Instrument for performing a diagnostic test on a fluidic cartridge A cartridge reader is for carrying out a diagnostic test on a sample contained in a fluidic cartridge inserted into the reader. The fluidic cartridge comprises a fluidic layer comprising at least one sample processing region, at least one collapsible blister containing a liquid reagent, a pneumatic interface, an electrical interface and at least one mechanical valve. The reader comprises a housing; an upper clamp occupying a fixed position relative to the reader, and a lower clamp, movable relative to the first clamp, wherein the upper clamp and the lower clamp define a cartridge receiving region therebetween. The reader comprises a thermal module comprised in the lower clamp, wherein the thermal module comprises at least one thermal stack for heating the at least one sample processing region of the cartridge inserted into the reader. The reader comprises at least one mechanical actuator for actuating the mechanical valve comprised in the cartridge inserted into the reader.

Various embodiments herein disclose a device, comprising one or more fluid interfacing components and a cartridge holder, wherein the one or more fluid interfacing components are fixed while the cartridge holder moves along a linear guide. Also disclosed herein are methods of using the device to analyze a sample containing particles, and methods of diagnosing a disease in a subject by using the device.

Disclosed is a chemiluminescence measurement apparatus that includes: a support member configured to support a cartridge for measuring a test substance contained in a specimen by chemiluminescence measurement; a motor configured to rotate the support member so as to rotate the cartridge such that a process required for the chemiluminescence measurement proceeds in the cartridge; and a light receiver configured to receive light generated by chemiluminescence in the cartridge that is supported by the support member rotated by the motor. The cartridge supported by the support member and a light receiving surface of the light receiver are disposed inside a dark space surrounded by a light-shielding portion, and the motor is disposed outside the dark space.

A pipette module 10 has a pipette-module frame 12 attachable to the z-axis frame 120 of a liquid handling system 100. A translatory-motion frame 14 attached to the pipette-module frame 12 is movable with respect thereto by a motor 16. A pneumatic aspirator assembly 18 including a cylinder 20, tube 24, tube tip 26 and pressure sensor 28 is attached to the translatory-motion frame 14. A piston 22 disposed in the cylinder 20 is fixedly attached to the frame 12. A controller 30 for the pipette module 10 has a liquid surface detection mode which enables a pressure feedback control algorithm causing the motor 16 to move the translatory-motion frame 14 in a z-axis translator motion until a change in a pressure in the tip 26 as sensed by the pressure sensor 28 indicates that the tip 26 has made contact with the liquid surface 110.

An incubator for cell and tissue culture under controlled atmospheric conditions has a primary air flow control device that forms a primary, preferably laminar flow, air veil across an opening that allows access to the cells or tissue cultures disposed within the incubator. Preferably, most if not all of the air in the primary (laminar flow) air veil is recirculated, and a secondary air flow control device is used that forms a secondary, preferably laminar flow, air veil between the primary (laminar flow) air veil and a user of the incubator.

The present disclosure relates to a fluid system for a sample processor and a sample processor including the fluid system. The fluid system includes a sample line, a processing fluid line, a vacuum line, and an air pump. The sample line communicates a sample container with a sample port of a flow cell unit. The processing fluid line communicates a sheath fluid container with a processing fluid port of the flow cell unit. The vacuum line is in communication with the flow cell unit. The air pump includes a first output port and a second output port. Pressurized gas is generated at the first output port, and the first output port is in communication with the sample container and the sheath fluid container. A vacuum is generated at the second output port, and the second output port is in communication with a vacuum port of the flow cell unit through the vacuum line.

Provided is a pipette device that achieves both suction and discharge of a large amount of fluid and high-precision discharge of a minute amount of fluid. The pipette device includes: a first syringe 30 that is capable of suctioning fluid and is capable of discharging fluid with a predetermined discharge precision; a second syringe 40 that is capable of suctioning fluid and is capable of discharging fluid with a higher precision than the first syringe; a nozzle 70 provided in common to the first syringe 30 and the second syringe 40; a flow path 60 that causes the first syringe 30 and the second syringe 40 to be in communication with each other, and is in communication with the nozzle 70; and driving units 80, 90 configured to drive the first syringe 30 and the second syringe 40 such that the first syringe 30 and the second syringe 40 suction and discharge fluid from the nozzle 70 individually or in cooperation with each other.

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.

An automatic liquid transfer optimization pipetting apparatus and method is disclosed. Namely, a liquid handling apparatus includes a pump supplying a nozzle (i.e., a pipette tip) via a conduit, one or more pressure sensors, and an electronic controller, and wherein the pipette tip is submerged in a liquid. Further, a method of automatic liquid transfer optimization pipetting includes the steps of actuating the pump to move a designated volume of liquid and then allowing the system to settle to a steady state after completion of pump actuation.

A microfluidic apparatus includes a substrate defining a microchannel having inlet and an outlet defining a length of the microchannel. The microchannel has a main channel extending from the inlet to the outlet, and a plurality of side cavities extending from the main channel. The cavities are in fluid communication with the main channel. A method includes introducing a sample into the microchannel through the inlet to fill the entire microchannel, and then introducing a solvent into the microchannel through the inlet at a controlled flow rate and inlet pressure. A developed solvent front then moves along the main channel from the inlet to the outlet while displacing the sample in the main channel. Images of the microchannel are acquired as the front moves, and a miscibility condition is determined based on the images.