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.

A filter unit (20, 320, 420, 820, 1020) is provided that includes a filtration chamber (30, 330, 430, 830, 1030) and a filter assembly (32, 132, 232, 432, 532, 632, 732, 832, 1032). A filter cartridge (28, 128, 328, 428, 528, 728, 828, 1028) of the filter assembly (32, 132, 232, 432, 532, 632, 732, 832, 1032) includes a support shell (44, 144, 344, 444, 744, 844) and a filter (60, 860) coupled to a support-shell side wall (50, 350, 850) so as to cover support-shell side openings (52, 352, 852). A handle (62, 162, 262, 362, 662, 762, 862, 1062) of the filter assembly (32, 132, 232, 432, 532, 632, 732, 832, 1032) is coupled to a proximal end of the support shell (44, 144, 344, 444, 744, 844). The filter assembly (32, 132, 232, 432, 532, 632, 732, 832, 1032) is partially insertable into the filtration chamber (30, 330, 430, 830, 1030), such that the filter assembly (32, 132, 232, 432, 532, 632, 732, 832, 1032) passes through a filter-assembly opening (40, 840) of the filtration chamber (30, 330, 430, 830, 1030); the handle (62, 162, 262, 362, 662, 762, 862, 1062) is disposed outside the filtration chamber (30, 330, 430, 830, 1030); and the filter cartridge (28, 128, 328, 428, 528, 728, 828, 1028) is disposed within the filtration chamber (30, 330, 430, 830, 1030). The filter (60, 860) is configured to filter biological particulate from a liquid specimen sample (22) when the liquid specimen sample (22) is driven along a fluid flow path (68, 868) while the filter cartridge (28, 128, 328, 428, 528, 728, 828, 1028) is disposed within the filtration chamber (30, 330, 430, 830, 1030). Other embodiments are also described.

A microfluidic device for obtaining a homogenous plasma-reagent mixture includes a collection module for blood plasma arranged to passively separate the blood plasma from a drop of blood taken, a capillary channel in fluidic connection with said collection module and a storage reservoir for a reagent in fluidic connection with said capillary channel. The device also contains a mixing chamber in fluidic connection with said capillary channel equipped with a flow outlet. The volume of said storage reservoir for reagent being greater than the sum of the volumes of said capillary channel and of said mixing chamber, setting the reagent in motion, after saturation of said capillary channel with blood plasma, induces a flow of the homogenous plasma-reagent mixture from the flow outlet.

Described embodiments relate to a chemical processing instrument configured to receive one or more sample cartridges, to process one or more corresponding fluid samples. The chemical processing instrument comprises: a reagent dispenser configured to dispense one or more fluid reagents into a reagent vessel via an open top of the reagent vessel; and a pneumatic module configured to connect to a primary pneumatic port of a primary reaction vessel and selectively adjust a pressure within the primary reaction vessel when the lid is closed to draw fluid from the reagent vessel through a primary reagent channel into the primary reaction vessel.

An analytical toilet, comprising: a bowl adapted to receive excreta; one or more conduits for transporting a sample from the bowl; one or more fluid sources in fluid connection with the one or more conduits; and one or more microfluidic chips, comprising: at least one microfluidic fluid inlet channel; and a sensor configured to detect at least one property of an excreta sample is disclosed.

Apparatus (2) for testing a liquid specimen (4), which apparatus (2) comprises: (i) a collection container (6) for collecting the liquid 2 specimen (4); () a test container (8) for testing the liquid specimen (4); (Hi) response portions (10) which are in the test container (8) and which are for responding to contact with the liquid specimen (4) to give at least one test result; and (iv) transfer means (12) which enables the collection container (6) to be connected to the test container (8) for transferring the liquid specimen (4) from the collection container (6) to the test container (8) such that the liquid specimen (4) is able to contact the response portions (10) in the test container (8) and enable the response portions (10) to react to the liquid specimen (4) for the testing and characterised in that: (V) the apparatus (2) is such that liquid specimen (4) is transferred from the collection container (6) to the test container (8) by suction; and (vi) the apparatus (2) is such that the liquid specimen (4) that is transferred to the test container (8) remains in the test container (8).

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 pipette controller for aspirating and dispensing multiple aliquots of a fluid from a reservoir of fluid. The pipette controller can include a pipette holder adapted to operatively connect a pipette to the pipette holder; a pump having a vacuum port and a pressure port, the pump pneumatically connected to the pipette holder; an aspirate valve that controls airflow between the vacuum port and the pipette holder; a dispense valve that controls airflow between the pressure port and the pipette holder; a piston chamber; an aliquot dispense pump including a piston having a shaft that extends into the piston chamber, the shaft defining a stroke length; and an aliquot check valve that connects the pipette holder and the aliquot dispense pump; wherein the aliquot valve opens to allow airflow into the pipette holder upon engagement of the aliquot dispense valve. The pipette controller can also include a piston pump pneumatically connected to the pipette holder configured to deliver a bolus of air to the pipette holder.

The present invention relates to microfluidic check valves, as well as fluidic cartridges including such check valves. In particular examples, the check valve includes a pre-stressed spring formed from a planar substrate. Various characteristics of the valves, such as size, profile, opening pressure, etc., can be tuned to provide desired performance when employed within a fluidic cartridge.

A system for analysis of biopsy samples includes a tissue sample transport mechanism linking a biopsy sample excision tool to a tissue sample holder disposed in a staging area of an analysis unit. The tissue sample is automatically transported from the excision tool to the specimen holder, where the tissue sample is analyzed in the staging area of the analysis unit. The transport mechanism may include tubing and a vacuum source. The tissue sample holder may be configured to slow or temporarily stop a tissue sample for individual analysis, or collect multiple tissue samples for analysis as a group. A tissue sample sorting mechanism may be employed that allows separation of specimens that can be correlated to the analysis.