Abstract: An assembly for storing sample processing consumables that includes a cover and a tray. The cover includes a flexible panel and a cover wall that extends downward from the perimeter of the panel, where the panel and the cover wall define a cavity. The tray has a top surface that defines a plurality of wells and a side surface that extends downward from the perimeter of the top surface. The panel is situated adjacent the top surface of the tray, where a first portion of the tray is received within the cover cavity, such that a press fit is formed between the side surface of the tray and an inner surface of the cover wall, thereby releasably coupling the cover to the tray. At least a portion of the wells contain a sample processing consumable, and the cover is configured to be decoupled from the tray by applying a force to the panel to overcome the press fit.

Abstract: A receptacle for minimizing evaporation of a fluid includes a single-piece body, a fluid-tight seal, a penetrable septum, and a lid. The body includes a chamber having an opening. The fluid-tight seal is affixed to a surface of the body that defines the first opening. The fluid-tight seal covers the opening and is frangible. The septum covers the opening and the fluid-tight seal. The septum includes at least one slit forming slats. The lid has an opening axially aligned with the opening and is coupled to the body such that at least a portion of the septum is disposed between the lid and the fluid-tight seal.

Abstract: An assembly for storing sample processing consumables that includes a cover and a tray. The cover includes a flexible panel and a cover wall that extends downward from the perimeter of the panel, where the panel and the cover wall define a cavity. The tray has a top surface that defines a plurality of wells and a side surface that extends downward from the perimeter of the top surface. The panel is situated adjacent the top surface of the tray, where a first portion of the tray is received within the cover cavity, such that a press fit is formed between the side surface of the tray and an inner surface of the cover wall, thereby releasably coupling the cover to the tray. At least a portion of the wells contain a sample processing consumable, and the cover is configured to be decoupled from the tray by applying a force to the panel to overcome the press fit.

Abstract: An assembly for storing sample processing consumables can include a cover and a tray. The cover defines a cover cavity. The tray defines a first plurality of wells. The tray includes a first portion received within the cover cavity such that a press fit is formed between a first tray surface of the first portion of the tray and a first cover surface of the cover defining the cover cavity, thereby releasably coupling the cover to the tray. Each of the first plurality of wells contains a sample processing consumable. The assembly can be used to load sample processing consumables into a sample processing instrument.

Abstract: A receptacle for minimizing evaporation of a fluid includes a single-piece body, a fluid-tight seal, a penetrable septum, and a lid. The body includes a chamber having an opening. The fluid-tight seal is affixed to a surface of the body that defines the first opening. The fluid-tight seal covers the opening and is frangible. The septum covers the opening and the fluid-tight seal. The septum includes at least one slit forming slats. The lid has an opening axially aligned with the opening and is coupled to the body such that at least a portion of the septum is disposed between the lid and the fluid-tight seal.

Abstract: A cleaning member including a distal cleaning element and a proximal coupling element, where the coupling element has a proximal end portion dimensioned to form a frictional fit with a working end of an automated transport arm.

Abstract: A receptacle for minimizing evaporation of a fluid includes a single-piece body, a fluid-tight seal, a penetrable septum, and a lid coupled to the body. The body includes a first chamber having a first opening. The fluid-tight seal is affixed to a surface of the body that defines the first opening. The fluid-tight seal covers the first opening and is frangible. The septum covers the first opening and the fluid-tight seal. The lid has an opening axially aligned with the first opening. The septum comprises slits forming flaps The first chamber can be the only chamber containing a fluid, or the single-piece body may also include another chamber containing the fluid. The other chamber can be in fluid communication with the first chamber via a conduit. The fluid-tight seal can also cover the opening of the second chamber.

Abstract: An inspection system includes a thermographic sensor configured to capture thermographic data of a component having holes as a fluid is pulsed toward the holes, and one or more processors configured to temporally process the thermographic data to calculate temporal scores for the corresponding holes, spatially process the thermographic data to calculate spatial scores for the corresponding holes, and calculate composite scores associated with the holes based on the temporal scores and based on the spatial scores. The composite scores represent a likelihood that the corresponding holes are open, blocked or partially blocked.

Abstract: A receptacle for minimizing evaporation of a fluid includes a single-piece body, a fluid-tight seal, a penetrable septum, and a lid coupled to the body. The body includes a first chamber having a first opening. The fluid-tight seal is affixed to a surface of the body that defines the first opening. The fluid-tight seal covers the first opening and is frangible. The septum covers the first opening and the fluid-tight seal. The lid has an opening axially aligned with the first opening. The septum comprises slits forming flaps The first chamber can be the only chamber containing a fluid, or the single-piece body may also include another chamber containing the fluid. The other chamber can be in fluid communication with the first chamber via a conduit. The fluid-tight seal can also cover the opening of the second chamber.

