Abstract: Paraffin-embedded tissue, which may be disposed on a solid substrate, is prepared by a dry technique that removes paraffin from tissue without adding any liquid to the tissue, thereby rendering the tissue substantially free of paraffin. The dry technique may entail applying heat energy to the tissue effective to melt the paraffin and thereby render it flowable, and applying an electric field. The electric field is effective to impart electrical charge to the paraffin and to move the paraffin out from the tissue due to electrical charge repulsion or attraction, which may be assisted by moving an electrode utilized to generate the electric field relative to the paraffin. The electric field, or both the electric field and the heat energy, may be applied until the tissue is substantially free of paraffin.

Abstract: Paraffin-embedded tissue, which may be disposed on a solid substrate, is prepared by a dry technique that removes paraffin from tissue without adding any liquid to the tissue, thereby rendering the tissue substantially free of paraffin. The dry technique may entail applying heat energy to the tissue effective to melt the paraffin and thereby render it flowable, and applying an electric field. The electric field is effective to impart electrical charge to the paraffin and to move the paraffin out from the tissue due to electrical charge repulsion or attraction, which may be assisted by moving an electrode utilized to generate the electric field relative to the paraffin. The electric field, or both the electric field and the heat energy, may be applied until the tissue is substantially free of paraffin.

Abstract: A multiple analyte detection system includes a carrier having reagents disposed thereat, with each of the reagents capable of optically changing in response to exposure to a respective analyte. The system further includes a photodetector positioned to collectively detect light interacted with each of the reagents, a processor to determine a presence or an absence of each of the analytes in response to the light collectively-detected, and an indicator to provide an indication of the presence or the absence of each of the analytes. A method of detecting multiple analytes includes exposing reagents capable of optically changing in response to exposure to a respective analyte to a sample. The method further includes collectively detecting light interacted with each of the reagents, determining a presence or an absence of each of the analytes in response to the light collectively detected, and indicating the presence or the absence of each of the analytes determined.

Abstract: Systems and methods for coverslipping a sample on a slide employ a coverslip tape. The systems and methods can reduce or eliminate the use of xylene and other toxic solvents for coverslipping.

Abstract: A multiple analyte detection system includes a carrier having reagents disposed thereat, with each of the reagents capable of optically changing in response to exposure to a respective analyte. The system further includes a photodetector positioned to collectively detect light interacted with each of the reagents, a processor to determine a presence or an absence of each of the analytes in response to the light collectively-detected, and an indicator to provide an indication of the presence or the absence of each of the analytes. A method of detecting multiple analytes includes exposing reagents capable of optically changing in response to exposure to a respective analyte to a sample. The method further includes collectively detecting light interacted with each of the reagents, determining a presence or an absence of each of the analytes in response to the light collectively detected, and indicating the presence or the absence of each of the analytes determined.

Abstract: The present disclosure related to apparatus and methods for removing waste of debris from a microtome blade, a microtome blade holder, or both. The invention also relates to automated systems and methods for cleaning a microtome.

Abstract: A multiple analyte detection system includes a carrier having reagents disposed thereat, with each of the reagents capable of optically changing in response to exposure to a respective analyte. The system further includes a photodetector positioned to collectively detect light interacted with each of the reagents, a processor to determine a presence or an absence of each of the analytes in response to the light collectively-detected, and an indicator to provide an indication of the presence or the absence of each of the analytes. A method of detecting multiple analytes includes exposing reagents capable of optically changing in response to exposure to a respective analyte to a sample. The method further includes collectively detecting light interacted with each of the reagents, determining a presence or an absence of each of the analytes in response to the light collectively detected, and indicating the presence or the absence of each of the analytes determined.

Abstract: Paraffin-embedded tissue, which may be disposed on a solid substrate, is prepared by a dry technique that removes paraffin from tissue without adding any liquid to the tissue, thereby rendering the tissue substantially free of paraffin. The dry technique may entail applying heat energy to the tissue effective to melt the paraffin and thereby render it flowable, and applying an electric field. The electric field is effective to impart electrical charge to the paraffin and to move the paraffin out from the tissue due to electrical charge repulsion or attraction, which may be assisted by moving an electrode utilized to generate the electric field relative to the paraffin. The electric field, or both the electric field and the heat energy, may be applied until the tissue is substantially free of paraffin.

Abstract: Paraffin-embedded tissue, which may be disposed on a solid substrate, is prepared by a dry technique that removes paraffin from tissue without adding any liquid to the tissue, thereby rendering the tissue substantially free of paraffin. The dry technique may entail applying heat energy to the tissue effective to melt the paraffin and thereby render it flowable, and applying an electric field. The electric field is effective to impart electrical charge to the paraffin and to move the paraffin out from the tissue due to electrical charge repulsion or attraction, which may be assisted by moving an electrode utilized to generate the electric field relative to the paraffin. The electric field, or both the electric field and the heat energy, may be applied until the tissue is substantially free of paraffin.

Abstract: The present disclosure related to apparatus and methods for removing waste of debris from a microtome blade, a microtome blade holder, or both. The invention also relates to automated systems and methods for cleaning a microtome.

