The present invention provides methods and devices for simple, low power, automated processing of biological samples through multiple sample preparation and assay steps. The methods and devices described facilitate the point-of-care implementation of complex diagnostic assays in equipment-free, non-laboratory settings.

A method of performing an optical measurement of an analyte in a processed biological sample using a cartridge is provided. The cartridge is operable for being spun around a rotational axis. The method comprises: placing the biological sample into a sample inlet; controlling the rotational rate of the cartridge to process a biological sample into the processed biological sample using a fluidic structure; controlling the rotational rate of the cartridge to allow the processed biological sample to flow from the measurement structure inlet to an absorbent structure via a chromatographic membrane, and performing an optical measurement of a detection zone on the chromatographic membrane with an optical instrument. An inlet air baffle reduces evaporation of the processed biological sample from the chromatographic membrane during rotation of the cartridge.

A closure is described for a container containing a reagent. The closure includes a cover. The cover includes at least two through bore holes. The closure further includes a strip which includes a base and at least two septa. The base is of a stiff material and the septa is of a flexible material. The septa are attached to one surface of the base. Each septum includes a pre-slit bottom and a barrel forming the sides of the septum. The outer diameter of each septum barrel is larger than the inner diameter of the through bore hole such that a pressure is exerted on the septum when the septum is press fitted into the through bore hole.

A system for hands-free collection of biomaterials, such as urine, in a vessel disposed below a closable port, the vessel being sealable by an at least partially automated sealing mechanism, the sealed vessel being transferable to a storage area. In general terms this application is directed to a hands-free, biomaterial collection system that is it least partially automated. In one aspect, a biomaterial collection system comprises a biomaterial capture area including a port, a collection area disposed below the capture area, a vessel disposed in the collection area and aligned with the port, and a sealing mechanism disposed in the collection area for sealing the vessel.

Method, apparatus, and computer program product for a microfluidic channel having a cover opposite its bottom and having electrodes with patterned two-dimensional conducting materials, such as graphene sheets integrated into the top of its bottom. Using the two-dimensional conducting materials, once a fluid sample is applied into the channel, highly localized modulated electric field distributions are generated inside the channel and the fluid sample. This generated field causes the inducing of dielectrophoretic (DEP) forces. These DEP forces are the same or greater than DEP forces that would result using metallic electrodes because of the sharp edges enabled by the two-dimension geometry of the two-dimensional conducting materials. Because of the induced forces, micro/nano-particles in the fluid sample are separated into particles that respond to a negative DEP force and particles that respond to a positive DEP. Microfluidic chips with microfluidic channels can be made using standard semiconductor manufacturing technology.

Methods and systems and related compositions for separating through a solid matrix a mixture comprising a nucleic acid together with a target compound having a water solubility equal to or greater than 0.01 mg per 100 mL, which can be used for managing fluid flow, biochemical reactions and purification of the nucleic acid or other target analytes.

A method of classifying sample data for robotically extracted samples is disclosed. A specimen is received from a human subject with a potential infection of a first disease agents or a plurality of disease agents. The specimen includes genetic material collected from a human subject using a collection device and stored in a collection carrier. The specimen includes a unique identifier on the collection carrier. The unique identifier contains human subject descriptive data. The method classifies the human subject descriptive data to identify a second disease agent. The method extracts a sequence of genetic material from the specimen using an automated robot. The method determines a test result for the first disease agent as a function of the sequence of genetic material. A system comprising a computer device configured to classify sample data for robotically extracted samples is also disclosed.

Devices, systems, and methods for detecting molecules of interest within a collected sample are described herein. In certain embodiments, self-contained sample analysis systems are disclosed, which include a reusable reader component, a disposable cartridge component, and a disposable sample collection component. In some embodiments, the reader component communicates with a remote computing device for the digital transmission of test protocols and test results. In various disclosed embodiments, the systems, components, and methods are configured to identify the presence, absence, and/or quantity of particular nucleic acids, proteins, or other analytes of interest, for example, in order to test for the presence of one or more pathogens or contaminants in a sample.

A container holding device for holding one or more containers includes: a base plate having an upper surface, a bottom surface, and one or more holes each extending from the upper surface to the bottom surface and having a central symmetry axis L.sub.axis orthogonal to the base plate; and two or more holding elements that are located around each hole beneath the bottom surface of the base plate. The holding elements are configured to: contact an outer surface of a container that is placed into the container holding device at a bottom edge of a top region of the container, such that the container hangs in the container holding device in a first position p1 in which the holding elements do not exert any force on the outer surface of the container that is radial; and contact the outer surface of the container in a shoulder region.

An array device including a base having wells, a cover positioned over the base with a gap from the base such that openings of the wells are covered by the cover with the gap in between, an injection port communicating with the gap, a discharge port communicating with the gap and positioned apart from the injection port, and a waste liquid vessel which collects liquid that flows from the gap via the discharge port and is positioned at a level different from the gap forming a channel. The discharge port is placed to discharge a surplus aqueous solution outside the wells from the discharge port by an oleaginous sealing liquid to be delivered from the injection port.