Abstract: A system includes a housing, a cartridge retainer disposed within the housing, a detection assembly disposed within the housing, and a reagent tray holder movably disposed in the housing. The cartridge retainer configured to receive a capillary cartridge having a capillary. The detection assembly includes at least one emitter, a first detector, and a second detector. The detection assembly is configured to transition between a first configuration, in which the first detector detects a first output of the at least one emitter, and a second configuration, in which the second detector detects a second output of the at least one emitter. The reagent tray holder is configured to move relative to the cartridge retainer to place the capillary of the capillary cartridge in fluid communication with a reagent volume.

Abstract: Embodiments include systems, apparatuses, and methods to efficiently separate analytes in a sample and elute fractions of the separated analytes. In some embodiments, a method includes introducing a sample in a capillary with a first end ionically coupled to a first running buffer and a second end ionically coupled to a second running buffer to form a pH gradient. The method includes applying a voltage between the first running buffer and the second running buffer, to separate a plurality of analytes in the sample. The method includes disposing the second end of the capillary in a collection well including a chemical mobilizer and applying a voltage to elute one or more analytes from the plurality of analytes in the sample, that have been separated, into the collection well. Embodiments include detection methods to monitor separation of analytes, mobilization of analytes, and/or elution of fractions containing analytes.

Abstract: Embodiments include systems, apparatuses, and methods to efficiently separate analytes in a sample and elute fractions of the separated analytes. In some embodiments, a method includes introducing a sample in a capillary with a first end ionically coupled to a first running buffer and a second end ionically coupled to a second running buffer to form a pH gradient. The method includes applying a voltage between the first running buffer and the second running buffer, to separate a plurality of analytes in the sample. The method includes disposing the second end of the capillary in a collection well including a chemical mobilizer and applying a voltage to elute one or more analytes from the plurality of analytes in the sample, that have been separated, into the collection well. Embodiments include detection methods to monitor separation of analytes, mobilization of analytes, and/or elution of fractions containing analytes.

Abstract: A system includes a housing, a cartridge retainer disposed within the housing, a detection assembly disposed within the housing, and a reagent tray holder movably disposed in the housing. The cartridge retainer configured to receive a capillary cartridge having a capillary. The detection assembly includes at least one emitter, a first detector, and a second detector. The detection assembly is configured to transition between a first configuration, in which the first detector detects a first output of the at least one emitter, and a second configuration, in which the second detector detects a second output of the at least one emitter. The reagent tray holder is configured to move relative to the cartridge retainer to place the capillary of the capillary cartridge in fluid communication with a reagent volume.

Abstract: A system includes a housing, a cartridge retainer disposed within the housing, a detection assembly disposed within the housing, and a reagent tray holder movably disposed in the housing. The cartridge retainer configured to receive a capillary cartridge having a capillary. The detection assembly includes at least one emitter, a first detector, and a second detector. The detection assembly is configured to transition between a first configuration, in which the first detector detects a first output of the at least one emitter, and a second configuration, in which the second detector detects a second output of the at least one emitter. The reagent tray holder is configured to move relative to the cartridge retainer to place the capillary of the capillary cartridge in fluid communication with a reagent volume.

Abstract: A system includes a housing, a cartridge retainer disposed within the housing, a detection assembly disposed within the housing, and a reagent tray holder movably disposed in the housing. The cartridge retainer configured to receive a capillary cartridge having a capillary. The detection assembly includes at least one emitter, a first detector, and a second detector. The detection assembly is configured to transition between a first configuration, in which the first detector detects a first output of the at least one emitter, and a second configuration, in which the second detector detects a second output of the at least one emitter. The reagent tray holder is configured to move relative to the cartridge retainer to place the capillary of the capillary cartridge in fluid communication with a reagent volume.

