Abstract: A laboratory automated system includes a conveyor assembly, a dock that that is movable between first and second positions, a drive assembly for moving the dock between the first and second positons, and a diverter for diverting a sample receptacle carrier from the conveyor assembly to the dock. The dock includes a first carrier support portion having a planar surface for supporting the sample receptacle carrier as the dock moves between the first and second positions. The dock includes an upwardly extending second carrier support portion situated adjacent the first carrier support portion. The second carrier support portion has a contoured side surface. The dock includes one or more magnets fixedly contained within or disposed on the second carrier support portion to magnetically couple with a magnetic portion of the sample receptacle carrier.

Abstract: A method for performing an amplification reaction comprises the automated steps of combining a fluid sample together with one or more amplification reaction reagents in a reaction receptacle using a first automated pipettor, thereby forming a reaction mixture, transporting the reaction receptacle to a first, predetermined location of a centrifuge, subjecting the reaction mixture to centrifugation, after subjecting the reaction mixture to centrifugation, removing the reaction receptacle from a second, predetermined location of the centrifuge different from the first predetermined location and placing the reaction receptacle in a thermocycler, and in the thermocycler, subjecting the reaction mixture to one or more temperature cycles.

Abstract: A biochip device includes a waveguide, chromophore elements, a diffusing structure, and a sloping surface. The chromophore elements are disposed on a portion of the waveguide and are configured to emit fluorescence in response to excitation by guided light waves transmitted by the waveguide. The diffusing structure is configured to generate guided light waves in the waveguide when illuminated. The sloping surface is sloped relative to a plane of the waveguide and is configured to direct excitation light into the waveguide, and the sloping surface and the waveguide are configured to deflect the excitation light to the diffusing structure to generate guided light waves within the waveguide. The sloping surface may be a face of a prism attached to or integrated with the waveguide, or the sloping surface may be a bevel formed at an edge of the waveguide.

Abstract: Compositions, methods, kits, and uses are provided for detecting or quantifying an Human Parainfluenza virus 1 (HPIV-1), HPIV-2, HPIV-3, and/or HPIV-4 nucleic acid, e.g., using nucleic acid amplification and hybridization assays. In some embodiments, the compositions, methods, kits, and uses target the HN gene of HPIV-1, HPIV-2, and/or HPIV-3 and/or the NP gene of HPIV-4.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions, kits, and methods for detecting at least one of a C. diffcile tcdA, tcdB, tcdC, cdtA, or cdtB nucleic acid in a sample. In son embodiments, one or more alleles of tcdC such as 117del tcdC or 184T tcdC are detected.

Abstract: A method for reconstituting a reagent within a reagent pack including one or more wells and at least one of the wells containing a lyophilized reagent comprises the steps of receiving reagent packs into a reagent pack input carousel, transferring one reagent pack with a rotary distributor from the input carousel to a reagent pack storage carousel, retrieving the reagent pack from the storage carousel with the rotary distributor and placing the reagent pack into a reagent pack loading station, and dispensing a reconstitution reagent with an automated pipettor into the well containing the lyophilized reagent to form a reconstituted reagent.

Abstract: A multiplexed nucleic acid amplification and detection system useful for detecting the presence of multiple specific nucleic acid sequences or single nucleotide polymorphisms (i.e., “SNPs”) in a temperature-dependent fashion using only a single fluorescence detection channel of a nucleic acid analyzer. The technique can be carried out using standard PCR instrumentation equipped for fluorescence detection or monitoring.

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 jig assembly for connecting first and second consoles with predefined relative positioning includes first and second positioning pins attached or attachable to the first console and a positioning connection bracket attached or attachable to the second console and including a longitudinal span and first and second transverse legs including first and second pin recesses at respective free ends thereof. The first and second pin recesses receive the first and second positioning pins, respectively, when the first and second consoles are moved laterally toward each other. The first and second transverse legs may be attached to the first console with a first and second leg attachment brackets, respectively. The first and second positing pins and the first and second leg attachment brackets may be fixed with respect to the first console by attachment to a mounting rail that is fixed to the first console.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is related to compositions, kits and methods comprising one or more oligomers targeting 16S rRNA target nucleic acid from Campylobacter species jejuni, coli and/or lari. Compositions include amplification oligomers, detection probe oligomers and/or target capture oligomers. Kits and methods comprise at least one of these oligomers.

Abstract: Compositions, methods, kits, and uses are provided for detecting or quantifying an Human Parainfluenza virus 1 (HPIV-1), HPIV-2, HPIV-3, and/or HPIV-4 nucleic acid, e.g., using nucleic acid amplification and hybridization assays. In some embodiments, the compositions, methods, kits, and uses target the HN gene of HPIV-1, HPIV-2, and/or HPIV-3 and/or the NP gene of HPIV-4.

