The invention relates to a method and a system for providing fluids, comprising two components, wherein a first component is a container with at least one first reservoir for taking up a fluid and a second reservoir for ventilation of the system, wherein said first and second reservoir are sealed with a seal, and a second component which is a dock for taking up the container, wherein the dock comprises an inner bottom surface comprising first formations for fluid piercing of the container's at least one first reservoir for taking up a fluid and second formations for piercing of the container's second reservoir for ventilation, and wherein said inner bottom surface is a drain plate comprising a drain, wherein the container has fins on its outer edge which engage into two parallel arranged recesses at the inner side surface of the dock for fixing the container within the dock in a first position when the fins of the container engage in a first recess which is a storage snap fit or a second position when the fins of the container engage in second recess at the inner side surface which is a retain snap fit.

Separation of the cellular components of whole blood, or other biological fluid, from plasma or serum can be achieved for assay analysis. A device for facilitating separation can include, for example, a capillary tube that accurately draws target blood volume, a pad that chemically interacts with red-blood cells, such that the red blood cells become chemically and/or physically trapped within pad material, a mechanism for plasma recovery from the pad upon diffusion or active mixing, and a dropper tip that facilitates dispensing the mixture onto a test device. The treatment of the cellular components can be performed prior to contact with a buffer solution, so release of the cellular components into the buffer solution is reduced or prevented. Additional filtration can be provided to filter any remaining cellular components in the mixture.

An analysis device that includes a placement section, a pressing member, and a measurement member, has an analysis kit including a chip provided with a capillary through which a sample flows and a cartridge superimposed on the chip, and in which a liquid reservoir placed therein to enable a component present in sample can be measured in a state in which the chip and the cartridge have been fitted together. The analysis kit is placed on the placement section. The pressing member presses the analysis kit in a direction in which the cartridge is superimposed on the chip to sandwich the analysis kit between the pressing member and the placement section, and to fit the chip and the cartridge together. The measurement member that measures the component present in the sample in the analysis kit in which the chip and the cartridge have been fitted together.

In one embodiment, a diagnostic system includes an instrument coupled to a client device and having at least one sample processing bay. The diagnostic system has a software architecture including instrument software (ISW) associated with the instrument. The ISW receives an assay definition file (ADF) that has a control file and an assay analysis module (AAM) file. The processing bay prepares and senses the sample according to parameters in the OPUS file and then generates sensor scan data. The diagnostic system then analyzes the sensor scan data and prepares a report according to the AAM file.

An apparatus is disclosed having a first layer coupled to a second layer via a plurality of seals to define a storage volume that is separable by at least one intermediate seal into a first volume and a second volume. The intermediate seal is applicable after a material is introduced into the storage volume storage. The apparatus includes a first opening into the storage volume and a second opening into the storage volume. The first opening and the second opening are positioned near opposite edges. The apparatus also includes a first frangible region positioned along the intermediate seal and configured for separation of the first volume and the second volume.

An apparatus and method for simple, low power, automated processing of biological samples through multiple preparation and assay steps. The apparatus and methods described facilitate the point-of-care implementation of diagnostic assays. The apparatus includes mechanical actuating elements using linear and/or rotational motion.

A separation container for extracting a portion of a sample for use or testing and method for preparing samples for downstream use or testing are provided. The separation container may include a body defining an internal chamber. The body may define an opening, and the body may be configured to receive the sample within the internal chamber. The separation container may further include a seal disposed across the opening, such that the seal may be configured to seal the opening of the body, and a plunger movably disposed at least partially inside the internal chamber. The plunger may be configured to be actuated to open the seal and express the portion of the sample.

A lateral flow assay (LFA) device includes a capillary pad and a sample port that holds the sample fluid before a hole is made in a cavity surface of the sample port. The LFA device includes a breaker with a tip to make a hole in the cavity wall of the sample port causing the sample fluid held inside the compartment to be applied to the capillary pad after the start of a test.

Luciferin-containing substrates are provided including a substrate and luciferin dried on the substrate. The luciferin-containing substrate is free of a detectable amount of reactive luciferase. The substrate is optionally a nonwoven substrate. Monitoring devices are also provided. The monitoring devices include a test element having a test portion, a detection reagent comprising luciferase, a luciferin-containing substrate, and a container having a first end with an opening and a second end opposite the first end. The container is configured to receive the test portion and configured to be operationally coupled to an analytical instrument. The detection reagent and the luciferin each are capable of participating in one or more chemical reaction that results in the formation of a detectable product.

A fluid specimen collection, storage, transport, and testing cup contains a removable chromatographic strip-carrying cartridge and an axially moveable liquid specimen preserving caddy which moves between a first, pre-test position and a second, post-test position. During which a caddy drain is temporarily opened allowing an amount of liquid specimen deposited in the caddy to flow into the cup and contact the strips. Once in the second position, the drain is sealed for later confirmatory testing. The caddy is moved between the two positions by screwing a threaded lid more tightly onto the top opening of the cup. The axial range of the screw is limited by a removable obstruction collar. The caddy can include a liquid specimen containing chamber having a lower opening sealed by a frangible barrier.