A system for detecting analytes in a test sample, and a method for processing the same, is provided. The system includes a cartridge reader unit that has a control unit and a pneumatic system, and a cartridge assembly that prepares the samples with mixing material(s) through communication channels. The assembly has a memory chip with parameters for preparing the sample and at least one sensor (GMR sensor) for detecting analytes in the sample. The assembly is pneumatically and electronically mated with the reader unit via a pneumatic interface and an electronic interface such that the parameters may be implemented via the control unit. The pneumatic system is contained within the unit and has pump(s) and valve(s) for selectively applying fluid pressure to the pneumatic interface of the assembly, and thus through the communication channels, to move the sample and mixing material(s) through and to sensor. The control unit activates the pneumatic system to prepare the sample and provide it to the sensor for detecting analytes, and also processes measurements from the sensor to generate test results.

Disclosed herein is a system to detect and characterize individual particles and cells using at least either optic or electric detection as the particle or cell flows through a microfluidic channel. The system also provides for sorting particles and cells or isolating individual particles and cells.

A system and method for automated single cell capture and processing is described, where the system includes a deck supporting and positioning a set of sample processing elements; a gantry for actuating tools for interactions with the set of sample processing elements supported by the deck; and a base supporting various processing subsystems and a control subsystems in communication with the processing subsystems. The system can automatically execute workflows associated with single cell processing, including mRNA capture, cDNA synthesis, protein-associated assays, and library preparation, for next generation sequencing.

Reaction vessels, cartridges, devices and methods for facilitating high-level multiplexing are described herein. Such reaction vessels can include a planar frame defining a fluidic path between a first planar substrate and a second planar substrate, a fluidic interface is located at one end of the planar frame with a pair of fluidic ports, a well chamber and a pre-amplification chamber. Devices for spotting reagents in wells of high-level multiplexing reaction vessels and improved reagent solutions are also described herein.

Sample cartridge, valve assembly and processing methods for providing mechanical lysis, chemical lysis or both for a given fluid sample are provided herein. Such systems can include a sample processing cartridge having a valve assembly configured for transport of the processing of fluid sample within the sample cartridge. The valve assembly can include a valve body and cap that secure a filter therebetween and facilitate inflow of mechanical or chemical lysing agents as needed for a fluid sample. Assay workflows for performing both mechanical and chemical lysis of a fluid sample within the same workflow of a single universal sample cartridge are also provided.

A detection apparatus having a read head including a plurality of microfluorometers positioned to simultaneously acquire a plurality of the wide-field images in a common plane; and (b) a translation stage configured to move the read head along a substrate that is in the common plane. The substrate can be a flow cell that is included in a cartridge, the cartridge also including a housing for (i) a sample reservoir; (ii) a fluidic line between the sample reservoir and the flow cell; (iii) several reagent reservoirs in fluid communication with the flow cell, (iv) at least one valve configured to mediate fluid communication between the reservoirs and the flow cell; and (v) at least one pressure source configured to move liquids from the reservoirs to the flow cell. The detection apparatus and cartridge can be used together or independent of each other.

There is provided a sample processing cartridge comprising a. a sample entry location; b. a closed sample processing chamber; c. a sample analysis location comprising a sample analysis well; d. a first channel fluidly connecting the sample entry location and the sample processing chamber; e. a second channel connecting the sample analysis location and the sample processing chamber, the second channel comprising a closed or closable second channel valve; wherein the sample processing chamber comprises a second channel port providing fluid connection between the second channel and the sample processing chamber, the second channel port being positioned in a sample accumulating region of the sample processing chamber. There is also provided a sample processing system comprising the cartridge, and methods of use of the cartridge and processing system in a sample processing assay.

A valve system for driving fluid and a method for using the same are provided. The valve system includes a fluid unit far away from the rotation center, a fluid unit close to the rotation center, a fluid transferring unit and a gas path pipeline for communicating the fluid unit close to the rotation center with the fluid unit far away from the rotation center. A rotation radius of a fluid outlet of the fluid unit far away from the rotation center is greater than that of a fluid inlet of the fluid unit close to the rotation center. The fluid outlet of the fluid unit far away from the rotation center is located at an end thereof away from the rotation center, and the fluid inlet of the fluid unit close to the rotation center is located at an end thereof close to the rotation center.

The present invention provides a cassette for determining optimised solid phase extraction (SPE) purification conditions, wherein said cassette comprises: (i) a flowpath comprising a first end and a second end; and (ii) a plurality of valves oriented along said flowpath, wherein each of said plurality of valves is selectively fluidly connected to one of a number of components, wherein said components comprise: (a) 1-5 composition vials; (b) 1-3 SPE cartridges; (c) 4-10 solvent vials; (d) a water vial; and (e) a transfer line.

The present invention also provides a method for determining optimised SPE purification conditions for a compound from a composition, the method comprising: (i) provision of a cassette as defined in any of claims 1 to 7; (ii) the cassette comprising a composition of the compound in said composition vial(s) or addition of such a composition to said crude reaction vial(s); (iii) passing an aliquot of said composition into each of said 1-3 SPE cartridges; (iv) passing a particular combination of aliquots of solvent from at least 4 of said 4-10 solvent vials into one or more of the SPE cartridges, wherein the solvent in each of said 4-10 solvent vials is either a different solvent or the same solvent at different concentration; (v) eluting the compound to be purified from the or each SPE cartridge; (vi) evaluating the eluted products of step (v); and (vii) determining the optimised purification conditions by comparing the eluted products of step (v) from each cartridge and each solvent.

Provided is an integrated microfluidic device for SARS-CoV-2 detection. Also provided is a method for detecting SARS-CoV-2 by using the same, comprising viral lysis, RNA extraction, and reverse-transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP). The integrated microfluidic device of the present disclosure is small in size, automatically operatable, and easy to use by ordinary people, and the present disclosure can achieve rapid detection with high sensitivity and specificity.