At least one exemplary embodiment of the invention is directed to a molecular diagnostic device that comprises a cartridge configured to eject samples comprising genomic material into a microfluidic chip that comprises an amplification area, a detection area, and a matrix analysis area.

Disclosed is a multi-stage thermal convection apparatus such as a two-stage thermal convection apparatus and uses thereof. In one embodiment, the two-stage thermal convection apparatus includes a temperature shaping element that assists a thermal convection mediated Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The invention has a wide variety of applications including amplifying nucleic acid without cumbersome and expensive hardware associated with many prior devices. In a typical embodiment, the apparatus can fit in the palm of a user's hand for use as a portable, simple to operate, and low cost PCR amplification device.

The present technology provides for a fluorescent detector that is configured to detect light emitted for a probe characteristic of a polynucleotide. The polynucleotide is undergoing amplification in a microfluidic channel with which the detector is in optical communication. The detector is configured to detect minute quantities of polynucleotide, such as would be contained in a microfluidic volume. The detector can also be multiplexed to permit multiple concurrent measurements on multiple polynucleotides concurrently.

A system for preparing samples for chemical analysis comprises at least one sample container, and a container receptacle apparatus for receiving the sample container. The sample container comprises an elongate tubular body having a crucible portion proximal to a closed end for receiving a sample therein, and an expansion portion proximal to an open end. The container receptacle apparatus comprising a housing having a heating compartment, a cooling compartment spaced apart from the heating compartment, and an insulating region located between the heating compartment and the cooling compartment. The heating compartment is shaped to receive the crucible portion of the sample container, and the cooling compartment is shaped to receive the expansion portion of the sample container. The apparatus also includes a heating mechanism for heating the sample within the crucible portion of the sample container, and a cooling mechanism for cooling the expansion portion of the sample container.

A temperature chamber in which a device is tested is connected to a temperature-controlled air source for controlling temperature of the chamber. The temperature chamber includes thermal insulation formed on side surfaces of the chamber. A universal manifold adaptor for directing the temperature-controlled air directly to a device being tested is connected to the chamber. The temperature chamber also includes an exhaust system. A self-closing cable feed-through module is connected to an outer surface of the chamber. The feed-through module includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein cables are fed through the first and second portions into the chamber in a first position and the first and second portions form a leak tight seal around the cables in a second position.

A sample-reagent mixture is thermal cycled through a plurality of cycles. Each thermal cycle includes actuating a heater to heat the sample-reagent mixtures; and dispensing a fluid onto the sample-reagent mixture to cool the sample reagent mixture.

The present technology provides for a fluorescent detector that is configured to detect light emitted for a probe characteristic of a polynucleotide. The polynucleotide is undergoing amplification in a microfluidic channel with which the detector is in optical communication. The detector is configured to detect minute quantities of polynucleotide, such as would be contained in a microfluidic volume. The detector can also be multiplexed to permit multiple concurrent measurements on multiple polynucleotides concurrently.

At least one exemplary embodiment of the invention is directed to a molecular diagnostic device that comprises a cartridge configured to eject samples comprising genomic material into a microfluidic chip that comprises an amplification area, a detection area, and a matrix analysis area.

Systems and methods for performing simultaneous nucleic acid amplification and detection. The systems and methods comprise methods for managing a plurality of protocols in conjunction with directing a sensor array across each of a plurality of reaction chambers. In certain embodiments, the protocols comprise thermocycling profiles and the methods may introduce offsets and duration extensions into the thermocycling profiles to achieve more efficient detection behavior.

The present invention relates to devices and methods for the detection of analytes. In particular, the invention relates to methods for the qualitative and/or quantitative detection of analytes, comprising a microarray on a substrate, onto which probe molecules are immobilized on array elements, said microarray being disposed on a first surface of the device; and a detection chamber formed between the first surface including the microarray disposed thereon and a second surface, wherein the distance between the microarray and the second surface is variable, and wherein the second surface has a displacement structure.