Embodiments of the present invention are directed toward devices, systems, and methods for purifying nucleic acids to conduct polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. In one example, a method includes generating complexes of silica beads and nucleic acids in a lysis buffer, transporting the complexes through an immiscible fluid to remove interfering compounds from the complexes, further transporting the complexes into a density medium containing components required for PCR where the nucleic acids disassociate from the silica beads, and thermocycling the contents of the density medium to achieve PCR. Signal may be detected from labeling agents in the components required for PCR.

A liquid analyzing device includes a carrier, a driving unit, a rotating plate and a transmission mechanism. The driving unit is adapted to drive the carrier to rotate. The rotating plate is rotatably disposed on the carrier and adapted to support an analyzing cassette. The transmission mechanism is connected between the carrier and the rotating plate. When the driving unit drives the carrier to rotate to enable a rotation speed of the carrier to be changed and cross a predetermined rotation speed, the rotating plate rotates relatively to the carrier.

A nucleic acid amplification and detection device includes an amplification cartridge with a plurality of reaction chambers for containing an amplification reagent and a visual detection reagent, and a plurality of optically transparent view ports for viewing inside the reaction chambers. The cartridge also includes a sample receiving port which is adapted to receive a fluid sample and fluidically connected to distribute the fluid sample to the reaction chamber, and in one embodiment, a plunger is carried by the cartridge for occluding fluidic communication to the reaction chambers. The device also includes a heating apparatus having a heating element which is activated by controller to generate heat when a trigger event is detected. The heating apparatus includes a cartridge-mounting section which positioned a cartridge in thermal communication with the heating element so that visual changes to the contents of the reaction chambers are viewable through the view ports.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed toward devices, systems, and method for conducting nucleic acid purification and quantification using sedimentation. In one example, a method includes generating complexes which bind to a plurality of beads in a fluid sample, individual ones of the complexes comprising a nucleic acid molecule such as DNA or RNA and a labeling agent. The plurality of beads including the complexes may be transported through a density media, wherein the density media has a density lower than a density of the beads and higher than a density of the fluid sample, and wherein the transporting occurs, at least in part, by sedimentation. Signal may be detected from the labeling agents of the complexes.

The invention relates to devices, methods and kits for separating biological materials, particularly populations of cells of different densities. The invention finds particular utility in the separation of blood into its different component parts or cellular populations. An insert for a centrifuge tube is disclosed that facilitates the effective separation of blood fractions by achieving a sharp and distinct interface between the density gradient medium and the blood sample. Methods and kits involving the use of the insert in separating cells are described.

A mobile, self contained molecular diagnostics system is provided with a microfluidic chip, detection apparatus and an integrated or wireless control interface and imager. The system provides automated sample preparation and rapid optical detection of multianalyte nucleic acids and proteins. On chip PCR may be performed to improve the optical fluorescence signal for nucleic acid detections. Plasmonic protein detection is performed using a dark field smartphone microscope. Dark field illumination is based on an evanescent field generated by LED total internal reflection. The smartphone element may also be used as an interface to control the detection apparatus, acquire images, process data and for wireless communications with remote computers. The handheld automated system has low power requirements and is particularly suited for point of care and on demand diagnostics in resource limited settings.

Disclosed are methods and apparatus for solar-thermal microfluidic polymerase chain reaction. A device comprises a microfluidic chip including at least one PCR region, an energy absorption layer disposed adjacent to the microfluidic chip, a solar energy concentrator adapted to produce a plurality of temperature profiles on the microfluidic chip adapted to facilitate PCR, and a photomask disposed between the solar energy concentrator and the microfluidic chip.

A sample extraction chip and a biological reaction device are disclosed according to the present disclosure. The sample extraction chip includes a chip body and a sample extraction module provided on the chip body, the sample extraction module includes a sample-loading lysis unit, a liquid release-control unit, an extraction unit, a liquid switch-control unit, a liquid collection unit and a sample collection unit, which are connected through flow channels in a sequence of extraction. The liquid release-control unit is configured to store and release liquid reagents, and the liquid switch-control unit is configured to switch between communication of the liquid collection unit and the extraction unit and communication of the sample collection unit and the extraction unit. The sample collection unit includes a front collection portion and a rear collection portion which are both in communication with the liquid switch-control unit.

The present invention relates to a device and a method for separating bubbles from a fluid comprising a chamber through which a fluid can pass. According to the invention the device is characterized in that the inner chamber wall has a geometry that generates within said chamber a continuous flow and at least one area with a discontinuous flow which has a low flow velocity so that bubbles remain at the inner chamber wall in said area and thus are separated from the fluid flowing out from the chamber.

Apparatus (2) for testing a liquid specimen, which apparatus (2) comprises: (i) a container (4) for the liquid specimen; (ii) a lid (6) for closing the container (4) after the liquid specimen has been provided in the container (4); (iii) first securing means (8) by which the lid (6) is secured to the container (4); (iv) a test capsule (10) for securing to the lid (6) when the lid (6) is on the container (4); (v) second securing means (12) by which the test capsule (10) is secured to the lid (6); and (vi) a response chart (14) which is operable in response to contact with the liquid specimen, and the apparatus (2) being such that: (vii) the lid has an openable portion (18) which when opened permits a liquid specimen in the container (4) to enter the test capsule (10); (viii) the test capsule (10) has opener means (20) for opening the openable portion on the lid (6) when the test capsule (10) is secured to the lid (6); and (ix) the response chart (14) is inside the test capsule (10) and is contacted by the liquid specimen when the liquid specimen enters the test capsule (10).