The present invention relates to novel modules for transferring magnetic beads, an automated system comprising the same and a method for extracting nucleic acids using the same. The specifically designed magnet module and cover module of the present invention can be employed in the automated liquid handling apparatus by means of pre-existing moving modules (e.g., pipettor module) of the apparatus. The present invention enables a bead transfer-type method for extracting nucleic acids to be performed in an automated manner on the automated liquid handling apparatus. The present invention provides advantages of higher level of automation, more reduced cost and no need for another separate liquid handling apparatus compared to the conventional bead transfer-type method usually performed in the small apparatus designed to be used only for this bead transfer-type method. Also, the present method has the merits of more shortened reaction time compared to the conventional liquid transfer-type method.

The invention herein relates to conducting assays with an apparatus including a substantially transparent assay cartridge loaded with magnetic beads, and a magnets positioned in a platform above and below the assay cartridge. The assay cartridge includes magnetic beads, sample and control solutions in some wells, and assay reagents in others. A microcomputer controls a linear actuator which moves the magnet platform causing the magnetic beads to travel from one well to another and to oscillate within a well. At assay completion, the cartridge will generate a signal representing a test result, which is then sent to a server through a wireless transmission system.

An electrochemiluminescence method of detecting an analyte in a liquid sample and a corresponding analysis system. An analyte in a liquid sample is detected by first providing a receptacle containing a fluid comprising protein coated magnetic microparticles to a stirring unit. Stirring of the fluid is necessary since the density of the microparticles is usually higher than the density of the buffer fluid. Thus the microparticles tend to deposit on the bottom of the receptacle leading to an aggregation of the microparticles because of weak interactions. To obtain representative measurements a homogeneous distribution of the microparticles in the buffer fluid is necessary to ensure a constant concentration of microparticles for each analysis cycle. It is further necessary to provide disaggregation of the microparticles, which is also realized by stirring the fluid. Stirring is conducted with a rotational frequency that is adapted to the amount of fluid to be stirred.

In an embodiment, an immunochemistry analysing system includes a source of paramagnetic particles, a source of fluid, a cuvette configured to receive the paramagnetic particles and the fluid, a pipette configured to (i) translate so that at least a portion of the pipette is located within the cuvette and (ii) dispense at least one of the paramagnetic particles and the fluid into the cuvette so that the paramagnetic particles and the fluid can be mixed within the cuvette, a motor configured to move the pipette while located in the cuvette, and a control unit configured to vary a motor drive of the motor to cause the pipette to mix the fluid with the paramagnetic particles within the cuvette.

The present subject matter relates to systems and methods for the formulation of inks from stock solutions in which a liquid handler is configured to draw samples from a plurality of solution components and mix the components together to create one or more ink formulations, and a dispensing robot is configured to transfer the one or more ink formulations to a common substrate to form one or more material samples or a coating element in communication with the liquid handler is configured to transfer the one or more ink formulations to a common substrate to form one or more material samples. A controller in communication with each of the liquid handler and the dispensing robot can be configured to coordinate the creation and transfer of the one or more ink formulations. In addition, the one or more material samples can be analyzed using one or more characterization instrument configured to characterize the material samples on the common substrate.

In dispenser-type reagent dispensing, because a reagent is transferred through a piping flow path to a prescribed position and dispensed, some of the reagents may remain in the piping flow path and reagent crystallization may consequently occur in the piping flow path. Thus, crystallization prevention for the entire piping flow path must be taken into consideration. Provided is a dispensing device that comprises a reagent suction pipe for sucking in a reagent from a reagent vessel, a liquid transfer mechanism for transferring the reagent, a nozzle for discharging the reagent, and a reagent discharge pipe that is connected to the reagent container and a port that can be connected to the nozzle. The dispensing device is characterized in that the reagent is dispensed from the nozzle into a reaction vessel and when the reagent is not being dispensed, the nozzle and the port are connected and the reagent is circulated.

The presently disclosed subject matter provides devices and methods for sample extraction from a swab during biological sample processing. In particular embodiments, the devices and methods are configured for use in conjunction with microfluidic devices for sample processing.

A diffusion cell includes: a donor chamber having bottom; a receptor chamber below and in fluid communication with the donor chamber, and having upper and lower ends; a membrane between and in contact with the bottom of the donor chamber and upper end of the receptor chamber, and adapted to diffuse some of the media in a liquid from the donor chamber to the receptor chamber; a conduit having a first port near the lower end of the receptor chamber and a second port above the first port and near the upper end of the receptor chamber; and a bubble trap in fluid communication with the upper end of the receptor chamber and having a third port higher than the second port; wherein circulation of a flow of fluid through the conduit and the receptor chamber removes bubbles from underneath the membrane and transports bubbles to the bubble trap.

Systems and methods for extracting an analyte from a sample. The system includes a reaction vessel for receiving the sample and a reaction solution, a mixer for mixing the sample with the reaction solution, a filter and a drain for passing soluble components from the reaction mixture, including the dissolved analyte, from the reaction vessel. A purification vessel is located below the reaction vessel. A selective sorbent is disposed in the purification vessel for retaining contaminants from the soluble components from the reaction mixture and passing a purified analyte. An evaporation container is located below the purification vessel. A heater heats the evaporation chamber and evaporates the solvents from the purified analyte, which can then be quantitatively measured.

A diffusion cell includes: a donor chamber having bottom; a receptor chamber below and in fluid communication with the donor chamber, and having upper and lower ends; a membrane between and in contact with the bottom of the donor chamber and upper end of the receptor chamber, and adapted to diffuse some of the media in a liquid from the donor chamber to the receptor chamber; a conduit having a first port near the lower end of the receptor chamber and a second port above the first port and near the upper end of the receptor chamber; and a bubble trap in fluid communication with the upper end of the receptor chamber and having a third port higher than the second port; wherein circulation of a flow of fluid through the conduit and the receptor chamber removes bubbles from underneath the membrane and transports bubbles to the bubble trap.