The automatic analyzer includes a light source 4a to perform measurement, a spectrophotometer 4, a reagent disk 9 to store a reagent bottle 10 in which the reagent is stored, a carriage device to carry the reagent bottle 10 to the reagent disk 9, a reagent preparation unit to perform preparatory operations required before the regent bottle 10 is used, and a control unit 21 to schedule the preparatory operations by the reagent preparation unit and the carriage operation by the carriage device such that the reagent bottle 10 is carried to the reagent disk 9 immediately after an operation accompanied with analysis by the light source 4a and the spectrophotometer 4 is suspended or ends.

Described herein are method of transferring liquid using a robotic liquid handler from a reagent reservoir having a sloped bottom along a length of the reagent reservoir, the sloped bottom defining a shallow end and a deep end of the reagent reservoir, wherein the shallow end is proximal to a first side-wall of the reagent reservoir, wherein the deep end is proximal to a second side-wall of the reagent reservoir opposite the first side-wall.

Dry reagent cup assemblies and methods are disclosed. In accordance with an implementation, an apparatus includes a liquid reservoir and dry reagent cup assembly. The liquid reservoir has a base, side wall that extends from the base, and distal opening. The dry reagent cup assembly coupled to the liquid reservoir includes a dry reagent cup and liquid impermeable barrier. The dry reagent cup has a cup base, cup side wall that extends from the cup base, and cup opening. The distal opening of the liquid reservoir faces the cup opening. The liquid impermeable barrier covers the cup opening and separates the liquid reservoir and the dry reagent cup. The dry reagent cup moves between an initial position outside the liquid reservoir and a rehydrating position where the dry reagent cup pierces and passes through an opening in the liquid impermeable barrier and is received within the liquid reservoir.

Modular active surface devices for microfluidic systems and methods of making the same including adhesive-free assembly are disclosed. In some embodiments, the presently disclosed modular active surface devices and methods provide adhesive-free assembly processes, such as, but not limited to, laser beam welding (LBW) processes, ultrasonic welding processes, heat welding processes, chemical bonding processes, mechanical compression processes, and the like. In some embodiments, the modular active surface devices and methods provide a reagent hopper or well that is out-of-plane with the reaction chamber.

A method of producing a microfluidic device, including providing at least two solid layers and at least one reagent disc comprising a support disc carrying at least one dry reagent, arranging the reagent disk(s) and stacking the solid layers to form a microfluidic channel arrangement including at least one opening into a channel of the microfluidic channel arrangement and wherein the reagent disk(s) is located in the microfluidic channel arrangement.

The technology described herein generally relates to systems for extracting polynucleotides from multiple samples, particularly from biological samples, and additionally to systems that subsequently amplify and detect the extracted polynucleotides. The technology more particularly relates to microfluidic systems that carry out PCR on multiple samples of nucleotides of interest within microfluidic channels, and detect those nucleotides. The technology still more particularly relates to automated devices for carrying out pipetting operations, particularly on samples in parallel, consistent with sample preparation and delivery of PCR-ready nucleotide extracts to a cartridge wherein PCR is run.

Embodiments of a platelet testing system include an analyzer console device and a blood testing cartridge configured to releasably install into the console device. The cartridge device is configured with one or more measuring chambers and one or more mixing chambers that are fluidically connected within the cartridge device that enable the mixing of saline and a blood sample to a desired dilution. Additionally, the cartridge device is further configured with a cartridge slider that provides a reagent bead to the saline and blood mixture at a desired time. As such, one or more platelet activation assays can be conducted by measuring, through cartridge electrodes of the cartridge device, the detectable changes in platelet activity within the blood and saline mixture.

A liquid droplet manipulation system has a substrate with at least one electrode array and a central control unit for controlling selection of individual electrodes of the electrode array and for providing the electrodes with individual voltage pulses for manipulating liquid droplets by electrowetting. A working film is placed on top of the electrodes for manipulating samples in liquid droplets with the electrode array. At least one selected individual electrode of the electrode array is configured to be penetrated by light of an optical detection system for the optical inspection or analysis of samples in liquid droplets that are located on the working film. Also disclosed is working film that is to be placed on the electrode array and a cartridge that includes such a working film for manipulating samples in liquid droplets.

Provided is a genome extraction device to which a dual chamber structure of an outer chamber and a bead chamber is applied, more particularly a genome extraction device to which the above-described dual chamber structure is applied so that the performance of dry beads vulnerable to moisture can be maintained for a long time.

Provided is a genome extraction device to which a dual chamber structure of an outer chamber and an inner chamber is applied, more particularly a genome extraction device to which the above-described dual chamber structure is applied so that the genome extraction device can be stored stably for a long time without the risk of reagent leakage.