Abstract: The instant disclosure provides nucleic acid amplification systems and multi-reaction analysis systems useful in the efficient processing of samples, including clinical samples. Integrated systems that include nucleic acid amplification devices functionally combined with multi-reaction analysis systems are also included. Also provided are methods for monitoring multiple concurrent nucleic acid amplification reactions that include the use of devices and systems described herein.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include sample preparation cartridges including a frame that includes a plurality of wells integrated therewith, where the plurality of wells have a closed bottom and an open top. The frame further includes an opening within the frame having a reaction vessel (RV) or RV cap removably disposed therein, where the plurality of wells and the opening are linearly arranged relative to each other. Also provided are sample preparation cartridges that include a frame, two or more cartridge separation projections on a top side of the frame, and two or more cartridge separation projections on a bottom side of the frame. The cartridge separation projections separate the cartridge and a different cartridge when the cartridge and different cartridge are stacked. Methods of using the sample preparation cartridges, as well as nucleic acid sample preparation units that include the sample preparation cartridges, are also provided.

Abstract: The instant disclosure provides nucleic acid amplification systems and multi-reaction analysis systems useful in the efficient processing of samples, including clinical samples. Integrated systems that include nucleic acid amplification devices functionally combined with multi-reaction analysis systems are also included. Also provided are methods for monitoring multiple concurrent nucleic acid amplification reactions that include the use of devices and systems described herein.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include systems that include reaction vessels and reaction vessel caps. In certain aspects, the reaction vessels include a reaction chamber and a groove disposed around a top opening of a reaction chamber. The system also includes a RV cap that includes a cap body, a RV plug, and a lower wall that includes an outer radial groove disposed above an outward projecting ridge of the lower wall. When the cap is inserted into the RV, the RV plug of the RV cap is sealingly inserted into the reaction chamber of the RV, a ridge of the RV mates with the outer radial groove of the RV cap, and an outward projecting ridge of the RV cap mates with the radial groove of the RV. Also provided are methods and sample analysis systems, which may employ the RV/RV cap systems of the present disclosure.

Abstract: The systems and methods disclosed herein permit automated preparation of biological specimens for examination. The disclosed systems and methods provide fast, efficient, and highly uniform specimen processing using minimal quantities of fluids. The methods include at least a fixing phase for fixing a biological specimen to a substrate such as a microscope slide, a staining phase for staining the specimen, and a rinsing phase for rinsing the specimen. One or more of the fixing, staining, and rinsing phases include one or more agitation cycles for distributing reagents evenly and uniformly across the specimen. The systems can be implemented as a standalone device or as a component in a larger system for preparing and examining biological specimens.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include systems that include reaction vessels and reaction vessel caps. In certain aspects, the reaction vessels include a reaction chamber and a groove disposed around a top opening of a reaction chamber. The system also includes a RV cap that includes a cap body, a RV plug, and a lower wall that includes an outer radial groove disposed above an outward projecting ridge of the lower wall. When the cap is inserted into the RV, the RV plug of the RV cap is sealingly inserted into the reaction chamber of the RV, a ridge of the RV mates with the outer radial groove of the RV cap, and an outward projecting ridge of the RV cap mates with the radial groove of the RV. Also provided are methods and sample analysis systems, which may employ the RV/RV cap systems of the present disclosure.

Abstract: Sample application systems can include an extraction mechanism to remove a sample from sample containers, a sample vessel disposed on a deployment mechanism, where the deployment mechanism is arranged to move the sample vessel to receive a sample, an extraction mechanism washing station to wash the extraction mechanism, a sample applicator to remove a portion of the sample in the sample vessel and apply it onto a sample carrier, where the deployment mechanism can move the sample vessel to a sample application position, a sample vessel washing station to wash the sample vessel, where the deployment mechanism can move the sample vessel to the sample vessel washing station, a sample applicator washing station to wash the sample applicator after the sample has been dispensed onto the sample carrier, and a fluid control system to control flow of a fluid provided to the extraction mechanism and the sample applicator.

