A flow control and processing cartridge includes a cartridge body and a reaction chip. The cartridge body includes plural first chambers and plural first channels for storing and processing at least one of a sample, a reagent and a buffer and configured to perform nucleic acid extraction. The reaction chip is in conjunction with the cartridge body and includes plural second chambers and plural second channels configured to store and process an amplification reaction solution, and at least two fluidic networks configured to perform nucleic acid amplification and detection. One of the fluidic networks includes plural detection wells, a main fluid channel connected with the detection wells and configured to dispense the sample or control liquids into the detection wells, and a gas releasing channel connected with the detection wells and configured to release gas from the detection wells, wherein one of the fluidic networks is configured for quality control.

A sample of water is tested for silica and phosphate content in a single apparatus. In the test method, a first sample of the water is colorimetrically analyzed in a reaction chamber using a “molybdenum blue” test in which silica and phosphate in the sample are complexed with a first reagent. The phosphate complexes are then optically inactivated by a second reagent and the color of the silica complexes is intensified with a third reagent. From this, the silica content is calculated. A further sample is colorimetrically analyzed without using the second reagent, so that a combined silica and phosphate content of the further sample is obtained. A value of the silica content is subtracted from the value of the combined silica and phosphate content, resulting in a phosphate content for the sample. The silica content and the phosphate content of the sample are reportable.

A liquid evaluation system can include a cartridge including a channel configured to pull a liquid into the channel by capillary action. The cartridge can include a first plate and a second plate located in close proximity to the first plate. An internal facing surface of each plate can include a corresponding region forming the channel. Each of the regions can have an affinity for the liquid. The close proximity of the plates and the regions having an affinity for the liquid cause the liquid to be pulled into the channel by capillary action. The cartridge can include one or more additional attributes and/or the system can include one or more additional components for performing the evaluation.

An apparatus includes a housing, a first cavity, a volumetric pool having a limited internal volume and a squeezing mechanism. The first cavity supports a first strip having a first end portion for receiving a fluid substrate and a second end portion. The squeezing mechanism is disposed corresponding to at least a portion of a second width (W) of the first cavity in a lateral direction (Z). When the first strip is drawn along a longitudinal direction (X) such that the first end portion moves into the first cavity, the first end portion is squeezed by the squeezing mechanism to squeeze out the fluid substrate to be transferred to the volumetric pool. The fluid substrate excess to the limited internal volume of the volumetric pool overflows from the volumetric pool to retain a desired volume.

One aspect of this invention relates to a vertical-via rotary valve including a valve body having a housing; one or more fluidic channels, each fluidic channel having a vertical channel portion defined in the valve body and being adjacent to the housing, wherein a fluid flow through the vertical channel portion is controllable by deforming a sidewall of the vertical channel portion; and an actuator received in the housing and rotatably engaged with the one or more fluidic channels to operably control the fluid flow through the vertical channel portion of each fluid channel.

This disclosure provides methods and apparatuses for sorting target particles. In various embodiments, the disclosure provides a cassette for sorting target particles, methods for sorting target particles, methods of loading a microchannel for maintaining sample material viability, methods of quantifying sample material, and an optical apparatus for laser scanning and particle sorting.

A system for filling multiple sterile containers includes a filter with an inlet port and multiple outlet ports, the outlet ports being pre-attached to sterile containers by respective filling lines of each container. Each container has an interior and each of the respective filling lines are connected to a respective container interior. The respective filling lines are sealed to the outlet ports and the containers such that the container interiors are isolated from an external environment except the inlet port, via the filter, forming a combined interior volume which is sterile. A container that is connectable to an outlet port the system has a bladder, a first tube and a second tube connected to the bladder, and a sterilizing filter. The container, the first tube and the second tube, and the sterilizing filter are sterile before water is flowed through the sterilizing filter into the bladder.

An automated analysis instrument operates to detect inadequate dispensation of a fluidic substance on a tray. The instrument includes an image capturing device to capture an image of at least a portion of the tray including a receptacle portion and a surrounding portion around the receptacle portion. The instrument then identifies the surrounding portion of the at least the portion of the tray in the image, evaluates color components of the image corresponding to the surrounding portion of the at least the portion of the tray, and determines whether the fluidic substance is present on the surrounding portion of the at least the portion of the tray based on at least one of the color components.

Methods, systems and devices that allow independently applied pressures to a BGE reservoir and a sample reservoir for pressure-driven injection that can inject a discrete sample plug into a separation channel that does not require voltage applied to the sample reservoir and can allow for in-channel focusing methods to be used. The methods, systems and devices are particularly suitable for use with a mass spectrometer.

An integrated testing device and fluid module are disclosed, as well as a method of manufacture. Fluid module contains a reservoir containing a test fluid, and a control vessel. The reservoir discharges test fluid into the control vessel, which discharges the test fluid in a controlled way to a test component.