A disposable electrochemical test sensor designed to facilitate sampling of fluid samples. It has a fluid chamber having a novel extra wide sampling entrance, but no additional air escape vent. The chamber provides a reservoir from which a sample fluid can be drawn into the chamber through capillary action. The extra wide sampling entrance provided by the present invention can draw blood into the chamber through any part of the opening, thus it allows easy targeting the samples with small volume, picking up smeared samples and it is more tolerant to users who jam the tip of the sensor into users' finger.

A cartridge interface module (CIM), configured to engage with a removable microfluidic cartridge in a nucleic acid analyzer system can include a fluidics component, which is configured to initiate and support a liquid extraction of nucleic acids from a biological sample contained in the removable microfluidic cartridge. The CIM also includes a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assembly component which can be configured to initiate and support amplification of the extracted nucleic acids. The CIM may also include a high voltage electrodes component that is configured to initiate and support separation of the amplified nucleic acids into nucleic acid fragments in a separation channel of the removable microfluidic cartridge. The CIM also includes a detection optics component that can be configured to collect, detect, and direct label nucleic acid fragments. The CIM is configured to integrate with a microfluidic chip architecture of an inserted removable microfluidic cartridge.

Reusable network of spatially-multiplexed microfliuidic channels each including an inlet, an outlet, and a cuvette in-between. Individual channels may operationally share a main or common output channel defining the network output and optionally leading to a disposable storage volume. Alternatively, multiple channels are structured to individually lead to the storage volume. An individual cuvette is dimensioned to substantially prevent the formation of air-bubbles during the fluid sample flow through the cuvette and, therefore, to be fully filled and fully emptied. The overall channel network is configured to spatially lock the fluidic sample by pressing such sample with a second fluid against a closed to substantially immobilize it to prevent drifting due to the change in ambient conditions during the measurement. Thereafter, the fluidic sample is flushed through the now-opened valve with continually-applied pressure of the second fluid. System and method for photometric measurements of multiple fluid samples employing such network of channels.

Methods and systems for processing polynucleotides (e.g., DNA) are disclosed. A processing region includes one or more surfaces (e.g., particle surfaces) modified with ligands that retain polynucleotides under a first set of conditions (e.g., temperature and pH) and release the polynucleotides under a second set of conditions (e.g., higher temperature and/or more basic pH). The processing region can be used to, for example, concentrate polynucleotides of a sample and/or separate inhibitors of amplification reactions from the polynucleotides. Microfluidic devices with a processing region are disclosed.

Methods and systems for processing polynucleotides (e.g., DNA) are disclosed. A processing region includes one or more surfaces (e.g., particle surfaces) modified with ligands that retain polynucleotides under a first set of conditions (e.g., temperature and pH) and release the polynucleotides under a second set of conditions (e.g., higher temperature and/or more basic pH). The processing region can be used to, for example, concentrate polynucleotides of a sample and/or separate inhibitors of amplification reactions from the polynucleotides. Microfluidic devices with a processing region are disclosed.

Devices and methods for analyzing a sample are disclosed. In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides devices and methods for preparing a serial dilution of a sample. In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides devices and methods for preparing a serial dilution of a sample and conducting sample analysis. In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides a cartridge device and a reader instrument device. The reader instrument device receives, operates, and/or actuates the cartridge device to prepare a serial dilution of a sample and conduct sample analysis.

A system and method for processing and detecting nucleic acids from a set of biological samples, comprising: a capture plate and a capture plate module configured to facilitate binding of nucleic acids within the set of biological samples to magnetic beads; a molecular diagnostic module configured to receive nucleic acids bound to magnetic beads, isolate nucleic acids, and analyze nucleic acids, comprising a cartridge receiving module, a heating/cooling subsystem and a magnet configured to facilitate isolation of nucleic acids, a valve actuation subsystem configured to control fluid flow through a microfluidic cartridge for processing nucleic acids, and an optical subsystem for analysis of nucleic acids; a fluid handling system configured to deliver samples and reagents to components of the system to facilitate molecular diagnostic protocols; and an assay strip configured to combine nucleic acid samples with molecular diagnostic reagents for analysis of nucleic acids.

Assay cartridges are described that have purification, reaction, and detection zones and other fluidic components which can include sample chambers, waste chambers, conduits, vents, reagent chambers, reconstitution chambers and the like. The assay cartridges are used to conduct multiplexed nucleic acid measurements. Also described are kits including such cartridges, methods of using the same, and a reader configured to analyze an assay conducted using an assay cartridge.

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 point of use analyzer includes pump, valve, port, and storage channel. The storage channel may hold multiple assay packets composed of reagent aliquots separated by bounding slugs. The storage channel may define an elongated lumen having two ends with each of the ends coupled to the valve. A sampling device for use with the analyzer engages the port and may include a recurrent coaxial tube having a separation medium. A method of using the analyzer with the sampling device includes steps of pumping a fluid to displace a sample into the separation medium and out through the opposed connection.