A fluid container holder includes a body having a receptacle configured to receive a container. The body has a conductive outer surface for connection to an electrical ground or voltage source, and the holder is not formed solely of an electrically conductive metal. A fluid container handling assembly includes a drawer having a holder supporting a fluid container, and a frame supporting the holder. The frame is movable between a first position providing access to the holder and a second position positioning the holder within the instrument. The assembly also includes a first lock securing the holder to the frame when the frame is at the first frame position and unlocking the holder from the frame when the frame is at the second frame position. The assembly also includes a holder transporter configured to move the holder between a first holder position and a second holder position within the instrument.

A method for performing a nucleic acid amplification assay employs a thermally-conductive receptacle holder with one or more receptacle wells, each conforming to an outer surface of a lower portion of a vial. A through-hole extends from an inner surface of each well to an outer surface of the holder. A thermal element is positioned proximal to the holder for altering a temperature of the holder. A signal detection module is configured to generate an excitation signal directed through the through-hole of the well and detect an optical emission from a fluid contained in the vial supported by the well. At least one well supports a capped vial containing a reagent for a nucleic acid amplification assay and including an opaque cap sealing an open end of the vial. The lower portion of the vial is contained within a well, and the cap is situated above a top surface of the holder.

Diagnostic devices for performing diagnostic tests are provided, as well as methods that utilize the diagnostic devices, methods for manufacturing the diagnostic devices, and test kits for performing the diagnostic tests. The diagnostic devices include a sample chamber with an opening for receiving a sample; a fluid chamber containing a fluid; and a test and readout chamber containing a lateral-flow assay (LFA) strip. The fluid chamber and/or the test and readout chamber is/are burstable and is/are configured to be in fluid connection with the sample chamber upon bursting. The fluid chamber may be flexible and configured to burst at a seal separating the sample chamber from the fluid chamber. The seal maybe configured to break when a bursting force is applied to the fluid chamber.

A receptacle distribution system includes a rotary distributor and a receptacle handoff device. The rotary distributor includes a motorized turntable with an upright wall, a distributor head for holding a receptacle, a hook configured to engage a receptacle for moving the receptacle into or out of the distributor head, and an a system for powered elevation of the distributor head. The receptacle handoff device is configured to transfer a receptacle from a first receptacle distributor to the rotary distributor and includes a receptacle yoke configured to hold a receptacle placed in the receptacle yoke with the first receptacle distributor, the receptacle yoke being rotatable between a first position to receive the receptacle and a second position to present the receptacle to the rotary distributor to enable the hook of the rotary distributor to pull the receptacle from the receptacle yoke and into the distributor head.

A modular fluidic chip includes a body configured to have at least one flow channel formed in an inside thereof and be connected to another modular fluidic chip to allow the at least one flow channel to communicate with a flow channel provided in the other modular fluidic chip. A fluidic chip capable of performing one function is formed in the form of a module, whereby a fluidic flow system of various structures can be implemented without restriction in shape or size by connecting a plurality of fluidic chips capable of performing different functions as necessary. Through this, various and accurate experimental data can be obtained, and when a specific portion is deformed or damaged, only the fluidic chip corresponding thereto can be replaced, thereby reducing manufacture and maintenance costs.

An aseptic sampling apparatus includes an isolator, a liquid delivery port that is disposed in the isolator, a sampling section that is disposed inside the isolator, a first flow path that communicates with a discharge flow path of the sampling section, and that connects an inside and outside of the isolator to each other through the liquid delivery port, a fluid supplying unit that supplies a fluid to the sampling section, a gas supplying unit that communicates with the fluid supplying unit, and a seal member that prevents the fluid supplied from fluid supplying unit to the discharge flow path from leaking.

An exemplary method includes forming a sacrificial layer along sidewalls of an array of trenches that are indented into a substrate, depositing a fill layer over the sacrificial layer, and then creating an array of gaps between the fill layer and the substrate by removing the sacrificial layer along the sidewalls of the trenches, while maintaining a structural connection between the substrate and the fill layer at the floors of the trenches. The method further includes covering the substrate, the fill layer, and the gaps with a cap layer that seal fluid-tight against the substrate and the fill layer. The method further includes indenting a first reservoir and a second reservoir through the cap layer, and into the substrate and the fill layer, across the lengths of the array of gaps, so that the array of gaps connects the first reservoir in fluid communication with the second reservoir.

The extraction cell according to the invention for extracting a sample is substantially characterized by the following features: a tubular extraction body having a first end and an opposite second end which has an interior space for receiving the sample, a first closure arrangement for sealingly closing the first end of the tubular extraction body, a second closure arrangement for sealingly closing the second end of the tubular extraction body, wherein the first closure arrangement has a first fluid port for supplying or discharging a fluid and the second closure arrangement has a second fluid port for supplying or discharging a fluid. Furthermore, between the extraction body and the first closure arrangement and between the extraction body and the second closure arrangement, at least one adhesive arrangement is provided for holding the first and the second closure arrangements on the extraction body.

A receptacle cap includes a probe recess configured to receive a probe inserted therein to thereby frictionally secure the receptacle cap to the probe, and a closed lower end of the receptacle is insertable into an open end of a reaction receptacle to close the reaction receptacle. The receptacle cap and the reaction receptacle include interlocking features for securing the receptacle cap to the reaction receptacle.

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.