Abstract: The systems and methods disclosed herein permit automated preparation of biological specimens for examination. The disclosed systems and methods provide fast, efficient, and highly uniform specimen processing using minimal quantities of fluids. The methods include at least a fixing phase for fixing a biological specimen to a substrate such as a microscope slide, a staining phase for staining the specimen, and a rinsing phase for rinsing the specimen. One or more of the fixing, staining, and rinsing phases include one or more agitation cycles for distributing reagents evenly and uniformly across the specimen. The systems can be implemented as a standalone device or as a component in a larger system for preparing and examining biological specimens.

Abstract: The systems and methods disclosed herein permit automated preparation of biological specimens for examination. The disclosed systems and methods provide fast, efficient, and highly uniform specimen processing using minimal quantities of fluids. The methods include at least a fixing phase for fixing a biological specimen to a substrate such as a microscope slide, a staining phase for staining the specimen, and a rinsing phase for rinsing the specimen. One or more of the fixing, staining, and rinsing phases include one or more agitation cycles for distributing reagents evenly and uniformly across the specimen. The systems can be implemented as a standalone device or as a component in a larger system for preparing and examining biological specimens.

Abstract: The apparatus disclosed herein features a substrate arm and gripper, a platform having a top surface located opposite the substrate when the substrate arm is in a specimen processing position and featuring at least one fluid port located on a surface of the platform facing the substrate and at least one vacuum port located on the surface of the platform facing the substrate, and during operation, the apparatus is configured to (a) dispense a first quantity of fluid from the at least one fluid port to fill a separation between the substrate and the platform, (b) dispense an additional quantity of fluid from the at least one fluid port into the separation to displace a portion of the first quantity of fluid, and (c) remove the portion of the first quantity of fluid from the separation through the at least one vacuum port.

Abstract: The apparatus disclosed herein features a substrate arm and gripper, a platform having a top surface located opposite the substrate when the substrate arm is in a specimen processing position and featuring at least one fluid port located on a surface of the platform facing the substrate and at least one vacuum port located on the surface of the platform facing the substrate, and during operation, the apparatus is configured to (a) dispense a first quantity of fluid from the at least one fluid port to fill a separation between the substrate and the platform, (b) dispense an additional quantity of fluid from the at least one fluid port into the separation to displace a portion of the first quantity of fluid, and (c) remove the portion of the first quantity of fluid from the separation through the at least one vacuum port.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include sample preparation cartridges including a frame that includes a plurality of wells integrated therewith, where the plurality of wells have a closed bottom and an open top. The frame further includes an opening within the frame having a reaction vessel (RV) or RV cap removably disposed therein, where the plurality of wells and the opening are linearly arranged relative to each other. Also provided are sample preparation cartridges that include a frame, two or more cartridge separation projections on a top side of the frame, and two or more cartridge separation projections on a bottom side of the frame. The cartridge separation projections separate the cartridge and a different cartridge when the cartridge and different cartridge are stacked. Methods of using the sample preparation cartridges, as well as nucleic acid sample preparation units that include the sample preparation cartridges, are also provided.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include systems that include reaction vessels and reaction vessel caps. In certain aspects, the reaction vessels include a reaction chamber and a groove disposed around a top opening of a reaction chamber. The system also includes a RV cap that includes a cap body, a RV plug, and a lower wall that includes an outer radial groove disposed above an outward projecting ridge of the lower wall. When the cap is inserted into the RV, the RV plug of the RV cap is sealingly inserted into the reaction chamber of the RV, a ridge of the RV mates with the outer radial groove of the RV cap, and an outward projecting ridge of the RV cap mates with the radial groove of the RV. Also provided are methods and sample analysis systems, which may employ the RV/RV cap systems of the present disclosure.

Abstract: The instant disclosure provides nucleic acid amplification systems and multi-reaction analysis systems useful in the efficient processing of samples, including clinical samples. Integrated systems that include nucleic acid amplification devices functionally combined with multi-reaction analysis systems are also included. Also provided are methods for monitoring multiple concurrent nucleic acid amplification reactions that include the use of devices and systems described herein.

