Disclosed are devices and methods for performing biological and chemical assays, such as immunoassays and nucleic acid assays, more particularly a homogeneous assay that does not use a wash step by using the aggregation and de-aggregation processes of microparticles or nanoparticles.

The present invention provides point-of-need diagnostic devices and kits for detecting a target nucleic acid sequence in a sample. Methods of using the point-of-need diagnostic devices or the kits disclosed are also provided.

A device for analysing a sample comprising a nucleic acid to be captured and detected using a test strip are described. The device comprises a resilient biasing member disposed in an analysis chamber containing the test strip. The resilient biasing member exerts a force against the test strip sufficient to urge it into the sample chamber when it is in communication with the analysis chamber. This ensures that the test strip is reliably introduced into the sample chamber when it is in communication with the analysis chamber. In one embodiment, the sample chamber comprises guide members for guiding the test strip into the sample chamber. A free end of each guide member is shaped to prevent significant rotation of the test strip, so that the test strip is in correct alignment in the sample chamber for automatic reading of the test result, for example by a camera or optical reader.

A transport assembly with an upper part including a plurality of sleeves, each sleeve extending along a sleeve axis between a top opening and a bottom opening, wherein the plurality of sleeves are arranged with their respective axes in parallel to one another, and a lower part including a plate with a plurality of apertures that each extend through the plate. The upper part and the lower part can be coupled such that each bottom opening is arranged adjacent to one of the plurality of apertures, and the upper part and the lower part can be moved relative to one another between a closed configuration in which a perimeter of each bottom opening intersects a perimeter of a corresponding aperture at two or more points, and an open configuration in which the perimeter of each bottom opening is aligned with or is enclosed by the perimeter of a corresponding aperture.

An assembly for forming a microchamber for an inverted substrate is disclosed. The assembly can include a body having a chamber formed therein. A dispensing cavity can be provided to supply a reagent to the chamber. A slide support structure can be configured to support the slide such that the tissue sample faces the chamber when the slide is mounted to the slide support structure. The chamber and the slide support structure can be dimensioned such that, when the reagent is supplied to the dispensing cavity, the reagent is drawn to the chamber by way of capillary forces acting on the reagent.

A blood sample collection and/or storage device includes a two-piece housing that encompasses a port at which a fingertip blood sample is collected at a sample port. After the sample is taken, the two-piece housing is moved to a closed position deposit the sample onto a storage membrane Embodiments of the device include a one or more capillaries with movable plungers that dispense fluid from the sample port onto the membrane as the housing is closed. A desiccant, which may be held in place by a backbone structure within the housing, is positioned adjacent the membrane. The housing may also be opened to access the stored sample for further processing.

A sample holder unit 400 capable of quickly and easily soaking a sample in a crystalline sponge, and of quickly and accurately performing single-crystal X-ray structure analysis, is provided. The sample holder unit comprises a sample holder 214 and an applicator 300. The applicator 300 comprises an opening 302 and a storing space in which the sample holder is stored; a seal part 304 provided on a contact surface with the sample holder stored in the storing space; and a pull-out prevention part 305 that prevents the sample holder from being pulled out from the opening 302, the pull-out prevention part engaged with the sample holder stored in the storing space.

A blood sample collection and/or storage device includes a two-piece housing that encompasses a port at which a fingertip blood sample is collected. After the sample is taken, the two-piece housing is moved to a closed position to protect the sample for storage and optionally process the sample within the housing. The housing may also be opened to access the stored sample for further processing.

This invention relates to an apparatus for conducting immunoassay test. The apparatus includes a groove unit having a groove along a vertical direction configured to hold a rod-shaped portion of a probe along the vertical direction, and a push pin configured to move along a horizontal direction, the push pin being capable of residing at a first position and a second position. A tip of the push pin is capable of pressing the rod-shaped portion of the probe against the groove when the push pin resides at the first position. The distance between the tip of the push pin and the groove is larger than a diameter of the rod-shaped portion of the probe when the push pin resides at the second position.

The invention is directed to a slide chamber comprising a top member (10), a fluidic seal (20), a transparent closure member (30) and base member (40) wherein the top member (10) is provided with at least one examination chamber (11) and a plurality of openings (12) positioned at two sides of the cover member outside of the examination chamber (11); and the base member (40) is provided with interconnecting means (41) complementary to the openings (12) of the top member characterized in that the interconnecting means (41) of the base member (40) and the openings (12) of the top member (10) are configured to mechanically interlock with each other by lateral movement thereby pressing the top member (10) against the transparent closure (30) member in a water-tight manner.