The present invention discloses an apparatus for detecting analyte in a liquid sample, comprising a cup body; a first receiving area for receiving a liquid sample; a flow-guiding channel through which a sample can be added or collected; the flow-guiding channel is in communication with the first receiving area, the bottom surface of the flow-guiding channel is a slope; wherein, the first receiving area and the flow-guiding channel are disposed in the cup body; the apparatus further comprises a secondary sampling port; the flow-guiding channel is a groove, in which is provided with a second receiving area; and the second receiving area includes a corner area for collecting samples for secondary sampling. The present invention further provides a method of using the apparatus for detecting an analyte in a liquid sample. The apparatus of the present invention can be used for detecting the presence or amount of an analyte in a liquid sample. When a liquid sample has extremely poor fluidity and/or the sample size is very small, the apparatus is still capable of detecting liquid samples, to facilitate operators to draw liquid samples for second confirmatory detection.

A microfluidic device and a method of detecting the presence of an analyte in a fluid. In one embodiment, the microfluidic device includes: (1) a substrate, (2) a waveguide supported by the substrate and configured to receive light and (3) a microfluidic channel contacting the waveguide and configured to convey a fluid, a characteristic of the light changing under influence of an analyte in the fluid.

Systems for processing a fluid sample to facilitate analysis with a semiconductor detection chip are provided herein. Such systems can include a sample processing cartridge coupleable with a chip carrier device configured for transport of the processed fluid sample from the sample cartridge. The chip carrier device can include one or more fluid channels extending between fluid-tight couplings attachable to transfer ports of the sample processing cartridge. The chip carrier device can include multiple portions or adapters, including a fluid sample portion, a flowcell portion and a chip carrier. Also provided are methods of preparing and transporting a fluid sample from a sample cartridge into a chip carrier device for analysis with a semiconductor detection chip carried within the chip carrier device.

A microfluidic package may include a fluid passage, a substrate having a substrate surface adjacent an interior of the fluid passage and components inset in the substrate, the components having component surfaces adjacent the fluid passage and substantially flush with the substrate surface.

A detection analyzer including a first sample input/output element, a second sample input/output element, a sample compartment, a vibration platform, a vibration generator, a data acquisition system, a laser converter, and a data display. The first sample input/output element and the second sample input/output element are each connected to the sample compartment; the vibration platform is located inside the sample compartment; the vibration generator is located outside the sample compartment, and the vibration platform is connected to the vibration generator; the data acquisition system is located outside the sample compartment, and is connected to the vibration platform; and the data display is connected to the data acquisition system.

An automated analyzer that receives samples prepared for analysis in an automated pre-analytical module and a method of operation of such automated analyzer. The automated analyzer includes a shuttle transfer station that receives a shuttle carrier from the automated pre-analytical system. The shuttle transfer station has a clamping assembly for the shuttle. The clamping assembly has jaws that advance engagement members into contact with a bottom portion of sample containers disposed in the shuttle. The clamping assembly secures the sample containers in the shuttle when sample is aspirated from the sample containers. The automated analyzer also has a multichannel puncture tool that is adapted to be carried by a robotic gripper mechanism. The multichannel puncture tool has multiple puncture members that each defines a channel Each channel is in communication with a different trough in the consumable. A pipette can pass through the channel in the puncture tool.

The present invention provides a microchannel structure loaded with a bead having a particle size for detecting whether a biological substance exists in a sample. The microchannel structure includes a structure body for passing a sample through the microchannel structure to have a test or a treatment. The structure body includes a sample entrance having a first aperture to allow the sample passing therethrough, a resistance-increasing section connected with the sample entrance, and having a second aperture being smaller than the first aperture, a detecting section connecting with the resistance-increasing section, and a bead mooring structure coupled to the second end for mooring the bead in the detecting section. The present invention can be used to capture rare cells in a biological system, such as human blood.

Limit size lipid nanoparticles, methods for using the lipid nanoparticles, and methods and systems for making limit size lipid nanoparticles.

Microfluidic devices and methods for focusing components in a fluid sample are described herein. The microfluidic devices feature a microfluidic chip having a micro-channel having a constricting portion that narrows in width, and a flow focusing region downstream of the micro-channel. The flow focusing region includes a positively sloping bottom surface that reduces a height of the flow focusing region and sidewalls that taper to reduce a width of the flow focusing region, thereby geometrically constricting the flow focusing region. The devices and methods can be utilized in sex-sorting of sperm cells to improve performance and increase eligibility.

A method for preparing and processing a sample is provided. The method includes obtaining a sample including biofluid. The method further includes purifying at least part of the sample via an acoustic separator to separate target cells from the sample. The sample may accordingly be at least partially purified. The method further includes causing a portion of an output collected from the acoustic separator to flow through a filter. At least one reagent, such as a lysis reagent or assay reagent, is caused to flow over the cells.