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: A system determines the location of a tip of a hypodermic needle by moving a needle along a path, shining light from two sources onto respective portions of the path, and analysing signals received from the respective light sources that have been reflected by the needle.

Abstract: Information about a drug-containing vessel is determined by capturing image data of the curved surface of a cylindrical portion of a drug-containing vessel. The image data is unfurled from around the curved surface, binarised, and a template matching algorithm employed to determine that the label information comprises candidate information about the vessel and/or the drug.

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: Information about a drug-containing vessel is determined by capturing image data of the curved surface of a cylindrical portion of a drug-containing vessel. The image data is unfurled from around the curved surface, binarised, and a template matching algorithm employed to determine that the label information comprises candidate information about the vessel and/or the drug.

Abstract: A system determines the location of a tip of a hypodermic needle by moving a needle along a path, shining light from two sources onto respective portions of the path, and analysing signals received from the respective light sources that have been reflected by the needle.

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: To minimize cross talk in systems and methods for detecting two or more different optical signals emitted from each of a plurality of reaction receptacles, an excitation signal associated with each of the optical signals has a known excitation frequency, and any detected signal having a frequency that is inconsistent with the excitation frequency is discarded. The receptacles are moved relative to optical sensors configured to detect each unique optical signal from an associated receptacle, and to further minimize cross talk, the optical sensors are arranged so that only one reaction receptacle at a time is in a signal detecting position with respect to one of its associated optical sensors, and the optical sensors are grouped by the optical signal they are configured to detect so that a first optical signal is detected from each of the reaction receptacles before a second optical signal is detected from the reaction receptacles.

Abstract: To minimize cross talk in systems and methods for detecting two or more different optical signals emitted from each of a plurality of reaction receptacles, an excitation signal associated with each of the optical signals has a known excitation frequency, and any detected signal having a frequency that is inconsistent with the excitation frequency is discarded. The receptacles are moved relative to optical sensors configured to detect each unique optical signal from an associated receptacle, and to further minimize cross talk, the optical sensors are arranged so that only one reaction receptacle at a time is in a signal detecting position with respect to one of its associated optical sensors, and the optical sensors are grouped by the optical signal they are configured to detect so that a first optical signal is detected from each of the reaction receptacles before a second optical signal is detected from the reaction receptacles.

Abstract: A photometric device for investigating a sample, comprises an array of radiation sources that are spaced apart from one another, and which are operable to generate radiation that differs from that generated by the other radiation sources in the array. The device includes a lens arrangement for focusing the radiation at a region of space where a sample may be located for example by means of a sample holder, and at least one detector for receiving radiation from the region of space. Preferably, a number of detectors are employed that are spaced apart from one another, and especially about an axis of the device, so that one radiation detector can detect radiation transmitted by the sample and the other detectors can detect radiation scattered by it. The radiation sources may be time division multiplexed so that in each time slot the detectors receive radiation originating from each radiation source.

Abstract: To minimize cross talk in systems and methods for detecting two or more different optical signals emitted from each of a plurality of reaction receptacles, an excitation signal associated with each of the optical signals has a known excitation frequency, and any detected signal having a frequency that is inconsistent with the excitation frequency is discarded. The receptacles are moved relative to optical sensors configured to detect each unique optical signal from an associated receptacle, and to further minimize cross talk, the optical sensors are arranged so that only one reaction receptacle at a time is in a signal detecting position with respect to one of its associated optical sensors, and the optical sensors are grouped by the optical signal they are configured to detect so that a first optical signal is detected from each of the reaction receptacles before a second optical signal is detected from the reaction receptacles.

Abstract: A photometric device for investigating a sample, comprises an array of radiation sources that are spaced apart from one another, and which are operable to generate radiation that differs from that generated by the other radiation sources in the array. The device includes a lens arrangement for focusing the radiation at a region of space where a sample may be located for example by means of a sample holder, and at least one detector for receiving radiation from the region of space. Preferably, a number of detectors are employed that are spaced apart from one another, and especially about an axis of the device, so that one radiation detector can detect radiation transmitted by the sample and the other detectors can detect radiation scattered by it. The radiation sources may be time division multiplexed so that in each time slot the detectors receive radiation originating from each radiation source.

Abstract: To minimize cross talk in systems and methods for detecting two or more different optical signals emitted from each of a plurality of reaction receptacles, an excitation signal associated with each of the optical signals has a known excitation frequency, and any detected signal having a frequency that is inconsistent with the excitation frequency is discarded. The receptacles are moved relative to optical sensors configured to detect each unique optical signal from an associated receptacle, and to further minimize cross talk, the optical sensors are arranged so that only one reaction receptacle at a time is in a signal detecting position with respect to one of its associated optical sensors, and the optical sensors are grouped by the optical signal they are configured to detect so that a first optical signal is detected from each of the reaction receptacles before a second optical signal is detected from the reaction receptacles.