Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an apparatus, system and method for retrieving a target material from a suspension. A system includes a plurality of processing vessels and a collector. The collector funnels portions of the target material from the suspension through a cannula and into the processing vessels. Sequential density fractionation is the division of a sample into fractions or of a fraction of a sample into sub-fractions by a step-wise or sequential process, such that each step or sequence results in the collection or separation of a different fraction or sub-fraction from the preceding and successive steps or sequences. In other words, sequential density fractionation provides individual sub-populations of a population or individual sub-sub-populations of a sub-population of a population through a series of steps.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an apparatus, system and method for retrieving a target material from a suspension. A system includes a processing vessel, such as an Eppendorf tube, a syringe or a test tube, and a collector. The collector is sized and shaped to fit into a primary vessel, such as a test tube. The collector funnels the target material from the suspension through a cannula and into the processing vessel. The cannula extends into a cavity at a first end of the collector that holds the processing vessel. The collector includes a funnel at a second end in fluid communication with the cannula. In one implementation, the processing vessel includes at least one displacement fluid to be expelled, such that the at least one displacement fluid pushes the target material into the collector.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an apparatus and method for spreading a fluid across a substrate. A spreader for spreading a fluid across a substrate includes a wiper and a frame. The wiper and the frame may mate to permit translation of the wiper across, and with respect to, the frame. The wiper spreads the fluid across the substrate and the frame supports the wiper and the substrate. The frame may also include a ramp to cause a portion of the wiper to lift away from the substrate.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a method and an attachment solution for adhering a cytological or histological sample, such as buffy coat, to a substrate, such as a microscope slide. The attachment solution includes an attachment base and an anti-coagulant. The attachment base may be an alcohol, an acid, an oxidizer, an organohalogen, a ketone, such as acetone, or any combination thereof, such as Carnoy's solution. Once a sample is obtained, the sample may be re-suspended in the attachment solution or the attachment solution may be added to the sample. The sample may then be dispensed onto an analysis platform as one or more droplets and cured. The sample may be spread on the analysis platform after having been dispensed. The sample may then be fixed, permeabilized, labeled, blocked, and washed. The sample may then be imaged and analyzed.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an apparatus, system and method for retrieving a target material from a suspension. A system includes a processing vessel, such as an Eppendorf tube, a syringe or a test tube, and a collector. The collector is sized and shaped to fit into a primary vessel, such as a test tube. The collector funnels the target material from the suspension through a cannula and into the processing vessel. The cannula extends into a cavity at a first end of the collector that holds the processing vessel. The collector includes a funnel at a second end in fluid communication with the cannula. In one implementation, the processing vessel includes at least one displacement fluid to be expelled, such that the at least one displacement fluid pushes the target material into the collector.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an apparatus, system and method for retrieving a target material from a sample. A fraction-density-altering solution may be added to a vessel that contains the sample to change the density of a first fraction of the sample without changing the density of the target material or the density of any other sample fraction. A collector may be inserted into the vessel to funnel the target material from the sample into the collector or into a processing receptacle included in the collector. In one implementation, the collector may include a cannula which extends into a chamber at a first end of the collector and a funnel at a second end that that is in fluid communication with the cannula. The chamber is sized and shaped to hold the processing receptacle. In another implementation, the processing receptacle may be inserted into a bore within the collector.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a device and method of using the device to analyze a sample. The sample may be a suspension, a portion of the suspension, a particular component of the suspension, or the like. For example, the suspension may be blood, the portion may be buffy coat, and the component may be circulating tumor cells. The device may be used to hold the sample for imaging or further processing. The device comprises a cavity that may be sealed on one side by a porous membrane and on an opposite side by a non-porous cover. The porous membrane allows for reagents to be introduced to the sample without diluting the sample. The non-porous cover allows for imaging of the sample. The device further comprises a nozzle for introducing the sample into a space within the cavity.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a device and a system for picking a target analyte of a suspension. A picker introduces at least one force, such as by a magnetic gradient and/or by a pressure gradient, to extract the target analyte from a specimen. The magnetic gradient may be introduced by a magnet, such as a permanent magnet or an electromagnet, and the pressure gradient may be introduced by a pump which moves within a fluid-primed cannula to create the pressure gradient, thereby drawing the target analyte into the cannula. The picker may also expel the target analyte onto or into a substrate, such as a well plate, after the target analyte has been drawn into the picker by reversing the pressure gradient or removing the magnetic gradient.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a slide for analyzing target analytes of a suspension. The slide can be used to collect and hold the target analyte for imaging or further processing. The slide comprises a well section, including wells into which the target analyte can be stored. The wells may be removable and sized to fit into a second apparatus, such as a PCR thermocycler, for additional processing. Alternatively, the wells may hold processing vessels, such as PCR tubes, the processing vessels being used for downstream processing and/or analysis.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to systems and methods for sorting a native aggregate, such as a fluorescent nanoparticle aggregate, which includes multiple objects, some of which have different characteristics, into lower level ensembles, such as monochromatic nanoparticle ensembles. In one aspect, the system includes two detectors, one of which accepts all emitted wavelengths and another one which is preceded by a filter to permit transmission of a specific wavelength or range of wavelengths. In another aspect, the system includes multiple detectors, each detector configured to detect a given wavelength or range of wavelengths, such that no two detectors have overlapping wavelengths or ranges. In yet another aspect, the system includes an optical regulator in front of a detector. This disclosure is also directed to systems and methods for multiplexing and analyzing a target analyte using the monochromatic nanoparticle ensembles.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to systems and methods for analyzing target materials of a suspension include a tube and a float. The float may include expandable portions. The system traps a target analyte between the expandable float and the tube and/or to create a seal between the expandable float and the tube to inhibit fluid from flowing past the expandable float in the tube. The expandable portions may radially expand when exposed to an expanding fluid, such that the expanding fluid is not a naturally-occurring constituent of the suspension; or, the expandable portions may radially expand when a force is exerted upon the expandable portion. A tube may include expandable portions that expand towards the float.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an apparatus, system and method for retrieving a target material from a suspension. A system includes a processing vessel, such as an Eppendorf tube, a syringe or a test tube, and a collector. The collector is sized and shaped to fit into a primary vessel, such as a test tube. The collector funnels the target material from the suspension through a cannula and into the processing vessel. The collector includes a funnel at a second end in fluid communication with the cannula. The cannula extends into a chamber at a first end of the collector that holds the processing vessel. In one implementation, the processing vessel is empty. In another implementation, the processing vessel includes at least one displacement fluid. In yet another implementation, the processing vessel may include at least one displacement fluid and at least one processing solution.