A cap that is securable to a vial includes a plug configured for insertion into an open end of the vial. An upper portion of the cap defines a probe recess with an open top end and configured to receive a distal end of a probe of a pipettor inserted into the open top end, to frictionally secure the cap to an end of the probe. The cap includes a radially-oriented annular surface with one or more locking members depending from a periphery of the annular surface. The locking members are spaced from the plug and each locking member includes a radial locking groove and a radial locking ridge beneath the radial locking groove. A lip of the vial snaps into the radial locking groove above the radial locking ridge to secure the cap to the vial when the plug is inserted into the open end of the vial.

The invention generally relates to assemblies for displacing droplets from a vessel that facilitate the collection and transfer of the droplets while minimizing sample loss. In certain aspects, the assembly includes at least one droplet formation module, in which the module is configured to form droplets surrounded by an immiscible fluid. The assembly also includes at least one chamber including an outlet, in which the chamber is configured to receive droplets and an immiscible fluid, and in which the outlet is configured to receive substantially only droplets. The assembly further includes a channel, configured such that the droplet formation module and the chamber are in fluid communication with each other via the channel. In other aspects, the assembly includes a plurality of hollow members, in which the hollow members are channels and in which the members are configured to interact with a vessel. The plurality of hollow members includes a first member configured to expel a fluid immiscible with droplets in the vessel and a second member configured to substantially only droplets from the vessel. The assembly also includes a main channel, in which the second member is in fluid communication with the main channel. The assembly also includes at least one analysis module connected to the main channel.

Provided is a microfluidic chip having an inlet/outlet structure optimized for sealing an inlet/outlet of a microfluidic chip using a UV curable sealing material, a microfluidic chip having the inlet/outlet structure, and a method of sealing the inlet/outlet of the microfluidic chip using a UV curable sealing material. It is possible to provide a semi-permanent seal with less contamination from a fluid sample or a harmful reagent, and the inlet/outlet of the microfluidic chip can be firmly sealed using simple equipment and without high-temperature/high-pressure conditions. By using the inlet/outlet structure of the microfluidic chip and the sealing method thereof, it is possible not only to improve the accuracy and deviation of the reaction result as the generation of bubbles is suppressed even when a predetermined reaction is performed on the microfluidic chip, but also it is possible to apply a fully automated system by eliminating the need for ancillary equipment such as a chip case and minimizing or eliminating manual operations.

A processing module is configured to extend the capabilities of an analyzer configured to process substances within each of a plurality of receptacles. The module includes a container transport configured to transport a container from a location within the processing module to a location within the analyzer that is accessible to a substance transfer device of the analyzer. A receptacle distribution system is configured to receive a receptacle from the analyzer, transfer the receptacle into the processing module, and to move the receptacle between different locations within the analyzer. A substance transfer device of the module is configured to dispense substances into or remove substances from the receptacle within the processing module. A reagent card exchanger provides an input device for inserting reagent cards into and removing reagent cards from the module, stores reagent cards within the module, and transfers reagent cards to different location within the module.

A closure for protectively sealing a biological fluid collection device is disclosed. The closure includes a cap and an adapter or connector. The closure of the present disclosure allows for connection to multiple different blood collection devices. In a first configuration, with the cap connected to the adapter, the closure may be connected to a first blood collection device. In a second configuration, with the cap disconnected from the adapter, the closure may be connected to a second blood collection device. An advantage of the closure of the present disclosure is that it enables a single closure device to accommodate a variety of connection options, hi one embodiment, the closure includes a barrier in communication with a portion of the cap, and the barrier protectively shields a portion of the stopper and/or protectively shields a portion of the cap.

A diagnostic system is configured to perform first and second, different nucleic acid amplification reactions. The system includes a bulk reagent container compartment configured to store first bulk reagent container containing a first bulk reagent for performing sample preparation processes with a first subset and a second subset of a plurality of samples and a second bulk reagent container containing a second bulk reagent for performing the first nucleic acid amplification reaction. The system includes a unit-dose reagent compartment storing a unit-dose reagent pack including unit-dose reagents for performing the second nucleic acid amplification reaction. The system is configured to perform the sample preparation process using the first bulk reagent on the first and second subsets of the samples, perform the first nucleic acid amplification reaction using the second bulk reagent on the first subset of the samples, and perform the second nucleic acid amplification reaction using the unit-dose reagents on the second subset of the samples.

A specimen collection, storage, transport, and testing device (1) can include an outer vessel (2) containing an internal cup (5) having an openable drain (23) having a brim (22) raised above the bottom floor (27) of the cup. Once opened the drain allows a portion of liquid specimen to flow from the cup into a lower chamber (55) of the vessel and onto a cartridge (3) containing a number of chromatographic assay strips. A lid (4) sealing the vessel can include a downwardly projecting guide tube (35) having first barrier (39) sealing a bottom aperture (38). An oblong initiator (6) 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.

One or more temperature cycles are applied to the contents of a processing vial closed by an interlocked cap within a thermal cycler. The processing vial and the interlocked cap are transferred from the thermal cycler to a storage compartment within the instrument with a transfer mechanism with a probe engaged with the cap. In the storage compartment, the processing vial and interlocked cap are moved to an access opening in the instrument and are removed from the instrument through the access opening.

Rotary valves and methods of using, manufacturing, and storing the same are provided herein. The rotary valve includes a rotor and a stator, biased toward one another to form a fluid tight seal. In some implementations, the rotor comprises an integrated flow channel containing a porous solid support. Frequently, the interface between rotor and stator is made fluid-tight using a gasket. Some implementations of the rotary valve include a displaceable spacer to prevent the gasket from sealing against at least one of the rotor and stator prior to operation, wherein when the spacer is displaced, the gasket seals the rotor and stator together in a fluid-tight manner.

Rotary valves and methods of using, manufacturing, and storing the same are provided herein. The rotary valve includes a rotor and a stator, biased toward one another to form a fluid tight seal. In some implementations, the rotor comprises an integrated flow channel containing a porous solid support. Frequently, the interface between rotor and stator is made fluid-tight using a gasket. Some implementations of the rotary valve include a displaceable spacer to prevent the gasket from sealing against at least one of the rotor and stator prior to operation, wherein when the spacer is displaced, the gasket seals the rotor and stator together in a fluid-tight manner.