Abstract: A segmented stator for an electric motor comprises: a plurality of tooth segments arranged in a circular configuration, the tooth segments having body portions and front surfaces extending inward from the body portions; and wire wound on the body portions. A distance between adjacently positioned front surfaces of the tooth segments is less than a width of the wire. The wire wound on the body portions substantially fills space between adjacently positioned tooth segments.

Abstract: Magnetic beads having cell components of interest are translated between a sequence of processing wells in a tray without need for pipetting. The circular tray contains one or more sequences of wells each interconnected by a respective channel. The tray is rotated about a central axis and a magnet, an agitator, and a heater provided external to the tray enable magnetic bead translation, mixing, and incubation, respectively. The magnet proximate a well forms a cluster of beads. Manipulation of the tray in rotation and elevation results in translation of the cluster from one well, through a channel, and into an adjacent well. The well containing a cluster may be rotationally positioned in front of the agitator, the agitator extended into contact with the well, followed by mechanical agitation. The heater, disposed beneath the tray, may accept a well lowered thereto for selective heating.

Abstract: Slide analysis a gripper with three sensors for controlling a slide grip sequence and at least one rotatable carousel with a slide receiving channel. The systems also include a robot with a robot arm that holds a slide gripper residing inside the housing in communication with the rotatable carousel. The systems also include a load lock chamber and a door sealably coupled to the second end portion and an acquisition vacuum chamber with an X-Y stage and a slide holder with a vacuum seal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a clinical instrument analyzer system for the automatic analysis of patient samples. In one embodiment, the analyzer may be used to analyze bodily fluid samples, such as blood, plasma, serum, urine or cerebrospinal fluid, for example. Embodiments of the invention relate to an apparatus and method, for example, an immunoassay method, for separating out target molecules in a magnetic field and then analyzing those target molecules with a luminometer.

Abstract: Magnetic beads having cell components of interest are translated between a sequence of processing wells in a tray without need for pipetting. The circular tray contains one or more sequences of wells each interconnected by a respective channel. The tray is rotated about a central axis and a magnet, an agitator, and a heater provided external to the tray enable magnetic bead translation, mixing, and incubation, respectively. The magnet proximate a well forms a cluster of beads. Manipulation of the tray in rotation and elevation results in translation of the cluster from one well, through a channel, and into an adjacent well. The well containing a cluster may be rotationally positioned in front of the agitator, the agitator extended into contact with the well, followed by mechanical agitation. The heater, disposed beneath the tray, may accept a well lowered thereto for selective heating.

Abstract: Magnetic beads having cell components of interest are translated between a sequence of processing wells in a tray without need for pipetting. The circular tray contains one or more sequences of wells each interconnected by a respective channel. The tray is rotated about a central axis and a magnet, an agitator, and a heater provided external to the tray enable magnetic bead translation, mixing, and incubation, respectively. The magnet proximate a well forms a cluster of beads. Manipulation of the tray in rotation and elevation results in translation of the cluster from one well, through a channel, and into an adjacent well. The well containing a cluster may be rotationally positioned in front of the agitator, the agitator extended into contact with the well, followed by mechanical agitation. The heater, disposed beneath the tray, may accept a well lowered thereto for selective heating.

Abstract: Magnetic beads having cell components of interest are translated between a sequence of processing wells in a tray without need for pipetting. The circular tray contains one or more sequences of wells each interconnected by a respective channel. The tray is rotated about a central axis and a magnet, an agitator, and a heater provided external to the tray enable magnetic bead translation, mixing, and incubation, respectively. The magnet proximate a well forms a cluster of beads. Manipulation of the tray in rotation and elevation results in translation of the cluster from one well, through a channel, and into an adjacent well. The well containing a cluster may be rotationally positioned in front of the agitator, the agitator extended into contact with the well, followed by mechanical agitation. The heater, disposed beneath the tray, may accept a well lowered thereto for selective heating.

Abstract: Slide analysis a gripper with three sensors for controlling a slide grip sequence and at least one rotatable carousel with a slide receiving channel. The systems also include a robot with a robot arm that holds a slide gripper residing inside the housing in communication with the rotatable carousel. The systems also include a load lock chamber and a door sealably coupled to the second end portion and an acquisition vacuum chamber with an X-Y stage and a slide holder with a vacuum seal.

Abstract: Load lock assemblies for a sample analysis system, such as a mass spectrometry system, include a load lock chamber having longitudinally opposing first and second end portions and a through channel, a door coupled to the second end portion, and a seal assembly coupled to the first end portion. The seal assembly includes a rigid seal housing member coupled to a housing of the load lock chamber. The rigid seal housing member includes a port forming part of the first end portion of the through channel of the load lock chamber. The rigid seal housing member can include a self-centering cartridge and/or a flexure member coupled to the housing of the load lock chamber. Where used, the flexure member has an outer perimeter that extends above and below the rigid seal housing member and includes an aperture that is aligned with the port of the rigid seal housing member.

