Abstract: There is provided an automated biological-sample-processing system comprising a pipette, a column of solid-phase material to which nucleic acid binds, a transport apparatus, an air-piston apparatus and an adaptor for coupling the pipette to the transport apparatus and to the air-piston apparatus, in which the adaptor is removably engageable with the transport apparatus and the air-piston apparatus for movement with the transport apparatus during processing of the sample, is couplable to the pipette so that the transport apparatus is controllable to position the pipette and so that the air-piston apparatus is controllable to draw a liquid into the pipette and to expel the liquid from the pipette, and is engageable with the column, in which the adaptor comprises a filter for preventing liquid or aerosol transfer between the pipette or column and the air-piston apparatus.

Abstract: There is provided an automated biological-sample-processing system comprising a pipette, a column of solid-phase material to which nucleic acid binds, a transport apparatus, an air-piston apparatus and an adaptor for coupling the pipette to the transport apparatus and to the air-piston apparatus, in which the adaptor is removably engageable with the transport apparatus and the air-piston apparatus for movement with the transport apparatus during processing of the sample, is couplable to the pipette so that the transport apparatus is controllable to position the pipette and so that the air-piston apparatus is controllable to draw a liquid into the pipette and to expel the liquid from the pipette, and is engageable with the column, in which the adaptor comprises a filter for preventing liquid or aerosol transfer between the pipette or column and the air-piston apparatus.

Abstract: A diagnostic test device comprises means for sampling a liquid biological sample and means for reacting the sample with at least one reagent to provide one or more visible indicia. The device also comprises an optical detector for detecting the presence of the one or more indicia. The device also comprises means for causing at least part of the optical detector to move over the one or more indicia.

Abstract: A diagnostic test device comprising means for sampling a liquid biological sample, means for reacting the sample with at least one reagent to provide one or more visible indicia and an optical detector for detecting the presence of said one or more indicia, the device further comprising a releasable tether which is released by contact with the liquid sample, thereby to cause the optical detector to detect the said one or more indicia.

Abstract: A diagnostic test device comprises means for sampling a liquid biological sample. Means is provided for reacting the sample with a reagent to provide one or more visible indicia. A photodetector for scans a detection region to produce a pulsed output indicative of the presence of the one or more indicia. The photodetector is connected to a signal processing circuit for processing the pulsed output. The signal processing circuit produces an output change in response to light intensity variation which is substantially independent of baseline current.

Abstract: A diagnostic test device comprises means for sampling a liquid biological sample and means for reacting the sample with at least one reagent to provide one or more visible indicia. The device also comprises an optical detector for detecting the presence of the one or more indicia. The device also comprises means for causing at least part of the optical detector to move over the one or more indicia.

Abstract: A diagnostic test device comprising means for sampling a liquid biological sample, means for reacting the sample with at least one reagent to provide one or more visible indicia and an optical detector for detecting the presence of said one or more indicia, the device further comprising a releasable tether which is released by contact with the liquid sample, thereby to cause the optical detector to detect the said one or more indicia.

Abstract: A diagnostic test device comprises means for sampling a liquid biological sample. Means is provided for reacting the sample with a reagent to provide one or more visible indicia. A photodetector for scans a detection region to produce a pulsed output indicative of the presence of the one or more indicia. The photodetector is connected to a signal processing circuit for processing the pulsed output. The signal processing circuit produces an output change in response to light intensity variation which is substantially independent of baseline current.