Abstract: An assay device includes: a liquid sample zone; a reagent zone downstream and in fluid communication with the sample zone containing a reagent material; a detection zone in fluid communication with the reagent zone having capture elements bound thereto; and a wicking zone in fluid communication with the capture zone having a capacity to receive liquid sample flowing from the detection zone. The sample receiving zone, the reagent zone, the detection zone and the wicking zone define a fluid flow path and at least a part of the fluid flow path has a substrate and projections which extend substantially vertically from the substrate, wherein the projections have a height, cross-section and a distance between one another that defines a space between the projections capable of generating capillary flow parallel to the substrate surface. In addition, the fluid flow path having projections includes a corner section which changes the direction of the flow path.

Abstract: An assay device includes: a liquid sample zone; a reagent zone downstream and in fluid communication with the sample zone containing a reagent material; a detection zone in fluid communication with the reagent zone having capture elements bound thereto; and a wicking zone in fluid communication with the capture zone having a capacity to receive liquid sample flowing from the detection zone. The sample receiving zone, the reagent zone, the detection zone and the wicking zone define a fluid flow path and at least a part of the fluid flow path has a substrate and projections which extend substantially vertically from the substrate, wherein the projections have a height, cross-section and a distance between one another that defines a space between the projections capable of generating capillary flow parallel to the substrate surface. In addition, the fluid flow path having projections includes a corner section which changes the direction of the flow path.

Abstract: A sample collection device for a fluid sample includes: a body including a capillary channel having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is adapted to draw the fluid into the channel by capillary action; an air vent located in the vicinity of the second end and in fluid communication with the capillary channel; a barrier positioned within the capillary channel to prevent flow of the fluid by capillary action thereacross; and features on opposing sides of the body to form an axis of rotation, which is substantially perpendicular to the overall direction of the capillary channel from the first end to the second end. In a preferred embodiment, the sample collection device is adapted to rotate about the axis of rotation within a cartridge having a sample manipulation device to bring the first end into position with the sample manipulation device.

Abstract: A sample collection device for a fluid includes: a substantially disk-shaped body having a periphery; a capillary channel extending through the body and bounded by the periphery, having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is adapted to draw the fluid into the channel by capillary action; a sample collection well located in the vicinity of the second end and in fluid communication with the capillary channel; and an axis of rotation extending through the center of the disk and which is substantially perpendicular to the major surface of the disk-shaped body. In a preferred embodiment, the sample collection device is adapted to rotate about the axis of rotation within a cartridge having a housing comprising an air vent in fluid communication with the capillary channel when the disk is rotated in a first position.

Abstract: An assay device includes: a liquid sample zone; a reagent zone downstream and in fluid communication with the sample addition zone containing a reagent material; a detection zone in fluid communication with the reagent zone. The detection zone has a substrate and projections which extend substantially vertically from the substrate, wherein the projections have a height, cross-section and a distance between one another that defines a capillary space between the projections capable of generating capillary flow parallel to the substrate surface. The device is capable of creating a reagent plume in the detection zone that includes liquid sample and dissolved reagent, where the width of the reagent plume extends substantially across the width of the detection zone, The device further includes a wicking zone in fluid communication with the detection zone having a capacity to receive liquid sample flowing from the detection zone.

Abstract: A method for providing quality control on a lateral flow assay device or for triggering a process-related step, the device including a substrate having at least one sample receiving area, at least one reagent zone downstream and in fluid communication with the at least one sample receiving area, at least one detection zone downstream and in fluid communication with the at least one reagent zone and at least one wicking zone downstream of the at least one detection zone, each fluidly interconnected therewith along at least one fluid flow path. The detection material provided in the at least one reagent zone produces a detectable signal that can be tracked and monitored prior to the completion of at least one test being performed on the lateral flow assay device.

Abstract: A lateral flow device for use in a mainframe or point-of-care clinical analyzer, in which the lateral flow device includes a planar support having at least one sample addition area and at least one reaction area disposed thereon. The sample addition area and reaction area are fluidly interconnected to one another and form at least one lateral fluid flow path. The lateral flow device is sized for retention within a storage cartridge of the analyzer defined by a hollow interior and having a plurality of lateral flow assay devices retained in stacked relation therein.

Abstract: A clinical analyzer for determining the presence or amount of an analyte in a sample includes at least one reagent supply and at least one reaction containment device for containing a volume of sample and a volume of said at least one reagent from said at least one reagent supply. A wash-free delivery system introduces reagent into at least one reaction containment device without requiring washing of delivery components.

Abstract: An analyzer, preferably a desktop analyzer, includes: a component transport system; a liquid dispense or aspirating station; a member removably located on the transport system. The removable holder includes: a probe tip dispenser; a fluid supply section for holding a sample; a test element recess for holding one or more test elements or test element holders, wherein the removable holder is configured to contain the test element recess such that a test element can be acted upon by the liquid dispense or aspirating station, while the test element is in the recess; and a measurement device to analyze a sample. Another aspect provides a removable centrifuge model on the transport system, which separates samples, such as whole blood before analysis.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for automatically transferring by pushing and pulling a reagent module onto and off of a rotor of modules. A surface of the module and the transfer mechanism are cooperatively shaped with a loose-fitting tongue and arcuate groove, both the tongue and groove having a curved extension along an arc concentric with the axis of rotation of the rotor, such that modules mounted on the rotor can be rotated off the transfer mechanism by sliding the tongue relative to the groove in a rotational direction. An additional groove is provided at an angle to said arcuate groove, along which the tongue or arcuate groove, whichever is on the transfer mechanism, reciprocates to push or pull a module into or out of the rotor.

Abstract: A tray and conveyor for the trays are described, for moving liquid samples in an analyzer. The tray comprises a base having a magnetic member for responding to a magnetic field, a tray frame and member for freely rotatably mounting the frame on the base, the tray frame comprising a plurality of receptacles constructed to receive either sample tubes or aspirating tips useful to aspirate sample from a tube, the receptacles including a fixed bottom support. The conveyor comprises a support, conveying members under the support comprising a plurality of magnets and members for generating a moving magnetic field with the magnets, the conveying members being mounted in a continuous loop under the support and the support being permeable to a magnetic field, one of the above-noted trays being mounted above the support on the base.

Abstract: A bottle holder for restrictively holding two bottles in prescribed positions, comprising a base, a top member, and a side wall, the bottles being mounted between the base and top member. The holder is improved in that there are provided a rail and groove sliding fit of the top member and side wall, and an interlock fit wherein a tooth on one of the top member and side wall slides over a ledge until it fits under the ledge in a locking manner to prevent disassembly.