Abstract: A multiple analyte detection system includes a carrier having reagents disposed thereat, with each of the reagents capable of optically changing in response to exposure to a respective analyte. The system further includes a photodetector positioned to collectively detect light interacted with each of the reagents, a processor to determine a presence or an absence of each of the analytes in response to the light collectively-detected, and an indicator to provide an indication of the presence or the absence of each of the analytes. A method of detecting multiple analytes includes exposing reagents capable of optically changing in response to exposure to a respective analyte to a sample. The method further includes collectively detecting light interacted with each of the reagents, determining a presence or an absence of each of the analytes in response to the light collectively detected, and indicating the presence or the absence of each of the analytes determined.

Abstract: Paraffin-embedded tissue, which may be disposed on a solid substrate, is prepared by a dry technique that removes paraffin from tissue without adding any liquid to the tissue, thereby rendering the tissue substantially free of paraffin. The dry technique may entail applying heat energy to the tissue effective to melt the paraffin and thereby render it flowable, and applying an electric field. The electric field is effective to impart electrical charge to the paraffin and to move the paraffin out from the tissue due to electrical charge repulsion or attraction, which may be assisted by moving an electrode utilized to generate the electric field relative to the paraffin. The electric field, or both the electric field and the heat energy, may be applied until the tissue is substantially free of paraffin.

Abstract: A multiple analyte detection system includes a carrier having reagents disposed thereat, with each of the reagents capable of optically changing in response to exposure to a respective analyte. The system further includes a photodetector positioned to collectively detect light interacted with each of the reagents, a processor to determine a presence or an absence of each of the analytes in response to the light collectively-detected, and an indicator to provide an indication of the presence or the absence of each of the analytes. A method of detecting multiple analytes includes exposing reagents capable of optically changing in response to exposure to a respective analyte to a sample. The method further includes collectively detecting light interacted with each of the reagents, determining a presence or an absence of each of the analytes in response to the light collectively detected, and indicating the presence or the absence of each of the analytes determined.

Abstract: A test system includes an optical medium, a binding agent capable of capturing a target complex, and a light detector. The optical medium provides a light path, and the binding agent is positioned to hold the target complex in an evanescent field created by propagation of light along the light path. The complex interacts with the evanescent field and emits light that the detector positioned to detect. The optical medium and the detector can be included in an optical integrated circuit where detected light passes through the optical medium transverse to the direction of the light path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for mixing a film of fluid, particularly a film of chemical, biochemical, or biological fluids undergoing a reaction. The apparatus comprises a means for nucleating a bubble using a discrete heat source, such as a resistor, and moving the bubble in the fluid by creating a temperature gradient, thereby mixing the fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides centrifugal rotors for delivering a premeasured volume of liquid to a chamber in the rotor. In particular the rotors comprise siphons for delivering a premeasured volume of liquid between a first and a second chamber in the rotor. The siphons of the invention are designed such that the inlet of the siphon on the first chamber is radially outward of the siphon outlet on the second chamber. The first chamber is emptied to a level equivalent to the radial position of the siphon outlet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for mixing a film of fluid, particularly a film of chemical, biochemical, or biological fluids undergoing a reaction. The apparatus comprises a means for nucleating a bubble using a discrete heat source, such as a resistor, and moving the bubble in the fluid by creating a temperature gradient, thereby mixing the fluid.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for microarray analysis. In one embodiment a method is disclosed for processing a non-standard size slide having an array of chemical compounds attached to a surface of the slide. A sample is exposed to the surface of the non-standard size slide wherein components in the sample bind to the chemical compounds on the surface of the slide. The sample and the slide are incubated under conditions for carrying out the binding reactions, and the surface of the non-standard size slide is examined for the results of the binding reactions. Prior to the exposing step or the incubating step or the examining step, the non-standard size slide is placed into a slide holder comprising a slide-holding section a slide-holding section adapted to dispose the non-standard size slide to a processing instrument in a manner similar to that for a standard size slide. The non-standard size slide may also include an identifier such as a bar code.

Abstract: A method of testing multiple fluid samples with multiple biopolymer arrays. A cover is assembled to a contiguous substrate carrying on a first side, multiple arrays each with multiple regions of biopolymers linked to the substrate, such that the cover and the substrate together form a plurality of chambers each containing a biopolymer array and each being accessible through its own port. Multiple fluid samples are introduced into respective chambers through a port of each such that the fluid samples contact respective arrays. A binding pattern of the arrays is observed. An apparatus and kit useful in such methods, are also provided.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and computer program products to form arrays of polymers each having a pattern of features on a surface of a flexible elongated web, comprising. In a method polymers or their precursor units are applied at an application station to the surface. Multiple features are covered at a reagent station with a continuous volume of reagent which chemically reacts with precursors or the web. The flexible elongated web is driven in a lengthwise direction through the application station. This sequence may be repeated as needed to form the arrays along the web. Also provided is a method preparing a surface of a flexible elongated web to receive a biopolymer array.