A processor assembly including a core module operable to expose a sample on a slide; a staining module operable to apply a stain to the exposed sample; and a robotic transfer mechanism to transfer the slide from the core module to the staining module. Also, an apparatus including a rectangular body having an open rear end and an opposite front end; a flange having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side of the flange is coupled to the front end of the body; and a pair of legs extending from second side of the flange, wherein the pair of legs are operable to engage opposite side edges of a slide. A method comprising: exposing a sample on a slide in a core module of a processor assembly; robotically transferring the slide from the core module of the processor assembly to a staining module of the processor assembly; applying a reagent to the exposed sample in the staining module by a thermal inkjet printing process; and after applying the reagent, robotically transferring the slide back to the core module.

A lateral flow assay (LFA) device includes a capillary pad and a sample port that holds the sample fluid before a hole is made in a cavity surface of the sample port. The LFA device includes a breaker with a tip to make a hole in the cavity wall of the sample port causing the sample fluid held inside the compartment to be applied to the capillary pad after the start of a test.

An embodiment includes a sample receiving region, a first diagnostic element that includes one or more colorimetric analysis regions, and a second diagnostic element that includes one or more lateral flow assay analysis regions. The embodiment also includes a first flow path that allows a portion of a liquid deposited at the sample receiving region to flow to the first diagnostic element. The embodiment also includes a second flow path that allows a portion of the liquid deposited at the sample receiving region to flow to the second diagnostic element.

A method of reading machine-readable marks on a movable support and object of a sample instrument. The method includes capturing a first image of the moveable support as the moveable support moves from a first position to a second position using an image capture device; determining whether a first fiducial machine-readable mark on the moveable support is in the first image; determining, when the first fiducial machine-readable mark is in the first image, whether a first machine-readable mark on a first object coupled to the moveable support is in the first image at a predetermined position relative to the first fiducial machine-readable mark; and associating information decoded from the first machine-readable mark on the first object with a first location on the moveable support associated with the first fiducial machine-readable mark.

A system, configured to facilitate processing and detection of nucleic acids, the system comprising a process fluid container and a cartridge comprising: a top layer, a set of sample port-reagent port pairs, a shared fluid port, a vent region, a heating region, and a set of detection chambers; an intermediate substrate, coupled to the top layer comprising a waste chamber; an elastomeric layer, partially situated on the intermediate substrate; and a set of fluidic pathways, each formed by at least a portion of the top layer and a portion of the elastomeric layer, wherein each fluidic pathway is fluidically coupled to a sample port-reagent port pair, the shared fluid port, and a detection chamber, comprises a portion passing through the heating region, and is configured to be occluded upon deformation of the elastomeric layer, to transfer a waste fluid to the waste chamber, and to pass through the vent region.

A receptacle delivery system includes a carriage configured to move from a first to a second location of an instrument. The carriage may be configured to removably support a receptacle and may include a receptacle clamping mechanism. The receptacle mechanism may be configured to apply a clamping force to the receptacle as the carriage moves from the first to the second location and release the clamping force as the carriage moves from the second to the first location.

A heat sealing product suitable for sealing one or more individual containers, said heat sealing product comprising: (i) a plurality of individual heat seals set out in a configuration substantially corresponding to the shape and configuration of the container(s) to be sealed, the size and shape of the individual heat seals corresponding substantially to the size and shape of the tops of the individual container(s) to be sealed; (ii) a peelable support film layer coated on one side with a low tack adhesive, the low tack adhesive serving to hold the individual heat seals in place on the support film layer in the desired configuration prior to the sealing process; (iii) alignment points in the sealing product adapted to enable the heat sealing product and therefore the individual heat seals of the heat sealing product to be aligned substantially exactly with respect to the individual containers to be sealed.

A test strip system having containers and suitable carriers therefor. The test strip assembly is suitable for carrying out different types of chemical, biological or biochemical tests and evaluating them using a suitable analysis device. The test strip assembly has a first region having at least one container and a second region also having at least one container. The container of the first region has a flat transparent bottom, and the container of the second region has a V-shaped or U-shaped bottom.

A thin-walled microplate suitable for use in the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique comprising a plurality of thin-walled tubes or wells arranged in a fixed array, each well having an upper portion with an open top and a lower, frustoconical portion having a substantially flat bottom.

The 2D barcode at the base of a sample tube is protected from frosting by an air pocket within a wall of high thermal conductivity material that surrounds the barcode. The wall is of thermal conductivity greater than 14W/m K and preferably greater than 200W/m K. The wall may be formed as a skirt extending from the base of the sample tube or as a part of a supporting rack. The wall, cooled by the sample tube and the frozen sample within the tube, collects frost that would otherwise collect on the 2D barcode and deflects the flow of moist air that would otherwise flow against the barcode.