A method for moving a processing vial between locations of an instrument. The method includes the steps of dispensing a fluid into a processing vial with a disposable pipette tip frictionally fitted onto a probe of a pipettor, stripping the disposable pipette tip from the probe of the pipettor, and then engaging a cap in a frictional fit with the probe of the pipettor. While the cap is engaged in a frictional fit with the probe of the pipettor, coupling the cap to the processing vial to form a cap/vial assembly, where the cap seals the processing vial. The pipettor moves the cap/vial assembly from a first location of an instrument to a second location of the instrument. At the second location of the instrument, the cap/vial assembly is ejected from the probe of the pipettor, thereby depositing the cap/vial assembly at the second location.

A method for ensuring a microbiological purity of a single-use device for carrying out a biotechnological process, the single-use device including at least one gamma-sterilizable component which is formed from materials suitable for a sterilization by gamma radiation, and at least one non-gamma-sterilizable subunit which contains a material unsuitable for a sterilization by gamma radiation. Both the component and the subunit each have an area that comes into contact with a process medium when the biotechnological process is carried out. The method includes the steps of sterilizing the gamma-sterilizable component by gamma radiation; protecting the medium-contacting area of the gamma-sterilizable component by a sterile barrier; sterilizing the non-gamma-sterilizable subunit with superheated steam; protecting the medium-contacting area of the non-gamma-sterilizable subunit by a sterile barrier; removing the sterile barriers; and mounting the gamma-sterilized component and the superheated steam-sterilized subunit in the single-use device immediately after removing the sterile barriers.

A nucleic acid extraction system, comprising: a nucleic acid extraction plate, and a pipetting device and positive pressure device that are arranged side by side, the pipetting device comprising: an infusion device, an infusion device mounting frame, an infusion device driving unit, and a plurality of infusion units, each of the infusion units comprising: a reagent supply device and a reagent flow controller; the positive pressure device comprises: a plug, an air pipe, a positive pressure provider and a positive pressure driving device. The nucleic acid extraction system is highly efficiency and low-cost when extracting nucleic acid.

A specimen collection, storage, transport, and testing device can include an outer vessel containing an internal cup having an openable drain having a brim raised above the bottom floor of the cup. Once opened the drain allows a portion of liquid specimen to flow from the cup into a lower chamber of the vessel containing a number of chromatographic assay strips. A lid sealing the vessel can include a downwardly projecting guide tube having first barrier sealing a bottom aperture. An oblong initiator can axially engage the guide tube, break the first barrier and open the drain to initiate the test while retaining a pool of liquid specimen in the cup for subsequent confirmatory testing.

The present invention provides novel microfluidic substrates and methods that are useful for performing biological, chemical and diagnostic assays. The substrates can include a plurality of electrically addressable, channel bearing fluidic modules integrally arranged such that a continuous channel is provided for flow of immiscible fluids.

A test device and a test method are provided which can prevent a specimen liquid from splattering and leaking and perform an examination simply and safely. The test device includes a culturing unit configured to be capable of culturing a specimen in a sealed state, a test piece configured to be capable of absorbing a specimen liquid in the culturing unit, a separating unit configured to be capable of separating the test piece and the specimen liquid in a non-contact state, an opening unit configured to be capable of opening at least a portion of the separating unit to form a flow path through which the specimen liquid reaches the test piece, and a case configured to integrally seal at least a portion of the test piece on a side closer to the separating unit, at least a portion of the culturing unit, and the separating unit.

A receptacle for minimizing evaporation of a fluid includes a single-piece body, a fluid-tight seal, a penetrable septum, and a lid. The body includes a chamber having an opening. The fluid-tight seal is affixed to a surface of the body that defines the first opening. The fluid-tight seal covers the opening and is frangible. The septum covers the opening and the fluid-tight seal. The septum includes at least one slit forming slats. The lid has an opening axially aligned with the opening and is coupled to the body such that at least a portion of the septum is disposed between the lid and the fluid-tight seal.

A rotating seal-type liquid testing apparatus includes a lower cup component, an upper cup body, a top cover and a testing element. The lower cup component includes a lower cup body, a high liquid baffle, a low liquid baffle and a water-absorbing sealing plug. The low liquid baffle and the high liquid baffle divide a bottom of an inner cavity of the lower cup body into a reaction region and a cut-off region. An edge of a bottom surface of the inner cavity of the lower cup body is provided with a vent hole, and the vent hole is positioned in the cut-off region. The upper cup body is disposed in the lower cup body, a bottom surface of an inner cavity of the upper cup body is provided with a liquid outlet, and the liquid outlet is connected to the reaction region in the lower cup body.

Fluidic connectors, methods, and devices for performing analyses (e.g., immunoassays) in microfluidic systems are provided. In some embodiments, a fluidic connector having a fluid path is used to connect two independent channels formed in a substrate so as to allow fluid communication between the two independent channels. One or both of the independent channels may be pre-filled with reagents (e.g., antibody solutions, washing buffers and amplification reagents), which can be used to perform the analysis. These reagents may be stored in the channels of the substrate for long periods amounts of time (e.g., 1 year) prior to use.

An apparatus and a system for filtering a liquid sample in a sample well (310) by transferring the liquid out of the sample well (310) through a filter member (320) situated at a bottom part of the sample well (310). The apparatus and the system include a syringe (100), and a seal member (200) arranged around a nozzle (140) of the syringe (100) in such a way that the syringe (100) is adjustable in connection with an upper part of the sample well (310) in a substantially airtight manner. A method for filtering a liquid sample and use of the system for filtering eluted blood are also disclosed.