A sample container cap (or “cap”) is configured to be used with a sample container for collecting fluids. The cap has a body and a shutter connected to the body. The cap has a (1) first, open position in which at least one body opening and at least one shutter opening are not aligned and the cap is configured so that fluid cannot readily pass therethrough, (2) second, open position in which the at least one body opening and the at least one shutter opening are aligned and the cap is configured so that fluid can pass therethrough, and (3) third, closed and locked position, in which the at least one shutter opening and the at least one body opening are not aligned and fluid cannot readily pass through the cap, and the cap is configured to not be moved to an open position.

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.

Provided herein are devices, methods, and systems for polynucleotide synthesis comprising a thermocycler comprising a plurality of individual reaction chambers having a capability to control its own temperature setting. The devices, methods, and systems provided herein further comprise a detection module and a light source that are used to monitor the progress of the polynucleotide synthesis reaction in the individual reaction chambers and the quality and quantity of the synthesized polynucleotides.

A modular incubator includes a housing including one or more fastening mechanisms for attachment to a workstation frame, a platform located at the housing and defining a sample placement area, and a chamber wall structure coupled to the platform. The chamber wall structure is pivotable between a closed position against the platform to form a sample chamber and an open position in which a front end of the chamber wall structure is spaced apart from the platform to allow access to the sample placement area. The modular incubator further includes a lid coupled to and openable from the chamber wall structure to expose at least a portion of the chamber wall structure for viewing.

A container carrier for carrying a sample container along a track is presented. The container carrier comprises a holding portion for receiving and holding a sample container and a base portion. A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag containing identifying information is provided with an antenna for wireless communication of the RFID tag with a reader device of the diagnostics system to read the identifying information. The RFID tag is on the holding portion. An arrangement for a diagnostics system is provided comprising container carriers and a track with a transport mechanism for moving the container carriers along a transportation lane. The transport mechanism defines a transport plane along which the container carriers move. A reader device reads the identifying information from the RFID tags. The reader device comprising a reader antenna above the transport plane to generate and emit a reader field for wireless communication with the RFID tag's antenna.

The equipment item for automatically managing a plurality of biological samples placed in a respective sample jar includes a storage container for sample jars having a plurality of housings, an apparatus with a reader of encoded identification data affixed on the sample jars placed in the container, a device for determining data representative of the position of each sample jar within the container, and a device for rotating the container, and a computer processor connected to the apparatus. The container includes, in the immediate vicinity of each housing, a shape appearing recessed or raised, while the device for determining data representative of the position of each sample jar is defined by a detector for the shape.

A specimen collection assembly and method for detecting the same are disclosed. The specimen collection assembly includes a specimen collection container having an open top end, a closed bottom end, and a sidewall extending therebetween defining an interior adapted to receive a biological specimen. The specimen collection container also includes first indicia containing information. The assembly further includes a cap having thereon second indicia, the cap being removably engagable with the open top end of the container. The second indicia contains the same information as the first indicia.

A system is disclosed for tracking and monitoring sets of assets in or on a container using RFID-RF tags associated with the assets. The system comprises a specimen holder bin or similar container and a wireless tag affixed to the specimen holder bin. The specimen bin holder is configured to hold a plurality of assets. The wireless tag comprises a radio frequency identifier (RFID) circuit, a radio frequency (RF) circuit, a processor, a memory storing an identifier (ID) associated with the RFID circuit, and an energy source electrically connected to the RFID circuit, the RF circuit, and the processor. The wireless tag is configured to broadcast the identifier associated with the RFID circuit responsive to an interrogation signal by one or more gateways associated with the system. In some embodiments, each asset of the plurality of assets additionally comprises an RFID tag.

The present invention relates to a biological sample collection kit, which uses a unique dry preservative for the preservation of nucleic acids, DNA and RNA, for collection, stabilization, transportation and long-term room temperature storage of biological samples that can be from sources such as saliva for molecular diagnostic applications. The invention features a collection device for biological samples such as saliva containing nucleic acids, and dry preservatives that are affixed directly or to a carrier substrate and placed within the collection device such that the samples come into contact with the dry preservatives resulting in the preservation and stabilization of the nucleic acids.

A method and apparatus for minimizing diagnostic errors due to transposition of biological specimens among subjects provides for independent biometric confirmation that a given specimen is from a given donor. In certain embodiments, a biological specimen confirmation kit comprises a portable and openable case housing components of the kit, at least one biological specimen container adapted to receive a biological testing specimen from a donor, and at least one reference sample device adapted to receive a biological reference specimen from the same donor, such that the testing and reference specimens can later be compared for donor match verification by a reference verification entity.