Abstract: Systems, including apparatus, methods, compositions, kits, and software, for preparing, reacting, detecting, and/or analyzing samples in droplet-based assay systems, among others. The disclosure emphasizes, but is not limited to, a disposable cartridge with lysis chamber and droplet chamber, particularly for use in droplet-based assays.

Abstract: Systems, including apparatus and methods, for performing assays. These systems may involve separating sample components by partitioning them into droplets or other partitions, amplifying or otherwise reacting the components within the droplets, detecting the amplified components, or characteristics thereof, and/or analyzing the resulting data, among others.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating slides has a base with a cavity, and a heater is located on a surface of the cavity. A tank, which supports a slide rack with the slides submerged in a slide treatment solution, is placed in the cavity with a tank surface immediately adjacent the heater. A temperature sensor is mounted in the base and is operable to provide a feedback signal representing a temperature of the liquid in the tank. A cover is removably hinged on the base to cover the tank. A control system is connected to the heater and the temperature sensor and has a user input/output that is operable to select a set temperature of the liquid and a cycle time.

Abstract: Systems, including apparatus, methods, compositions, kits, and software, for preparing, reacting, detecting, and/or analyzing samples in droplet-based assay systems, among others. The disclosure emphasizes, but is not limited to, a disposable cartridge with lysis chamber and droplet chamber, particularly for use in droplet-based assays.

Abstract: To simplify the process of preparing tissue specimens on slides, an advanced automated slide processing device is disclosed. The automated slide processing device comprises a robotic arm that both senses input and delivers output. The input sensing includes sensing radio frequency identifier tags (RFIDs) and the output includes writing to RFID tags. This allows the automated slide processing device to read RFID tags on chemical reagent containers, specimen slides, and slide processing modules. The information on the RFID tags can be used to program the automated slide processing device for a slide processing run, add new slide processing protocols, and determine what chemical reagents are available and where each chemical reagent containers is located.

Abstract: To simplify the process of preparing tissue specimens on slides, an advanced automated slide processing device is disclosed. The automated slide processing device comprises a robotic arm that both senses input and delivers output. The input sensing may include sensing radio frequency identifiers (RFIDs). The output includes arm movements, the acquisition and delivery of reagents. A control program runs on a computer system for controlling the robotic arm. The robotic arm delivers reagents to individual slide modules that each feature a controllable heating element and a controllable chamber unit that can form a small chamber on the top of a slide for retaining chemical reagents.

Abstract: Systems, including apparatus and methods, for performing assays. These systems may involve separating sample components by partitioning them into droplets or other partitions, amplifying or otherwise reacting the components within the droplets, detecting the amplified components, or characteristics thereof, and/or analyzing the resulting data, among others.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating slides has a base with a cavity, and a heater is located on a surface of the cavity. A tank, which supports a slide rack with the slides submerged in a slide treatment solution, is placed in the cavity with a tank surface immediately adjacent the heater. A temperature sensor is mounted in the base and is operable to provide a feedback signal representing a temperature of the liquid in the tank. A cover is removably hinged on the base to cover the tank. A control system is connected to the heater and the temperature sensor and has a user input/output that is operable to select a set temperature of the liquid and a cycle time.

Abstract: The invention provides an integrated sample-processing system and components thereof for preparing and/or analyzing samples. The components may include a transport module, a fluidics module, and an analysis module, among others.

Abstract: The invention provides an integrated sample-processing system and components thereof for preparing and/or analyzing samples. The components may include a transport module, a fluidics module, and an analysis module, among others.

Abstract: The invention provides an integrated sample-processing system and components thereof for preparing and/or analyzing samples. The components may include a transport module, a fluidics module, and an analysis module, among others.

Abstract: The invention provides an integrated sample-processing system and components thereof for preparing and/or analyzing samples. The components may include a transport module, a fluidics module, and an analysis module, among others.

Abstract: A capillary cartridge for high performance electrophoresis is constructed in two parts--an internal cooling block and an external housing, both constructed to permit sliding of the cooling block within the housing to provide two positions, one of which is a retracted position in which the exposed ends of the capillary, which protrude from the cooling block, are protected by the housing, and the other an extended position in which the exposed ends of the capillary extend beyond the cooling block for access for sample loading and connections to electrode buffers. An improved coolant flow channel inside the cartridge is also included.

