A nucleic acid amplifier comprises a holder 3 which is provided with a plurality of temperature control blocks 10 each designed to hold at least one reaction vessel 105 storing a reaction solution. The temperature of the reaction solution in each reaction vessel 105 is controlled individually by using temperature control devices 14 and 15 arranged in each of the temperature control blocks 10. The temperature that is set in each temperature control block 10 and the timing for temperature changes are controlled independently of the temperatures of other temperature control blocks 10. This configuration makes it possible to provide a nucleic acid amplifier and a nucleic acid inspection device (employing the nucleic acid amplifier) capable of processing multiple types of samples differing in the protocol in parallel (parallel processing) and starting a process for a different sample even when there is a process in execution.

A consistent and repeatable thawing method of frozen samples in a bag-format storage vessel is described herein. Methods and systems may allow for multiple bag-format storage vessel sizes to be used in the same device. A subset of a plurality of sensors may be qualified for the thawing method. The method may further include heating a frozen sample using a first heater bank and a second heater bank. In addition, the method may include measuring a plurality of second temperatures of the bag-format vessel. At or slightly after a second threshold temperature, the method may include heating using the first heater bank and terminating heating using the second heater bank. The method may include terminating the heating of the partially thawed sample using the first heater bank after the partially thawed sample has been heated using the first heater bank for a duration.

An automated system for performing nucleic acid amplification assays on samples provided to the system, where the system includes data input components configured to enable input specifying one or more user-defined assay parameters; data storage media storing a first set of assay parameters, the first set of assay parameters consisting of system-defined parameters, and a second set of assay parameters, the second set of assay parameters including the one or more user-defined parameters; and command input components configured to enable input specifying (i) that a first nucleic acid amplification assay be performed on a first sample in accordance with the first set of assay parameters, and (ii) that a second nucleic acid amplification assay be performed on a second sample in accordance with the second set of assay parameters. The system further includes one or more wash stations, a fluid transfer device, a thermal processing station, and a detection station for detecting the presence or absence of multiple analytes.

Methods and systems for thermally controlling a chemical reaction in droplets. In an exemplary method, a first thermal zone and a second thermal zone having different temperatures from one another may be created in a reaction chamber. An emulsion including droplets encapsulated by a carrier fluid may be held in the reaction chamber. The droplets may have a density mismatch with the carrier fluid, and each droplet may include one or more reactants for the chemical reaction. An orientation of the reaction chamber may be changed to move the droplets from the first thermal zone to the second thermal zone, such that a rate of the chemical reaction changes in at least a subset of the droplets.

Methods, devices, and kits are provided for performing PCR in <20 seconds per cycle, with improved efficiency and yield.

A method for reconstituting a reagent within a reagent pack including one or more wells and at least one of the wells containing a lyophilized reagent comprises the steps of receiving reagent packs into a reagent pack input carousel, transferring one reagent pack with a rotary distributor from the input carousel to a reagent pack storage carousel, retrieving the reagent pack from the storage carousel with the rotary distributor and placing the reagent pack into a reagent pack loading station, and dispensing a reconstitution reagent with an automated pipettor into the well containing the lyophilized reagent to form a reconstituted reagent.

The present invention provides devices and systems for use at the point of care. The methods devices of the invention are directed toward automatic detection of analytes in a bodily fluid. The components of the device are modular to allow for flexibility and robustness of use with the disclosed methods for a variety of medical applications.

A method of performing a lab developed test for detecting a nucleic acid analyte on an automated analyzer. The method includes a first step of using a computer to select, define or modify one or more user-defined parameters of a protocol for performing the lab developed test on the analyzer, where each user-defined parameter of the protocol defines a step to be performed by the analyzer during the lab developed test. The method further includes a second step of performing the lab developed test with the protocol of the first step, where the analyzer stores one or more system-defined parameters for performing the lab developed test, the one or more system-defined parameters being installed on the analyzer prior to performing first step.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for performing a nucleic acid amplification reaction and a fluorescence detection device for reaction analysis. The nucleic acid amplification apparatus of the present invention uses a plurality of blocks having different reaction temperatures by independent temperature control and the movement between the blocks is performed along sliding recesses formed in the blocks, enabling to greatly shorten the total amplification time (TAT). In the fluorescence detection device of the present invention, the positions of the light source and the photodetector are very unique for the reaction vessel in which an excitation light is provided and an emission light is generated.

The present disclosure provides apparatus, systems, and methods for conducting rapid, accurate, and consistent heated amplifications and/or thermal melt analyses.