Abstract: A microplate (10) includes a carrier (12) having a plate (20) and an annular perimeter wall (30) to define a recess (34). An array of holes (26) extends through the plate (20). A tape piece (16), die cut from a flexible tape (60) includes an array of wells (54) each extending through and having an opening (56) extending into the well (54). The array of wells (54) has a number and locations corresponding to the array of holes (26). The openings (56) have sizes corresponding to the holes (26). An upper surface (50) of the tape piece (16) is abutted with and bonded to the bottom face (24) of the plate (20) with the openings (56) corresponding to the array of holes (26). The slideable receipt of an annular outer periphery (58) of the tape piece (16) insures that the array of wells (54) are aligned to correspond to the array of holes (26) as die cutting of tape piece (16) insures that the array of wells (54) are at consistent positions relative to the annular outer periphery (58).

Abstract: An instrument for processing a biological sample includes a chassis. Connected to the chassis is a tape path along which a tape with a matrix of wells can be automatically advanced through the instrument, a dispensing assembly for dispensing the biological sample and a reagent into the matrix of wells of the tape to form a biological sample and reagent mixture, a sealing assembly for sealing the biological sample and reagent mixture in the tape, and an amplification and detection assembly for detecting a signal from the biological sample and reagent mixture in the matrix of wells in the tape.

Abstract: A pipettor includes a wash chamber between an upper plate, a lower plate, an upper seal, and a lower seal. The upper and lower seal retain each other and are located between the upper and lower plates. The pipettor includes a gasket located below the lower plate, a pipette tip retained by the gasket, and a piston with a tapered tip that passes through the plates, seals, and gasket into the pipette tip. The upper and lower seal isolate the piston from the wash chamber. The pipettor includes a channel defined by the piston, extending into the pipette tip, and an actuator that advances and retracts the piston. When the actuator retracts the piston such that the piston loses sealing contact with the lower seal and the wash chamber is supplied with wash fluid and pressurized, wash fluid passes through the groove in the upper seal and into the channel.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a filter kit including filters for processing a biological sample. Some embodiments include a filter cap in a tube kit with a first tube containing a buffer solution and a second tube containing a lyophilized master mix. Some embodiments include a method of processing a sample using the kit including mixing a biological sample in a first tube with the buffer solution, positioning the filter cap in the first tube, positioning a second tube on the filter cap, flipping the first tube, the filter cap, and the second cap to filter the biological sample and buffer solution mixture with the filter cap as it flows from the first tube to the second tube. Some embodiments include structure enabling transfer of materials through inline flow between the tubes. Some further embodiments include integrated structure for sample pulverization with integrated buffer and lyophilized master mix.

Abstract: A method for processing a biological material sample includes dispensing a sample into wells of an array tape from a sample plate, dispensing a reagent into the wells of the array tape from a reagent plate, and sealing the sample and the reagent in the array tape. The method further includes cooling the array tape and detecting biological material in the wells of the array tape.

Abstract: An instrument for processing a biological sample includes a chassis. Connected to the chassis is a tape path along which a tape with a matrix of wells can be automatically advanced through the instrument, a dispensing assembly for dispensing the biological sample and a reagent into the matrix of wells of the tape to form a biological sample and reagent mixture, a sealing assembly for sealing the biological sample and reagent mixture in the tape, and an amplification and detection assembly for detecting a signal from the biological sample and reagent mixture in the matrix of wells in the tape.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a scanning module with an optical reader coupled to a moveable carriage configured to move the optical reader in a first direction. In some embodiments, the optical reader includes excitation sources, emission detectors, emission energy conditioning elements, and a tape drive configured and arranged to selectively advance a tape in a second direction which is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. Further, some embodiments include a bar code reading station positioned adjacent to the moveable carriage. Other embodiments include an objective lens.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a filter kit including filters for processing a biological sample. Some embodiments include a filter cap in a tube kit with a first tube containing a buffer solution and a second tube containing a lyophilized master mix. Some embodiments include a method of processing a sample using the kit including mixing a biological sample in a first tube with the buffer solution, positioning the filter cap in the first tube, positioning a second tube on the filter cap, flipping the first tube, the filter cap, and the second cap to filter the biological sample and buffer solution mixture with the filter cap as it flows from the first tube to the second tube. Some embodiments include structure enabling transfer of materials through inline flow between the tubes. Some further embodiments include integrated structure for sample pulverization with integrated buffer and lyophilized master mix.

Abstract: A method of washing an array of pipette tips (94) with residual biological material includes lowering the array of pipette tips (94) into a wash basin (20) that includes an array of flush ports (22). A vacuum is generated such that the residual biological material in the array of pipette tips (94) is evacuated through the array of flush ports (22). A wash cycle is performed that includes raising the array of pipette tips (94) from the wash basin (20), filling the wash basin (20) with a primary wash fluid, lowering the array of pipette tips (94) into the wash basin (20), miming a pipette tip cleansing cycle, and generating a vacuum such that the primary wash fluid in the array of pipette tips (94) and the wash basin (20) is evacuated through the array of flush ports (22).

