Abstract: Provided herein is a sample processing apparatus including a sample-containing vessel and a thermal cycling apparatus, wherein the vessel has at least 3 fluidically isolated segments that are each thermally conductive, compressible, and expandable. The thermal cycling unit is capable of amplifying extracted nucleic acid and has at least a first processing station and a second processing station, each processing station defining a temperature zone, wherein thermal cycling is performed by alternatively transferring the contents of the sample vessel between the at least two processing stations.

Abstract: A sample testing vessel may include a flexible plastic tube and a self-sealing injection channel. The flexible plastic tube may have a seal defining a first compartment and a second compartment, wherein the seal comprises a pressure gate providing a fluid-tight seal between first and second compartments and opening upon application of a threshold pressure. The injection channel may be normally substantially free of fluid and capable of fluid communication with the tubule.

Abstract: A sample processing device may include an opening, a sample pretreatment unit, a thermal cycling reaction unit, and a detection unit.

Abstract: A sample processing device may include an opening, a sample pretreatment unit, a thermal cycling reaction unit, and a detection unit.

Abstract: A sample processing device may include an opening, a sample pretreatment unit, a thermal cycling reaction unit, and a detection unit.

Abstract: A thermal cycling method may include adding a sample to a sample vessel, placing the sample vessel into a thermal cycler having a processing unit with three processing stations, compressing the sample vessel with the first compression member, transferring energy to the sample with the second energy transfer element, transferring energy to the sample with the third energy transfer element, compressing the sample vessel with the third compression member, and transferring energy to the sample with the first energy transfer element.

Abstract: A sample testing vessel may include a flexible plastic tube and a self-sealing injection channel. The flexible plastic tube may have a seal defining a first compartment and a second compartment, wherein the seal comprises a pressure gate providing a fluid-tight seal between first and second compartments and opening upon application of a threshold pressure. The injection channel may be normally substantially free of fluid and capable of fluid communication with the tubule.

Abstract: A sample testing system may include a vessel comprising at least two flexible compartments and a self-sealing injection channel. The injection channel may be capable of (a) being in fluid communication with at least one of the flexible compartments, and (b) being pierced by a needle in fluid communication with a reagent reservoir. The system may further include a housing, a cavity in the housing, so sized and shaped to receive the vessel, at least one contact member, and a sensor to sense a condition of a fluid sample in the vessel and to generate an output signal indicative of that condition. The contact member may be so positioned as to be engageable with one of the flexible compartments when the vessel is in the cavity and as to compress the engaged flexible compartment, thereby driving fluid flow from the engaged flexible compartment to the other of the at least two compartments of the vessel.

Abstract: A device for processing a biological sample includes a processing unit having at least one opening to receive a sample vessel and a plurality of processing stations positioned along the opening. The processing stations each have a compression member adapted to compress the sample vessel within the opening and thereby move a substance within the sample vessel among the processing stations. An energy transfer element can be coupled to one or more of the processing stations for transferring thermal energy to the content at a processing station.

Abstract: A sample testing system may include a vessel comprising at least two flexible compartments and a self-sealing injection channel. The injection channel may be capable of (a) being in fluid communication with at least one of the flexible compartments, and (b) being pierced by a needle in fluid communication with a reagent reservoir. The system may further include a housing, a cavity in the housing, so sized and shaped to receive the vessel, at least one contact member, and a sensor to sense a condition of a fluid sample in the vessel and to generate an output signal indicative of that condition. The contact member may be so positioned as to be engageable with one of the flexible compartments when the vessel is in the cavity and as to compress the engaged flexible compartment, thereby driving fluid flow from the engaged flexible compartment to the other of the at least two compartments of the vessel.

Abstract: A sample testing system may include a housing, a cavity in the housing to receive a chamber, two contact members, and a sensor. The contact members may be positioned to be engageable with respective portions of the chamber inserted in the cavity, and to compress those respective portions, thereby driving fluid flow. A sample testing system may include a housing, a cavity in the housing to receive a chamber, at least one contact member, and a sensor. The at least one contact member may be positioned to be engageable with a first segment of the chamber when the chamber is in the cavity, and to compress the first segment, thereby defining a gap of the first segment of the chamber and a reservoir in at least a second segment of the chamber.

