An automated sample specimen storage system including a tube holding microplate including a plate frame, a predetermined array of tube holding receptacles formed in the plate frame, the receptacles having a SBS standard pitch corresponding to the predetermined array, and being configured for holding therein sample store and transport tubes, each disposed so as to contain sample specimen in a sample storage of the storage system and to effect, with the sample tube, delivery from the sample storage to a workstation, the predetermined array of receptacles defining a volume capacity of the tube holding microplate, and each of the receptacles being shaped to conformally engage walls of the sample tubes and hold a respective one of the sample store and transport tubes, wherein the receptacles are arranged so that the tube holding microplate volume capacity defined by the predetermined array is an under optimum volume capacity.

Concentrating devices, systems, and methods include those for separating fluids to be sensed (e.g., analytes, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and/or other chemical substances) from other fluid (e.g., a carrier gas, air, etc.) of a fluid mixture received from a target area of a subject's anatomy (e.g., a subject's skin, a wound on a subject, etc.). In some cases, the concentration system may include a housing and a rotor positioned in a compartment of the housing. The housing may receive a fluid mixture in the compartment and rotation of the rotor relative to the housing may separate fluid to be sensed in the fluid mixture from other fluid of the fluid mixture.

An automated sample specimen storage system including a tube holding microplate including a plate frame, a predetermined array of tube holding receptacles formed in the plate frame, the receptacles having a SBS standard pitch corresponding to the predetermined array, and being configured for holding therein sample store and transport tubes, each disposed so as to contain sample specimen in a sample storage of the storage system and to effect, with the sample tube, delivery from the sample storage to a workstation, the predetermined array of receptacles defining a volume capacity of the tube holding microplate, and each of the receptacles being shaped to conformally engage walls of the sample tubes and hold a respective one of the sample store and transport tubes, wherein the receptacles are arranged so that the tube holding microplate volume capacity defined by the predetermined array is an under optimum volume capacity.

The invention relates to a method for vitrifying a biological sample. The method includes positioning a sample holder with the biological sample by a transfer device in a starting position. The sample holder has a base and a pin projecting from the base along a holder axis. Further, the biological sample is attached to the pin distant from the base. The method further comprises adding a liquid to the biological sample in the starting position by a liquid dispenser. Further, the method comprises moving the sample holder with the biological sample by the transfer device along a predetermined transfer path from the starting position to a release position, wherein the biological sample in the release position is arranged in or adjacent to a liquefied gas. It is provided that the transfer path is inclined with respect to the holder axis or runs along a circular arc. Furthermore, the invention relates to a vitrification apparatus which is configured to perform the method.

Detection devices, systems, and methods include those for detecting analytes (e.g., volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and/or other chemical substances) from a target area of a subject's anatomy (e.g., a subject's skin, a wound on a subject, etc.). In some cases, a detector may have a detecting component that includes an analyte sensitive material applied to a substrate. The detector may be used with a pump. The detector may include a hydrophobic, gas permeable material configured to limit liquid reaching the analyte sensitive material, while allowing analytes in gaseous fluid to reach the analyte sensitive material.

The present invention relates to a diagnostic cartridge for microfluidics and an on-site molecular diagnosis system including same, wherein an infuser, an extraction chamber, and an amplification chamber are arrayed vertically to minimize the flow path of a fluid, and thus the extraction, amplification and analysis results of a nucleic acid can be detected in real time.

A sample container carrier, a laboratory sample distribution system comprising such a sample container carrier and a laboratory automation system comprising such a laboratory sample distribution system are presented.

There is provided a piston of a cartridge for extracting nucleic acids comprising: a cylindrical upper body having a hollow; a lower body having two ports; a control rod module combined to the other end of the upper body to seal the other end and move up and down along the hollow; and a rotation control module that is combined to the shaft of the lower body to transmit a driving force to the lower body.

There is provided a nucleic acid extraction method using a cartridge comprising: (a) a driving part of a nucleic acid extraction device is connected to a control rod module disposed in an inner space of the upper body of a piston and a rotation control module coupled to the lower body of the piston; (b) driving the rotation control module and the control rod module, sequentially sucking sample and reagents from the plurality of chambers separated from each other into an interior space, and discharging the mixture of the interior space into the chamber of the cartridge; and (c) driving the rotation control module and the control rod module to suck the reagent inside the master mix bead chamber of the cartridge into the interior space of the piston upper body and then discharge the mixed reagent to a nucleic acid amplification module

A sample container carrier, a laboratory sample distribution system comprising such a sample container carrier and a laboratory automation system comprising such a laboratory sample distribution system are presented.