Abstract: A capillary tube for use in high performance capillary electrophoresis is enclosed in a cartridge of generally planar configuration, formed by two flat plates joined together along raised edges to define a shallow enclosed chamber to retain the looped capillary tube, the plates having aligned windows between which a segment of the capillary tube passes, thereby forming a light path for zone detection. The termini of the capillary are embedded in fittings extending from the exterior of the cartridge, which mate with complementary fittings on inlet and outlet blocks which contain buffer reservoirs with controlled hydrostatic heads. The inlet block is specially equipped with ducts and fittings to permit filling of the capillary, injection of the sample into the capillary, changing of the solution in the buffer reservoir, and flushing out of the entire block without disconnecting the block from the capillary cartridge.

Abstract: Short capillary segments are introduced in succession into the current path of a capillary electrophoresis system, either at the downstream end of the separation capillary for purposes of collecting the eluting species in fractions, or at the upstream end for purposes of sequential sample loading. The segments are preferably contained in mobile cassettes whose motion is governed by either continuous or stepper motors at a controlled rate depending on which position the cassette occupies in the solute migration path.

Abstract: A gel used for electrophoresis is cast in a gel enclosure in which the gel will ultimately be used during the electrophoresis, by a novel method and using novel apparatus which provide for quick assembly and avoidance of leaks. The method and apparatus involve a wettable, preferably porous, membrane such as filter paper, which is thoroughly wetted with gel forming solution, then placed over the bottom opening of the gel enclosure and held in place until the gel on the membrane sets. Sealing of any cracks, gaps or irregularities along the rim of the opening is thereby achieved by the capillary action of the gel forming solution. The enclosure itself is then filled with gel forming solution. Once the latter has set, the membrane is removed.

Abstract: Electrophoretic extraction of molecular species from a separation medium such as a gel segment is achieved by placing the separation medium in a tube closed at one end by a retaining material such as glass frit, and sealing the closed end of the tube against the mouth of a receiving cup which has a semi-permeable membrane (such as a dialysis membrane) for its bottom. The tube with receiving cup attached is inserted in a tube electrophoresis cell such as those commonly used in analytical laboratories. As current passes through the tube, the molecular species migrates from the separation medium to pass through the retaining frit and collect on the membrane for subsequent recovery.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying gel slabs supplies heat to a horizontal gel slab from a heating plate above the slab, while drawing a vacuum beneath. The heating plate is weighted and has a flat lower surface at least coextensive with the gel slab. The slab itself is placed on a porous support pad in a vacuum chamber enclosed at the top with a flexible cover which clings to the gel and seals to the perimeter of the chamber when a vacuum is applied from below. The heating plate rests on top of the cover under gravitational force, providing even heating across the entire expanse of the gel slab and for the entire duration of the drying process, resulting in a continuous and uniform vapor flow downward from the gel slab, a minimization of internal stresses, and reduced susceptibility of the gel to cracking.

Abstract: A biochemical test plate assembly is disclosed for use in both filter assays and fluid retention applications. The assembly comprises an upper template with a plurality of discrete apertures, a continuous microporous film underlying the upper template, a gasket underlying the microporous film with apertures matching those of the upper template, a lower template underlying the gasket with a similar array of apertures matching those of both the upper template and the gasket, each aperture terminating at its upper end in a flat boss, and a base plate having a central recess to define an enclosed chamber when the base plate and lower template are in contact, the base plate being designed to form an air-tight seal between it and the lower template.

Abstract: A novel apparatus is disclosed for the alternate filling and evacuation of all wells simultaneously of a multi-well microplate. The apparatus consists of a flat, horizontally disposed distribution head comprised of an upper and a lower chamber formed by these parallel plates, with a rectangular array of tubes passing through the lower of the three plates such that two tubes are aligned with each well of a microplate, one for filling and the other for evacuation. The filling tubes and evacuation tubes extend below the lower plate for unequal distances, the evacuation tubes being the more extended. All filling tubes communicate with one of the two chambers in the distribution head, while all evacuation tubes communicate with the other.