Abstract: Compositions, methods, kits, and uses are provided for detecting or quantifying an Human Parainfluenza virus 1 (HPIV-1), HPIV-2, HPIV-3, and/or HPIV-4 nucleic acid, e.g., using nucleic acid amplification and hybridization assays. In some embodiments, the compositions, methods, kits, and uses target the HN gene of HPIV-1, HPIV-2, and/or HPIV-3 and/or the NP gene of HPIV-4.

Abstract: Presented are methods, systems, and software products useful for determining the concentration of an analyte in a fluid specimen used to produce a dried sample, where the dried sample serves as a source of the analyte in a detection and quantification procedure. Particularly illustrated is the use of dried blood spots for quantifying a polynucleotide analyte.

Abstract: Providing a fluid to an instrument comprises supporting a sample receptacle on a first carrier, transporting the first carrier on a conveyor adjacent a plurality of modules including at least one instrument, stopping the first carrier at the instrument, transporting the sample receptacle to a pick-up position of the instrument, transporting the sample receptacle from the pick-up position to a pipetting station within the instrument, aspirating fluid within the sample receptacle and transferring the aspirated fluid to a reaction receptacle, after aspirating fluid from the sample receptacle, transporting the sample receptacle to the pick-up position, transporting the sample receptacle from the pick-up position to a second carrier the conveyor, in the instrument, performing an assay to determine the presence or absence of an analyte in the aspirated fluid, and transporting the second carrier on the conveyor to one or more of the plurality of modules other than the analytical instrument.

Abstract: Compositions, methods, kits, and uses are provided for detecting or quantifying an Human Parainfluenza virus 1 (HPIV-1), HPIV-2, HPIV-3, and/or HPIV-4 nucleic acid, e.g., using nucleic acid amplification and hybridization assays. In some embodiments, the compositions, methods, kits, and uses target the HN gene of HPIV-1, HPIV-2, and/or HPIV-3 and/or the NP gene of HPIV-4.

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 sample receptacle transporting carrier includes a base defining a recess for receiving a bottom end of the sample receptacle. The carrier also includes a plurality of resilient wire fingers affixed to and extending upward from the annular support. The fingers are configured to retain the bottom end of the sample receptacle within the recess of the base and to maintain the sample receptacle in an upright orientation. Each of the wire fingers includes a first segment adjacent to the base, a linear second segment joined to the first segment by a first angled portion, and a linear third segment joined to the second linear segment by a second angled portion. The third segment of each finger is configured to contact the bottom end of the receptacle as the receptacle is inserted into the carrier. The third segment and the vertical axis of the carrier form an angle between about 40° and about 50°.

Abstract: A mechanism for grasping a container having grooves formed on opposed sides thereof includes a chassis that rotates about a chassis axis of rotation and a gripper carriage supported for rotation with the chassis and configured for movement in a radial direction with respect to the chassis axis of rotation. The gripper carriage includes a container gripper with a first gripper element that includes a first hook; and a second gripper element that includes a second hook spaced. The first hook and the second hook are bent toward each other, and the first gripper element and the second gripper element are coupled to one another for coordinated pivoting movement toward each other or away from each other. The container gripper is configured to grasp a container by pivoting the first and second gripper elements toward each other until the respective first and second hooks each engage one of the grooves of the container.

Abstract: A mechanism for providing selective access to one of a plurality of containers within a substantially enclosed housing comprises a movable carrier within the housing, a container access opening formed in a top wall of the housing, and a shutter plate attached to the top wall of the housing. The carrier is configured to hold and carry the plurality of containers. The container access opening is formed at a position on a path traversed by the plurality of containers carried on the carrier so that movement of the carrier sequentially places each of the plurality of containers beneath the container access opening. The shutter plate is pivotable between a first position covering the container access opening to thereby prevent access to the container located beneath the opening and a second position exposing the opening to thereby allow access to the container located beneath the opening.

Abstract: A mechanism for performing capacitive level sensing of fluid within a fluid container supported on a movable carrier comprises a conductive probe, a probe position sensor, and a movable grounding element. The probe is configured for capacitive level sensing by detecting a signal or change of signal based on capacitance when the probe, or a conductive tip removably attached to the probe, contacts the surface of the fluid within the container. The probe position sensor is for monitoring a vertical position of the probe and recording the position at which the signal or change of signal is detected. The movable grounding element is configured for selective movement relative to a container positioned by the movable carrier at a level-sensing location with respect to the probe until the grounding element is in close proximity to or in contact with a portion of the container.