a predetermined amount of a test substance on the plate when the cover is in the first position, a software controlled test plate storage device having one or more test plate storage modules configured to house a plurality of test plates, and a software controlled test plate transport device configured to move one or more test plates to and from the test plate storage device. Each of the processing devices can have a working surface and a lifting mechanism configured to move a cover of the test plate between a first position and a second position relative to a plating surface of the test plate, wherein the cover is further away from the plating surface in the first position than in the second position.

Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to multi-test assay systems for analyzing biological material and methods of using such multi-test assay systems. For example, the multi-test assay system can detect or identify one or more biological markers representative of or corresponding to an illness or disease.

Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to multi-test assay systems for analyzing biological material and methods of using such multi-test assay systems. For example, the multi-test assay system can detect or identify one or more biological markers representative of or corresponding to an illness or disease.

A medical test system includes: a test cartridge having a sample collection portion, a test substrate, a result indicator, and a reservoir that stores a test solution; and a measurement station including: a reservoir lock that couples to the reservoir; a tester manipulator that couples to the sample collection portion and is able to insert the test substrate into the reservoir portion in order to apply the test solution to the test substrate; and a sensor able to identify a result. A medical test cartridge includes: a tester portion including: a collection element; substrate; and result indicator; and a base portion including: a reservoir housing a test solution. An automated method of evaluating a medical sample includes: receiving a base portion of a test cartridge; securing the base portion using a retention element; receiving a tester portion of the test cartridge; and inserting the tester portion into the base portion.

Inoculating systems/devices, methods for inoculating a target, and coating methods are disclosed. An example inoculating system may include an inoculating member having a transfer region and a handle region. A pre-determined quantity of viable microorganisms may be disposed on the transfer region. The inoculating member may be configured to transfer the pre-determined quantity of viable microorganisms to a target during an inoculation operation without having to rehydrate the pre-determined quantity of viable microorganisms prior to the inoculating operation.

The present invention provides a tool that can analyze a target in a sample by a simple operation and can be downsized and an analysis method using the tool. By inserting an analysis chip into an analysis device, a reaction of a sample and a reagent is analyzed. The analysis chip includes a parallel flow channel in which plural reaction flow channels are connected in parallel, and the axial direction of the parallel flow channel is a direction of inserting the analysis chip into the analysis device. The analysis device includes a main body case being a housing, including an insertion opening into which the analysis chip is to be inserted; and a void; a heating unit that causes a sample to thermally react with a reagent, the heating unit being disposed in the void at at least one of inner surfaces so as to face a parallel surface of the parallel flow channel of the analysis chip; a light source unit that emits light to the analysis chip, the light source unit being disposed in the void at least above or below a reaction flow channel located at at least one end of the parallel flow channel of the analysis chip and extended along the axial direction of the parallel flow channel; and a plurality of detection units that detect the thermal reactions, each detection unit being disposed in the void at a downstream side end in the insertion direction of the analysis chip so as to correspond to each reaction flow channel of the analysis chip.

A system includes an articulated robotic arm having a plate manipulator and an organism manipulator. A shelf array holds a plurality of plates within reach of the plate manipulator of the robotic arm. The shelf array includes plate shelves and lid shelves configured to retain plates and lids, respectively, including a first plate that holds a target organism. The system includes a working platform for organizing and supporting the plates on plate stations. The plate manipulator of the robotic arm is moveable to engage with the first plate to (i) remove the first plate from the first plate shelf, (ii) deposit the first lid from the first plate onto the first lid shelf, and (iii) move the first plate to a first plate station on the working platform without disengaging from the first plate. The organism manipulator can view and move organisms within the first plate.