Abstract: An automated assay system is described with stations for placement of materials to be used in an assay of materials inside capillaries and an automated gripper for manipulating capillaries. The system includes a separation and immobilization station where reactions inside the capillaries take place and a detector station where photoemissions from the capillary reactions are detected. The photoemissions from the capillaries may be displayed as line graphs or in columns of a pseudo-gel image resembling the familiar Western gel blot. An automated control system has a user interface by which an operator can select a run protocol and define the locations of samples and reagents to be used in the protocol run: Following the setup the control system will cause the automated system to execute the protocol, then display the results in a selected display format.

Abstract: An automated assay system is described with stations for placement of materials to be used in an assay of materials inside capillaries and an automated gripper for manipulating capillaries. The system includes a separation and immobilization station where reactions inside the capillaries take place and a detector station where photoemissions from the capillary reactions are detected. The photoemissions from the capillaries may be displayed as line graphs or in columns of a pseudo-gel image resembling the familiar Western gel blot. An automated control system has a user interface by which an operator can select a run protocol and define the locations of samples and reagents to be used in the protocol run. Following the setup the control system will cause the automated system to execute the protocol, then display the results in a selected display format.

Abstract: An automated assay system is described with stations for placement of materials to be used in an assay of materials inside capillaries and an automated gripper for manipulating capillaries. The system includes a separation and immobilization station where reactions inside the capillaries take place and a detector station where photoemissions from the capillary reactions are detected. The photoemissions from the capillaries may be displayed as line graphs or in columns of a pseudo-gel image resembling the familiar Western gel blot. An automated control system has a user interface by which an operator can select a run protocol and define the locations of samples and reagents to be used in the protocol run. Following the setup the control system will cause the automated system to execute the protocol, then display the results in a selected display format.

Abstract: An automated assay system is described with stations for placement of materials to be used in an assay of materials inside capillaries and an automated gripper for manipulating capillaries. The system includes a separation/detection station where reactions inside the capillaries take place and photoemissions from the capillary reactions are detected. The photoemissions from the capillaries may be displayed as line graphs or in columns of a pseudo-gel image resembling the familiar Western gel blot. An automated control system has a user interface by which an operator can select a run protocol and define the locations of samples and reagents to be used in the protocol run. Following the setup the control system will cause the automated system to execute the protocol, then display the results in a selected display format.

Abstract: A polymeric injection-molded container is described which holds capillaries for a biological material assay system in a vertical position. The container includes a two-piece base which is press-fit together. Ninety-six funnel-shaped holes in the top of the base receive the capillaries and support them circumferentially. Ninety-six apertures in the bottom of the base are tapered to guide the bottom ends of the capillaries to positions aligned with the holes in the top of the base. The inserted capillaries extend above the top surface of the base and are covered by a removable cover. The capillaries can be processed and placed in the container by the capillary manufacturer, shipped to a user in the container, and the container can be placed on the capillary holder station of an automated assay system and used by the automated system directly from the container.

Abstract: A polymeric injection-molded container is described which holds capillaries for a biological material assay system in a vertical position. The container includes a two-piece base which is press-fit together. Ninety-six funnel-shaped holes in the top of the base receive the capillaries and support them circumferentially. Ninety-six apertures in the bottom of the base are tapered to guide the bottom ends of the capillaries to positions aligned with the holes in the top of the base. The inserted capillaries extend above the top surface of the base and are covered by a removable cover. The capillaries can be processed and placed in the container by the capillary manufacturer, shipped to a user in the container, and the container can be placed on the capillary holder station of an automated assay system and used by the automated system directly from the container.

