Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat preservation shell (4) for an analyzer. At least one liquid passage (402) for conveying the liquid is embedded in a shell wall of the heat preservation shell. The liquid passage (402) is embedded in the shell wall of the heat preservation shell (4), on one hand, the liquid transported or preserved in the liquid passage is subjected to the heat preservation function of the heat preservation shell, so that the liquid transported or preserved in the liquid passage (402) maintains the preset temperature, thereby avoiding the influence of the external environment temperature on the transported liquid; and on the other hand, the space of the shell wall of the heat preservation shell is effectively utilized, the situation that various liquid pipelines are intricately distributed inside or outside the heat preservation shell (4) is avoided, thereby increasing the space utilization rate.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a robotic high throughput sample preparation machine. The apparatus includes: a tool retaining portion configured to engage and disengage with a sample preparation tool, and a rotation element configured to rotate the engagement portion. Actuation of the rotation element causes the tool retaining portion to alternately engage and disengage a sample preparation tool. The tool retaining portion may be configured to engage multiple sample preparation tool types such as syringes, needles, and media-containing cartridges such as those used for solid phase extraction.

Abstract: A tray for processing platelet rich fibrin includes a base having at least one alignment structure, a screen attachment having at least one alignment structure for engagement with the base, and a lid having at least one alignment structure for engagement with the base and the screen attachment. The screen attachment includes a screen offset between the top and bottom surface of the screen. When the screen attachment is placed on the base with the top surface facing upward, the lid is configured to compress a fibrin clot placed on the screen to a first thickness, and when the screen attachment is placed on the base with the bottom surface facing upward the lid is configured to compress a fibrin clot placed on the screen to a second thickness different from the first thickness.

Abstract: Described herein are microplates having wells with ultra-thin walls and methods of forming thereof. The microplates can be made by thermoforming processes that use ultrasound, electricity, etc., to heat a thin polymer sheet or film prior to molding. Vacuum can be optionally applied to help form or shape the wells.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a throughput-scalable photon sensing system. The system includes a plurality of semiconductor dies sharing a common semiconductor substrate and a plurality of photon detection sensors configured to perform a single molecule analysis of biological or chemical samples. Two immediately neighboring photon detection sensors are arranged on respective two semiconductor dies separated by a dicing street. Each photon detection sensor is arranged on a separate semiconductor die. The system further includes a first optical waveguide, a plurality of second optical waveguides disposed above the first optical waveguide, one or more wells disposed in the plurality of second optical waveguides, and one or more light guiding channels.

Abstract: A testing system includes a well cover portion, a sensor portion extending from the well cover portion, a sensing surface disposed on the sensor portion, a conducting wire extending through the sensor portion and contacting the sensing surface, a transducer connected to the conducting wire, and a reference electrode extending through the well cover portion.

Abstract: A storage system having racks and an outer container that receives the racks, each rack receiving a plurality of sample boxes, each box having a wireless ID tag. In certain embodiments, the storage system has reader electronics external to and distinct from the racks and that directly read the wireless ID tag of each box in at least one rack without relying on any reader electronics of any rack. In other embodiments, each rack has a set of rack reader electronics that read the wireless ID tag of each box in at least one rack, and the storage system has at least one removable reader access device removably connectable to the set of rack reader electronics of a rack in order to transmit the ID number of the wireless ID tag of each box in the rack outside of the outer container.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing and an actuator. The housing, which defines a reagent volume that can receive a reagent container, can be removably coupled to a reaction chamber. A delivery portion of the housing defines a delivery path between the reagent volume and the reaction chamber when the housing is coupled to the reaction chamber. The delivery path includes a protrusion such that the delivery path has a discontinuous inner surface. The actuator can be moved to convey a reagent from the reagent container into the reaction chamber via the delivery path.

