Systems and methods for conducting surface-mediated chemical and/or biochemical reactions within an enclosed chamber are disclosed. Systems and methods of the present disclosure may be used in conducting hybridization reactions of biopolymers. In some examples, an improved method for mixing thin films of solutions in a hybridization chamber includes altering the direction of mixing at least once over the course of a reaction. In some examples, an improved method for mixing thin films of solutions in a hybridization chamber includes altering the speed of mixing at least once over the course of a reaction. In some examples, an improved method for mixing thin films of solutions in a hybridization chamber includes altering the speed of mixing and the direction of mixing at least once over the course of a reaction.

Multiplanar microfluidic devices are provided that facilitate direct transverse fluid communication between a first microfluidic channel a plurality of adjacent microfluidic channels, where the adjacent microfluidic channels reside both laterally adjacent and vertically adjacent to the first microfluidic channel, thereby facilitating transverse diffusion to or from the adjacent microfluidic channels in both lateral and vertical directions. Geometrical meniscus-pinning features, such as meniscus-pinning ridge structures, are provided between adjacent microfluidic channels to restrict transverse flow between the microfluidic channels. Accordingly, a gel structure may be formed within the first microfluidic channel and one or more of the adjacent microfluidic channels can function as a perfusion channel, for example, for delivering media to cells residing withing the gel structure. Such devices may be extended and/or arrayed to include multiple channels with laterally and vertically adjacent perfusion microfluidic channels, optionally with shared lateral perfusion microfluidic channels among adjacent pairs of devices.

Embodiments are directed towards methods and systems of depositing a uniform test-pathogen mixture onto a test article for testing the sterilization efficacy of an electromagnetic radiation or other sterilization process. The system includes a holding mechanism configured to removably secure the test article to the system. The system also includes a test-pathogen dispenser configured to uniformly deposit the test-pathogen mixture onto a reference surface of the test article. The system is structured so that at least one of the test article and the test-pathogen dispenser moves relative to the other. A plurality of test-pathogen mixture droplets or lines is deposited onto the reference surface in a predetermined test-pathogen pattern, such as, for example, a plurality of rows and columns of droplets. A distance from a dispenser tip of the test-pathogen dispenser to the reference surface of the test article may be determined to help maintain consistency between test-pathogen mixture droplets or lines.

A bench top incubator is described. The bench top incubator includes a first tray stack designed to retain microscope slides in a plurality of slide trays and a second tray stack designed to retain multi-well plates in a plurality of plate trays. The incubator is relatively simple and small in design and can be conveniently located to carry out temperature processing of biological samples such as fixed cells and tissues, biological fluids, and so forth.

A hematology test slide has the same or similar dimensions as a chemical reagent test slide and an immunoassay test slide so that it may be used with these other slides on a single clinical instrument. The hematology slide includes, in order from top to bottom, a slide housing having a top housing member, a top cover slip, a U-shaped, transfer tape spacer, a bottom cover slip, a base gasket and a base plate. The U-shaped spacer has a curved end portion which defines a sample deposit area, where a blood sample is pipetted thereon, and a pair of straight, parallel, spaced apart legs extending from the curved end portion. The legs define a read area. A blood sample deposited on the hematology slide at the sample deposit area will flow by capillary action to the read area, where optical measurements are made on the sample.

A fluidic handling unit includes a baseplate, a fluidic inlet block, a fluidic outlet block, a pump in fluidic communication with the fluidic inlet block and the fluidic outlet block, a carrier control board in electrical communication with the pump, and a flow cell carrier comprising a microfluidic flow cell receiving area, wherein the flow cell carrier is configured to receive and retain the fluidic handling unit. A bottom surface of the fluidic handling unit is configured to complementary mate with a top surface of the flow cell carrier, or wherein a bottom surface of the flow cell carrier is configured to complementarily mate with a top surface of the fluidic handling unit.

Biochemical flow cells having sealed inlets and outlets are provided for performing high-volume assays on macromolecules. In one example embodiment, a flow cell with detachable inlet and outlet connectors comprises an inlet manifold, a coverslip, and a substrate disposed below the coverslip to form a reaction chamber, where the substrate is disposed to partially cover the inlet manifold such that a slit is formed along an entire edge of the substrate where fluids can flow from the inlet manifold through the slit, around substantially the entire edge of the substrate, and into the reaction chamber at equalized pressure and without bubbles. In another embodiment, a flow cell comprises an outlet manifold, two or more flow regions each connected to its own loading port via its own flow distribution funnel, each loading port connected to the outlet manifold, and plugs in a wall of the outlet manifold opposite each loading port, such that when a plug is absent from the wall of the outlet manifold, a loading tip may be inserted in its place, passing through the outlet manifold and connecting directly to a loading port.

A method and system for measuring the alignment between a substrate and a platform upon which it is disposed by using image processing algorithms are described herein. These algorithms automate the detection of edges of a microscope slide and the platform in a digital image. A reference line pattern in an image of the platform can be used to detect platform edges based on a computed location of the reference line pattern in the image.

A sample cell apparatus for use in spectroscopic determination of an analyte in a body fluid sample includes a first plate member made from an optically clear material and a second plate member made from an optically clear material and opposing the first plate member. A channel extending into a surface of the first plate member and an opposing surface of the second plate member houses a floating seal. The floating seal surrounds a fluid chamber that retains a sample of body fluid for optical measurement. The fluid chamber may be opened for flushing by separating the first plate member from the second plate member. During measurements the fluid chamber is closed to define a repeatable optical path-length therethrough by urging the first plate member against the second plate member without compressing the floating seal between the first plate member and the second plate member.

A socket includes a first base member that includes a module mount unit allowing a module including an imaging device and an object to be placed thereon and an electric connector that electrically connects the imaging device to an external apparatus, a second base member having an opening, and an engagement unit that causes the first base member to be engaged with the second base member under a condition that the module placed on the module mount unit is sandwiched by the first and second base members. When the first base member is engaged with the second base member by the engagement unit under a condition that the module placed on the module mount unit is sandwiched by the first base member and the second base member, the electric connector is electrically connected to the imaging device, and the object receives illumination light from a light source through the opening.