Abstract: A system, an instrument, a computer-implemented method, and a clinical workflow for mesodissection of biological specimens on tissue slides by incorporating annotations. An image of an annotated reference slide is acquired and transposed onto a plurality of serial samples on the tissue slides along with the corresponding annotations and metadata. The serial samples are milled based on the annotations, and the milled tissue is automatically collected along with a milling buffer solution inside milling tips, and then dispensed in designated collection vials. The instrument automates the filling of aqueous buffer inside the milling tips and the monitoring of the buffer solution and the sequential filling of the milling tips. The workflow provides an integrated interface that performs tissue annotation, alignment, dissection, tracking, and reporting on a single screen. The degree of precision, ease of use and repeatability will improve PCR and NGS test results, ultimately providing timely patient results.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and associated methods for selectively extracting a material from a sample are provided. In one aspect, for example, a method for selectively extracting biological material from a biological sample can include identifying a region of biological material to be extracted from a biological sample, applying an extraction tool to the region of biological material to disrupt biological material from the biological sample, and dispensing a liquid at the region of biological material. The method can also include aspirating the liquid and the disrupted biological material from the biological sample.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and associated methods for selectively extracting a material from a sample are provided. In one aspect, for example, a method for selectively extracting biological material from a biological sample can include identifying a region of biological material to be extracted from a biological sample, applying an extraction tool to the region of biological material to disrupt biological material from the biological sample, and dispensing a liquid at the region of biological material. The method can also include aspirating the liquid and the disrupted biological material from the biological sample.

Abstract: A system, an instrument, a computer-implemented method, and a clinical workflow for mesodissection of biological specimens on tissue slides by incorporating annotations. An image of an annotated reference slide is acquired and transposed onto a plurality of serial samples on the tissue slides along with the corresponding annotations and metadata. The serial samples are milled based on the annotations, and the milled tissue is automatically collected along with a milling buffer solution inside milling tips, and then dispensed in designated collection vials. The instrument automates the filling of aqueous buffer inside the milling tips and the monitoring of the buffer solution and the sequential filling of the milling tips. The workflow provides an integrated interface that performs tissue annotation, alignment, dissection, tracking, and reporting on a single screen. The degree of precision, ease of use and repeatability will improve PCR and NGS test results, ultimately providing timely patient results.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and associated methods for selectively extracting a material from a sample are provided. In one aspect, for example, a method for selectively extracting biological material from a biological sample can include identifying a region of biological material to be extracted from a biological sample disposed on a substantially planar surface, applying an extraction tool to the region of biological material to disrupt biological material from the biological sample, and dispensing a liquid at the region of biological material. The method can also include aspirating the liquid and the disrupted biological material from the biological sample.

Abstract: A system, an instrument, a computer-implemented method, and a clinical workflow for mesodissection of biological specimens on tissue slides by incorporating annotations. An image of an annotated reference slide is acquired and transposed onto a plurality of serial samples on the tissue slides along with the corresponding annotations and metadata. The serial samples are milled based on the annotations, and the milled tissue is automatically collected along with a milling buffer solution inside milling tips, and then dispensed in designated collection vials. The instrument automates the filling of aqueous buffer inside the milling tips and the monitoring of the buffer solution and the sequential filling of the milling tips. The workflow provides an integrated interface that performs tissue annotation, alignment, dissection, tracking, and reporting on a single screen. The degree of precision, ease of use and repeatability will improve PCR and NGS test results, ultimately providing timely patient results.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for automating laboratory protocols utilizing cooperative efforts between differing components including fluidics, agitation and thermal control for processing a wide variety of disparate laboratory protocols are provided. In one aspect, a sample processing module is provided, including a housing configured to accommodate a pre-identified sample process, a temperature input capable of interfacing with a temperature controller, a fluid input capable of interfacing with an input fluid controller, a fluid output capable of interfacing with an output fluid controller, and a standardized agitation connector capable of interfacing with an agitator. A control system interfaces with the temperature input, fluid input, fluid output, and agitation connector to enable the system to perform laboratory protocols that require complex, sequential fluidic steps in association with the temperature and agitation control.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing device for a container, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed. The liquid dispensing device can include a penetrating tip configured to penetrate a container, which is configured to have a liquid disposed therein. Relative movement of the penetrating tip and the container toward one another can be operable to create an opening in a portion of the container, and the liquid can dispense from the container through the opening.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing device for a container, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed. The liquid dispensing device can include a penetrating tip configured to penetrate a container, which is configured to have a liquid disposed therein. Relative movement of the penetrating tip and the container toward one another can be operable to create an opening in a portion of the container, and the liquid can dispense from the container through the opening.

