A system for automated processing of a plurality of batches, each batch being derived from one biological sample, the system comprising an enclosure which can be closed and sterilized, each batch of the plurality of batches comprising one or more cell processing container; a plurality of reagent containers for holding reagents within the enclosure; at least one reagent dispenser within the enclosure for dispensing reagents during said automated processing; a quality control system within the enclosure for analyzing at least one characteristic of a batch during said automated processing; a harvester within the enclosure for harvesting batches; a robotic system within the enclosure, configured for transporting cell processing containers, decapping or otherwise opening cell processing containers, pipetting reagents or liquids from cell processing containers, and aspirating liquids from cell processing containers, during said automated processing; a tracker for electronically tracking the plurality of batches after its introduction to the enclosure; and a control unit (CU) communicatively coupled to the at least one reagent dispenser, the quality control system, the harvester, the robotic system and the tracker for controlling said automatic processing of said batches.

A microfluidic cartridge, configured to facilitate processing and detection of nucleic acids, comprising: a top layer comprising a set of cartridge-aligning indentations, a set of sample port-reagent port pairs, a shared fluid port, a vent region, a heating region, and a set of detection chambers; an intermediate substrate, coupled to the top layer comprising a waste chamber; an elastomeric layer, partially situated on the intermediate substrate; and a set of fluidic pathways, each formed by at least a portion of the top layer and a portion of the elastomeric layer, wherein each fluidic pathway is fluidically coupled to a sample port-reagent port pair, the shared fluid port, and a detection chamber, comprises a turnabout portion passing through the heating region, and is configured to be occluded upon deformation of the elastomeric layer, to transfer a waste fluid to the waste chamber, and to pass through the vent region.

A method for analyzing biological samples is disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the method includes receiving a fluid sample into a cartridge device, which comprises: a fluidic chamber; at least one microfluidic channel in fluid communication with the fluidic chamber; and a venting port configured to apply a pneumatic force to the fluidic chamber; and inserting the cartridge device into a reader device to perform measurements, wherein the cartridge device is positioned in a vertical or tilted position such that at least a portion of the fluid sample inside the fluidic chamber is pulled by gravity in a direction away from the venting port or towards the bottom of the fluidic chamber.

Disclosed herein are solvent reservoir systems for steady flow delivery and simultaneous monitoring of solvent level and solvent density within the solvent reservoir systems and methods for monitoring the solvent reservoir systems and providing feedback to a user or adjusting the systems in response to the monitored characteristics.

A blood component collection cassette of a blood component collection system, which is a biological component transfer system, includes a sheet-shaped cassette main body in which a blood line is formed. The blood line includes a second applied load measurement unit and line main body portions. A separation device includes a second load measurement unit that measures a load applied to a wall portion of the second applied load measurement unit in a cassette mounted state. The second applied load measurement unit is more easily deformed than the line main body portions, and is disposed at a location within the blood line on which only a positive pressure acts.

Devices and methods are provided for electrically lysing cells and releasing macromolecules from the cells. A microfluidic device is provided that includes a planar channel having a thickness on a submillimeter scale, and including electrodes on its upper and lower inner surfaces. After filling the channel with a liquid, such that the channel contains cells within the liquid, a series of voltage pulses of alternating polarity are applied between the channel electrodes, where the amplitude of the voltage pulses and a pulse width of the voltage pulses are effective for causing irreversible electroporation of the cells. The channel is configured to possess thermal properties such that the application of the voltage produces a rapid temperature rise as a result of Joule heating for releasing the macromolecules from the electroplated cells. The channel may also include an internal filter for capturing and concentrating the cells prior to electrical processing.

The present invention provides novel methods and devices that employ microfluidic technology to generate molecular melt curves. In particular, the devices and methods in accordance with the invention are useful in providing for the analysis of PCR amplification products.

A system and method for processing and detecting nucleic acids from a set of biological samples, comprising: a capture plate and a capture plate module configured to facilitate binding of nucleic acids within the set of biological samples to magnetic beads; a molecular diagnostic module configured to receive nucleic acids bound to magnetic beads, isolate nucleic acids, and analyze nucleic acids, comprising a cartridge receiving module, a heating/cooling subsystem and a magnet configured to facilitate isolation of nucleic acids, a valve actuation subsystem configured to control fluid flow through a microfluidic cartridge for processing nucleic acids, and an optical subsystem for analysis of nucleic acids; a fluid handling system configured to deliver samples and reagents to components of the system to facilitate molecular diagnostic protocols; and an assay strip configured to combine nucleic acid samples with molecular diagnostic reagents for analysis of nucleic acids.

A microscope slide staining system has a chamber, a plurality of slide support elements, a plurality of spreading devices positionable in association with microscope slides supported on the slide support elements so the spreading devices define a gap between the spreading device and the microscope slide and so the spreading device and the microscope slide are movable relative to one another to spread at least one reagent on the microscope slide independent of the other spreading devices and microscope slides.

A microfluidic device comprises: a sensor provided in a sensing chamber; a liquid inlet and liquid outlet connecting to the sensor chamber for respectively passing liquid into and out of the sensing chamber and; a sample input port in fluid communication with the liquid inlet; a liquid collection channel downstream of the sensing chamber outlet; a flow path interruption between the liquid outlet and the liquid collection channel, preventing liquid from flowing into the liquid collection channel from upstream; a buffer liquid filling from the sample input port to the sensing chamber, and filling the sensing chamber and filing from the liquid outlet to the flow path interruption; an activation system operable to complete the flow path between the liquid outlet and the liquid collection channel such that the sensor remains unexposed to gas or a gas/liquid interface.