Abstract: An apparatus is provided for processing and analysing a biological sample; the apparatus comprising: a. an apparatus housing; b. a sample extraction system to receive and hold the biological sample, and to extract the biological sample into a microfluidic chip; c. a thermal system to control the temperatures of the biological sample in the sample extraction system, and the extracted biological sample in the microfluidic chip; d. an optical system to illuminate the processed sample in the chip and to generate fluorescence from the sample in the chip, and an optical detector configured to detect the fluorescence; and e. at least one controller to control the sample extraction system, the thermal system and the optical system, and to determine one or more properties of the sample. The apparatus is configured to be handheld, and to extract and analyse the sample in situ, without requiring laboratory equipment.

Abstract: An optical assembly 140 for a portable device for detecting molecule(s) within reaction vessels 110 comprises a collimator 403, a beam splitter arrangement and a plurality of guide arrangements 143. The collimator 403 collimates an excitation beam from an excitation source 400. The beam splitter arrangement splits the excitation beam from the collimator into a plurality of split excitation beams. Each beam splitter splits an incoming beam into two beams. In the case where the beam splitter arrangement comprises more than one beam splitter, the beam splitters are arranged in tiers such that a first tier comprises one beam splitter for receiving the excitation beam from the collimator, and each of the other tiers comprises one or more beam splitters. Each beam splitter in at least one of the other tiers receives a split excitation beam from a previous tier.

Abstract: A reaction vessel holder (120) receives a reaction vessel (110). The reaction vessel (110) has a portion that is substantially optically transparent to light of a first range of wavelengths. The reaction vessel holder (120) comprises a body having a high thermal conductivity that is thermally coupled to and supports the reaction vessel (120). The body is further thermally coupled to a thermal device (130) for heating or cooling the reaction vessel holder (120) and thereby the reaction vessel (110). The body comprises a transparent portion that is substantially optically transparent to the light of the first range of wavelengths. The optically transparent portion of the reaction vessel (110) faces the transparent portion of the body such that light of the first range of wavelengths to and/or from the sample in the reaction vessel (120) can pass through the transparent portion.

Abstract: A reaction vessel holder (120) receives a reaction vessel (110). The reaction vessel (110) has a portion that is substantially optically transparent to light of a first range of wavelengths. The reaction vessel holder (120) comprises a body having a high thermal conductivity that is thermally coupled to and supports the reaction vessel (120). The body is further thermally coupled to a thermal device (130) for heating or cooling the reaction vessel holder (120) and thereby the reaction vessel (110). The body comprises a transparent portion that is substantially optically transparent to the light of the first range of wavelengths. The optically transparent portion of the reaction vessel (110) faces the transparent portion of the body such that light of the first range of wavelengths to and/or from the sample in the reaction vessel (120) can pass through the transparent portion.

Abstract: An optical assembly 140 for a portable device for detecting molecule(s) within reaction vessels 110 comprises a collimator 403, a beam splitter arrangement and a plurality of guide arrangements 143. The collimator 403 collimates an excitation beam from an excitation source 400. The beam splitter arrangement splits the excitation beam from the collimator into a plurality of split excitation beams. Each beam splitter splits an incoming beam into two beams. In the case where the beam splitter arrangement comprises more than one beam splitter, the beam splitters are arranged in tiers such that a first tier comprises one beam splitter for receiving the excitation beam from the collimator, and each of the other tiers comprises one or more beam splitters. Each beam splitter in at least one of the other tiers receives a split excitation beam from a previous tier.