Abstract: An analytical device includes a plate including a first substrate having a front surface and a back surface and a second substrate facing the back surface of the first substrate such that at least one detection space observable from outside is formed between the second substrate and the back surface of the first substrate, and an adapter. The first substrate has a first port having a through hole formed through the front surface and communicated with the detection space for delivering a liquid-containing substance into the detection space, the first substrate has a second port having a through hole formed through the front surface and communicated with the detection space for discharging a liquid-containing substance or a gas from the detection space, and the adapter is attachable to and detachable from the first port and the second port, and the front surface of the first substrate without the adapter is flat.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include sample preparation cartridges including a frame that includes a plurality of wells integrated therewith, where the plurality of wells have a closed bottom and an open top. The frame further includes an opening within the frame having a reaction vessel (RV) or RV cap removably disposed therein, where the plurality of wells and the opening are linearly arranged relative to each other. Also provided are sample preparation cartridges that include a frame, two or more cartridge separation projections on a top side of the frame, and two or more cartridge separation projections on a bottom side of the frame. The cartridge separation projections separate the cartridge and a different cartridge when the cartridge and different cartridge are stacked. Methods of using the sample preparation cartridges, as well as nucleic acid sample preparation units that include the sample preparation cartridges, are also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for making a fluid flow connection includes a pair of complementary components having respective first and second flow passages, and respective formations engageable to join the components by press-fitting them together so that the passages are in fluid flow communication and the junction between them is sealed against leakage up to a pre-determined pressure of the fluid flow. The respective formations comprise, on one hand, a spike (30) including at least a portion (32) of the first flow passage opening at a tip (31) of the spike and a first guide surface (29) about the spike, and, on the other hand, a body (41) with a passageway (42) that, when the components are press-fitted together, sealingly receives the spike, and a second guide surface (47) about the passageway that slidingly engages the first guide surface.

Abstract: A method for identifying fragmented red blood cells comprising: acquiring side scatter light signals and fluorescence signals of cell particles in a sample liquid; and distinguishing and identifying a fragmented red blood cell population from the cell particles according to the side scatter light signals and the fluorescence signals of the cell particles. The fragmented red blood cell population can be identified from the cell particles by processing and analyzing the side scatter light signals and fluorescence signals of the sample liquid. The present application further provides a device for identifying fragmented red blood cells, a blood cell analyzer and an analysis method. Fragmented red blood cells can be identified according to the fluorescence that characterizes a nucleic acid content in a cell particle and the side scatter light, thus reducing errors in identification and counting.

Abstract: Methods and systems for highly-sensitive label-free multiple analyte sensing, biosensing, and diagnostic assay are disclosed. The systems comprise an on-chip integrated two-dimensional photonic crystal sensor chip. The invention provides modulation methods, wavelength modulation and intensity modulation, to monitor the resonance mode shift of the photonic crystal microarray device and further provides methods and systems that enable detection and identification of multiple species to be performed simultaneously with one two-dimensional photonic crystal sensor chip device for high throughput chemical sensing, biosensing, and medical diagnostics. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Described herein are multi-well separation devices configured to allow a composition comprising a target agent to be separated into multiple wells, subdivided, recombined into a single well, and/or re-separated into the same or a different configuration of wells. Also described herein are reagent loading devices configured to simultaneously deliver one or more test agents to a plurality of volumes without having to individually deliver the test agents. Together, these devices allow high throughput parallel processes without repetitive pipetting or liquid handling robotics, though they may also be used separately. Also described herein are kits and systems for chemical or biological assays, as well as methods for using the multi-well separation devices and reagent loading devices described herein.

Abstract: A harvesting apparatus adapted to harvest egg fluid from an avian egg is provided. Such an apparatus includes a frame. A harvesting assembly is operably engaged with the frame. The harvesting assembly includes a plurality of nozzles configured to remove egg fluid from an egg. The nozzles are configured to rotate from a vertically off-axis angled position toward a vertical position. A suction assembly is in fluid communication with the nozzles for harvesting egg fluid from an egg. An associated method is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are high-throughput sample processing systems and waste management systems, and methods of using the same.

Abstract: An array of membranes comprising amphipathic molecules is formed using an apparatus comprising a support defining an array of compartments. Volumes comprising polar medium are provided within respective compartments and a layer comprising apolar medium is provided extending across the openings with the volumes. Polar medium is flowed across the support to displace apolar medium and form a layer in contact with the volumes, forming membranes comprising amphipathic molecules at the interfaces. In one construction of the apparatus, the support that comprises partitions which comprise inner portions and outer portions. The inner portions define inner recesses without gaps therebetween that are capable of constraining the volumes comprising polar medium contained in neighbouring inner recesses from contacting each other. The outer portions extend outwardly from the inner portions and have gaps allowing the flow of an apolar medium across the substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, devices, and systems for loading and retrieval of particles. In some embodiments, a loading station comprise a tray configured to receive a microwell array, a first magnet, a second magnet, and an actuation mechanism configured to cause movement of at least one of the first magnet and the second magnet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a micro chamber plate, and more particularly, to a micro chamber plate having micro chamber holes formed using a flowable film. Thus, samples can be injected into the micro chamber holes in a smoother manner compared to when samples are injected using a vacuum and/or centrifugal force. In addition, bubbles and excess samples in the micro chamber holes can be efficiently discharged, making it possible to perform reaction and analysis in a more accurate and efficient manner.

Abstract: This disclosure provides for devices and methods for conducting assays for combinatorial libraries. The devices comprise a multiplicity of wells and a removable cap.