Abstract: A device for forming a liquid aliquot, the device including: a first layer; an elastic second layer overlapping the first layer; a first passageway to receive and hold a volume of liquid, the first passageway formed from the first and second layers; a first actuator to press on the elastic layer thereby dividing the liquid filled passageway into a series of liquid aliquots; a series of vents associated with the series of aliquots; a second actuator to control flow of liquid aliquots through the associated vents; and an attachment structure for attachment of aliquot receptacles to receive liquid aliquots that flow through the vents.

Abstract: A device for forming a liquid aliquot, the device including: a first layer; an elastic second layer overlapping the first layer; a first passageway to receive and hold a volume of liquid, the first passageway formed from the first and second layers; a first actuator to press on the elastic layer thereby dividing the liquid filled passageway into a series of liquid aliquots; a series of vents associated with the series of aliquots; a second actuator to control flow of liquid aliquots through the associated vents; and an attachment structure for attachment of aliquot receptacles to receive liquid aliquots that flow through the vents.

Abstract: A method for transferring multiple aliquots of fluid, the method including: contacting the multi well plate or strip with a transfer array and simultaneously aspirating fluid from multiple wells of the multi well plate or strip into corresponding hollows in the transfer array.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for automating laboratory protocols utilizing modular processing components to allow systems to be reconfigured for processing a wide variety of disparate laboratory protocols are provided. In one aspect, a sample processing module is provided, including a housing configured to accommodate a pre-identified sample process, a standardized temperature input capable of interfacing with a temperature controller, a standardized fluid input capable of interfacing with an input fluid controller, and a standardized agitation connector capable of interfacing with an agitator. These standardized components provide interchangeability of the module with a module having a housing configured to accommodate a different pre-identified sample process in a sample processing system.

Abstract: A system 300 for the substantially-automated hybridization of a plurality of microarray slides. The system comprises an enclosure 310 with a wash basin 312 having an open top end, a lower carrier rotor 330 disposed within the wash basin on a support axle 318 for receiving a plurality of microarray slide substrates 362, and an upper clamp rotor 340 disposed above the lower carrier rotor on the support axle for receiving a plurality of disposable chamber assemblies 240. The system is further configured so that lowering the upper clamp rotor to engage with the lower carrier rotor couples the plurality of chamber assemblies to the plurality of slide substrates to form a plurality of sealed reaction chambers 244, and raising the upper clamp rotor to disengage from the lower carrier rotor de-couples the plurality of chamber assemblies from the plurality of slide substrates to unseal the plurality of reaction chambers.

Abstract: A slide conditioning system comprises a basin, suitable to retain fluids therein, and a slide carrier having a bidirectional valve formed therein, the slide carrier adapted to carry a plurality of slides therein. A rotor arm is rotatable relative to the basin, the rotor arm being capable of carrying the slide carrier and applying centrifugal forces to the slide carrier as the rotor arm rotates. A fluidics system is also provided and a fluid coupling port is operable to selectively and fluidly mate with the bidirectional valve of the slide carrier while the slide carrier is carried by the rotor arm to fluidly couple the slide carrier to the fluidics system.

Abstract: A system for the automated hybridization of a plurality of microarray slides. The system comprises an enclosure with a wash basin having an open top end, a lower carrier rotor disposed within the wash basin on a support axle for receiving a plurality of microarray slide substrates, and an upper clamp rotor disposed above the lower carrier rotor on the support axle for receiving a plurality of disposable mixers. The system is further configured so that lowering the upper clamp rotor to engage with the lower carrier rotor couples the plurality of mixers to the plurality of slide substrates to form a plurality of sealed reaction chambers, and raising the upper clamp rotor to disengage from the lower carrier rotor de-couples the plurality of mixers from the plurality of slide substrates to unseal the plurality of reaction chambers.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for automating laboratory protocols utilizing modular processing components to allow systems to be reconfigured for processing a wide variety of disparate laboratory protocols are provided. In one aspect, a sample processing module is provided, including a housing configured to accommodate a pre-identified sample process, a standardized temperature input capable of interfacing with a temperature controller, a standardized fluid input capable of interfacing with an input fluid controller, and a standardized agitation connector capable of interfacing with an agitator. These standardized components provide interchangeability of the module with a module having a housing configured to accommodate a different pre-identified sample process in a sample processing system.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for selectively eluting biological material from a distinct spatial location on a microarray slide. In one aspect, for example, a method for recovering biological material coupled to a microarray slide can include selecting a biological material to be recovered from the microarray slide, finding the biological material within a distinct spatial region on the microarray slide surface, and eluting at least a portion of the selected biological material from the distinct spatial region without eluting substantial amounts of non-selected biological material from regions of the microarray slide that are not within the distinct spatial region.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a fluidic interface to slides bearing microarrays of biomolecules or other samples immobilized thereon to perform a variety of chemical reactions or processing steps on the slide. An interface device seals against the slide to form a chamber or chambers containing all or a portion of the microarray, providing selective access to portions of the slide. The interface device includes inlet and outlet ports permitting liquid sample and reagents to be introduced to and removed from the chamber accessing the slide surface. Pre- and post-array microfluidic circuitry may be included in the interface device or in attachable modules. The system may include one or more compartments for collecting and storing waste fluids.

Abstract: A method and system for performing mixing in a low volume, low aspect ratio microfluidic chamber (3) is described. Two or more mixing bladders (13,15) formed adjacent the microfluidic chamber are inflated and deflated in reciprocating fashion to cause inward and outward deflection of discrete regions of the chamber wall to mix fluid within the chamber. Mixing bladders are actuated by air or another gas, or by a liquid such as water, pumped in and out of the bladders with a pump which may be located remote from the microfluidic device including the microfluidic chamber. In an alternative embodiment, mixing is generated by applying alternating mechanical forces to a surface of a flexible chamber forming device. The microfluidic chamber may be a hybridization chamber formed on a microarray (25) slide with the use of a microarray interface device, or it may be a microfluidic chamber formed in various other types of microfluidic devices.

Abstract: A three-dimensional microfluidic device (100) formed from a plurality of substantially planar layers (101, 102, 103) sealed together is disclosed

Abstract: A method and system for providing a fluidic interface to slides bearing microarrays of biomolecules or other samples immobilized thereon to perform a variety of chemical reactions or processing steps on the slide. An interface device seals against the slide to form a chamber or chambers containing all or a portion of the microarray, providing selective access to portions of the slide. The interface device includes inlet and outlet ports permitting liquid sample and reagents to be introduced to and removed from the chamber accessing the slide surface. Pre-and post-array microfluidic circuitry may be included in the interface device or in attachable modules. The system may include one or more compartments for collecting and storing waste fluids.