Abstract: A method for lysing cells in a fluid sample includes providing the sample to a sample chamber of a fluidic cartridge and securing a cap to an open end of the sample chamber. The cap includes a deformable wall defining a chamber containing lytic agents and enclosed by a frangible membrane. The lytic agents include non-magnetic beads and at least one magnetic element, and the size of the magnetic element is greater than the size of any of the non-magnetic beads. A force is applied to a top end of the deformable wall, thereby collapsing the chamber such that the lytic agents rupture the frangible membrane and are released into the sample chamber. The fluid sample and the lytic agents are subjected to a magnetic field causing the magnetic element to agitate the non-magnetic beads to lyse cells within the fluid sample.

Abstract: A cap for dispensing lytic agents into a sample well of a fluidic cartridge includes a deformable wall defining a chamber. A lower sleeve situated beneath the deformable wall defines a recess that is open to the chamber. A frangible membrane affixed to an end of the lower sleeve encloses the recess and the chamber. Lytic agents comprising non-magnetic beads and a magnetic element are contained within the chamber and the recess. A method for lysing cells contained in a sample includes providing sample to the sample well, inserting the cap into the well, applying a force to the deformable wall so the lytic agents rupture the frangible membrane and are released into the well, and subjecting the sample and the lytic agents to a magnetic field causing the magnetic element to agitate the non-magnetic beads to lyse cells contained within the sample.

Abstract: A system and method for heating abiological sample includes, or employs, a housing defining a filter chamber with a fluid inlet and outlet and a filter assembly within the chamber. The filter assembly includes filter media and a conductive mesh and fluid sample flowing through the chamber passes through both the filter media and the mesh. The conductive mesh is inductively heated by an induction coil disposed outside the chamber adjacent to a wall of the housing. The filter chamber may be part of a fluid cartridge including one or more chambers for containing fluid sample and other process fluids or functional connections for connecting external receptacles containing fluid sample and other process fluids. A fluid flow network includes fluid channels and flow control valves for selectively controlling fluid flow within the cartridge and through the filter assembly within the chamber.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media monitor for the introduction of one or more liquids into a reaction chamber. Exemplary methods include determining fluorescence-based values from fluorophore-containing nucleic acid amplification reaction mixtures and determining whether those values satisfy predetermined thresholds and/or ranges or otherwise indicate abnormalities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microfluidic device to manipulate, select, treat, or cultivate living bodies, comprising a first chamber, a second chamber and a network of guiding tracks, wherein: said network of guiding tracks comprises at least one first guiding track connecting the first chamber and the second chamber and at least one second guiding track connecting said at least one first guiding track with at least two interconnections; and said at least one second guiding track comprises a curved part; said curved part exhibiting a concavity facing the second chamber or the part of the network connected to the second chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microfluidic device to manipulate, select, treat, or cultivate living bodies, comprising a first chamber, a second chamber and a network of guiding tracks, wherein: said network of guiding tracks comprises at least one first guiding track connecting the first chamber and the second chamber and at least one second guiding track connecting said at least one first guiding track with at least two interconnections; and said at least one second guiding track comprises a curved part; said curved part exhibiting a concavity facing the second chamber or the part of the network connected to the second chamber.