Abstract: The invention relates to an optical detection system for a thermal cycling device including at least one light source, a light detection device for detecting light received from a plurality of biological samples, and a lens having first and second surfaces formed on the lens, the second surface substantially opposed to the first surface. The first surface may be configured to collimate light and the second surface may be configured to direct light into each of the plurality of biological samples.

Abstract: A cover for a biological sample well tray, comprising a cap for sealing a sample well. The cap comprises a well lens for focusing light into the sample well and collecting light from the sample. In another aspect, the cap comprises an elongate portion configured to permit incoming light to pass into the sample well and out of the sample well. Various other aspects comprise a microcard for biological material, and an apparatus for a plurality of sample well strips. A method for testing a biological sample is also provided.

Abstract: A cover for a biological sample well tray, comprising a cap for sealing a sample well. The cap comprises a well lens for focusing light into the sample well and collecting light from the sample. In another aspect, the cap comprises an elongate portion configured to permit incoming light to pass into the sample well and out of the sample well. Various other aspects comprise a microcard for biological material, and an apparatus for a plurality of sample well strips. A method for testing a biological sample is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical detection system for a thermal cycling device including at least one light source, a light detection device for detecting light received from a plurality of biological samples, and a lens having first and second surfaces formed on the lens, the second surface substantially opposed to the first surface. The first surface may be configured to collimate light and the second surface may be configured to direct light into each of the plurality of biological samples.

Abstract: The present teachings are methods and apparatuses for improving the flatness of high density microwell plates. The flattening devices impart a level of flatness that is equal to or better than a predetermined value thereby enabling the microwells to be precisely located and easily accessed.

Abstract: A sealing cover roll for use in sealing a microplate comprising an elongated carrier liner having a first surface and a second surface. A plurality of sealing covers are releasably carried on the first surface of the elongated carrier liner. Each of the plurality of sealing covers comprises a base stock and an adhesive. The adhesive is operable to retain the base stock to the elongated carrier liner and permit release of the base stock and the adhesive from the elongated carrier liner. A roll core supports a rolled configuration of the elongated carrier liner such that the first surface of the elongated carrier liner faces toward the roll core when rolled.

Abstract: A method for simultaneously determining a genetic expression profile for an individual member of a species relative to an entire standard genome for the species. The method can comprise distributing a liquid sample into an array of reaction chambers of a substrate. The array can comprise a primer set and a probe for each polynucleotide target along the entire standard genome. The liquid sample can comprise substantially all genetic material of the member. Each of the reaction chambers can comprise the primer set and the probe for at least one of the polynucleotide targets and a polymerase. The method can further comprise amplifying the liquid sample in the array, detecting a signal emitted by at least one of the probes, and identifying the genetic expression profile in response to the signal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses that improve the flatness of the microplates. In some embodiments, a pair of opposing channels that extends along a length of a rigid member is used to retain the microplate on the rigid member and to impart a level of flatness of at least a predetermined value. In some embodiments, one or more rigid framing members each having a channel therein are disposed along the edges of a microplate and impart a level of flatness of at least a predetermined value to the microplate. In some embodiments, a method of flattening the microplate comprises securing the microplate to a rigid member so the microplate has a flatness of at least a predetermined value and maintaining the microplate secured to the rigid member during a subsequent spotting or filling operation.

Abstract: A worklight with spare bulb storage that is integrated storage into the existing worklight framework. Many worklights have one or more worklight heads supported on a base, which includes one or more generally hollow elongate cross bar structural support members. The spare bulb holder is integrated into the one or more of the cross bar structural support members and includes one or more spare-bulb retainers and a retainer support piece. The retainer itself has an elongate extent with an end cap at one end and is formed to hold an individual elongate double-ended halogen bulb. The retainer support piece is retained in an end of a cross bar structural support member and has at least one opening sized so that the retainer can be inserted through it into the cross bar structural support member. The end cap on the retainer is formed to close the opening through the retainer support piece and to be held securely within the opening when the retainer is inserted into the cross bar structural support member.

Abstract: An ergonomically designed switch for a halogen worklight. The worklight includes a switch housing attached to the worklight head and a push-action switch mounted in the switch housing for energizing one or more halogen lamps mounted in the worklight head. An ergonomic switch is operated by pressing on a switch button, which is formed to present an ergonomically sized engagement surface to the user. The size of the engagement surface is related to the typical size of a finger pad of the human hand. Through the simple expedient of providing a substantial switch button on the actuating shaft of the switch and sizing the engagement surface of the button to correlate with the size of the human hand, the ease and comfort of operation of the worklight is dramatically improved over worklights having awkward switch mechanisms long thought in the prior art to be unavoidable.

