Reaction vessels, cartridges, devices and methods for facilitating high-level multiplexing are described herein. Such reaction vessels can include a planar frame defining a fluidic path between a first planar substrate and a second planar substrate, a fluidic interface is located at one end of the planar frame with a pair of fluidic ports, a well chamber and a pre-amplification chamber. Devices for spotting reagents in wells of high-level multiplexing reaction vessels and improved reagent solutions are also described herein.

The present invention relates to encapsulated microfluidic packages and methods thereof. In particular embodiments, the package includes a device, a cradle configured to support the device, and a lid having a bonding surface configured to provide a fluidic seal between itself and the device and/or cradle. Other package configurations, as well as methods for making such fluidic seals, are described herein.

A tissue holder cap for covering a tissue holder includes a cover having a perimeter, the cover having an outer surface and an inner surface opposite from the outer surface. The cover includes a central portion having an opening configured for receiving a central post of the tissue holder, a first latch extending from the perimeter of the cover, and a second latch extending from the perimeter of the cover, circumferentially spaced apart from the first latch. The cover also includes a first protrusion configured to engage the post of the tissue holder. When the first protrusion engages with the post, each of the first latch and the second latch automatically aligns with one or more of a plurality of tabs on located on a circumferential sidewall of the tissue holder to thereby securely fasten the tissue holder cap onto the tissue holder.

A container (1) for biologic samples has a lower receptacle (2), an upper receptacle (3) for a toxic liquid (LF) or considered as such, having a radial ring (63), and a connecting sleeve (4) with a circumferential rim (54) and a transversal septum (40), provided with a central vent opening (55) and with a plurality of transfer openings (51) for the transfer of toxic liquid (LF). The toxic liquid (LF) is sealed between the upper receptacle (3) and the transversal septum (40) before unscrewing the upper receptacle until its radial ring (63) touches the circumferential rim (54). When unscrewing the upper receptacle (3), the toxic liquid (LF) reaches and passes through the plurality of transfer openings (51), and air contained in the lower receptacle (2) flows into the upper receptacle (3) through the central vent opening (55), without any exit of gases and liquids from the container (1).

The disclosure relates to devices, solutions and methods for collecting and processing samples of bodily fluids containing cells (as well as embodiments for the collection, and processing and/or analysis of other fluids including toxic and/or hazardous substances/fluids). In addition, the disclosure relates generally to function genomic studies and to the isolation and preservation of cells from saliva and other bodily fluids (e.g., urine), for cellular analysis. With respect to devices for collection of bodily fluids, some embodiments include two mating bodies, a cap and a tube (for example), where, in some embodiments, the cap includes a closed interior space for holding a sample preservative solution and mates with the tube to constitute the (closed) sample collection device. Upon mating, the preservation solution flows into the closed interior space to preserve cells in the bodily fluid. The tube is configured to receive a donor sample of bodily fluid (e.g., saliva, urine), which can then be subjected to processing to extract a plurality of cells. The plurality of cells can be further processed to isolate one and/or another cell type therefrom. The plurality of cells, as well as the isolated cell type(s), can be analyzed for functional genomic and epigenetic studies, as well as biomarker discovery.

Liquid dispensers for bottles comprise a dispensing chamber having small portals at either end. Dropwise addition of flavoring or coloring liquids, such as vermouth or bitters, to alcoholic beverages using those liquid dispensers is also disclosed.

The disclosure relates to devices, solutions and methods for collecting and processing samples of bodily fluids containing cells (as well as embodiments for the collection, and processing and/or analysis of other fluids including toxic and/or hazardous substances/fluids). In addition, the disclosure relates generally to function genomic studies and to the isolation and preservation of cells from saliva and other bodily fluids (e.g., urine), for cellular analysis. With respect to devices for collection of bodily fluids, some embodiments include two mating bodies, a cap and a tube (for example), where, in some embodiments, the cap includes a closed interior space for holding a sample preservative solution and mates with the tube to constitute the (closed) sample collection device. Upon mating, the preservation solution flows into the closed interior space to preserve cells in the bodily fluid. The tube is configured to receive a donor sample of bodily fluid (e.g., saliva, urine), which can then be subjected to processing to extract a plurality of cells. The plurality of cells can be further processed to isolate one and/or another cell type therefrom. The plurality of cells, as well as the isolated cell type(s), can be analyzed for functional genomic and epigenetic studies, as well as biomarker discovery.

Systems and methods for conducting designated reactions utilizing a base instrument and a removable cartridge. The removable cartridge includes a fluidic network that receives and fluidically directs a biological sample to conduct the designated reactions. The removable cartridge also includes a flow-control valve that is operably coupled to the fluidic network and is movable relative to the fluidic network to control flow of the biological sample therethrough. The removable cartridge is configured to separably engage a base instrument. The base instrument includes a valve actuator that engages the flow-control valve of the removable cartridge. A detection assembly held by at least one of the removable cartridge or the base instrument may be used to detect the designated reactions.

A nucleic acid amplification method includes a step of heating a first region of a container housing a droplet containing a target nucleic acid and a sample necessary for amplification of the target nucleic acid to a denaturation temperature of the target nucleic acid and heating a second region different from the first region to a synthesis temperature of the target nucleic acid, and an amplification step of repeating a cycle through a denaturation stage at which the droplet housed in the container is moved to and retained in the first region and a synthesis stage at which the droplet is moved to and retained in the second region at a plurality of times. At the amplification step, periods of part of cycles of the plurality of cycles are made shorter than periods of the other cycles.

An isolator comprises a manipulation chamber isolated from the external atmosphere, a door for opening and closing a portal formed on the manipulation chamber, a linear guide mechanism for guiding a linear motion of a front-side edge of the door along the portal, and a rotation guide mechanism defining a rotation of the door about an axis coinciding with the front-side edge. The door is closed by positioning the front-side edge at the front side of the manipulation chamber, and the door is opened inward into the manipulation chamber by moving the front-side edge toward the back side while rotating the door about the front-side edge.