Various apparatus, systems, and methods for measuring a solution characteristic of a sample comprising microorganisms are disclosed. The measured solution characteristic can be used to generate a standardized inoculum. In one embodiment, a sensor apparatus is disclosed comprising a sample container having a chamber lateral wall surrounding a chamber cavity configured receive the sample, a reference sensor fabricated as a container cap and comprising a reference electrode material and, and an active sensor made of a substrate covered in part by an active electrode layer. The active sensor can be coupled to at least part of the chamber lateral wall at a window opening defined along the chamber lateral wall. The solution characteristic can be measured using a reader configured to electrically couple to the sensor apparatus and measure the solution characteristic based on a potential difference between the active sensor and the active sensor.

A single disposable cartridge for performing a process on a particle, such as particle sorting, encapsulates all fluid contact surfaces in the cartridge for use with microfluidic particle processing technology. The cartridge interfaces with an operating system for effecting particle processing. The encapsulation of the fluid contact surfaces insures, improves or promotes operator isolation and/or product isolation. The cartridge may employ any suitable technique for processing particles.

Disclosed is a biological sample collector 500 comprising a solid support 12 having plural discrete areas (22, 24, 26, 28 FIG. 1) for accepting a biological sample, each area being chemically differentiated, for example by having a different chemical treatment sorbed onto the solid support. An envelope 530 encloses the solid support. A cover portion 520 can cover the biological sample after collection to prevent infection. UV light can be applied to the collected sample to reduce the risk of infection.

A device for automated characterization of radioactive analytes that provides an integrated system with liquid handling and plate reading components. The device can be further configured to include a chromatographic subsystem. Also provided is a method of using such a device, providing addition of a radioactive sample and a sequence of operations involving the abovementioned components of the system. The system is configured with radiation shielding in such a way that manipulations of radioactive samples do not interfere with concurrent radioactive measurements.

Systems, methods, and collection devices are disclosed for rapid, local PCR testing. The system may include a PCR testing module, memory configured to store computer-executable instructions, and at least one computer processor configured to access the memory and execute the computer executable instructions to: (i) receive an order for a PCR diagnostic test; (ii) associate a sample collection device (SCD) received by the PCR testing module with the order for a PCR diagnostic test; (iii) instruct the PCR testing module to conduct the PCR diagnostic test on a biological specimen in the SCD received by the PCR testing module; and (iv) cause presentation of results of the PCR diagnostic test.

A biochemical detection device is revealed. The biochemical detection device includes a cap and a base arranged at two ends of a test tube correspondingly and a driving member disposed on the base. A sample-mounting slot and a test-paper-mounting slot separated from each other are formed in the test tube. After sampling, a sample obtained is placed into the sample-mounting slot and mixed with an extraction solution therein. A thin-film on the sample-mounting slot is penetrated by the driving member to allow the extraction solution mixed with the sample flowing into a cavity of the test tube to react with a test strip in the test-paper-mounting slot. The test cost is reduced and the detection efficiency is improved due to simple structure and easy operation. Moreover, the sample and the extraction solution are sealed in the test tube to prevent environmental pollution caused by spread of viruses.

Systems and methods are provided for sample processing. A device may be provided, capable of receiving the sample, and performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing multiple assays. The device may comprise one or more modules that may be capable of performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing the steps using a small volume of sample.

An amplicon separation apparatus and process for enabling the identification of a plurality of target DNA molecules in a sample such as blood, the apparatus including a consumable and a docking instrument for receiving the consumable. The consumable incorporates a reaction vessel heating station, a reaction vessel content transfer station, an amplicon size separation station, and a reader station. The instrument controls and monitors the consumable and the operation thereof.

A heat removal module slice constructed to service a row of reaction vessels, the slice being in the form of a block of thermally conductive material having a row of reaction stations at an edge thereof, at one end thereof a liquid entry manifold and at the other end thereof a liquid exhaust manifold; and a heat exchanger liquid channel adjacent the reaction stations and extending between the two manifolds. The slice is constructed to form, with a plurality of similar slices, a heat reduction module for incorporation in a reaction, typically a PCR reaction, apparatus and process.

Disclosed herein are high-throughput sample processing systems and waste management systems, and methods of using the same.