Method and system for processing biological specimens. For example, the method includes loading a plurality of biological specimens on a continuous substrate at a plurality of spaced-apart locations on the continuous substrate, attaching a plurality of wells to the continuous tape substrate corresponding to the plurality of spaced-apart locations where each well surrounds a respective biological specimen on the continuous substrate, performing one or more chemical processes on the respective biological specimen contained in the each well of the plurality of wells, and analyzing results of the one or more chemical processes on the respective biological specimen contained in the each well of the plurality of wells.

A stack of histology cassettes configured to be inserted into a hopper of a printer, wherein each histology cassette in the stack includes a bottom face, a top face opposite the bottom face, a front face, a rear face opposite the front face, a first lateral face and a second lateral face opposite the first lateral face. The top face of the histology cassette is open to allow a sample to be received within the histology cassette. The histology cassettes have substantially the same orientation within the stack. The histology cassettes in the stack are arranged with a first histology cassette at the bottom of a stack, and each subsequent histology cassette in the stack up to a last histology cassette in the stack is arranged with its bottom face positioned on the top face of a preceding histology cassette in the stack.

An instrument for processing a biological sample includes a chassis. Connected to the chassis is a tape path along which a tape with a matrix of wells can be automatically advanced through the instrument, a dispensing assembly for dispensing the biological sample and a reagent into the matrix of wells of the tape to form a biological sample and reagent mixture, a sealing assembly for sealing the biological sample and reagent mixture in the tape, and an amplification and detection assembly for detecting a signal from the biological sample and reagent mixture in the matrix of wells in the tape.

A PCR amplification and product detection system is disclosed. The system utilizes a uniform and direct photonic heating subsystem to mediate reaction-by-reaction, high-throughput PCR amplification detectable by a fluorescence detection subsystem. Reaction-by-reaction temperature monitoring for dynamic feedback heat regulation is also disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for using the same.

An instrument for processing a biological sample includes a chassis. Connected to the chassis is a tape path along which a tape with a matrix of wells can be automatically advanced through the instrument, a dispensing assembly for dispensing the biological sample and a reagent into the matrix of wells of the tape to form a biological sample and reagent mixture, a sealing assembly for sealing the biological sample and reagent mixture in the tape, and an amplification and detection assembly for detecting a signal from the biological sample and reagent mixture in the matrix of wells in the tape.

An analysis device is described comprising a housing 12, and a carrier 14 within the housing, the carrier 14 including a plurality of individual pockets 18, each pocket 18 containing a stable assay, and a first seal member 20 operable to cover at least one of the pockets 18 to substantially seal the said pocket(s) 18.

A microfluidic diagnostic device comprises a base and at least one switch coupled to a portion of the base, the switch comprising a flap that is pivotable with respect to the base from a first position spaced away from the base a first distance to a second position where the flap is spaced away from the base a second distance. Both the base and the switch comprise one or more channels that permit passive transportation of an aqueous solution. The switch may be formed by bending or deforming a strip to cause the flap to be in the first position when there is less than a predetermined amount of fluid within the channel of switch. When a predetermined amount of fluid is in the channel of the switch, the flap pivots to the second position, which may be achieved through power from gravity, capillarity, and/or inherent elastic energy.

Device and method for handling biological specimens. For example, the device includes a base and a substrate. The substrate includes a first surface disposed on the base and a second surface configured to support a biological specimen. A compressive element is disposed on the second surface of the substrate and surrounds the biological specimen. The compressive element includes an opening opposite the second surface of the substrate on which the compressive element is placed. The opening is configured to form a well that allows one or more reagents to be introduced into the well for chemically processing the biological specimen. The compressive element and the base cooperate to secure the compressive element to the substrate to form a seal which is configured to retain the one or more reagents in the well.

An interposer for a flow cell comprises a base layer having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The base layer comprises black polyethylene terephthalate (PET). A first adhesive layer is disposed on the first surface of the base layer. The first adhesive layer comprises methyl acrylic adhesive. A second adhesive layer is disposed on the second surface of the base layer. The second adhesive layer comprises methyl acrylic adhesive. A plurality of microfluidic channels extends through each of the base layer, the first adhesive layer, and the second adhesive layer.

A carrier strip having a plurality of areas for retaining anatomical pathology specimens may have a backing, a cover coupled to the backing along side regions located along opposite longitudinal edges of the carrier strip and along lateral intermediate regions positioned between each of the plurality of areas for retaining anatomical pathology specimens. The carrier strip may be configured to individually retain each of the anatomical pathology specimens in one of the plurality of areas for retaining anatomical pathology specimens between the backing and the cover. Diagnostic studies of anatomical pathology specimens may be facilitated by distributing a digital copy of an image of the specimen may be to a pathologist. A diagnosis may be received from the pathologist based on the digital image of the specimen.