The present invention relates generally to methods and materials pertaining to assays, for example immunoassays, for biomarkers in body fluids e.g. blood. The invention also relates to diagnostic or screening methods for infections, and methods of differentiating between infectious and non-infectious conditions in mammals, particularly equines, for monitoring response to anti-infective/antibiotic therapy. The invention further relates to a test fluid collection system adapted to permit dilution and analysis of the collected test fluid. The invention further relates to monitoring exertional rhabdomyolysis in equines, and assay devices for all these things.

A digital dispense system and method for analyzing samples. The system includes a fluid droplet ejection system housed in a compact housing unit. The fluid droplet ejection system contains a fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge containing one or more fluids to be dispensed, a cartridge translation mechanism for moving the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge back and forth over a sample holder in an x direction; and a sample holder translation mechanism for moving a sample back and forth beneath the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge in a y direction orthogonal to the x direction. A digital display device is attached to the fluid droplet ejection system for displaying fluid volume information to a user. The fluid volume information is selected from relative fluid volume, absolute fluid volume, and a combination of relative and absolute fluid volumes.

The present invention provides a biological sample holder and handler system for cell-based liquid biopsies. The system is useful for performing diagnostic assays, based on a simple blood sample. For example, the system is useful for delivering precision cancer diagnoses that improve patient outcomes by optimizing treatment options, monitoring therapy efficacy, characterizing metastasis and assessing treatment toxicity

The present disclosure is directed to a dispensing system for providing a preset small volume of liquid ≤200 μl into a filling area of a microfluidic sample carrier comprising at least one flow channel, the system including, inter alia, at least one interface unit provided for each flow channel of the microfluidic sample carrier, with each interface unit comprising an injector with an injection channel, wherein the cross section of an outlet part of the injection channel is larger than a cross section of an inlet part of the injection channel and of the middle part of the injection channel. Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to a respective microfluidic sample carrier sealing system and to a respective method of dispensing sealing liquid into a microfluidic sample carrier.

A system may include a horizontal actuator to move a tray, to which a microwell plate and a microfluidic chip may be coupled. The system may include a vertical actuator to move a support arm, to which a plurality of pipettes or pipette tips may be coupled. The system may include a rotational actuator to move an angle bracket, to which a magnet may be coupled. The system may include a heater, through which the pipettes may extend. The system may include a pump to control the flow of fluids through the pipettes. Disclosed methods include performing PCR within the described system.

A fluid dispenser may include a fluid ejector to eject fluid in a direction and a capillary pick up to wick fluid to the fluid ejector with capillary action. The capillary pick up may project beyond the fluid ejector in the direction.

A probe assembly for aspirating and delivering liquids includes a liquid line having a liquid line end and a pipette configured to be in fluid communication with the liquid line, the pipette configured to aspirate and dispense liquids when the probe assembly is devoid of connections to external liquid sources other than liquids being aspirated or dispensed, the liquid line end having a first portion of a dynamic coupler configured to be dynamically coupled to a second portion of a dynamic coupler, and the second portion of the dynamic coupler configured to be in fluid communication with a liquid source external to the probe assembly. Other probe assemblies, testing apparatus, and methods are disclosed.

A dosing device is proposed which is designed for dosed output of a fluid. The dosing device has a block-shaped channel body, through which a dosing channel system passes. The dosing channel system has a fluid infeed opening and a plurality of fluid output openings. The fluid output openings are formed by the channel apertures of narrowed output sections of a plurality of output channels of the dosing channel system. The entire dosing channel system, including the output channels, is formed in the block-shaped channel body. The dosing channel system is preferably structured such that the flow velocity of the fluid channelled through during operation is at least substantially the same throughout with the exception of in the output sections of the output channels.

A digital dispense system and method for preparing samples for analysis. The system includes a fluid droplet ejection system housed in a compact housing unit. The fluid droplet ejection system contains a fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge containing one or more fluids to be dispensed, a cartridge translation mechanism for moving the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge back and forth over a sample holder in an x direction; and a sample holder translation mechanism for moving a sample back and forth beneath the fluid droplet ejection head and fluid cartridge in a y direction orthogonal to the x direction. A digital display device is attached to the fluid droplet ejection system for displaying fluid volume information to a user. The fluid volume information is selected from relative fluid volume, absolute fluid volume, and a combination of relative and absolute fluid volumes.

A system and method for ejecting one or more fluids from a digital dispense device. The method includes a) inputting to a memory a volume per unit area for each of the one or more fluids to be ejected from the digital dispense device; b) matching the volume per unit area to a device resolution for the digital dispense device; c) formatting fluid ejectors for the digital dispense device for the device resolution; and d) ejecting fluid from the digital dispense device to provide the volume per area for each of the one or more fluids.