Abstract: An assembly for storing sample processing consumables can include a cover and a tray. The cover defines a cover cavity. The tray defines a first plurality of wells. The tray includes a first portion received within the cover cavity such that a press fit is formed between a first tray surface of the first portion of the tray and a first cover surface of the cover defining the cover cavity, thereby releasably coupling the cover to the tray. Each of the first plurality of wells contains a sample processing consumable. The assembly can be used to load sample processing consumables into a sample processing instrument.

Abstract: An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in sample vessels. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a sample, incubating the sample, preforming an analyte isolation procedure, ascertaining the presence of a target analyte, and analyzing the amount of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the sample vessels from one station to the next. A method for performing an automated diagnostic assay includes an automated process for isolating and amplifying a target analyte, and, in one embodiment, a method for real-time monitoring of the amplification process.

Abstract: A drip shield includes cover members that define a protective canopy over sample receptacles to prevent unwanted material from being deposited into the receptacles. The cover members cooperate to define at least one access hole through the drip shield to permit access to a sample receptacle by a pipette tip through the access hole. One of the cover members is moveable with respect to another cover member between a closed stated defining the access hole and an open state permitting a pipette tip extending through the access hole to be laterally conveyed relative to the drip shield and out of the access hole.

Abstract: An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in sample vessels. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a sample, incubating the sample, preforming an analyte isolation procedure, ascertaining the presence of a target analyte, and analyzing the amount of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the sample vessels from one station to the next. A method for performing an automated diagnostic assay includes an automated process for isolating and amplifying a target analyte, and, in one embodiment, a method for real-time monitoring of the amplification process.

Abstract: A sample tube holder having sample tube compartments with sets of spaced finger springs provided therein for maintaining sample tubes in substantially upright orientations. A guide structure having a series of openings is used to direct sample tubes into the sample tube compartments and to restrict lateral movement of sample tubes held thereby. A retainer is releasably engaged by the guide structure and has openings sized to provide access to sample tubes held by the sample tube compartments but which restrict vertical movement of the sample tubes. Tabs at a base of the sample tube holder and hold-downs fixed to a stationary structure adjacent a conveyor cooperate to restrict vertical movement of the sample tube holder during automated sampling procedures.

Abstract: An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in reaction receptacles. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a sample, incubating the sample, preforming an analyte isolation procedure, ascertaining the presence of a target analyte, and analyzing the amount of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the reaction receptacles from one station to the next. A method for performing an automated diagnostic assay includes an automated process for isolating and amplifying a target analyte, and, in one embodiment, a method for real-time monitoring of the amplification process.

Abstract: An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in sample vessels. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a sample, incubating the sample, preforming an analyte isolation procedure, ascertaining the presence of a target analyte, and analyzing the amount of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the sample vessels from one station to the next. A method for performing an automated diagnostic assay includes an automated process for isolating and amplifying a target analyte, and, in one embodiment, a method for real-time monitoring of the amplification process.

Abstract: An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in sample vessels. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a sample, incubating the sample, preforming an analyte isolation procedure, ascertaining the presence of a target analyte, and analyzing the amount of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the sample vessels from one station to the next. A method for performing an automated diagnostic assay includes an automated process for isolating and amplifying a target analyte, and, in one embodiment, a method for real-time monitoring of the amplification process.

Abstract: A system and method determines the probability of oil or mineral deposits. At least one data collection device collects elevation slope, magnetic and gravity data sets for a predetermined area of the earth's surface. A processor receives the elevation slope, magnetic and gravity data sets and applies the gravity and magnetic data sets in a transfer function to link the elevation slope data set to the likely presence of oil or mineral deposits.

Abstract: A clamp includes a hoop section and actuating elements. The hoop section forms a cavity for holding a tubular object. The hoop section has first and second ends. First and second actuating elements are respectively coupled with the first and second ends of the hoop section. Squeezing the ends of the actuating members together causes the hoop section to expand to facilitate installation of the clamp onto an object to be clamped and removal of the clamp from the object. Thus, the clamping force generated by the clamp is limited by the restoring forces inherent in the shape, sized, and material of the hoop section when the actuating members are released. The actuating members include expansion limiting extensions which contact each other after a prescribed amount of expansion of the hoop section to thereby prevent further expansion, and possible yielding, of the hoop section. The clamp can be employed as an anti-rotation device secured to a syringe of a syringe pump.