The invention provides multi-function instruments for automatically and simultaneously carrying out a variety of tests including identification of targets in specimens and antimicrobial susceptibility testing thereof. Application-specific cartridges are pre-loaded with all required reagents and allow for tests to be performed in a single testing device with no specimen preparation to, for example, rapidly detect infections, identify infectious pathogens, and analyze their susceptibility to various antimicrobial agents. Instruments include various stations for carrying out test steps that can be randomly accessed in any order dictated by the computer-controlled instrument. A carousel stores and incubates cartridges and, with a mechanical conveyor arm, transfers the cartridges between the required stations to carry out the tests. A plurality of different tests may be performed on a plurality of targets within an instrument, and the plurality of targets may be disposed in a single cartridge.

A detection device, including a light-emitting component, a light-detecting component, at least one reflective optical film element, and a control unit, is provided. The light-emitting component is used for providing an excitation beam, wherein a part of the excitation beam whose dominant wavelength falls within an excitation wavelength band generates a fluorescence beam after passing through a test specimen. The light-detecting component is used for receiving a part of the fluorescence beam whose dominant wavelength falls within a detection wavelength band. The control unit is coupled to the at least one reflective optical film element. The control unit controls the at least one reflective optical film element to filter out a part of a wavelength band of an incident beam. The incident beam is at least one of the excitation beam and the fluorescence beam. A detection method of the detection device is also provided.

Provided herein are methods and related devices for preprocessing a biological sample during transit. The method may comprise the steps of: storing a biological sample in a storage container having walls that defines a storage volume; transporting the storage container with the stored biological sample to a sample processing facility; controlling one or more storage container parameters during the transporting step to initiate preprocessing of the biological sample; wherein the controlling step improves a processing parameter at the sample processing facility.

A hand-held molecular diagnostic test device includes a housing, an amplification (or PCR) module, and a detection module. The amplification module is configured to receive an input sample, and defines a reaction volume. The amplification module includes a heater such that the amplification module can perform a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on the input sample. The detection module is configured to receive an output from the amplification module and a reagent formulated to produce a signal that indicates a presence of a target amplicon within the input sample. The amplification module and the detection module are integrated within the housing.

The present disclosure provides a microfluidic chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer which includes a detection box body provided with a dark room; a detection platform arranged within the dark room and configured to place a microfluidic chip, wherein a magnetic bead and a magnetic bead channel for placing the magnetic bead are arranged on the microfluidic chip; a magnet module arranged above the detection platform and capable of automatically adjusting the height of the magnet, wherein the magnet module is configured to collect and drag the magnetic bead within the magnetic bead channel; a pressing module arranged on the detection box body and configured to press a plurality of to-be-pressed portions of the microfluidic chip in a one-to-one correspondence manner by means of a plurality of motors; and a positioning module, arranged on the detection platform and configured to fix the microfluidic chip.

A container may include a storage volume configured to store a payload. A thermal insulation layer may surround the storage volume. A thermoregulation layer may surround the thermal insulation layer. There may be activation of a chemical reaction in the thermoregulation layer. The thermal insulation layer may have R-value per inch configured to expose the payload to a desired temperature to ensure viability of the payload and dampen a temperature spike of the chemical reaction. A system of containers may include a system storage volume with N containers in the system storage volume, wherein N is a whole number of 2 or more. A method of making an insulated container may include preparing an outer skin barrier layer, stacking a thermoregulation layer on the outer skin barrier layer, stacking a thermal insulation layer on the thermoregulation layer, and stacking an inner skin barrier layer on the thermal insulation layer.

A thermo-gravimetric analysis system includes a chamber having an interior; and a sample crucible connected to and inside of the chamber, the sample crucible configured to hold a sample material. The system further includes a reference crucible connected to and inside of the chamber; and a metal organic framework (MOF) crucible connected to and inside of the chamber, separate from the sample crucible, the MOF crucible including an MOF material.

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.

An oral care implement that includes a head having a face with a tuft hole therein. A plurality of bristles are disposed within the tuft hole and arranged in a bristle tuft that extends from the face of the head. The bristle tuft includes a first subset of the bristles and a second subset of the bristles. Each of the bristles has a longitudinal axis and a transverse cross-sectional profile having a major axis and a minor axis, the major axes of the bristles being longer than the minor axes of the bristles. The major axes of the bristles of the first subset may be non-parallel to the major axes of the bristles of the second subset.

A point-of-care diagnostic system that includes a cartridge and a reader. The cartridge can contain a patient sample, such as a blood sample. The cartridge is inserted into the reader and the patient sample is analyzed. The reader contains various analysis systems, such as an electrophoresis detection system that uses electrophoresis testing to identify and quantify various components of the blood sample. The reader can process data from the various patient sample analysis to provide interpretative results indicative of a disorder, condition, disease and/or infection of the patient.