Abstract: Sample application systems can include an extraction mechanism to remove a sample from sample containers, a sample vessel disposed on a deployment mechanism, where the deployment mechanism is arranged to move the sample vessel to receive a sample, an extraction mechanism washing station to wash the extraction mechanism, a sample applicator to remove a portion of the sample in the sample vessel and apply it onto a sample carrier, where the deployment mechanism can move the sample vessel to a sample application position, a sample vessel washing station to wash the sample vessel, where the deployment mechanism can move the sample vessel to the sample vessel washing station, a sample applicator washing station to wash the sample applicator after the sample has been dispensed onto the sample carrier, and a fluid control system to control flow of a fluid provided to the extraction mechanism and the sample applicator.

Abstract: Sample application systems can include an extraction mechanism to remove a sample from sample containers, a sample vessel disposed on a deployment mechanism, where the deployment mechanism is arranged to move the sample vessel to receive a sample, an extraction mechanism washing station to wash the extraction mechanism, a sample applicator to remove a portion of the sample in the sample vessel and apply it onto a sample carrier, where the deployment mechanism can move the sample vessel to a sample application position, a sample vessel washing station to wash the sample vessel, where the deployment mechanism can move the sample vessel to the sample vessel washing station, a sample applicator washing station to wash the sample applicator after the sample has been dispensed onto the sample carrier, and a fluid control system to control flow of a fluid provided to the extraction mechanism and the sample applicator.

Abstract: Sample transport systems are described that move a sample carrier from one station to a next station in a sample processing systems. The systems include: a translating member; two or more sample carrier retaining devices attached to the translating member, wherein each of the two or more sample carrier retaining devices can include a retainer portion to temporarily retain one or more sample carriers; and a movement mechanism to move the translating member and the attached sample carrier retaining devices between a first position and a second position; wherein the sample carrier retaining devices are controlled and moved simultaneously to retain a sample carrier when the translating member reaches the first position and to release a sample carrier when the translating member reaches the second position to successively advance sample carriers in the sample processing systems.

Abstract: The systems and methods disclosed herein permit automated preparation of biological specimens for examination. The disclosed systems and methods provide fast, efficient, and highly uniform specimen processing using minimal quantities of fluids. The methods include at least a fixing phase for fixing a biological specimen to a substrate such as a microscope slide, a staining phase for staining the specimen, and a rinsing phase for rinsing the specimen. One or more of the fixing, staining, and rinsing phases include one or more agitation cycles for distributing reagents evenly and uniformly across the specimen. The systems can be implemented as a standalone device or as a component in a larger system for preparing and examining biological specimens.

Abstract: The apparatus disclosed herein features a substrate arm and gripper, a platform having a top surface located opposite the substrate when the substrate arm is in a specimen processing position and featuring at least one fluid port located on a surface of the platform facing the substrate and at least one vacuum port located on the surface of the platform facing the substrate, and during operation, the apparatus is configured to (a) dispense a first quantity of fluid from the at least one fluid port to fill a separation between the substrate and the platform, (b) dispense an additional quantity of fluid from the at least one fluid port into the separation to displace a portion of the first quantity of fluid, and (c) remove the portion of the first quantity of fluid from the separation through the at least one vacuum port.

Abstract: Sample application systems can include an extraction mechanism to remove a sample from sample containers, a sample vessel disposed on a deployment mechanism, where the deployment mechanism is arranged to move the sample vessel to receive a sample, an extraction mechanism washing station to wash the extraction mechanism, a sample applicator to remove a portion of the sample in the sample vessel and apply it onto a sample carrier, where the deployment mechanism can move the sample vessel to a sample application position, a sample vessel washing station to wash the sample vessel, where the deployment mechanism can move the sample vessel to the sample vessel washing station, a sample applicator washing station to wash the sample applicator after the sample has been dispensed onto the sample carrier, and a fluid control system to control flow of a fluid provided to the extraction mechanism and the sample applicator.