Abstract: An actuating mechanism is configured to operate circularly arranged flow control valves of a fluidic device. A valve actuator piston is operably engageable with each of the valves for selectively opening or closing the associated valve and is spring biased into a first (open or closed) position. Each piston includes a cam follower surface. A rotary cam is rotatable about the center of the circular arrangement of valves and comprises an axially-extending cam rod that is rotatable about the center and a cam disposed on an outer end of the cam rod. Rotation of the cam rod about the center to a rotational position of a selected one of the valve actuator pistons causes the cam to engage the cam follower surface of the selected piston and move the selected piston against the spring bias from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: An actuator for actuating valves of a fluidic device includes an actuator piston for each valve that is movable between first and second positions corresponding to open and closed positions of the engaged valve. At least one camshaft is supported for rotation and includes at least one cam lobe. An actuator lever is associated with each cam lobe and with each piston and includes a pivot connection enabling the lever to pivot, a piston engagement at which the lever is engaged with the associated piston so that pivoting of the lever in a first direction moves the piston from its first position to its second position, and a cam follower disposed between the pivot connection and the piston engagement, the cam follower being engaged by an associated cam lobe as the camshaft rotates to cause the lever to pivot.

Abstract: A method for sharing system information data in a network of two or more analyzers for performing assays is provided. The system information data includes operating information for the analyzers in the network. The method includes: sending a system information metadata packet to at least a first analyzer in the network, wherein the system information metadata packet is associated with system information data on a second analyzer in the network and comprises one or more attributes of a system information data packet containing the associated system information data; receiving a request from the first analyzer to send the system information data packet; and in response to the request from the first analyzer to send the system information data packet, sending the system information data packet containing the associated system information data to the first analyzer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fluidic cartridge includes providing a cartridge body with a sample chamber having an open first end and a sample exit port at a second end and one or more chambers that are that are fluidly connected or connectable with the sample chamber. First and second porous membranes are provided and the second membrane is affixed within the sample chamber covering the sample exit port. Non-magnetic beads and at least one magnetic element are introduced into the sample chamber. The first membrane is then affixed within the sample chamber, overlapping the open first end of the sample chamber. An internal wall of the sample chamber and the affixed first and second membranes define a lysis chamber. Pores of the first and second membranes are sized to retain the non-magnetic beads and the magnetic element within the lysis chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed are nucleic acid oligomers, including amplification oligomers and detection probes, for detection of Group B Streptococcus (GBS; Streptococcus agalactiae) nucleic acid. Also disclosed are methods of specific nucleic acid amplification and detection using the disclosed oligomers, as well as corresponding reaction mixtures and kits.

Abstract: A method for lysing cells in a fluid sample includes positioning an electromagnet within a predetermined distance from a sample chamber of a microfluidic device which contains the fluid sample and lytic agents including non-magnetic beads and at least one magnetic element. A magnetic field generated by the electromagnet is targeted at the sample and the lytic agents contained in the sample chamber. The electromagnet is spatially separated from the sample chamber and held stationary while generating the magnetic field, and the polarity of the magnetic field is reversed, thereby causing the magnetic element to move in a random manner within the sample chamber to agitate the non-magnetic beads to lyse cells contained within the fluid sample and release nucleic acids from the lysed cells.

Abstract: A fluidic cartridge includes a sample chamber having an open top end and a sample exit port and a lysis chamber within the sample chamber. The lysis chamber is defined by an inner wall of the sample chamber, a first porous membrane affixed within the sample chamber, the first porous membrane overlapping the open top end, and a second porous membrane spaced apart from the first porous membrane affixed within the sample chamber, the second porous membrane overlapping the sample exit port. At least one magnetic element and a plurality of non-magnetic beads are contained within the lysis chamber, and the pores of the first and the second porous membranes are sized to retain the magnetic element and the non-magnetic beads within the lysis chamber.

Abstract: Capture mixtures and activated capture mixtures are provided that are useful for nucleic acid separation and purification are provided. The mixtures comprise lithium lauryl sulfate, lithium hydroxide, a zwitterionic sulfonic acid buffering agent, and optionally, proteinase K, capture probes comprising a first specific binding partner (SBP), and a second specific binding partner immobilized to a solid support. Related combinations, methods, uses, and kits, are also provided.

Abstract: A method of processing a sample includes verifying that an identifier of a first carrier detected at a first position on a host conveyor assembly is associated with a first sample on which a first assay is scheduled to be performed with a first instrument. The method includes diverting the first carrier from the host conveyor assembly to a first intermediate conveyor assembly. The method includes transporting the first carrier to a first processing position within the first instrument. The method includes verifying that an identifier of the first carrier detected at the first processing position is associated with the first sample. The method includes transferring at least a portion of the first sample from a first processing receptacle coupled to the first carrier to a first assay receptacle. The method includes performing the first assay by subjecting the portion of the first sample to nucleic acid amplification reaction conditions.

Abstract: A method for lysing cells in a fluid sample includes providing the sample to a sample chamber of a fluidic cartridge and securing a cap to an open end of the sample chamber. The cap includes a deformable wall defining a chamber containing lytic agents and enclosed by a frangible membrane. The lytic agents include non-magnetic beads and at least one magnetic element, and the size of the magnetic element is greater than the size of any of the non-magnetic beads. A force is applied to a top end of the deformable wall, thereby collapsing the chamber such that the lytic agents rupture the frangible membrane and are released into the sample chamber. The fluid sample and the lytic agents are subjected to a magnetic field causing the magnetic element to agitate the non-magnetic beads to lyse cells within the fluid sample.

