A detection system including a detection device and an assay device. The detection device includes a space for receiving an assay device, a drive arrangement engaging the assay device to rotate the assay device, a light source arranged to direct light towards the assay device, and a diffuser arranged to diffuse light from the light source. The diffuser is arranged between the light source and the space. The detection device includes a light receiver arranged to receive light from the light source that has passed through the assay device.

A system for conducting an assay comprises a power source (16), a controller (13) for controlling the assay and a plurality of assay units (14) operatively connected to one another such that the controller can communicate with the assay units and the system is capable of conducting the assay. An assay device comprises a substantially circular body (24) having a plurality of chambers in fluid connection such that fluid can pass between said chambers and a central hub (200) having a sample inlet (202) disposed therein for receiving a sample.

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally pertain to systems and methods for performing amplicon rescue multiplex polymerase chain reaction (arm-PCR). In one embodiment, the system comprises a processor and a reader coupled to a control element. The control element is configured to control the operation of the processor and the reader based on a variety of settings. The processor is configured to receive a self-contained cassette for performing PCR amplification of DNA and/or RNA obtained from an organic specimen. The processor engages with the cassette and manipulates reagents within the cassette in order to amplify and detect the DNA from the specimen. The processor also causes the cassette to deposit the DNA on a microarray within the cassette. The reader is configured to receive the cassette after it has been processed by the processor and to capture an image of the microarray for transmission to the control element as test data. The control element is further configured to analyze the test data received from the reader and to produce an output indicative of a comparison of the test data to predefined data.

A method of operating an analytical laboratory is presented. The method comprises recording time at which samples are first identified; retrieving an order list comprising test orders for the samples; retrieving a degradation limit to each test order; determining workflows for each sample; instructing the laboratory instruments to carry out the test orders according to the workflows. Determining the workflows comprises i) determining target instruments capable of carrying out the test orders; ii) determining a sequence/timing of the test orders; iii) calculating an estimated completion time for each test order; iv) determining a lead time for each sample and test order; v) prioritizing test orders if the lead time exceeds the degradation limit. Steps ii) to v) are repeated until the lead time doesn't exceed the degradation limit for any of the test orders; or until steps ii) to v) have been repeated for a number N of iterations.

Tissue sample management systems include a central network, a medical professional system, and a pathology lab system for processing a tissue sample in a matrix having a sectionable code. At least the pathology lab system includes at least one imaging device, and the central network is configured to process images from the at least one imaging device to identify and record at least the sectionable code of the matrix. Methods for tissue sample processing include providing a matrix having a sectionable code and measurement marks, the matrix for receiving a tissue sample, and identifying the sectionable code from an image taken of the tissue sample in the matrix. Tissue sample-receiving matrices include a sectionable alphanumeric code or bar code, a tissue sample receptacle, and measurement marks formed along a sidewall thereof. The matrices include one or more proteins and one or more lipids.

The present invention provides improved methods for maintaining the physical separation and identity integrity of a biological cellular sample from a patient during processing. The invention enables parallel processing of biological cellular samples, such as patient samples, in a space and time efficient fashion. The methods of the invention find particular utility in processing patient samples for use in cell therapy.

In an example, an apparatus includes a biological analysis component and a control component. The biological analysis component is configured to obtain an expected biological sample value. The expected biological sample value indicates an expected concentration of a material biologically processed by a courier. The biological analysis component is further configured to determine whether a measured biological sample value is associated with the courier based on a comparison of the expected biological sample value to the measured biological sample value. The control component is configured to perform a first set of operations based on the result of the comparison indicating that the measured biological sample value is associated with the courier. The control component is configured to perform a second set of operations based on the result of the comparison indicating that the measured biological sample value is outside an acceptable range of the biological sample value.

The invention relates to conducting assays with an apparatus including a substantially transparent assay cartridge loaded with magnetic beads, and a magnet carrier base positioned below a scanning platform holding the assay cartridge. A microcomputer controls a stepping motor which controls movement of the magnet carrier base, and causes the magnetic beads to travel from one well to another, where the wells contain different assay reagents. An electromagnetic coil-spring assembly induces mixing of well contents with the magnetic beads on actuation. The assay cartridge is authenticated by sending its encoded identifier to a server or website, and assay instructions are provided remotely to the microcomputer. Following assay completion, the cartridge can have color change or other assay indication detected, and the results sent to the server or website or another recipient. Concurrently assaying a control allows modification of assay results based on measured field conditions.

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally pertain to systems and methods for performing amplicon rescue multiplex polymerase chain reaction (arm-PCR). In one embodiment, the system comprises a processor and a reader coupled to a control element. The control element is configured to control the operation of the processor and the reader based on a variety of settings. The processor is configured to receive a self-contained cassette for performing PCR amplification of DNA and/or RNA obtained from an organic specimen. The processor engages with the cassette and manipulates reagents within the cassette in order to amplify and detect the DNA from the specimen. The processor also causes the cassette to deposit the DNA on a microarray within the cassette. The reader is configured to receive the cassette after it has been processed by the processor and to capture an image of the microarray for transmission to the control element as test data. The control element is further configured to analyze the test data received from the reader and to produce an output indicative of a comparison of the test data to predefined data.

An analysis method of an automatic analyzer is provided. The automatic analyzer includes: an insertion unit into which a rack is inserted; a transport line that transports the rack; a detection unit that detects a rack identifier from a rack or an attribute from a sample container which accommodates therein a sample as an object to be examined and which is mounted on a rack; an analysis module that includes a light source and a spectrometer which measures a measurement value to analyze a sample; a rack standby unit in which a rack stands by; and, a rack recovery unit that recovers a rack. In the automatic analyzer, a rack stands by in the rack standby unit until a measurement result in the analysis module is output; and is then recovered to the rack recovery unit. The analysis method includes: a step of transporting a rack from the rack insertion unit to the transport line, making the transported rack stand by until a measurement result in the analysis module is output, and then recovering the rack to the rack recovery; a step of detecting an identifier from the rack or an attribute from a sample container accommodating a sample and mounted on the rack; and a step of, when a rack transported subsequent to the rack of interest is transported from the rack insertion unit to the transport line, recovering the subsequent rack to the rack recovery unit without standing by in the rack standby unit.