Methods and apparatus for use in connection with the performance of the polymerase chain reaction are provided. An exemplary sample processing module is described that includes a sample assembly and a PCR assembly, the sample processing module being configured to hold the sample therein at a pressure higher than ambient pressure. A sample is added to the sample assembly at the time of use, which is then connected to the PCR assembly. Embodiments of the cartridge include a flow restriction device that enables or aids in creating a higher pressure within the reaction vial. The sample is introduced into a PCR reaction vial, which contains all of the constituents of a PCR reaction mixture that are necessary to process the sample and provide amplified DNA of interest, if that DNA was present in the sample.

The application discloses a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag reading system, an RFID reading-writing apparatus and an RFID tag reading method. According to an embodiment of the RFID tag reading system, an RFID tag is attached to a side surface of a sample vessel and stores preset information indicating a unique identity of one or more biological samples loaded in the sample vessel. When an RFID reading-writing apparatus and the sample vessel are arranged on a same bench, and a distance between the RFID reading-writing apparatus and the RFID tag is less than or equal to a preset induction distance, the RFID reading-writing apparatus can read the preset information stored in the RFID tag through an induction field which is generated on a side of the RFID reading-writing apparatus and can emit radio frequency signals along a substantially horizontal direction.

Disclosed are a microfluid detection device, system and method, a processing device and a storage medium, in the field of biochemistry. The device includes a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other, and a microfluid chamber between the first substrate and the second substrate; wherein the first substrate has a plurality of photoelectric sensors and an output circuit, each of the photoelectric sensors is configured to convert an optical signal passing through the second substrate and the microfluid chamber to an electrical signal, and the output circuit is configured to output the electrical signal obtained by the photoelectric sensor.

A storage system for storing samples, such as frozen biological samples in RFID-tagged vials. The storage system has a plurality of lowest-level containers, such as sample boxes; a plurality of mid-level containers, such as shelves and racks; and a highest-level container, such as a mechanical freezer. Each lowest-level container receives a plurality of samples in a corresponding plurality of storage locations, each mid-level container receives two or more lowest-level containers, and the highest-level container receives the two or more mid-level containers. Each mid-level container and each lowest-level container has a corresponding indicator device. A controller sub-system tracks the locations of samples stored in the storage system. When a desired sample is to be retrieved from the storage system, the controller sub-system activates (a) the indicator device corresponding to the mid-level container containing the desired sample and (b) the indicator device corresponding to the lowest-level container containing the desired sample.

Biological samples, such as saliva, are commonly collected on a swab and subsequently transferred to an absorbent storage medium. Embodiments of the present invention provide a biological sample collection device 600 comprising a collection portion 620 and a body portion 610, the body portion including a holding portion 652 for holding a biological sample storage medium (618 FIG. 1), and a sample collection/transfer means. The collection portion 620 can be arranged in a first position shown in FIG. 4, separated from the body portion for collecting a sample. The device employs depressible latches (630, 640 FIG. 6) to control the movements of the collection portion.

The present invention generally relates to devices and methods for collecting and stabilizing biological samples, and more particularly, for collecting and stabilizing blood or other bodily fluids from a user's fingertip, earlobe, heel or other locations. The present invention also relates to sample collection devices that simplify the process for mixing the biological samples with an additive or additives, provide for efficient storage and safe transport of the samples, and provide for easy access to the samples for subsequent processing.

A fluidic device holder configured to orient a fluidic device. The device holder includes a support structure configured to receive a fluidic device. The support structure includes a base surface that faces in a direction along the Z-axis and is configured to have the fluidic device positioned thereon. The device holder also includes a plurality of reference surfaces facing in respective directions along an XY-plane. The device holder also includes an alignment assembly having an actuator and a movable locator arm that is operatively coupled to the actuator. The locator arm has an engagement end. The actuator moves the locator arm between retracted and biased positions to move the engagement end away from and toward the reference surfaces. The locator arm is configured to hold the fluidic device against the reference surfaces when the locator arm is in the biased position.

Methods are used for obtaining, cataloguing, and/or storing data derived from a biological source using a flow cell body, electrodes, and an imaging assembly. The data may include DNA and/or RNA obtained from a biological source, such as from the cells of an organism. The methods may be used to obtain, catalog, and/or store data such as DNA or RNA sequence from a pathogen such as a virus and/or a bacteria, human health data over time, and immune system information from an individual. The data obtained using the disclosed methods may be used for a variety of different purposes, including the manufacture of vaccine compositions, and for restoring the immune system of an individual who has undergone an immune system depleting event. The methods may be used for storage of biological cells, which may be used for the screening of compounds, such as small molecules with potential for therapeutic indications.

A disposable polymer container for manipulation of small specimens adapted to optimize heat transfer between an external heating element and specimens herein contained. In particular, this invention relates to the field of containers for Assisted Reproductive Technology hereunder In-vitro fertilization (IVF).

An analysis unit formed by an analysis body housing an analysis chamber and having a sample inlet and a supply channel configured to fluidically connect the sample inlet to the analysis chamber. Dried assay reagents are arranged in the analysis chamber and are contained in an alveolar mass. For instance, the alveolar mass is a lyophilized mass formed by excipients and by assay-specific reagents.