Lid configurations for thermal cyclers and uses thereof are provided. A nucleic acid amplification device may include a lid assembly that may be able to move between an open and closed configuration. The lid assembly may include a heater therein. The heater in the lid may have an adjustable configuration that may be able to accommodate different configurations of sample containers. Optionally, the heater may be retractable within a housing of the thermal cycler, when the lid is opened.

An assembly for performing in vitro biocompatibility tests, at least one sample is arranged on a surface of a base plate or the sample forms a surface or a surface region of the base plate. A holding element having at least one through-hole is placed onto the sample so that a first opening of the through-hole, which first opening is arranged facing the base plate, is arranged in the region of the sample. The through-hole, with the hollow space thereof, and the sample form a cavity. A cover element is placed onto and fastened on the holding element so that a compressive force acts on the holding element, which compressive force leads to at least partial deformation of the holding element and to a fluid-tight closure of the first opening of the through-hole, which first opening is arranged facing the base plate.

Disclosed herein are microfluidic devices and methods to deliver concentration gradients to biological material such as oocytes and embryos for the purpose of cryopreparation, cryopreservation, or thawing. Cryopreservation methods, such as vitrification, involve the use of cryoprotectants to reduce formation of damaging ice crystals in cells during freezing. Microfluidic devices and methods described herein improve cell viability and efficiency during handling and cryopreservation of biological materials.

The present disclosure relates to a rotatable tube rack holder for a tube rack rotator device, comprising: one or more plate(s) extending radially from an axis of rotation; one or more compartment(s) for tightly holding one or more tube rack(s) configured to hold a plurality of tubes, said compartment(s) is/are attached to at least one side of said plate(s); and one locking mechanism for each of said compartment and configured such that when said tube rack(s) holding a plurality of said tubes is/are placed inside said compartment, said tubes are restricted from moving in a direction perpendicular to said plate.

Provided is a test device for testing an analyte in a collected sample comprising: an enclosure having at least one sample receiving port for receiving the sample; a test strip located within the enclosure, the test strip containing at least one reagent for detecting the analyte and for providing an indication showing a test result for the sample, the enclosure including a detection arrangement for allowing detection of the indication of the test strip; a sample receiving matrix positioned behind the at least one sample receiving port and having a defined saturation capacity, the sample receiving matrix being impregnated with reagents for pre-treatment of the sample and being in liquid conductive communication with the test strip. Also provided is a method for use of said test device comprising: delivering one or more samples to the at least one sample receiving port to saturate the sample receiving matrix such that a quantified amount of the sample is transferred to the test strip and an indication of the test result is effected.

Provided herein is technology relating to processing samples and particularly, but not exclusively, to technology for containing and processing a stool specimen. The technology provides an enclosing holder for securing a sample container in a leak-proof manner e.g., during mechanical shaking.

Fluid processing tube for use in optical analysis comprising at least one first portion being made from a first material suitable for optical analysis and being configured to include two optical paths of different lengths, and at least one second portion connected to said first portion and being made from a second material different from said first material.

A valve block assembly for a bottle attachment apparatus for handling liquids has a valve block, an intake valve insert and/or an exhaust valve insert, and a valve receptacle assigned to the respective valve insert. The valve insert is inserted in a replaceable and sealing manner in the valve receptacle. The valve insert has a stop portion, a fastening portion distinct therefrom and a sealing portion distinct from both. The associated valve receptacle has stop, fastening, and sealing portions matching the equivalent portions of the valve insert. When the valve insert is installed correctly both the stop portions and the sealing portions bear on one another in a planar manner.

A holding apparatus includes a top holder having a coupler and a top casing capable of adjusting the distance and tilt therebetween using three points adjustment. When a microfluidic device along with a cover are disposed on a bottom holder of the holding apparatus and the top holder is pivoted with respect to the bottom holder to a closed position, the contact surface of soft plugs on the coupler and the cover can be made parallel by a certain distance with a first surface of the microfluidic device, and the distance between the coupler and the top casing determines the pressure exerted through elastic components onto the microfluidic device, so that external pipes can be seamlessly attached to the microfluidic device and also ensuring no deformation due to external forces should happen on microfluidic device.

The present invention relates to systems and methods that utilize a combination of immunoassay and magnetic immunoassay techniques to detect an analyte within an extended range of specified concentrations. In particular, a device includes a housing, a heterogeneous surface capture immunosensor within the housing and configured to generate a first signal indicative of the concentration of the analyte in an upper concentration range, and a homogeneous magnetic bead capture immunosensor within the housing and configured to generate a second signal indicative of the concentration of the analyte in a lower concentration range.