Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods of for conducting various biological assays on arrays utilizing electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD). The systems and methods may process the biological sample, or plurality thereof, using at least one droplet. The droplet, or plurality thereof, may be manipulated using the systems and methods described herein. Further described herein are improvements to arrays for facilitating the execution of biological assays on the arrays.

Abstract: The present application discloses a sensor system that includes a sensor having a sensor surface, a sample cartridge including one or more flexible membranes and a membrane frame, the membrane frame including one or more openings covered by the one or more flexible membranes defining one or more wells for holding one or more samples, the flexible membrane having a sample side supporting the sample and an opposite sensor side, the sample cartridge being removably insertable in the sensor system such that the sensor side of the flexible membrane is positioned above and faces the sensor surface, a displacement mechanism that can be actuated to displace the flexible membrane toward the sensor surface such that the sample is moved to a position closer to the sensor surface, and an optical imaging system that detects light emitted from the sensor. Disclosed also are a cartridge cassette and a method of use.

Abstract: The present application discloses a sensor system that includes a sensor having a sensor surface, a sample cartridge including one or more flexible membranes and a membrane frame, the membrane frame including one or more openings covered by the one or more flexible membranes defining one or more wells for holding one or more samples, the flexible membrane having a sample side supporting the sample and an opposite sensor side, the sample cartridge being removably insertable in the sensor system such that the sensor side of the flexible membrane is positioned above and faces the sensor surface, a displacement mechanism that can be actuated to displace the flexible membrane toward the sensor surface such that the sample is moved to a position closer to the sensor surface, and an optical imaging system that detects light emitted from the sensor. Disclosed also are a cartridge cassette and a method of use.

Abstract: The present application discloses a sensor system that includes a sensor having a sensor surface, a sample cartridge including one or more flexible membranes and a membrane frame, the membrane frame including one or more openings covered by the one or more flexible membranes defining one or more wells for holding one or more samples, the flexible membrane having a sample side supporting the sample and an opposite sensor side, the sample cartridge being removably insertable in the sensor system such that the sensor side of the flexible membrane is positioned above and faces the sensor surface, a displacement mechanism that can be actuated to displace the flexible membrane toward the sensor surface such that the sample is moved to a position closer to the sensor surface, and an optical imaging system that detects light emitted from the sensor. Disclosed also are a cartridge cassette and a method of use.

Abstract: The present application discloses a sensor system that includes a sensor having a sensor surface, a sample cartridge including one or more flexible membranes and a membrane frame, the membrane frame including one or more openings covered by the one or more flexible membranes defining one or more wells for holding one or more samples, the flexible membrane having a sample side supporting the sample and an opposite sensor side, the sample cartridge being removably insertable in the sensor system such that the sensor side of the flexible membrane is positioned above and faces the sensor surface, a displacement mechanism that can be actuated to displace the flexible membrane toward the sensor surface such that the sample is moved to a position closer to the sensor surface, and an optical imaging system that detects light emitted from the sensor. Disclosed also are a cartridge cassette and a method of use.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for forming emulsions from an aqueous fluid and oil. The aqueous fluid-in-oil emulsions are useful for numerous molecular biology techniques. The system is configured to cyclically translate a chamber containing the emulsion components, along a cycle path, while maintaining the axial orientation of the chamber with respect to a horizontal plane, and without rotating the chamber.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for forming emulsions from an aqueous fluid and oil. The aqueous fluid-in-oil emulsions are useful for numerous molecular biology techniques. The system is configured to cyclically translate a chamber containing the emulsion components, along a cycle path, while maintaining the axial orientation of the chamber with respect to a horizontal plane, and without rotating the chamber.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method for adjusting system gain of a biological probe array scanner for a plurality of fluorophore species is described that comprises setting an excitation beam comprising an excitation wavelength at a first power level that elicits an optimal signal to noise ratio response from a first fluorophore species; scanning a biological probe array with the excitation beam; setting the excitation beam comprising the excitation wavelength at a second power level different than the first power level that elicits the optimal signal to noise ratio response from a second fluorophore species; and scanning the biological probe array with the excitation beam.

Abstract: In one embodiment a method for reducing variation in a plurality of scanners is described. The method comprises directing an excitation beam at a calibration standard in each of the plurality of scanners, where one of the plurality of scanners is a designated scanner; detecting emission data for each of the plurality of scanners from a plurality of fluorescent molecules disposed on the calibration standard, where the emission data is responsive to the excitation beam; determining variation in the emission data of one or more of the plurality of scanners based, at least in part, upon the emission data of the designated scanner; and adjusting one or more parameters in one or more of the plurality of scanners based, at least in part, upon the determined variation.

Abstract: An imaging system is provided for imaging media of while supported at an imaging position on a support surfaces. The system includes a loading device configured to move the medium to be imaged along the support surface to the imaging position. During loading, the leading edge of the medium, which extends across the medium width and substantially perpendicular to a direction of movement of the medium, moves in a direction towards a registration device. A registration device is contacted by the leading edge of the medium during loading so as to position the medium in the imaging position on the support surface. A medium securing device secures the medium to the support surface and a perforation mechanism subsequently punches or notches the medium prior to imaging. A drive mechanism is provided to move the perforation mechanism and the registration device, typically prior to loading of the medium, to a position which corresponds to the particular width of the medium to be imaged.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for orienting a sheet of recording media on a support surface for recording an image onto the recording media in a predetermined location. A registration device, which includes two contacting points for contacting an edge of the media, establishes a registration axis having a know orientation and location with respect to the support surface and with respect to the image to be recorded. A media loading device advances the media across the support surface and orients an edge of the media against the two contacting points of the registration device. At least one of the two contacting points of the registration device is movable with respect to the support surface for adjusting the separation between the two contacting points in accordance with a width of the recording media. The image may also be located at a known location with respect to another perpendicular edge of the recording media.

Abstract: An imaging system is provided for imaging media of differing widths while supported at an imaging position on a support surfaces. The system includes a loading device configured to move the medium to be imaged along the support surface to the imaging position. During loading, the leading edge of the medium, which extends across the medium width and substantially perpendicular to a direction of movement of the medium, moves in a direction towards a registration device. The registration device is contacted by the leading edge of the medium during loading so as to position the medium in the imaging position on the support surface. A drive mechanism is provided to move the regristration pin, typically prior to loading of the medium, to a position which corresponds to the particular width of the medium to be imaged.

Abstract: A registration apparatus for positioning a medium on a media support surface, includes a moveable member and a registration member. The moveable member is contacted by an edge of a medium, and moves therewith as the medium is moved to a set position on a support surface. The registration member restrains the movement of the moveable member, at the point at which the moveable member contacts the registration member, to position the medium at the set position on the support surface.