Disclosed is a reaction method that includes a reaction process using a pipette tip to allow substances to cause a reaction, the method including: providing a heater for heating the pipette tip in accordance with a preset temperature; attaching the pipette tip to a pipette nozzle and heating the pipette tip by a first preset temperature; when a period of heating by the first preset temperature exceeds a preset period, switching an output of the heater from the first preset temperature to a lower second preset temperature; detecting a distal end position of the pipette tip at or after the switching; and executing the reaction process while controlling the distal end position of the pipette tip with reference to the detected distal end position, in which the temperature of the pipette tip is kept by the second preset temperature at least until operation of the pipette tip.

A method and device for performing direct quantitative real time PCR in a crude sample, wherein said sample is subjected to a centrifugal force sufficient to separate components of the sample into a supernatant and a pellet, and wherein said at least one light source and said at least one detector are positioned so that the excitation light impinges on the sample in a position above said pellet, and said detector detects light emitted from a position above said pellet.

A thermocycling device and method of operating a thermocycler instrument, the instrument including a sample holder, at least one thermal cycling element, and at least one first and second temperature sensors, for causing the sample holder containing the at least one sample to undergo polymerase chain reaction amplification by repeated cycling between at least a denaturation heating stage and an annealing cooling stage. The first temperature corresponding with the temperature of the sample holder is monitored using the at least one first temperature sensor, and a second temperature corresponding with the temperature external of the sample holder is monitored using the at least one second temperature sensor. Based upon the first temperature and the second temperature, the power that is delivered to the at least one thermal cycling element of the instrument is dynamically controlled.

A nucleic acid analysis apparatus includes a casing, a main frame, a fluid delivery unit, a thermal unit, a driving unit, and at least one optical unit. The casing has an upper casing and a lower casing. The main frame is disposed in the lower casing and has a chamber for mounting a cartridge therein. The fluid delivery unit is adapted to transport reagents within the cartridge for sample purification and/or nucleic acid extraction. The thermal unit is adapted to provide a predefined temperature for nucleic acid amplification. The driving unit is disposed in the lower casing and connected with the main frame, and includes a motion control unit capable of pressing the cartridge during sample purification and/or nucleic acid extraction and rotating the cartridge with a predefined program during nucleic acid amplification and/or detection. The optical unit includes plural optical components for detection.

Flow cell devices, cartridges, and systems are described that provide reduced manufacturing complexity, lowered consumable costs, and flexible system throughput for nucleic acid sequencing and other chemical or biological analysis applications. The flow cell device can include a capillary flow cell device or a microfluidic flow cell device.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to devices and methods for amplifying and/or detecting one or more target nucleic acid sequences (e.g., a nucleic acid sequence of one or more pathogens) in a biological sample obtained from a subject, wherein the biological sample is combined with a diluent and/or matrix resolving agent.

The invention is directed to devices and methods for performing rapid low-cost bioassays in self-contained disposable cartridges that provide efficient mixing of sample and reactants under a layer of liquid wax. Some embodiments additionally use gravity assisted distribution of sample and assay reagents in conjunction with an appliance containing all necessary valves, pneumatic sources, heat sources and detection stations.

A gene analyzer has a structure in which a metal block, a heater installed on an outer surface of the metal block, and a heat insulator applied onto an outer surface of the heater are integrally formed, thereby miniaturizing the gene analyzer. Further, parts for light measurement, such as a light source element, a light-receiving element, a light source filter, a fluorescent filter, a light source lens, a fluorescent lens, and the like, are installed in a heat insulator light source path and a heat insulator fluorescent path formed in the heat insulator, and the paths formed in the heat insulator are aligned with a block light source path and a block fluorescent path of the metal block.

A method of processing a sample in a receptacle comprising a plurality of chambers. Each of the chambers is connected to at least one other chamber by a portal and at least a first one of the chambers is formed of a flexible material. The method includes the steps of causing gas bubbles contained in the first chamber to accumulate in a portion of the first chamber, applying a compressive external force to the first chamber to cause some or all of the liquid contents of the first chamber to flow into an interconnected second chamber through a portal connecting the first and second chambers; and preventing the gas bubbles accumulated in a portion of the first chamber from flowing through the portal into the second chamber.

A device for analyzing a liquid sample. The device includes an inlet for receiving the sample, a reaction chamber, an analysis module, and at least one pump for moving fluid within the one or more flow paths. The device includes one or more flow paths arranged so as to provide a fluid flow path between the inlet and the reaction chamber, and a fluid flow path between the reaction chamber and the analysis module. The device may be used for analyzing a liquid sample, such as, but not limited to nipple aspirate fluid (NAF).