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: This instant disclosure provides methods of processing a sample in an automated sample processing device including devices configured for the automated extraction or isolation of nucleic acids. Also provided are plungers for use in such devices and methods of sample processing. Systems for performing the described methods and employing the described plungers are also provided.

Abstract: Slide analysis a gripper with three sensors for controlling a slide grip sequence and at least one rotatable carousel with a slide receiving channel. The systems also include a robot with a robot arm that holds a slide gripper residing inside the housing in communication with the rotatable carousel. The systems also include a load lock chamber and a door sealably coupled to the second end portion and an acquisition vacuum chamber with an X-Y stage and a slide holder with a vacuum seal.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include sample analysis methods and systems. According to certain embodiments, provided are methods of analyzing samples in an automated sample analysis system. The methods include introducing samples and sample preparation cartridges into the system, isolating and purifying an analyte (e.g., nucleic acids and/or proteins) present in the samples at a sample preparation station, and performing analyte detection assays in assay mixtures that include the purified analyte. Also provided are automated sample analysis systems that find use, e.g., in performing the methods of the present disclosure. In certain aspects, the methods and systems provide for continuous operator access during replenishment or removal of one or any combination of samples, bulk fluids, reagents, commodities, waste, and/or the like.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods, systems, and devices for detecting and/or identifying one or more specific microorganisms in a culture sample. Indicator particles, such as surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-active nanoparticles, each having associated therewith one or more specific binding members having an affinity for the one or more microorganisms of interest, can form a complex with specific microorganisms in the culture sample. Further, agitating magnetic capture particles also having associated therewith one or more specific binding members having an affinity for the one or more microorganisms of interest can be used to capture the microorganism-indicator particle complex and concentrate the complex in a localized area of an assay vessel for subsequent detection and identification. The complex can be dispersed, pelleted, and redispersed so that the culture sample can be retested a number of times during incubation so as to allow for real-time monitoring of the culture sample.

Abstract: Load lock assemblies for a sample analysis system, such as a mass spectrometry system, include a load lock chamber having longitudinally opposing first and second end portions and a through channel, a door coupled to the second end portion, and a seal assembly coupled to the first end portion. The seal assembly includes a rigid seal housing member coupled to a housing of the load lock chamber. The rigid seal housing member includes a port forming part of the first end portion of the through channel of the load lock chamber. The rigid seal housing member can include a self-centering cartridge and/or a flexure member coupled to the housing of the load lock chamber. Where used, the flexure member has an outer perimeter that extends above and below the rigid seal housing member and includes an aperture that is aligned with the port of the rigid seal housing member.

Abstract: This instant disclosure provides methods of processing a sample in an automated sample processing device including devices configured for the automated extraction or isolation of nucleic acids. Also provided are plungers for use in such devices and methods of sample processing. Systems for performing the described methods and employing the described plungers are also provided.

Abstract: Load lock assemblies for a sample analysis system, such as a mass spectrometry system, include a load lock chamber having longitudinally opposing first and second end portions and a through channel, a door coupled to the second end portion, and a seal assembly coupled to the first end portion. The seal assembly includes a rigid seal housing member coupled to a housing of the load lock chamber. The rigid seal housing member includes a port forming part of the first end portion of the through channel of the load lock chamber. The rigid seal housing member can include a self-centering cartridge and/or a flexure member coupled to the housing of the load lock chamber. Where used, the flexure member has an outer perimeter that extends above and below the rigid seal housing member and includes an aperture that is aligned with the port of the rigid seal housing member.

Abstract: Slide analysis a gripper with three sensors for controlling a slide grip sequence and at least one rotatable carousel with a slide receiving channel. The systems also include a robot with a robot arm that holds a slide gripper residing inside the housing in communication with the rotatable carousel. The systems also include a load lock chamber and a door sealably coupled to the second end portion and an acquisition vacuum chamber with an X-Y stage and a slide holder with a vacuum seal.

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: Aspects of the present disclosure include sample analysis methods and systems. According to certain embodiments, provided are methods of analyzing samples in an automated sample analysis system. The methods include introducing samples and sample preparation cartridges into the system, isolating and purifying an analyte (e.g., nucleic acids and/or proteins) present in the samples at a sample preparation station, and performing analyte detection assays in assay mixtures that include the purified analyte. Also provided are automated sample analysis systems that find use, e.g., in performing the methods of the present disclosure. In certain aspects, the methods and systems provide for continuous operator access during replenishment or removal of one or any combination of samples, bulk fluids, reagents, commodities, waste, and/or the like.