Automated camera-based optical assessment involves color assessment of a physical object using conventional and inexpensive computer hardware such as a smartphone. A specially-configured test card includes a body supporting a reagent pad configured to change to an expected color in response to an enzymatic reaction, and an imaging key adjacent the reagent pad. The imaging key includes color fields including at least one field of the expected color. The hardware captures an image of the test card, and processes the image to identify the reagent pad and color fields, to process a brightness calibration target, to determine color values for the reagent pad and color fields, to calibrate the color values as a function of brightness and/or color by comparison to the brightness and color calibration targets, and to identify a color field most closely matching the reagent pad's color to determine a corresponding test result.

An integrated nucleic acid processing apparatus includes a first operation area, a second operation area and a separation wall. The first operation area includes multiple carrying boards for placing objects and reagents for processing nucleic acids in samples, and multiple operation modules for performing operations of nucleic acid processing. The second operation area includes two extraction regions for respectively performing nucleic acid extractions. The separation wall separates the first operation area from the second operation area and includes two openable door sheets spatially corresponding to the two extraction regions. Nucleic acid extraction plates can be moved from the first operation area to the second operation area by means of the carrying boards as the two openable door sheets are opened, and be isolated in the second operation area for performing nucleic acid extractions as the two openable door sheets are closed.

According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of information transmission in a system comprising at least one liquid handling device and at least one external device, the method comprising: in one or more of said at least one liquid handling device, producing a machine-readable code that contains information that is derived from a status or properties of the respective liquid handling device or information that has been stored in the respective liquid handling device; in said one or more of said at least one liquid handling device, displaying the respective code on a display that is integrated to a structure of the respective liquid handling device; reading the displayed code or one or more of the displayed codes by an external device.

A microfabricated droplet dispensing structure is described, which may include a MEMS microfluidic fluidic valve, configured to open and close a microfluidic channel. The opening and closing of the valve may separate a target biological particle containing genomic material, and a bead from a sample stream, and direct these two particle into a single droplet formed at the edge of the substrate. The droplet may then be encased in a sheath flow of an immiscible fluid, and provided to a downstream workflow.

The present invention generally relates to a sample receiving device for releasably storing a substance. The sample receiving device includes a lid having a reservoir for retaining the substance, and a pierceable barrier sealing the substance within the reservoir; and b) a funnel for receiving a sample and configured for closure by the lid. The funnel is configured for releasable attachment to a sample receptacle such that a sample can be provided to the funnel and travel through the channel in the funnel into the sample receptacle. Further, the funnel includes one or more cutting ribs for cutting the pierceable barrier such that upon cutting of the pierceable barrier the substance is released from the reservoir, flows through the channel in the funnel and into the sample receptacle to be mixed with the sample. The present invention also provides a kit for collecting and storing biomolecules.

Single-use diagnostic consumables for use in performing multiple analyses on a fluid sample are provided. The diagnostic consumables include a first sensing region configured for analysis of at least one analyte in a fluid sample that has been received by the diagnostic consumable. The diagnostic consumable further includes a fluid transport material configured to flow a portion of the fluid sample into a second sensing region fluidically connected to the fluid transport material and configured for performing a second analysis of the fluid sample. Methods for performing multiple analyses of a fluid sample on a single-use diagnostic consumable are also provided.

Instrument for performing a diagnostic test on a fluidic cartridge A cartridge reader is for carrying out a diagnostic test on a sample contained in a fluidic cartridge inserted into the reader. The fluidic cartridge comprises a fluidic layer comprising at least one sample processing region, at least one collapsible blister containing a liquid reagent, a pneumatic interface, an electrical interface and at least one mechanical valve. The reader comprises a housing; an upper clamp occupying a fixed position relative to the reader, and a lower clamp, movable relative to the first clamp, wherein the upper clamp and the lower clamp define a cartridge receiving region therebetween. The reader comprises a thermal module comprised in the lower clamp, wherein the thermal module comprises at least one thermal stack for heating the at least one sample processing region of the cartridge inserted into the reader. The reader comprises at least one mechanical actuator for actuating the mechanical valve comprised in the cartridge inserted into the reader.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a tube opening and closing device capable of opening and closing a lid of a tube and comprising a container, a lid coupled to the container so as to enable the container to be blocked, and a joint part for connecting the container and a first side of the lid comprises: a tube supporting rack having a plurality of openings formed on one surface thereof, wherein the containers of the tubes can be inserted into each of the plurality of openings; an opening and closing part positioned at an upper part of the tube supporting rack, rotating around a first rotary shaft and having a coupling groove in which a second side of the lid, which faces the first side of the tube, can be accommodated; and a driving part for rotating the opening and closing part, wherein the lid can be opened and closed with respect to the container through the rotation of the opening and closing part.

The present disclosure relates to probes for analyzing a chemical composition, and related methods of analyzing a chemical composition and of manufacturing probes for analyzing a chemical composition. A benefit of the disclosed probes and methods can include luminescent chemical sensor arrays for rapid, accurate, portable and economical qualitative and quantitative analysis of a broad range of chemical compositions. A benefit of the methods disclosed herein can include the rapid, simple, and accurate analysis of trace chemicals present in chemical compositions.

A system for biological analysis includes a housing, a block assembly within the housing having a sample block and a baseplate, a heated cover and a cover carrier. The sample block receives a sample holder comprising an RFID tag. A first drive mechanism generates relative movement between the sample block and the baseplate along a first axis. A second drive mechanism generates relative movement between the heated cover and the cover carrier along a second axis that is different from the first axis. Based on a first command the first drive mechanism releasably engages the sample block and operates the second drive mechanism to releasably engage the heated cover with the cover carrier. The system also includes first and second RFID antennas that receive RFID data from the sample holder RFID tag that is read by at least one RFID reader.