Abstract: A sample substrate for use in biological testing is provided having a first member defining at least one sample well and a second member including at least one sample well closure element. The at least one sample well closure element may be configured to substantially seal a corresponding sample well. Methods of filling the sample substrate are also provided.

Abstract: A sample preparation system for preparing a biological sample for testing is provided. The preparation system may include a sample preparation chamber including a biological sample, a waste collection chamber for storing waste liquid, a sample substrate, and a fluid management module. The fluid management module may be configured to selectively connect between two of the sample preparation chamber, the waste collection chamber, and the sample substrate in fluid communication. Methods of filling a sample substrate with a biological sample are also provided.

Abstract: A pipette tip and system for aspiration of a biological sample, distribution to a plurality of sample chambers, and thermal cycling in the pipette tip.

Abstract: A rotatable sample disk configured for samples of biological material. The sample disk may include a fill chamber for storing a first biological material, a plurality of first sample chambers positioned in the sample disk farther from the rotational axis of the sample disk than the fill chamber, a plurality of second sample chambers, and a plurality of circumferential fill channels. Each of the second sample chambers may be configured to permit fluid communication with a respective first sample chamber. The plurality of circumferential fill conduits may be configured to permit transfer of the first biological material from the fill chamber to the plurality of first sample chambers upon a first rotation of the sample disk about the rotational axis. Methods of loading a plurality of sample chambers in a sample disk are also provided.

Abstract: A multi-well microfiltration apparatus and method are provided and feature a manual touch-off system for transferring pendent drops hanging from discharge-conduits of a discharge-conduit array to respective receiving wells or receiving holes of a corresponding receiving array, with minimum or no cross-contamination between the discharge conduits, or the receiving wells or receiving holes. The manual touch-off is achieved by manually shifting a carriage that supports one of the arrays, into a position whereat pendent drops of fluid hanging from the distal ends of the discharge conduits contact the inner sidewalls of the corresponding receiving wells or receiving holes of the receiving array.

Abstract: An automated seal applicator for applying a sealing cover to a microplate. The microplate can comprise a plurality of wells for receiving an assay. The automated seal applicator can comprise a housing and a removable sealing cover cassette containing a sealing cover roll. The sealing cover roll can comprise an elongated carrier liner and a plurality of individual sealing covers releasably carried on the elongated carrier liner. The sealing cover cassette can be selectively engagable with the housing. A sealing cover drive system can engage the sealing cover roll and maintain a predetermined alignment of each of the plurality of individual sealing covers relative to the microplate.

Abstract: A sealing cover roll for use in sealing a microplate comprising an elongated carrier liner having a first surface and a second surface. A plurality of sealing covers are releasably carried on the first surface of the elongated carrier liner. Each of the plurality of sealing covers comprises a base stock and an adhesive. The adhesive is operable to retain the base stock to the elongated carrier liner and permit release of the base stock and the adhesive from the elongated carrier liner. A roll core supports a rolled configuration of the elongated carrier liner such that the first surface of the elongated carrier liner faces toward the roll core when rolled.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical detection system for a thermal cycling device including at least one light source, a light detection device for detecting light received from a plurality of biological samples, and a lens having first and second surfaces formed on the lens, the second surface substantially opposed to the first surface. The first surface may be configured to collimate light and the second surface may be configured to direct light into each of the plurality of biological samples.

Abstract: A microplate having a main body portion. The main body portion having a first surface and an opposing second surface, and a groove disposed about the first surface of the main body portion. The groove separates the main body portion into an inboard section and an outboard section. A plurality of wells are formed in the inboard section of the first surface and each of the plurality of wells being sized to receive an assay therein.

Abstract: A method for simultaneously determining a genetic expression profile for an individual member of a species relative to an entire standard genome for the species. The method can comprise distributing a liquid sample into an array of reaction chambers of a substrate. The array can comprise a primer set and a probe for each polynucleotide target along the entire standard genome. The liquid sample can comprise substantially all genetic material of the member. Each of the reaction chambers can comprise the primer set and the probe for at least one of the polynucleotide targets and a polymerase. The method can further comprise amplifying the liquid sample in the array, detecting a signal emitted by at least one of the probes, and identifying the genetic expression profile in response to the signal.