A tip device (1) includes a tubular tip (6) and a base (8) that is continuous with a rear end (6a) of the tip (6) and includes a first connector. The first connector detachably connects to a second connector provided in a container (2) to house the tip (6).

Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide a modular sample processing device which allows a user to perform any number of biological processes within a single device, in the order the user requires. The device is customisable—a user may select two or more modules and connect them in series to form the device in which the biological processing takes place. Advantageously, this may enable a user to perform multiple processes within a single device and potentially outside of a laboratory (e.g. during field work) or outside of sterile/aseptic environments. Furthermore, the device is a hand-held device, which means the device is compact and easy to transport and use for field work.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a vial cap is configured for sealing attachment to a tube set and to a vial having a hollow interior configured for receiving and storing a liquid sample. The vial cap may comprise an axially extending cylindrical wall and a radially extending cap top disposed within the cylindrical wall, wherein the cap top has an upper surface and a lower surface. The vial cap may include at least two exterior tubes extending upwardly from the upper surface of the cap top, wherein each exterior tube defines a passageway configured to communicate with the tube set. The vial cap may further include at least two interior tubular structures extending downwardly from the lower surface of the cap top, wherein the at least two interior tubular structures each define a passageway configured to communicate with one of the exterior tubes and the hollow interior.

A sample container for use in imaging includes a bottom portion and a wall portion extending upwardly from the bottom portion. The lid overlies the cavity when in the closed position, and a plurality of latches are coupled to the lid and extend substantially orthogonally from the lid. A plurality of recesses are coupled to the wall portion, each recess of the plurality of recesses being adapted and configured to receive one of the plurality of latches. A first alignment structure is within the cavity and is adapted and configured to align a sample lengthwise and widthwise within the cavity such that the sample is aligned relative to an imaging system when the sample container is engaged with the imaging system. A second alignment structure is at least partially within the cavity, and is adapted and configured to align the sample height wise within the cavity.

An apparatus includes a fluid reservoir and a laminate fluidic circuit positioned above the fluid reservoir. The laminate fluidic circuit includes two or more layers laminated together to define a substantially planar substrate and one or more channels defined within the substrate. The laminate fluidic circuit includes a flexible conduit defined by a portion of the substrate encompassing an extent of at least one of the channels that is partially separated or separable from the remainder of the substrate. The flexible conduit is deflectable with respect to the planar substrate toward the fluid reservoir such that the flexible conduit fluidly connects the at least one channel to the fluid reservoir.

An apparatus, system, and method for filtering and assaying a fluid sample are described. In an embodiment, the apparatus includes a filtration unit comprising: a filter bracket shaped to removably couple with a fluid sample cup and a vacuum container; and a filter housing cooperatively couplable to the filter bracket and comprising a filter configured to filter fluid passing through the filter bracket; and an assay device shaped to cooperatively couple with the filter housing and comprising a porous matrix positioned to be in fluidic communication with the filter when the filter housing is cooperatively coupled with the assay device.

The present invention is directed to a method of measuring cell migration by measuring the invasion ratio of cells incubated on a pillar array inserted into a well structure, the method including steps of: preparing a pillar array having a plurality of micropillars and a well structure having a plurality of microwells into which the plurality of micropillars is insertable, respectively; forming cell spheroids by incubating cells in an extracellular matrix attached to the end contact surfaces of the micropillars; allowing the cells contained in the cell spheroids to invade the end contact surfaces; staining and scanning the cell spheroids, the cells contained in the cell spheroids, and the cells that invaded the end contact surfaces; and calculating the invasion ratio of cells by the following equation through a fluorescence image of the scanned cells:

[00001]$\begin{array}{cc}\mathrm{Invasion}\mathrm{Ratio}=\frac{\mathrm{Invasion}\mathrm{cell}\mathrm{area}}{\mathrm{Total}\mathrm{cell}\mathrm{area}}=\frac{A_{\mathrm{Total}}-A_{\mathrm{spheroid}}}{A_{\mathrm{Total}}}& \left[\mathrm{Equation}\right]\end{array}$

wherein A.sub.total represents the total cell area, and A.sub.spheroid represents the spheroid area.

A method may include maintaining a sample comprising an ionic species and an optical indicator at an elevated temperature above 25° C. on a semi-conductive microfluidic die during an incubation period, intermittently interrogating the sample with an interrogating light during the incubation period and sensing a response of the sample to the interrogating light, wherein the sample is interrogated with the interrogating light only during those times at which the sample is being sensed.

The invention provides devices that improve tests for detecting specific cellular, viral, and molecular targets in clinical, industrial, or environmental samples. The invention permits efficient detection of individual microscopic targets at low magnification for highly sensitive testing. The invention does not require washing steps and thus allows sensitive and specific detection while simplifying manual operation and lowering costs and complexity in automated operation. In short, the invention provides devices that can deliver rapid, accurate, and quantitative, easy-to-use, and cost-effective tests.

An apparatus includes a fluid reservoir and a laminate fluidic circuit positioned above the fluid reservoir. The laminate fluidic circuit includes two or more layers laminated together to define a substantially planar substrate and one or more channels defined within the substrate. The laminate fluidic circuit includes a flexible conduit defined by a portion of the substrate encompassing an extent of at least one of the channels that is partially separated or separable from the remainder of the substrate. The flexible conduit is deflectable with respect to the planar substrate toward the fluid reservoir such that the flexible conduit fluidly connects the at least one channel to the fluid reservoir.