Abstract: The invention includes sample preparation cartridges and apparatuses. The invention provides means for lysing and optionally selectively capturing at least one compound in a sample to purify, concentrate, and/or select for the at least one compound. The invention can be used in conjunction with a sample processing instrument to create a fully-automated or near-fully-automated sample workflow.

Abstract: Nucleic acid extraction and purification cartridges and systems are provided. The cartridges can be removable and are configured to allow for the concentration of particles of interest, followed by nucleic acid extraction and purification. The cartridges directly contact samples and provide a partial barrier between samples and the reusable components of the system, thereby reducing the probability of clogging the system's microfluidics and fouling the lines, valves, and pumps of the system. Furthermore, these cartridges are designed to purity nucleic acids by removing the majority of inhibitors for down-stream genetic testing. Embodiments may comprise one, two, or three or more channels.

Abstract: The invention provides sample cartridges for processing samples. The sample cartridges comprise at least one fluidic channel. Each fluidic channel comprises a sample chamber, a lysis chamber, a binding chamber, a pre-amplification region, and an amplification region. The sample cartridges also comprise a waste line that is in fluidic connectivity with each fluidic channel. The sample cartridges can interface with a plurality of plungers that are capable of occluding at least one fluidic channel, waste line, and/or optional assay line to limit the transport of fluids into, out of, and/or along at least one fluidic channel by plunging. The invention also provides multi-channel sample cartridges, which are sample cartridges that comprise at least two fluidic channels. In addition, the sample cartridges can house fluids on the cartridge, off the cartridge, or some on the cartridge and some fluids off the cartridge.

Abstract: The invention includes sample preparation cartridges and apparatuses. The invention provides means for lysing and optionally selectively capturing at least one compound in a sample to purify, concentrate, and/or select for the at least one compound. The invention can be used in conjunction with a sample processing instrument to create a fully-automated or near-fully-automated sample workflow.

Abstract: The invention includes methods for identifying nucleic acids in a sample. The invention provides methods for tracking reaction mixtures in a defined flow path so that nucleic acids in the reaction mixtures can be identified. The invention provides methods for calculating the movement of reaction mixtures in a defined flow path, including defined flow paths that are nonlinear and/or have complicated shapes.

Abstract: The invention includes low-volume systems for sample identification. The systems are designed to use multi-use consumables including but not limited to fluid containers containing large volumes of fluids. In some embodiments, the low-volume systems identify nucleic acids in samples using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).