In embodiments there is described a method for reducing false positives and negatives in the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in suspected patients using mass spectroscopy employing the steps of mixing samples of collected saliva and nasopharyngeal secretions in a single sample container; adding universal transport medium to the mixed samples in said single sample container; transporting the single sample container at a temperature above 0 C. to a remote location; deactivation of viral content of the mixed sample; protein digestion of the mixed sample; concomitant separation of peptides, ionization by mass spectroscopy of the separated peptides, and comparison of peptide patterns to known SARS-CoV-2 peptides. Also set forth in an embodiment is a collection container for collecting saliva and/or sputum, as well as a swab member, with universal transport medium and/or virus inactivating agent housed in separate compartment communicable with sample compartment through a one-way valve.

A sample holder includes a first member featuring a first retaining mechanism configured to retain a first substrate that includes a sample, a second member featuring a second retaining mechanism configured to retain a second substrate that includes a reagent medium, and an alignment mechanism connected to at least one of the first and second members, and configured to align the first and second members such that the sample contacts at least a portion of the reagent medium when the first and second members are aligned.

A microreactor array platform and method for sealing a reagent in microreactors of an array of microreactors are provided. The microreactor array platform includes an array of microreactors, and a sealing film having a first surface and an opposite second surface, the sealing film configured to movably seal the array of microreactors. The microreactor array platform also includes an injector for delivering a reagent into the array of microreactors via a fluid path between the array and the second surface of the sealing film, and an applicator for directing a sealing liquid against the first surface of the sealing film. The microreactor array platform further includes a system for creating a pressure differential between the reagent in the injector and a space between the array of microreactors and the second surface of the sealing film.

A hand-held molecular diagnostic test device includes a housing, an amplification (or PCR) module, and a detection module. The amplification module is configured to receive an input sample, and defines a reaction volume. The amplification module includes a heater such that the amplification module can perform a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on the input sample. The detection module is configured to receive an output from the amplification module and a reagent formulated to produce a signal that indicates a presence of a target amplicon within the input sample. The amplification module and the detection module are integrated within the housing.

Provided herein is a fluidic cartridge having a body comprising a malleable material and a layer comprising a deformable material bonded to a surface of the body that seals one or more fluidic channels that communicate with one or more valve bodies formed in a surface of the body. The valve can be closed by applying pressure to the deformable material sufficient to crush and close off a fluidic channel in the body. Also provided are a cartridge interface configured to engage the cartridge. Also provided is a system including a cartridge interface and methods of using the cartridge and system.

A testing device is provided. The testing device includes a capturing tool and a microfluidic chip having a plurality of chambers connected in a network, a sample receiving port connected to the network, and a guide structure configured to receive the capturing tool, wherein the capturing tool is configured to capture sample in a distal position from the guide structure and further configured to transfer the captured sample to the sample receiving port in a proximal position from the guide structure.

A biological fluid dilution device can include a syringe body including a diluent chamber at a front end of the syringe body and a piston tube at a rear end of the syringe body. The diluent chamber can be partially filled with a diluent fluid. A moveable piston can be slidably engaged in the piston tube and form a fluid-tight seal with an interior surface of the piston tube. The moveable piston can include a metering groove to contain a precise volume of a biological fluid between the metering groove and the interior surface of the piston tube. A biological fluid inlet on the piston tube can be capable of delivering the biological fluid to the metering groove. The moveable piston can be slidable toward to diluent chamber to introduce the biological fluid in the metering groove into the diluent chamber.

The present invention relates to the structure of an analysis plate applied to a high-speed polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and to a PCR analysis plate used for implementing an analysis of a real-time PCR, a real-time nested PCR and a post-PCR lateral flow hybridization reaction. The present invention is provided with: a check valve for enabling the maintaining of positive pressure when an elastic film expands into a convex form by having a solution pushed therein by the positive pressure; a lateral flow analysis module for analyzing a post-PCR follow-up PCR or lateral flow; and a shut-off valve enabling the controlling of the movement of the solution after each reaction ends. A high-speed PCR analysis plate may be provided whereby, by pressing, by means of a temperature-controllable heating block, the elastic film, which is in a convex form by the solution, of a PCR unit, a PCR solution may undergo rapid temperature circulation with minimum heat resistance, and a PCR dried material and a nucleic acid solution may be homogenized and mixed.

The invention relates to a separator for separating blood plasma and blood cells in a blood collection tube. The separator comprises a float with a first density and at least one passage opening. In addition to the float, the separator comprises a ballast with a second density that is greater than the first density. The total density of the separator, that is, the float and the ballast together, lies between the density of the plasma and the density of the cells in the blood. The float forms a valve together with the ballast. The float and the ballast are arranged so as to be movable relative to each other. In accordance with the invention, the ballast has at least one valve element for opening or closing a passage opening in the float.

The present disclosure relates to methods and devices that may be used to separate components from one or more samples.