Abstract: A substrate with a plurality of microchannels is movably deployed with other movable objects that will load sample into the microchannels, stimulate molecular migration, read the results of the migration, remove and replace the substrate, and prepare for a new run. The other objects include a gripper for engaging and moving the substrate, an electrode array of fine wires suitable for fitting into the microchannels for electromigration, and a scanning detector for reading migration results. A sequence of automatic operations is established so that one substrate after another may be moved into position, loaded with sample, stimulated for molecular migration, read with a beam, and then removed and replaced with a fresh substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling and cleaning channels and inlet ports of a microchip substrate is disclosed. A device of the apparatus comprising an array of tubes is inserted into each of the inlet ports of the microchip. The array of tubes of the device comprises a plurality of pressure tubes, surrounded by a plurality of vacuum tubes. In conjunction with this, pressurized solutions such as matrix or wash are introduced into common openings on the microchip that provide a passage to microchannels of the microchip with the use of pressure tip injectors of the apparatus. As matrix or wash solutions are pumped through the common openings and microchannels of the microchip substrate, wash solutions are pumped through the plurality of pressure tubes and everything is vacuumed through the plurality of vacuum tubes surrounding the plurality of pressure tubes. Various reservoirs of solutions are selected and allowed to flow by proper valve actuation.

Abstract: A substrate with a plurality of microchannels is movably deployed with other movable objects that will load sample into the microchannels, stimulate molecular migration, read the results of the migration, remove and replace the substrate, and prepare for a new run. The other objects include a gripper for engaging and moving the substrate, an electrode array of fine wires suitable for fitting into the microchannels for electromigration, and a scanning detector for reading migration results. A sequence of automatic operations is established so that one substrate after another may be moved into position, loaded with sample, stimulated for molecular migration, read with a beam, and then removed and replaced with a fresh substrate.

Abstract: A substrate with a plurality of microchannels is movably deployed with other movable objects that will load sample into the microchannels, stimulate molecular migration, read the results of the migration, remove and replace the substrate, and prepare for a new run. The other objects include a gripper for engaging and moving the substrate, an electrode array of fine wires suitable for fitting into the microchannels for electromigration, and a scanning detector for reading migration results. A sequence of automatic operations is established so that one substrate after another may be moved into position, loaded with sample, stimulated for molecular migration, read with a beam, and then removed and replaced with a fresh substrate.

Abstract: An integrated clinical laboratory software system for testing a specimen. At least one specimen processing module is advantageously provided, each for performing particular predetermined tests on the specimen. Integrated work flow automation programming communicates with any of the plurality of specimen processing modules. The specimen processing modules can include instrument hardware and embedded process control software. The work flow automation programming includes request processing programming for processing a user request for any of the tests which are available to be performed by the specimen processing modules, and also includes functional control programming which provides functional control of any of the plurality of specimen processing modules for performing any of the tests, and which further includes result data management programming provides processing of test result data of any of the tests.

Abstract: A capillary valve, connector and router where one or more cylindrical fibers, which may be capillaries, plugged capillaries, optical fibers, or the like, including at least one capillary tube are contained in a first bundle of fibers that terminates at a first face. A second cylindrical bundle of fibers also containing one or more fibers including at least one capillary tube terminates in a second face abutting the first face. A fastener or adapter holds the members together with faces in mutually biased alignment. Connection of a plurality of macroscale pumps enables push-pull fluid motion, with routing, in a capillary system formed by a plurality of fibers coupled by switches, connectors and routers. Chemical reactions, separations and analysis may be carried out with microliter volumes or smaller.

Abstract: A method and device for preparing nanoscale reactions. An automated system utilizes an array of reaction chambers. The ends of the chambers are temporarily sealed with deformable membranes and reactions effected by incubation of temperature cycling. Reaction mixtures may be assembled by using the reaction containers to meter reaction components. After the reaction is finished, the reaction containers may be dispensed onto a substrate and the reaction products analyzed. An automated transfer device may be used for automated transport of the reaction container array or other transportable elements.

Abstract: A method and device for preparing nanoscale reactions. An automated system utilizes an array of reaction chambers. The ends of the chambers are temporarily sealed with deformable membranes and reactions effected by incubation or temperature cycling. Reaction mixtures may be assembled by using the reaction containers to meter reaction components. After the reaction is finished, the reaction containers may be dispensed onto a substrate and the reaction products analyzed. An automated transfer device may be used for automated transport of the reaction container array or other transportable elements.