An optical measurement instrument includes an optical cavity with a light source, a plurality of fluid containers, and an optical sensor. Each fluid container holds a test portion of a fluid sample containing an unknown microorganism, and either a distinct microorganism-attracting substance or a distinct growth-inhibiting substance. Each distinct microorganism-attracting or growth-inhibiting substance is configured to react with a single type of microorganism. The instrument incubates the test portions of the fluid sample within the fluid containers. When using microorganism-attracting substances, the presence of microorganism growth within one of the fluid containers simultaneously indicates the presence and identity of the unknown microorganism. When using growth-inhibiting substances, the absence of microorganism growth within one of the fluid containers simultaneously indicates the presence and identity of the unknown microorganism. The incubated test portions of the fluid sample can be compared to an incubated control portion of the fluid sample.

Embodiments of the invention provide a filter kit including filters for processing a biological sample. Some embodiments include a filter cap in a tube kit with a first tube containing a buffer solution and a second tube containing a lyophilized master mix. Some embodiments include a method of processing a sample using the kit including mixing a biological sample in a first tube with the buffer solution, positioning the filter cap in the first tube, positioning a second tube on the filter cap, flipping the first tube, the filter cap, and the second cap to filter the biological sample and buffer solution mixture with the filter cap as it flows from the first tube to the second tube. Some embodiments include structure enabling transfer of materials through inline flow between the tubes. Some further embodiments include integrated structure for sample pulverization with integrated buffer and lyophilized master mix.

In some embodiments, a medical-sample filtration device includes: a container including at least one wall forming an internal surface, a first aperture adjacent to a first end of the wall, and a second aperture adjacent to a second end of the wall; a movable insert positioned within the container and including an external surface of a size and shape to reversibly mate with the internal surface of the container; a positioning unit affixed to the internal surface close to the second aperture; a filter unit affixed to the second aperture; a sample conduit affixed to the filter unit; a valve unit attached to the sample conduit; and a connector operable to close the valve when the movable insert is in a predefined position relative to the container.

An apparatus includes a fluid reservoir, a sterilization member, and a transfer adapter. The sterilization member operably couples to the fluid reservoir. The sterilization member is configured to be transitioned between a first configuration, in which the sterilization member obstructs an inlet surface of the fluid reservoir and maintains the inlet surface in a substantially sterile environment, and a second configuration, in which the inlet surface is unobstructed. The transfer adapter is configured to be placed in fluid communication with a portion of a patient. The transfer adapter is configured to move relative to the sterilization member from a first position to a second position such that a surface of the transfer adapter contacts the sterilization member to transition the sterilization member to the second configuration. The fluid reservoir is placed in fluid communication with the transfer adapter when the transfer adapter is in the second position.

Devices and methods for performing pre-analysis sample processing of biological and chemical samples using robotic liquid handlers are disclosed. Methods for solid phase extraction, protein precipitation and filtration of biological and chemical samples using automation and the devices in a rapid and convenient way are described.

Embodiments of the invention provide a filter kit including filters for processing a biological sample. Some embodiments include a filter cap in a tube kit with a first tube containing a buffer solution and a second tube containing a lyophilized master mix. Some embodiments include a method of processing a sample using the kit including mixing a biological sample in a first tube with the buffer solution, positioning the filter cap in the first tube, positioning a second tube on the filter cap, flipping the first tube, the filter cap, and the second cap to filter the biological sample and buffer solution mixture with the filter cap as it flows from the first tube to the second tube. Some embodiments include structure enabling transfer of materials through inline flow between the tubes. Some further embodiments include integrated structure for sample pulverization with integrated buffer and lyophilized master mix.

A microfilter having a hydrophilic surface and suited for size-based capture and analysis of cells, such as circulating cancer cells, from whole blood and other human fluids is disclosed. The filter material is photo-definable, allowing the formation of precision pores by UV lithography. Exemplary embodiments provide a device that combines a microfilter with 3D nanotopography in culture scaffolds that mimic the 3D in vivo environment to better facilitate growth of captured cells.

A funnel-less filtration device that attaches directly to a storage container such as a cell culture media bottle. The device includes a filter collar containing one or more membranes, an inlet with a coupling device for attaching the filter device to a supply of liquid to be filtered, an outlet at a lower portion of the collar, a vacuum port in the collar below the membrane(s) and a filtered vent in the collar above the membrane(s). Optionally, the device may include a filtrate reservoir attached to the outlet, preferably by a threaded connection. Optionally, the upper opening to the filter collar is selectively and removably sealed with a lid until used. The lid is then removed the filter device inverted over a storage container such as cell culture media bottle and the two are attached via the upper opening of the filter collar. The assembly is then inverted so the supply container is above the filter device. Upon subjecting the sample in the bottle to a driving force such as vacuum, the sample flows through the filtration element, and into a filtrate reservoir below the outlet of the filter collar.

A container includes a lower portion and a lid to connect with the lower portion. The lid includes a fluidic interface, a swing bar, and a counter structure disposed on an opposite side of the fluidic interface relative to the swing bar. The fluidic interface includes a first liquid port, a second liquid port, a gas port, and a seal ring disposed around the first liquid port, the second liquid port, and the gas port, the first liquid port disposed along a center axis of the container.

A device for the simultaneous filling of microtiter plate wells via centrifugal forces. In an implementation, the device includes a planar attachment for a microtiter plate having one or more liquid reservoirs for filling one well each of the microtiter plate per liquid reservoir. Each liquid reservoir has an upper filling opening for receiving a filling liquid, one or more lower filling nozzles for dispensing the filling liquid into the well of the microtiter plate, and a reservoir wall which connects the filling opening and the filling nozzle to one another. The filling nozzle is arranged off-center to the axis of symmetry of the microtiter plate well and off-center to the axis of symmetry of the filling opening of the filling device in a subregion of the reservoir wall.