According to one embodiment, a molecule detecting device includes a capturing section, a releasing section, and a detecting section. The capturing section is configured to, by combining a target molecule and a solubilizing agent with each other and thereby creating a composite body, capture the target molecule in a carrier liquid. The releasing section is configured to make the composite body release the target molecule therefrom in the carrier liquid. The detecting section is configured to carry out detection of the target molecule in the carrier liquid.

A multi-module sample preparation device for use with a DNA sequencer is provided. The device includes several modules that are operatively connected in a manner such that a liquid sample containing DNA for analysis can be charged into the device and automatically prepared for sequencing with little or no user interaction. The device enables targeted amplification, purification, and library preparation for a liquid sample prior to being injected into a DNA sequencer.

The object of the invention is to avoid a decrease in dispensing accuracy of a sample, a reagent, or the like as a temperature changes. In an automatic analyzer, a dispensing nozzle sucks the sample from a sample container holding the sample and discharges the sample to a reaction container. A syringe pump controls an amount of change in a volume of water. A first pipe connects the dispensing nozzle and the syringe pump. An electromagnetic valve flows or stops the water. A second pipe connects the electromagnetic valve and the syringe pump. A branch pipe branches the water. A third pipe connects the electromagnetic valve and the branch pipe. A case accommodates at least the syringe pump, the first pipe, the electromagnetic valve, the second pipe, the branch pipe, and the third pipe. Further, the third pipe includes a heat exchange unit that performs heat exchange of the water.

An analysis device employs an analysis kit including a chip provided with a capillary through which a sample flows and a cartridge superimposed on the chip and provided with a liquid reservoir. The analysis device includes a guide-in section into which the analysis kit is guided, a placement section on which the analysis kit placed so as to be supported, a pusher member that pushes the analysis kit from one side face of the analysis kit, contact members that oppose another side face on an opposite side in the horizontal direction to the one side face of the analysis kit placed on the placement section, and contact the other side face of the analysis kit being pushed in by the pusher member so as to position the analysis kit in the horizontal direction, and a measurement member that measures a component present in the sample in the analysis kit.

A method of analyzing and/or sorting selected cells or other biological components, for example for cell-based therapy, includes sampling a sample with an open end of a probe to obtain a fluid stream with the sample in it. The probe with the open end also has a fluid supply to convey fluid to the open end, and a fluid exhaust to convey the fluid stream away from the open end. The method then includes conveying the fluid stream to a flow cytometer and analyzing the fluid stream by flow cytometry; and/or separating it into at least two components. An apparatus with the probe connected to the flow cytometer may support this method. The method can provide for sampling of multiple samples efficiently, in particular to select cells for cell-based therapies.

A sample collection apparatus, being configured for preparing a plurality of liquid samples for a sample processing, includes a collection device including a plurality of collection vessels being configured for accommodating the liquid samples and for providing the liquid samples for the sample processing, wherein the sample collection apparatus is shaped for positioning the collection device directly in a carousel of an autosampler apparatus, in particular a liquid chromatography autosampler apparatus. Preferably, a holder device is provided which is configured for holding the collection device during collecting the liquid samples and during providing the liquid samples for the sample processing, and the holder device is shaped for positioning the holder device with the collection device directly in the carousel of the autosampler apparatus. Furthermore, a sample preparation apparatus including the sample collection apparatus and a sample collection method are described.

The disclosed flow cytometer includes a wavelength division multiplexer (WDM). The WDM includes an extended light source providing light that forms an object, a collimating optical element that captures light from the extended light source and projects a magnified image of the object as a first light beam, and a first focusing optical element configured to focus the first light beam to a size smaller than the object of the extended light source to a first semiconductor detector. The disclosed flow cytometer further includes a composite microscope objective to direct light emitted by a particle in a flow channel in a viewing zone of the composite microscope to the extended light source, a fluidic system and a peristaltic pump configured to supply liquid sheath and liquid sample to the flow channel, and a laser diode system to illuminate the particle in the flow channel.

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.

An analysis device employs an analysis kit including a chip provided with a capillary through which a sample flows and a cartridge superimposed on the chip and provided with a liquid reservoir. The analysis device includes a guide-in section into which the analysis kit is guided, a placement section on which the analysis kit placed so as to be supported, a pusher member that pushes the analysis kit from one side face of the analysis kit, contact members that oppose another side face on an opposite side in the horizontal direction to the one side face of the analysis kit placed on the placement section, and contact the other side face of the analysis kit being pushed in by the pusher member so as to position the analysis kit in the horizontal direction, and a measurement member that measures a component present in the sample in the analysis kit.

One embodiment of the invention is directed to a sample processing system for analyzing a biological sample from a patient. The sample processing system comprises: a plurality of analyzers comprising at least one mass spectrometer, wherein each analyzer in the plurality of analyzers is configured to acquire at least one measurement value corresponding to at least one characteristic of the biological sample; at least one data storage component which stores (i) a list of parameters for the plurality of analyzers, and (ii) at least two condition sets, which contain data associated with completing one or more test orders. The condition sets contain data which differ by at least one variable; and a control system operatively coupled to the plurality of analyzers, and the at least one data storage component. The control system is configured to (i) determine which condition set of the at least two condition sets to use based on the determined condition set, (ii) determine which analyzer or analyzers of the plurality of analyzers to use to process each test order based on the determined condition set and one or more parameters from the list of parameters, and (iii) cause the determined analyzer or analyzers to acquire one or more measurement values for the biological sample.