Abstract: A cartridge for detecting an analyte by exposing a reaction mixture to an excitation optical signal and detecting an emission optical signal from the reaction mixture includes a cartridge body, a film affixed to a first portion of a surface of the cartridge body; and a thermally-conductive laminate seal affixed to a second portion of the surface. The cartridge body includes one or more reaction chambers, each having a wall that permits an optical signal to pass through the wall. The laminate seal covers an open end of the reaction chamber and includes a plastic layer affixed to the second portion of the surface of the cartridge body and a conductive layer affixed to the plastic layer opposite a surface of the plastic affixed to the second portion of the surface.

Abstract: A method for processing a fluid sample in a fluidic cartridge with a chamber expander secured with respect to one of two or more wells of uniform height to expand a volumetric capacity of the one well by the volumetric capacity of the chamber expander, the two or more wells being fluidly connected or connectable. The method includes dispensing fluid sample into an opening defined by a mouth of the chamber expander, the amount of fluid sample completely filling the well and at least partially filling the chamber expander, and coupling a cap to the mouth of the chamber expander to close the opening.

Abstract: Disclosed are nucleic acid oligomers, including amplification oligomers, detection probes, and capture probes, for detection of Plasmodium species nucleic acid in a sample. Also disclosed are methods of specific nucleic acid amplification and detection, including amplification and detection of target nucleic acid in real time, using the disclosed oligomers, as well as corresponding reaction mixtures and kits.

Abstract: A receptacle delivery system for an instrument includes a carriage, a puck rotatably supported by the carriage, a first electric motor, and a second electric motor. The puck comprises a plurality of spring-loaded fingers arranged around a vertical axis and configured to removably support a receptacle therebetween. The first electric motor is configured to move the carriage between a first location and a second location of the instrument. The second electric motor is configured to rotate the puck about the vertical axis.

Abstract: Delivering a receptacle to an instrument comprises supporting a receptacle in a carriage when the carriage is positioned at a first location of the instrument, activating a sensing system coupled to the carriage to confirm that the receptacle is supported by the carriage, moving the carriage, and the receptacle supported therein, to a second location of the instrument, applying a clamping force to the receptacle as the carriage moves from the first location to the second location, at the second location, extracting at least a portion of a fluid contained in the receptacle using a fluid extraction device of the instrument, moving the carriage, and the receptacle supported therein, from the second location to the first location, and releasing the clamping force from the receptacle as the carriage moves from the second location to the first location.

Abstract: A method of automated sample processing includes aspirating a portion of a first sample from a first sample containing receptacle. The method includes dispensing the first sample portion into a first processing receptacle. The method includes transporting a first carrier coupled to the first processing receptacle containing the first sample from a position inside the first instrument to a host conveyor assembly using a first intermediate conveyor assembly. The method includes transporting the first carrier from the host conveyor assembly to a first processing position within a second instrument using a second intermediate conveyor assembly. The method includes aspirating a portion of the first sample from the first processing containing receptacle. The method includes dispensing the portion of the first sample into a first assay receptacle. The method includes performing a first assay on the portion of the first sample in the first assay receptacle using the second instrument.

Abstract: A method of transporting a carrier coupled to a receptacle to a processing position within an instrument. The method includes a step of transporting the carrier coupled to the receptacle from a first carrier position outside the instrument to a second carrier position located on a spur conveyor, where the first carrier position is laterally offset from the second carrier position. The method includes a step of grasping the carrier coupled to the receptacle at the second carrier position with a gripper of the spur conveyor. The method includes a step of moving the gripper, while the gripper is grasping the carrier coupled to the receptacle, along a first linear path defined by the spur conveyor to transport the carrier coupled to the receptacle from the second carrier position to the processing position within the instrument.

Abstract: A cap for dispensing lytic agents into a sample well of a fluidic cartridge includes a deformable wall defining a chamber. A lower sleeve situated beneath the deformable wall defines a recess that is open to the chamber. A frangible membrane affixed to an end of the lower sleeve encloses the recess and the chamber. Lytic agents comprising non-magnetic beads and a magnetic element are contained within the chamber and the recess. A method for lysing cells contained in a sample includes providing sample to the sample well, inserting the cap into the well, applying a force to the deformable wall so the lytic agents rupture the frangible membrane and are released into the well, and subjecting the sample and the lytic agents to a magnetic field causing the magnetic element to agitate the non-magnetic beads to lyse cells contained within the sample.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns amplification primers, hybridization assay probes, compositions containing such primers and probes, and associated reagents, kits, and methods, that can be used to analyze samples for the presence of Influenza A virus, Influenza B virus, Respiratory Syncytial Virus A, and/or Respiratory Syncytial Virus B target nucleic acids.

Abstract: An instrument for applying thermal energy to a reaction chamber of a test platform includes first and second heaters disposed in a spaced-apart configuration to receive the reaction chamber in a position so that the first and second heaters contact different parts of the reaction chamber. Each heater is configured to apply thermal energy to the reaction chamber by conductive heat transfer through a part of the reaction chamber contacted by the respective heater. A first controller is configured to control thermal energy generated by the first heater, and a second controller is configured to control thermal energy generated by the second heater. The first and second controllers control thermal energy generated by the first and second heaters, respectively, independently of each other to achieve a common temperature profile for the first heater and the second heater.