Abstract: Disclosed are processing cartridges with main cartridge section and actuating cartridge section, the main cartridge section has liquid reservoir chamber, liquid container, container piercing element and resilient container holding element, the actuating cartridge section can dock with the main cartridge section and comprises actuating member that interacts with the liquid container during docking; the liquid container, piercing element and container holding element are arranged in the liquid reservoir chamber, the liquid container is filled with suitable processing liquid and features pierceable dispensing side, and container piercing element faces the dispensing side; the liquid container is held in a position by the container holding element, dispensing side is separated from the container piercing element; and the actuating member can move the liquid container from the position to another position during docking of cartridge actuating section, and in the other position the dispensing side is pierced by con

Abstract: Provided is a centrifuge apparatus for a processing cartridge, including a rotary plate and at least one cartridge holder, and the cartridge holder is rotatable around its centre axis and arranged off-centre the centre axis of the rotary plate and comprises an inner side wall surrounding a through-going passage, wherein the through-going passage is able to accommodate the processing cartridge; and the inner side wall includes a resilient locking assembly for interaction with at least one cooperating first abutting surface on the processing cartridge, such that the processing cartridge may be inserted into the through-going passage and releasably secured by the locking assembly; and at least one stopping element for interaction with at least one cooperating second abutting surface on the processing cartridge, the at least one stopping element being arranged to retain the processing cartridge at a desired vertical level when the cartridge is releasably secured.

Abstract: Provided are methods and apparatuses for controlling a position of a target point on a processing result relative to a focus point of a focusing sensor system for determining properties of the processing result. The method includes the steps of determining an initial focus point of the focusing sensor system, controlling rotation of the cartridge and disc, checking whether the initial focus point of the focusing sensor system corresponds to the target point on the processing result, comparing (x, y) target positions in captured images with the initial focus point of the focusing sensor system, adjusting rotation of the cartridge and disc such that the focus point of the focusing sensor system corresponds to the target point on the processing result, and detecting and examining signals received from the focusing sensor system for determining properties of the processing result.

Abstract: Provided are methods and apparatuses for controlling a position of a target point on a processing result relative to a focus point of a focusing sensor system for determining properties of the processing result. The method includes the steps of determining an initial focus point of the focusing sensor system, controlling rotation of the cartridge and disc, checking whether the initial focus point of the focusing sensor system corresponds to the target point on the processing result, comparing (x, y) target positions in captured images with the initial focus point of the focusing sensor system, adjusting rotation of the cartridge and disc such that the focus point of the focusing sensor system corresponds to the target point on the processing result, and detecting and examining signals received from the focusing sensor system for determining properties of the processing result.

Abstract: Provided is a centrifuge apparatus for a processing cartridge, including a rotary plate and at least one cartridge holder, and the cartridge holder is rotatable around its centre axis and arranged off-centre the centre axis of the rotary plate and comprises an inner side wall surrounding a through-going passage, wherein the through-going passage is able to accommodate the processing cartridge; and the inner side wall includes a resilient locking assembly for interaction with at least one cooperating first abutting surface on the processing cartridge, such that the processing cartridge may be inserted into the through-going passage and releasably secured by the locking assembly; and at least one stopping element for interaction with at least one cooperating second abutting surface on the processing cartridge, the at least one stopping element being arranged to retain the processing cartridge at a desired vertical level when the cartridge is releasably secured.

Abstract: Provided are methods and apparatuses for controlling a position of a target point on a processing result relative to a focus point of a focusing sensor system for determining properties of the processing result. The method includes the steps of determining an initial focus point of the focusing sensor system, controlling rotation of the cartridge and disc, checking whether the initial focus point of the focusing sensor system corresponds to the target point on the processing result, comparing (x, y) target positions in captured images with the initial focus point of the focusing sensor system, adjusting rotation of the cartridge and disc such that the focus point of the focusing sensor system corresponds to the target point on the processing result, and detecting and examining signals received from the focusing sensor system for determining properties of the processing result.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of analyzing a sample containing an analyte to be qualitatively and/or quantitatively determined, comprising a binding step and a washing step, wherein the binding step comprises: interacting the analyte with beads having a density m1; obtaining a structure of packed beads comprising quantifiable bead complexes having a density m2; and the washing step comprises: dispersing the packed beads in a liquid medium having a density d>m2 and m1; and separating the liquid medium and the beads comprising the quantifiable bead complexes.

Abstract: A method for transferring beads in a fluidic chip having an internal fluid circuit through which various reactants, including beads, may be moved by use of centrifugal force includes providing beads having a density equal to, or lower than, m1 in a section of the fluid circuit, where the section includes at least a first outlet. The method includes providing a first liquid medium having a density d2 to the section, such that d2>m1, and applying a centrifugal force such that the beads migrate in an opposite direction of the centrifugal force.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of separating beads in a fluidic chip comprising an internal fluid circuit through which various reactants, in which at least one of the reactants are beads, may be moved by use of centrifugal force, the method comprises the steps of: providing at least a first set of beads (8a) having a density m1 and a second set of beads (8b) having a density m2 in a section (7, 15, 18) of the fluid circuit, the section comprising at least a first outlet (16, 13, 17); providing a first liquid medium in the section, the liquid medium having a density d3, such that m1<d3<m2; and applying a first centrifugal force (G) such that the first set of beads (8a) and the second set of beads (8b) migrates in opposite directions within the section.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of separating beads in a fluidic chip comprising an internal fluid circuit through which various reactants, in which at least one of the reactants are beads, may be moved by use of centrifugal force, the method comprises the steps of: providing at least a first set of beads (8a) having a density m1 and a second set of beads (8b) having a density m2 in a section (7, 15, 18) of the fluid circuit, the section comprising at least a first outlet (16, 13, 17); providing a first liquid medium in the section, the liquid medium having a density d3, such that m1<d3<m2; and applying a first centrifugal force (G) such that the first set of beads (8a) and the second set of beads (8b) migrates in opposite directions within the section.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of transferring beads in a fluidic chip comprising an internal fluid circuit through which various reactants, in which at least one of the reactants are beads, may be moved by use of centrifugal force, the method comprises the steps of: providing beads (8) having a density equal to, or lower than, m1 in a section (7, 15) of the fluid circuit, the section comprising at least a first outlet (16, 13); providing a first liquid medium to the section, the liquid medium having a density d2, such that d2>m1; and applying a centrifugal force such that the beads migrate in the opposite direction of the centrifugal force.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of analyzing a sample containing an analyte to be qualitatively and/or quantitatively determined, comprising a binding step and a washing step, wherein the binding step comprises: interacting the analyte with beads having a density m1; obtaining a structure of packed beads comprising quantifiable bead complexes having a density m2; and the washing step comprises: dispersing the packed beads in a liquid medium having a density d>m2 and m1; and separating the liquid medium and the beads comprising the quantifiable bead complexes.