Abstract: A microplate (10) includes a carrier (12) having a plate (20) and an annular perimeter wall (30) to define a recess (34). An array of holes (26) extends through the plate (20). A tape piece (16), die cut from a flexible tape (60) includes an array of wells (54) each extending through and having an opening (56) extending into the well (54). The array of wells (54) has a number and locations corresponding to the array of holes (26). The openings (56) have sizes corresponding to the holes (26). An upper surface (50) of the tape piece (16) is abutted with and bonded to the bottom face (24) of the plate (20) with the openings (56) corresponding to the array of holes (26). The slideable receipt of an annular outer periphery (58) of the tape piece (16) insures that the array of wells (54) are aligned to correspond to the array of holes (26) as die cutting of tape piece (16) insures that the array of wells (54) are at consistent positions relative to the annular outer periphery (58).

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a filter kit including filters for processing a biological sample. Some embodiments include a filter cap in a tube kit with a first tube containing a buffer solution and a second tube containing a lyophilized master mix. Some embodiments include a method of processing a sample using the kit including mixing a biological sample in a first tube with the buffer solution, positioning the filter cap in the first tube, positioning a second tube on the filter cap, flipping the first tube, the filter cap, and the second cap to filter the biological sample and buffer solution mixture with the filter cap as it flows from the first tube to the second tube. Some embodiments include structure enabling transfer of materials through inline flow between the tubes. Some further embodiments include integrated structure for sample pulverization with integrated buffer and lyophilized master mix.

Abstract: A seed grinder includes a housing that is configured to contain seeds and a buffer solution, a grinding mechanism that is positionable in the housing to grind the seeds in the housing, and a dispensing mechanism attached to the housing and configured to dispense the ground seeds and the buffer solution from the housing into a sample holder.

Abstract: A modular testing device includes a base unit and an expansion unit that communicates with the base unit. The expansion unit includes a housing, a receptacle in which a sample holder containing a biological sample and reagent mixture can be placed, and an optical assembly positioned in the housing. The optical assembly is configured to amplify and detect a signal from the biological sample and reagent mixture. Data that is collected in the optical assembly is communicated to the base unit.

Abstract: A scanning photometer and attendant methods are provided. The scanning photometer is generally characterized by first and second fluorophore excitation sources, an objective lens, and a common emission detector for the detection of first and second fluorophore emission originating from the excitation of the fluorophores via passage of excitation energy, via an optical path of the objective lens, from the excitation sources. Excitation energy and emission energy conditioning elements are likewise provided, operatively interposed before or after the objective lens as the case may be.

Abstract: An instrument for processing a biological sample includes a chassis. Connected to the chassis is a tape path along which a tape with a matrix of wells can be automatically advanced through the instrument, a dispensing assembly for dispensing the biological sample and a reagent into the matrix of wells of the tape to form a biological sample and reagent mixture, a sealing assembly for sealing the biological sample and reagent mixture in the tape, and an amplification and detection assembly for detecting a signal from the biological sample and reagent mixture in the matrix of wells in the tape.

Abstract: A tape adaptor (8) includes a bottom plate (20) and a top plate (60) mounted to the bottom plate (20) with a space (40) defined between an upper side wall (26) of the bottom plate (20) and a lower face (68) of the top plate (60) for receiving a tape segment (100) remaining on or cut from a continuous array tape (10). The tape segment (100) includes an array of wells (54) between two edges (52). A slit (46) is formed between an end (62) of the top plate (60) and an end (22) of the bottom plate (20). The tape segment (100) is slideably extended through the slit (46) into the space (40) with the edges (52) sliding on two ridges (38) on two longitudinal edges (36) of the bottom plate (20). The bottom plate (20) can include at least one groove (30) to receive the array of wells (54) of the tape segment (100). The tape segment (100) is positioned relative to the tape adaptor (8) by the ridges (38) or the groove (30).

Abstract: A tape adaptor (8) includes a bottom plate (20) and a top plate (60) mounted to the bottom plate (20) with a space (40) defined between an upper side wall (26) of the bottom plate (20) and a lower face (68) of the top plate (60) for receiving a tape segment (100) remaining on or cut from a continuous array tape (10). The tape segment (100) includes an array of wells (54) between two edges (52). A slit (46) is formed between an end (62) of the top plate (60) and an end (22) of the bottom plate (20). The tape segment (100) is slideably extended through the slit (46) into the space (40) with the edges (52) sliding on two ridges (38) on two longitudinal edges (36) of the bottom plate (20). The bottom plate (20) can include at least one groove (30) to receive the array of wells (54) of the tape segment (100). The tape segment (100) is positioned relative to the tape adaptor (8) by the ridges (38) or the groove (30).

Abstract: An apparatus for isolating nucleic acids includes an elongated body. The elongated body includes a silica surface positioned and configured to bind the nucleic acids when the elongated body is dipped into a biological material sample.

Abstract: A scanning photometer and attendant methods are provided. The scanning photometer is generally characterized by first and second fluorophore excitation sources, an objective lens, and a common emission detector for the detection of first and second fluorophore emission originating from the excitation of the fluorophores via passage of excitation energy, via an optical path of the objective lens, from the excitation sources. Excitation energy and emission energy conditioning elements are likewise provided, operatively interposed before or after the objective lens as the case may be.

Abstract: High throughput screening is performed by directing an array tape (60) provided with a plurality of wells arranged in rows and columns into a dispensing well plate device (25) having various row and column actuators (40, 50). With the wells containing samples to be tested, activating select ones of row and column actuators (40, 50) of the dispensing well plate device (25), as well causing relative shifting between the actuators (40, 50) and the array tape (60), enables fluid to be dispensed from one or more nozzles of the dispensing well plate device (25) into predetermined ones of the plurality of wells in a wide range of patterns.