Abstract: A cartridge for detecting an analyte of interest by exposing a reaction mixture within a reaction chamber to an excitation optical signal and detecting an emission optical signal from the reaction mixture includes a cartridge body. A first film affixed to the cartridge body to cover a first end of an opening formed in the body includes a transparent or translucent material to permit an optical signal to pass through the first film into or out of the at least one opening. A thermally-conductive seal affixed to the cartridge body to cover a second end of the opening to form the reaction chamber includes a plastic layer affixed to the cartridge body and a thermally conductive layer affixed to a surface of the plastic layer opposite a surface of the plastic layer affixed to the cartridge body.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transferring containers (100) include or employ a container loading interface (200), a container storage module (400), and a container distributor (300) configured to transfer containers from the container loading interface to the container storage module. The container loading interface includes movable support platform (202) that is movable between accessible and a non-accessible positions and a container loading transport (214). The container storage module includes a housing (402) and a container storage transport (418). The container distributor includes a container gripper (320) configured to grasp a container on the container loading transport and to transfer the container to the container storage transport in the container storage module.

Abstract: Methods and systems including programmed computers that can be used for improving nucleic acid analyte detection using real-time amplification and monitoring, where closely related nucleic acid sequences can be resolved from each other. In one embodiment, detection of target sequences differing from each other by a single nucleotide were resolved by applying a mathematical transformation. In another embodiment, two target sequences differing from each other by a single nucleotide were detected and resolved from each other using a labeled probe specific for only one of the two target sequences.

Abstract: Compositions, methods, kits, and uses are provided for detecting the presence of Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, and Shigatoxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC) in samples. In some embodiments, the compositions, methods, kits, and uses comprise one or more oligonucleotides or the use of one or more oligonucleotides. In some embodiments, the method is carried out as a multiplex assay with separate primers/probes for C. jejuni and C. coli. Some of the oligonucleotides contain inosine and/or contain 5-methylcytosine substituted nucleotides. Described is the use of cyclodextrin and/or Polysorbate 20 in the amplification reactions.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a nucleic acid amplification based method for determining the presence or absence of a target polynucleotide in a sample, wherein a portion of the amplified reaction mix is replaced with a further portion of the sample between pre-amplification steps to obtain a mix of an amplified reaction and an unamplified sample. The present disclosure thus provides a cumulative amplification reaction for highly sensitive detection of target polynucleotides. The present disclosure is also directed to a nucleic acid amplification reaction system for performing such a cumulative amplification reaction.

Abstract: This disclosure provides oligomers, combinations of oligomers, compositions, kits, uses, and methods for detecting a C1orf43 nucleic acid, such as C1orf43 mRNA, such as human C1orf43 mRNA, in a sample.

Abstract: A gripper apparatus is configured to grasp a closed receptacle having a closure affixed to an open top end of a receptacle. Opposed jaw members capable of lateral movement between an open position, a first closed position, and a second closed position are configured to grasp the closed receptacle when the closed receptacle is situated between the jaw members at the first closed position and to release the closed receptacle at the open position. The gripper apparatus further includes a plurality of fingers configured to grasp a sidewall of the closure beneath a top surface of the closure when the closure is situated between the plurality of fingers and beneath a base of each of the jaw members as the jaw members move laterally toward each other from the open position to the second closed position.

Abstract: Disclosed are formulations, including both liquid and lyophilized formulations, comprising a far-red dye probe and a non-linear surfactant or foamban. Also disclosed are related methods for preparing a lyophilized far-red dye probe formulation as well as related kits and diagnostic products.

Abstract: A method of delivering a receptacle to an instrument includes positioning a carriage at a first location of the instrument, rotating a puck in the carriage about a vertical axis to position the puck in a desired rotational position, determining whether a receptacle is seated in the puck using a first sensor, if a receptacle is not seated in the puck, calibrating a sensing system configured to determine whether a receptacle is seated in the puck, after calibrating the sensing system, seating a receptacle in the puck, after seating the receptacle in the puck, using the sensing system to determine whether the receptacle is properly seated in the puck, and after determining that the receptacle is properly seated in the puck, moving the carriage from the first location to a second location of the instrument.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a nucleic acid amplification based method for determining the presence or absence of a target polynucleotide in a sample, wherein a portion of the amplified reaction mix is replaced with a further portion of the sample between pre-amplification steps to obtain a mix of an amplified reaction and an unamplified sample. The present disclosure thus provides a cumulative amplification reaction for highly sensitive detection of target polynucleotides. The present disclosure is also directed to a nucleic acid amplification reaction system for performing such a cumulative amplification reaction.

Abstract: Sample receptacles are automatically transferred from first and second storage areas of a storage module to a conveyor without passing over any other sample receptacle stored in the storage module. Receptacle holding positions in the first and second storage areas are arranged in rows and columns, and sample containers are transferred row-by-row or column-by-column, starting with sample container held closest to a first side of the first or second storage area. Receptacles transferred from the first storage area are transferred across the first side to the conveyor. Receptacles transferred from the second storage area are transferred across the first side into a first receptacle transport path between the first and second storage areas, and then to a second receptacle transport path across the first storage area, and then to the conveyor.

Abstract: A sample processing station includes two or more container holders on a platform that is rotatable about a central axis of rotation. Each holder is configured to rotate about a secondary axis of rotation. The station includes a capping/decapping mechanism to cap or decap a container held in one of the container holders and an elevator with a chuck guide that contact the container holder as the chuck is lowered by the elevator to positon the chuck with respect to the cap of the container held in the holder and to hold jaws of the container holder in a closed position. In embodiment, the chuck guide includes a yoke with opposed arms and spindles located near distal ends of the arms that engage beveled shoulders of the container holder.

Abstract: A system for processing a plurality of sample containers, each containing sample with at least one open assay associated therewith, includes two or more analyzers, each configured to perform at least one functional assay in receptacle apparatuses including a process number of two or more receptacle vessels, a conveyance for transporting containers to the analyzers, a buffer queue associated with each analyzer for holding containers to be processed by the associated analyzer, and a scanner associated with each analyzer. Each scanner scans machine-readable identification information associated with each container transported by the conveyance past the scanner and the open assay(s) for that container are identified based on the scanned information. The sample container is diverted into the associated buffer queue only if at least one open assay for that container matches at least one functional assay of the associated analyzer.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods utilizing specific amplification of Candida sp. target nucleic acid for detecting the presence or absence of Candida sp. in a sample. Also disclosed are corresponding oligomers, including amplification oligomers, capture probes and detection probes, and combinations thereof, as well as corresponding reaction mixtures and kits.

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.