Abstract: A system, an instrument, a computer-implemented method, and a clinical workflow for mesodissection of biological specimens on tissue slides by incorporating annotations. An image of an annotated reference slide is acquired and transposed onto a plurality of serial samples on the tissue slides along with the corresponding annotations and metadata. The serial samples are milled based on the annotations, and the milled tissue is automatically collected along with a milling buffer solution inside milling tips, and then dispensed in designated collection vials. The instrument automates the filling of aqueous buffer inside the milling tips and the monitoring of the buffer solution and the sequential filling of the milling tips. The workflow provides an integrated interface that performs tissue annotation, alignment, dissection, tracking, and reporting on a single screen. The degree of precision, ease of use and repeatability will improve PCR and NGS test results, ultimately providing timely patient results.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing device for a container, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed. The liquid dispensing device can include a penetrating tip configured to penetrate a container, which is configured to have a liquid disposed therein. Relative movement of the penetrating tip and the container toward one another can be operable to create an opening in a portion of the container, and the liquid can dispense from the container through the opening.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and associated methods for selectively extracting a material from a sample are provided. In one aspect, for example, a method for selectively extracting biological material from a biological sample can include identifying a region of biological material to be extracted from a biological sample disposed on a substantially planar surface, applying an extraction tool to the region of biological material to disrupt biological material from the biological sample, and dispensing a liquid at the region of biological material. The method can also include aspirating the liquid and the disrupted biological material from the biological sample.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for automating laboratory protocols utilizing cooperative efforts between differing components including fluidics, agitation and thermal control for processing a wide variety of disparate laboratory protocols are provided. In one aspect, a sample processing module is provided, including a housing configured to accommodate a pre-identified sample process, a temperature input capable of interfacing with a temperature controller, a fluid input capable of interfacing with an input fluid controller, a fluid output capable of interfacing with an output fluid controller, and a standardized agitation connector capable of interfacing with an agitator. A control system interfaces with the temperature input, fluid input, fluid output, and agitation connector to enable the system to perform laboratory protocols that require complex, sequential fluidic steps in association with the temperature and agitation control.

Abstract: A slide-loader system for preparing a microarray slide having a hybridized reaction area for washing, and which includes an immersion tray which contains a volume of wash buffer fluid, and a stripping jig that holds the microarray slide during removal of a reaction chamber housing that is mounted about the hybridized reaction area.

Abstract: A device for forming a low volume reaction chamber on a substrate such as a microarray slide and its method of use is disclosed. The reaction chamber forming device has an adhesive laminate design that permits it to be manufactured as a disposable device. A preferred embodiment of the device includes pneumatically actuatable mixing bladders, which can be inflated or deflated to produce deflection of a wall of the reaction chamber in and out with respect to the reaction chamber to generate movement and mixing of fluid within the reaction chamber.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for controlling fluid flow through flow paths with pressure gradient fluid control. Passive fluid flow barriers may be used to act as valves, thereby allowing the flow of fluids through flow paths to be regulated so as to allow fluids to be introduced via a single channel and subsequently split into multiple channels. Flow through the flow paths can be regulated to allow a series of sister wells or chambers to all fill prior to the fluid flowing beyond any one of the sister wells or chambers. Each flow path may have multiple segments, at least one of which is designed to balance the pressure drops of the flow paths to provide uniform flow of fluids through the flow paths. The configurations of the wells may also be modified by adding vents or flow dividers to enhance fluid flushing and gas removal capability.

Abstract: A device for forming a low volume reaction chamber on a substrate such as a microarray slide and its method of use is disclosed. The reaction chamber forming device has an adhesive laminate design that permits it to be manufactured as a disposable device. A preferred embodiment of the device includes pneumatically actuatable mixing bladders, which can be inflated or deflated to produce deflection of a wall of the reaction chamber in and out with respect to the reaction chamber to generate movement and mixing of fluid within the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A novel method for producing novel and/or improved heterofunctional binding fusion proteins termed Totally Synthetic Affinity Reagents (TSARs) is disclosed. TSARs are concatenated heterofunctional proteins, polypeptides or peptides comprising at least two functional regions: a binding domain with affinity for a ligand and a second effector peptide portion that is chemically or biologically active. In one embodiment, the heterofunctional proteins, polypeptides or peptides further comprise a linker peptide portion between the binding domain and the second active peptide portion. The linker peptide can be either susceptible or not susceptible to cleavage by enzymatic or chemical means. Novel and/or improved heterofunctional binding reagents as well as methods for using the reagents for a variety of in vitro and in vivo applications are also disclosed.

Abstract: A novel method for producing novel and/or improved heterofunctional binding fusion proteins termed Totally Synthetic Affinity Reagents (TSARs) is disclosed. TSARs are concatenated heterofunctional proteins, polypeptides or peptides comprising at least two functional regions: a binding domain with affinity for a ligand and a second effector peptide portion that is chemically or biologically active. In one embodiment, the heterofunctional proteins, polypeptides or peptides further comprise a linker peptide portion between the binding domain and the second active peptide portion. The linker peptide can be either susceptible or not susceptible to cleavage by enzymatic or chemical means. Novel and/or improved heterofunctional binding reagents as well as methods for using the reagents for a variety of in vitro and in vivo applications are also disclosed.

Abstract: A novel method for producing novel and/or improved heterofunctional binding fusion proteins termed Totally Synthetic Affinity Reagents (TSARs) is disclosed. TSARs are concatenated heterofunctional proteins, polypeptides or peptides comprising at least two functional regions: a binding domain with affinity for a ligand and a second effector peptide portion that is chemically or biologically active. In one embodiment, the heterofunctional proteins, polypeptides or peptides further comprise a linker peptide portion between the binding domain and the second active peptide portion. The linker peptide can be either susceptible or not susceptible to cleavage by enzymatic or chemical means. Novel and/or improved heterofunctional binding reagents as well as methods for using the reagents for a variety of in vitro and in vivo applications are also disclosed.