Devices, systems, and methods for detecting molecules of interest within a collected sample are described herein. In certain embodiments, self-contained sample analysis systems are disclosed, which include a reusable reader component, a disposable cartridge component, and a disposable sample collection component. In some embodiments, the reader component communicates with a remote computing device for the digital transmission of test protocols and test results. In various disclosed embodiments, the systems, components, and methods are configured to identify the presence, absence, and/or quantity of particular nucleic acids, proteins, or other analytes of interest, for example, in order to test for the presence of one or more pathogens or contaminants in a sample.

A sample injector for injecting a fluid into a fluidic path, wherein the sample injector comprises a robot arm configured for moving an injection needle, when being connected to the robot arm, between a fluid container containing the fluid and a seat in fluid communication with the fluidic path, the needle configured for aspirating the fluid from the fluid container, when the needle has been moved to the fluid container, and for injecting aspirated fluid into the fluidic path, when the needle is accommodated in the seat, and the seat configured for accommodating the needle and providing fluid communication with the fluidic path, wherein the robot arm is configured for selectively disconnecting the needle from the robot arm when the needle is accommodated in the seat, and wherein the robot arm is configured for performing a further task while the needle is disconnected from the robot arm.

A dispenser and methods for transferring liquids are disclosed. The dispenser may include a capillary tube with tip having an aperture, a piezoelectric actuator coupled to the capillary tube at a location. Actuation of the piezoelectric actuator causes a pressure wave to propagate along the capillary tube toward the tip such that radial motion at the location is transmitted as distally extending axial motion of the tip, thereby causing a droplet of a predetermined volume to be ejected from the aperture. In some embodiments, the capillary tube has a modulus of elasticity in a range which dampens acoustical noise from the actuation and provides single drop stability over a range of drop sizes.

A biological substance extraction device includes an adsorption container that includes a first flow channel, and seal-tightly holds an adsorbent and a fluid within the first flow channel, and a washing container that includes a second flow channel, and seal-tightly holds a washing liquid and a fluid within the second flow channel, the adsorption container and the washing container being joined to form a flow channel through which a biological substance is moved. The first flow channel and the second flow channel communicate with each other in a state in which an insertion section is inserted into a reception section. The insertion section includes a guide member that extends from the first flow channel to the second flow channel. The guide member forms part of the flow channel between a first inner wall of the first flow channel and a second inner wall of the second flow channel.

Capillary tube holder, a storage and shipping container in which a loaded capillary tube holder is securely held, a fixture for loading capillary tubes onto a capillary tube holder and a tube transfer fixture for transferring, removing or replacing individual capillary tubes from a loaded capillary tube holder.

Disclosed in the present application is a sample adding needle for preparing microdroplets, comprising a liquid storage portion and a liquid discharge portion, which are integrally injection molded and penetrate one another; the liquid storage portion is a truncated cone the radial dimension of which gradually decreases in the direction facing the liquid discharge portion, and the liquid discharge portion is a truncated cone the radial dimension of which gradually decreases in the direction away from the liquid storage portion; the taper of the liquid storage portion is C1, the taper of the liquid discharge portion is C2, and C1≤C2; the wall thickness of the liquid storage portion is D1, the wall thickness of the liquid discharge portion is D2, and D1>D2. For the sample adding needle for preparing microdroplets as described in the present application, when preparing microdroplets by using the sample adding needle, the sample adding needle performs periodic reciprocating motion at varying speeds in an oily liquid such that a sample solution is subject to periodic shear force from the oily liquid at a liquid discharge opening, thereby enabling the sample solution within the sample adding needle to enter the oily liquid, thus achieving the production of microdroplets having uniform size and controllable volume.

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for serial flow emulsion processes. Systems and methods as described herein can result in reduced cross-contamination, greater accuracy and precision, less expensive materials and processes, decreased run times, and/or other advantages, e.g., through use of improved injectors, partitioners, detectors, and/or other elements useful in serial flow emulsion systems and processes.

A lateral flow test apparatus comprising a housing and a test strip located within the housing. The apparatus further comprises a capillary tube having first and second ends, the first end configured to receive a fluid sample to be tested, and the second opposed end, the housing and the test strip defining an air gap between said second end and a fluid sample receiving region of said test strip, and a user actuable mechanism configured to move said receiving region across said air gap and into contact with said second end, whereby, in use, a sample fluid within said capillary tube is drawn from the capillary tube into said receiving region.

Flow cell devices, cartridges, and systems are described that provide reduced manufacturing complexity, lowered consumable costs, and flexible system throughput for nucleic acid sequencing and other chemical or biological analysis applications. The flow cell device can include a capillary flow cell device or a microfluidic flow cell device.

A multi-channel bio-separation system configured to utilize a cartridge that has a individual, separate integrated reagent (i.e., a separation buffer) reservoir dedicated for each separation channel. The multiple channels may have different characteristics, such as different separation medium of different chemistries, different separation length, different channel sizes and internal coatings. In one embodiment, the cartridge does not include integrated detection optics. Not all channels need to be operative. One or more of the channels in the cartridge may be “dummy channels” that are not operative (e.g., not provided with a capillary tube). A capillary tube may be routed between the reservoir/electrode (anode) of one channel to an electrode (cathode) in another channel, thus allowing a longer length of capillary tube to be used to define a longer separation channel to improve resolution.