Methods and devices for isolating microbial cells from a sample, extracting eukaryotic DNA from a sample, and identifying the microbial species in the sample are disclosed herein.

A biological fluid separation device that is adapted to receive a multi-component blood sample is disclosed. After collecting the blood sample, the biological fluid separation device is able to separate a plasma portion from a cellular portion. After separation, the biological fluid separation device is able to transfer the plasma portion of the blood sample to a point-of-care testing device. The biological fluid separation device of the present disclosure also provides a closed separation and transfer system that reduces the exposure of a blood sample and provides fast mixing of a blood sample with a sample stabilizer. The biological fluid separation device is engageable with a blood testing device for closed transfer of a portion of the plasma portion from the biological fluid separation device to the blood testing device. The blood testing device is adapted to receive the plasma portion to analyze the blood sample and obtain test results.

A pipette tip (20) containing a rigid porous matrix (22) on which a ligand is immobilized, the ligand being capable of binding to a protein associated with chromatin; the rigid porous matrix being positioned within the pipette tip such that, in use, chromatin in a liquid sample passing through the pipette tip is retained by the rigid porous matrix is described. A method of isolating chromatin from the liquid sample using the pipette tip and the use of the pipette tip in a chromatin immunoprecipitation assay are also described.

Embodiments disclose an apparatus and methods for biological sample processing enabling isolation and enrichment of microbial or pathogenic constituents from the sample. A vessel for sample containment and extraction is further disclosed for engagement with a transducer capable of efficient sample disruption and lysis. Together these components provide a convenient and inexpensive solution for rapid sample preparation compatible with downstream analysis techniques.

Systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed for recovering one or more target cells from a fluid sample. A first chamber aligned with a first surface of a removable filter receives the fluid sample. The removable filter defines a plurality of pores configured to retain the one or more target cells on the first surface and/or in the plurality of pores, each pore of the plurality of pores having a first diameter smaller than a diameter of the one or more target cells in the first surface and a second diameter greater than the first diameter in a second surface of the removable filter. A second chamber comprises a hydrophilic microporous wick structure configured to contact the second surface of the removable filter and capillarize any non-target cells and fluid from the fluid sample, drawing them into the second chamber.

A system for collecting biomolecules comprising an extractor assembly comprising a top cap, an extractor core, an extractor core adaptor, an extractor body having an internal volume, and a bottom cap ring. The top cap comprises a sample connection port and is configured to be secured to the extractor body by the bottom cap ring. The extractor core is adapted to be removably attached to a connection interface of the top cap and contains a substrate for collecting the biomolecules. The extractor core adaptor has an upstream open end for mating with the downstream end of the extractor core and a downstream protrusion configured to project through an opening in the extractor body. Methods for using the system to collect samples for transport and further processing to detect disease are also disclosed.

A disease screening device (100) comprising a substrate (101) and a sonication chamber (102) formed on the substrate (101). The sonication chamber (102) is provided with an ultrasonic transducer (105) which generates ultrasonic waves to lyse cells in a sample fluid within the sonication chamber (102). The device (100) comprises a reagent chamber (111) formed on the substrate (101) for receiving a liquid PCR reagent. The device (100) comprises a controller (23) which controls the ultrasonic transducer (105) and a heating arrangement (128) which is provided on the substrate (101). The device (100) further comprises a detection apparatus which detects the presence of an infectious disease, such as COVID-19 disease.

The present invention provides a solid phase extraction method using a micro device having a dam forming portion including a dam, the solid phase extraction method comprising the steps of: (i) injecting a solvent and a filler into the micro device, moving the solvent to the dam forming portion, the dam allowing the solvent to flow therethrough and preventing the filler from passing therethrough, and adsorbing a material to be separated onto the filler in the dam forming portion; and (ii) extracting, from the filler, the adsorbed material, wherein the micro device is rotated with respect to a central axis during one of steps (i) and (ii), and the rotation of the micro device is performed at an angular velocity defined by equation 1.

In one example in accordance with the present disclosure, a cell analysis system is described. The cell analysis system includes at least one cell analysis device. Each cell analysis device includes a channel to serially feed individual cells from a volume of cells into a lysing chamber. The cell analysis device also includes at least one feedback-controlled lysing element in the lysing chamber to agitate a cell. The cell analysis system also includes a controller to analyze the cell. The controller includes a lysate analyzer to analyze properties of the lysate and a rupture analyzer to analyze parameters of an agitation when a cell membrane ruptures.

A system for rapid analysis of a fluid sample for detection of at least one viable microbial organism therein. The system comprises a cartridge that is demountably engageable with a reader component. The cartridge has a first well receiving a fluid sample, with a second well and third well imbedded under portions of the first well. The second well has a sensor configured to send a reference signal to the reader component, while the third well has a sensor configured to send a sample signal to the reader component. When in use, the cartridge is engaged with the reader component and a fluid sample is placed into the first well. The reader component controllably illuminates the third well and comprises a detector that detects differences in photocurrent and/or spectra between the reference signal and the sample signal from the illuminated third well.