Abstract: A sample vessel for holding a sample may include a sample containing portion having at least one pressure gate disposed within the sample containing portion to divide the sample containing portion into a plurality of segments. At least one segment of the sample containing portion may have a wall constructed of a flexible material permitting substantial flattening of the segment of the sample containing portion.

Abstract: A device for processing a biological sample includes a processing unit having at least one opening to receive a sample vessel and a plurality of processing stations positioned along the opening. The processing stations each have a compression member adapted to compress the sample vessel within the opening and thereby move a substance within the sample vessel among the processing stations. An energy transfer element can be coupled to one or more of the processing stations for transferring thermal energy to the content at a processing station.

Abstract: A mouthpad for cleaning teeth and oral transmucosal drug delivery has a U-shaped plate sized to cover substantially only the biting surfaces of upper and lower teeth of a human jaw. The plate is positioned between the upper teeth and lower teeth such that when the teeth are rinsed with a liquid, the liquid flows primarily through the crevices between individual teeth and physically detaches the adhering residue within. Alternatively, using fluids containing drugs for rinsing while biting on the plate can deliver drugs through the oral mucosa. A method of cleaning teeth and delivering drugs through oral mucosa using a plate positioned between the upper and lower teeth is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for processing a biological sample includes a processing unit having at least one opening to receive a sample vessel and a plurality of processing stations positioned along the opening. The processing stations each have a compression member adapted to compress the sample vessel within the opening and thereby move a substance within the sample vessel among the processing stations. An energy transfer element can be coupled to one or more of the processing stations for transferring thermal energy to the content at a processing station.

Abstract: A sample testing system may include a housing, a cavity in the housing to receive a chamber, two contact members, and a sensor. The contact members may be positioned to be engageable with respective portions of the chamber inserted in the cavity, and to compress those respective portions, thereby driving fluid flow. A sample testing system may include a housing, a cavity in the housing to receive a chamber, at least one contact member, and a sensor. The at least one contact member may be positioned to be engageable with a first segment of the chamber when the chamber is in the cavity, and to compress the first segment, thereby defining a gap of the first segment of the chamber and a reservoir in at least a second segment of the chamber.

Abstract: A device for processing a biological sample includes a processing unit having at least one opening to receive a sample vessel and a plurality of processing stations positioned along the opening. The processing stations each have a compression member adapted to compress the sample vessel within the opening and thereby move the sample within the sample vessel among the processing stations. An energy transfer element can be coupled to one or more of the processing stations for transferring thermal energy to the sample at a processing station. The device can be used for PCR processing of nucleic acid samples. A sample vessel of the present invention can be a tubule flow-chamber having a plurality of segments separated by pressure gates. The sample vessel minimizes sample handling by providing a closed tubule in which distinct processing steps can be carried out in each of the segments of the tubule.

Abstract: A sample testing system has a chamber sealing apparatus adapted to receive a chamber containing a fluid sample material and to seal portions of a chamber into segments. A reagent injector cartridge actuator is adapted to receive a reagent injector cartridge having at least one needle in fluid communication with a reagent reservoir, and to move a reagent injector cartridge to inject a quantity of reagent into a segment of a chamber. In certain preferred embodiments, a flow control device induces a flow of sample in a segment. A sensor generates a signal corresponding to a condition of the mixture.

Abstract: A sample testing system has a chamber sealing apparatus adapted to receive a chamber containing a fluid sample material and to seal portions of a chamber into segments. A reagent injector cartridge actuator is adapted to receive a reagent injector cartridge having at least one needle in fluid communication with a reagent reservoir, and to move a reagent injector cartridge to inject a quantity of reagent into a segment of a chamber. In certain preferred embodiments, a flow control device induces a flow of sample in a segment. A sensor generates a signal corresponding to a condition of the mixture.

Abstract: A sample testing system has a chamber sealing, apparatus adapted to receive a chamber containing a fluid sample material and to seal portions of a chamber into segments. A reagent injector cartridge actuator is adapted to receive a reagent injector cartridge having at least one needle in fluid communication with a reagent reservoir, and to move a reagent injector cartridge to inject a quantity of reagent into a segment of a chamber. In certain preferred embodiments, a flow control device induces a flow of sample in a segment. A sensor generates a signal corresponding to a condition of the mixture.