A histologic tissue sample support device includes a tissue cassette a frame, and a lid. The tissue cassette has a recess including a body with at least one side wall and a bottom wall and is formed of material that can be successfully sectioned in a microtome and is resistant to degradation from solvents and chemicals used to fix, process and stain tissue. The tissue cassette is movably coupled to the frame. The lid and the tissue cassette are capable of moving from a first position to a second position with respect to the frame, and in the second position the bottom wall and at least a portion of the side wall extend beyond a bottom edge of the frame for sectioning in the microtome.

A tissue embedding cassette has a box defining an inner cavity. A shield has a transparent plate body, the shield for being applied against a surface of the box. Complementary connectors for the shield to be held against the surface of the box. An assembly for a tissue embedding cassette of the type having a box defining an inner cavity may include a lid adapted to be operatively connected to the box, the lid opening and closing access to the inner cavity of the box. A shield has a transparent plate body, the shield configured for being applied against a surface of the box. Complementary connectors on the lid and/or the shield, for the shield to be held against the surface of the box.

A histologic tissue sample support device includes a tissue cassette, a frame, and a lid. The tissue cassette has a recess including at least one side wall and a bottom wall and is formed of material that can be successfully sectioned in a microtome and is resistant to degradation from solvents and chemicals used to fix, process and stain tissue. The lid is coupled to the frame and includes a platen configured to be received within the recess of the tissue cassette. The tissue cassette is movably coupled to the frame by a frame-cassette connector. The lid and the tissue cassette are capable of moving from a first position to a second position with respect to the frame, and in the second position the bottom wall and at least a portion of the side wall extend beyond a bottom edge of the frame for sectioning in a microtome.

A method for manufacturing a histologic tissue sample support device includes molding a tissue cassette, molding a frame, and coupling the tissue cassette to the frame by assembling a frame-cassette connector. The tissue cassette has a recess including at least one side wall and a bottom wall. The tissue cassette is formed of a first material that can be successfully sectioned in a microtome and is resistant to degradation from solvents and chemicals used to fix, process and stain tissue. The frame includes a bottom edge and is formed of a second material different from the first material and more rigid than the first material. The frame-cassette connector includes a first retaining structure formed integrally with the frame extending through a second retaining structure formed integrally with the cassette. The frame is capable of being decoupled from the cassette by separating the frame-cassette connector.

The present disclosure relates to nucleic acid extraction and purification methods and devices to accomplish the same.

Provided herein are fluid handling tubes having a cap that includes a sealing member having interior grooves and panels. Also provided herein are fluid handling tubes having a cap that includes (i) a sealing member having a concave surface at a distal region, and (ii) a flat proximal surface. Provided also are fluid handling tubes having a cap that includes an engagement member at an edge of the cap, where the engagement member includes a surface having curvature and a taper. Also provided herein are fluid handling tubes that include a cap comprising a tube sealing member, an anterior engagement member, and one or more channels (e.g., one or more furrows or grooves) between the sealing member and the engagement member that function as a hinge or pivot. Also provided are fluid handling tubes that include (i) a cap having a sealing member that includes an annular protrusion, and (ii) a tube body having an interior surface that includes an annular recess, where the annular recess in the tube body is configured to receive the annular protrusion of the tubular sealing member of the cap.

An automatic analyzer cartridge, spinnable about a rotational axis, has fluid and aliquoting chambers, a metering chamber connected to a vent that is nearer to the rotational axis than the metering chamber, first and second ducts connecting the fluid and aliquoting chambers, and the metering and aliquoting chambers, respectively. Metering chamber side walls taper away from a central region, wherein capillary action next to the walls is greater than in the central region. Fluid flows to the metering chamber using capillary action via the second duct that has an entrance and exit in the aliquoting and metering chambers, respectively; the exit being closer to the rotational axis than the entrance. A downstream fluidic element connects to the metering chamber via a valve. A fluidic structure receives and processes a biological sample into the processed biological sample and has a measurement structure that enables measurement of the processed biological sample.

Digital microfluidic (DMF) methods and apparatuses (including devices, systems, cartridges, DMF readers, etc.), and in particular DMF apparatuses and methods that may be used to safely manually add or remove fluid within a cartridge while it is actively applying DMF. Also described herein are DMF readers for use with a DMF cartridges, including those including multiple and/or redundant safety interlocks. Also described herein are DMF reader devices having a cover with active control of microfluidics on the cover while actively controlling DMF on the reader base.

Devices, systems, and kits for assaying a liquid sample include a reader and a test strip. The test strip may comprise a disposable cassette. The system may include a test strip mounting structure configured to receive the cassette in a predetermined orientation. The apparatus includes a processor and memory, together configured to conduct an assay of the liquid sample. The apparatus may include a display configured to generate a pattern encoding data related to a result of the assay.

Provided is a PCR tube including: an outer tube configured to provide a first space having a blocked lower portion; and an inner tube inserted to the first space. Here, the inner tube includes: an inner tube body configured to provide a second space; and a spiral structure protruding from a side surface of the inner tube body to the outside of the inner tube body, and a micro-channel is defined by the outer tube, the inner tube body, and the spiral structure in a state in which the inner tube is inserted into the first space.