The present invention discloses a nucleic acid extraction apparatus and a method using the apparatus for extracting nucleic acids and amplifying target nucleic acids. The nucleic acid extraction apparatus comprising: a nucleic acid extraction element, a waste storage chamber, and a reaction chamber, wherein the reaction chamber is selectively in communication with the nucleic acid extraction element and the waste storage chamber, and the apparatus realizes fluid exchange through the pressure between the waste storage chamber and the reaction chamber. In the present invention, by using an integrated control system, the conventional manual process of nucleic acid extraction and purification is integrated into a fully automatic closed process, making the operation more conveniently and quickly and improving the efficiency of experimental work.

A fluid retainer cartridge assembly is disclosed. The fluid retainer cartridge assembly includes a base portion and a cap portion. The base portion defines a plurality of implement-receiving channels. The cap portion is removably-connected to the base portion. The cap portion defines a fluid-receiving void that is fluidly-divided into an upstream fluid-receiving void and a downstream fluid-receiving void by a flange of the base portion that is disposed within the fluid-receiving void of the cap portion. The upstream fluid-receiving void is in fluid communication with the downstream fluid-receiving void by a fluid-flow passage formed by the flange of the base portion. A method is also disclosed.

A method of performing an optical measurement of an analyte in a processed biological sample using a cartridge is provided. The cartridge is operable for being spun around a rotational axis. The method comprises: placing the biological sample into a sample inlet; controlling the rotational rate of the cartridge to process a biological sample into the processed biological sample using a fluidic structure; controlling the rotational rate of the cartridge to allow the processed biological sample to flow from the measurement structure inlet to an absorbent structure via a chromatographic membrane, and performing an optical measurement of a detection zone on the chromatographic membrane with an optical instrument. An inlet air baffle reduces evaporation of the processed biological sample from the chromatographic membrane during rotation of the cartridge.

An example system includes a primary channel having a first end and a second end, at least two reagent reservoirs coupled to the first end, and a controller. Each reservoir contains a reagent in a fluid solution and is associated with an integrated pump to drive a reagent droplet from the corresponding reagent reservoir into the primary channel towards the second end. The controller is coupled to the integrated pumps and operates according to a sequence to actuate the integrated pumps, the sequence being indicative of reagents in the reagent reservoirs. The actuation of the pumps is to drive the reagent droplets from the reagent reservoirs into the primary channel in accordance with the sequence. The example system also includes a shell material reservoir with a shell material and an associated shell material pump to drive the shell material into the primary channel to encapsulate the reagent droplets.

Sample analysis systems and methods using assay surfaces, assay processing units (APUs), assay processing systems (APSs), and laboratory systems are disclosed. An assay surface includes a sample processing component comprising a plurality of regions, including at least one wash region and at least one storage region configured to hold a plurality of solid supports moveable through the regions under a magnetic force, and a detection component configured to receive the solid supports. An APU includes an assay surface receiving component, a magnetic element configured to generate a moveable magnetic field, and one or more processors configured to move the magnetic field. An APS includes one or more assay surfaces and an APU. A laboratory system includes one or more APSs and a controller for parallel processing. Sample processing and detection methods are disclosed with a reduced sample volume and/or shortened processing time and/or higher sensitivity.

The present invention is directed generally to devices and methods for manipulating laboratory pipettes in a programmable manner. The present invention is directed to an apparatus and methods for allowing a user to instruct the device to perform a specific process; identifying the type, location and identity of the consumables to be used; manipulating a plurality of pipettes for performing the liquid handling; monitoring the process during and after its execution; generating a detailed report for the plurality of actions. Other aspects of this invention include optimization of the liquid dispensing performances of a pipette; monitoring and controlling individual actions by means of vision; virtualization of the protocol definition by means of a reality augmented software interface; integration of the system in a conventional laboratory environment workflow.

The invention is a device for quantitatively collecting pooled samples from multiwell plates.

A sample analysis substrate includes a substrate; a first holding chamber; a reaction chamber; a first flow path having a first opening and a second opening respectively connected with the first holding chamber and reaction chamber; a main chamber; a second flow path having a third opening and a fourth opening respectively connected with the reaction chamber and the main chamber; and a magnet accommodation chamber capable of accommodating a magnet. The first opening is located closer to a rotation shaft than the second opening. The second opening is located closer to the rotation shaft than the third opening. The magnet accommodation chamber is located at a position at which, in the case where the magnet is accommodated in the magnet accommodation chamber, the magnet captures magnetic particles in the main chamber. The sample analysis substrate is rotatable to transfer a liquid.

A diagnostic cartridge and method of performing a diagnostic test are provided. The cartridge includes a body having a sample chamber for receipt of a sample, an analysis chamber, and a reagent-containing dispensing member. A valve member is coupled to the body for selective movement between first and second states. The valve member has a fluid passage with a hydroscopic, gas permeable vent. In the first state, the fluid passage is out of fluid communication with the sample chamber and is registered for fluid communication with the reagent-containing dispensing member. The vent prevents fluid from passing therethrough and allows air to vent therefrom as reagent flows into and fills the fluid passage. In the second state, the fluid passage remains in fluid communication with the reagent-containing dispensing member and is brought into fluid communication with the sample chamber to facilitate transporting the sample to the analysis chamber.

A liquid handling device has an accommodation part for accommodating a liquid, two or more flow paths each opening to a lower part of a side wall surface of the accommodation part, and a liquid movement suppression part that is disposed in the lower part of the side wall between the openings of two of the flow paths that are adjacent to each other and slows or stops the movement of the liquid along the corner formed by the lower surface of the accommodation part and the side wall surface.