Abstract: This invention relates to clinical diagnostic assays and related optical bio-discs and a disc-reading apparatus. The invention is directed to a method for determining the blood cell type of an individual.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices, assemblies, and systems are provided, as are methods of manipulating micro-sized samples of fluids. Microfluidic devices having a plurality of specialized processing features that facilitate centripetal fluid transfer are also provided.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and apparatus for detecting and quantifying particulate matter suspended in a fluid. Specifically, the invention provides an integrated, affinity-binding based, analytical system comprising a platform for performing an affinity-binding based assay for specifically binding particulates including microbial cells, and a detection means for detecting the particulates specifically bound to a defined surface or chamber comprising the platform. Methods for using the analytical systems of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing liquid samples packed in tubes (6) closed with a top (7) capable of being perforated, includes a support (4) for the tubes and a unit (8) for sampling an aliquot from each tube and delivering it into a receptacle for treatment and/or analysis, the unit (8) including a hollow needle (45) connected to a suction/delivery device and vertically mobile; the support (4) has a circular tray provided with several tube-holders (5) on its periphery and capable of rotating about a vertical axis to bring a position successively and selectively the tubes (6) borne by the tube-holders (5) in line with the unit (8); each tube-holder (5) is connected to the tray (4) through a linkage (31) with two degrees of freedom.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for performing the steps of nucleic acid template purification, a thermocycling reaction and purification of the products of the thermocycling reaction characterised in that the steps take place sequentially in a microfluidic disc. Also disclosed is a microstructure for fluids comprising at least one inlet opening connected to a first chamber incorporating a means for purifying template nucleic acid which, in turn, is connected to a second chamber incorporating a means for a thermocycling reaction which, in turn, is connected to a third chamber incorporating a means for purifying products of the thermocycling reaction, and a microfluidic disc comprising a plurality of such microstructures.

Abstract: An apparatus for evaporating liquid samples contained in sample holders mounted within a chamber and by rotated by the rotor during an evaporation process in which the pressure in the chamber is reduced below atmospheric and the sample holders are rotated at high speed so as to exert centrifugal force on the contents of the holders. Heat is supplied to elevate the temperature of the liquid component of the samples to assist in the evaporation process. The temperature of the sample material is continuously or regularly monitored during the evaporation process and temperature signals are transmitted to a remote computing means which is programmed to generate a control signal for controlling the supply of heat to the samples and controlling the evaporation process. The temperature may be sensed by a probe in a sample holder containing an evaporating liquid sample, or in an adjoining sample holder containing a buffer liquid. The rotational speed is also sensed and a speed signal conveyed to the computing means.

Abstract: A method for dispensing droplets of a liquid to a microsystem in the form of a disc comprising a target area (TA0I) in its surface, said disc preferably being a microfluidic disc comprising a microchannel structure with an inlet port that is a target area (TA0I). The method is characterized by comprising the steps of: i) providing (1) said disc which has a triggering mark, and (2) a dispenser arrangement comprising: a) a spinner for rotating the disc around its axis, b) a drop dispenser permitting dispensation of droplets to inlet port I, c) a fixed trigger position outside the disc, and d) a controller which is capable of triggering the dispensation of a droplet into (TA0I) as a function of the triggering mark passing the trigger position, ii) placing the disc in the spinner and programming the controller with values for dispensing parameters that will give dispensation of the droplets to TA0I, iii) dispensing the droplets. The invention also comprises the dispenser arrangement as such.

Abstract: A device for centrifuging various samples of a product or a mixture of products which are chemical or biological, the device including a vessel which is open at the top and contains a vertical central shaft driven in rotation by a rotary driving means, a horizontal plate mounted interlocked in rotation on the central shaft and provided on its surface with a plurality of through orifices for the mounting of tubes which are each intended to contain a volume of a sample to be centrifuged, these through orifices having a substantially elongate shape with front and rear walls inclined at an acute angle of less than 90 degrees relative to the horizontal, and means for indexing the position of the plate each time the plate stops, in order to position through orifices of the tubes at predetermined sites.

Abstract: Automatic diagnostic apparatus includes: a controller for controlling operation of the apparatus and for processing data; a sensing system operably connected to the controller for performing an assay, preferably an electrochemical assay (more preferably an electrochemical immunoassay), of a sample and communicating data from the assay to the controller; voltage supply means for applying a potential differential to the sensing system; and output means for communicating processed data to a user.

Abstract: Automated staining equipment that can mix reagents is used to spray a Romanowsky stain onto slide mounted specimens which are then briefly centrifuged. The centrifugation step removes excess stain leaving only a thin film. Depending on the time of the centrifugation step, most of the organic solvent and part of the water in the stain are evaporated by airflow through the equipment. This greatly accelerates the staining reaction and preserves water soluble structures such as the granules in basophilic leukocytes. For optimal performance, this staining procedure requires a thiazin-eosin stain with about 90% to about 40% organic solvent, such as methanol, and only about 10% to about 60% water. This is a unique staining reagent in Romanowsky staining.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems for processing sample materials that may be presented in a standard microtiter plate are disclosed. The present invention provides a bridge between the standard microtiter plate systems, methods, protocols, etc. with their stationary wells and rotating sample processing devices that allow users to obtain the rapid processing advantages of the newer sample processing devices while retaining the benefits of the standard microtiter plate formats.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention includes a technique to remove a contaminant from a resist. A resist having a resist volume is spun in a centrifuige tube of a centrifuge at a pre-defined spinning rate corresponding to the resist volume in a time period to provide a gel. The gel is located under a lighting condition. The resist is decanted from the centrifuge tube.

Abstract: An automated immunostaining apparatus having a reagent application zone and a reagent supply zone. The apparatus has a carousel slide support supporting a plurality of slide supports thereon, and drive means engaging the carousel slide support for consecutively positioning each of a plurality of slide supports in the reagent application zone. The apparatus also has a carousel reagent support having a plurality of reagent container supports thereon, and drive means engaging the carousel for rotating the carousel and positioning a preselected reagent container support in the reagent supply zone. The apparatus also has a reagent delivery actuator means positioned for engaging a reagent container positioned on a container support.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator of the invention has a centrifugal rotor (10-1), with symmetric rotation axes, having single sample separation chamber in it for centrifuging samples contained in sample solutions, an upper opening passing through to said sample separation chamber in the upper part, members of frameworks capable of being coupled to said upper opening, a rotation driving means, assuming that the direction of said symmetric rotation axis is the first direction, for driving said centrifugal rotor around said rotation axis in the first direction, wherein assuming that two directions intersecting with said first direction are the second and third directions, the length of said sample preparation chamber in said third direction is longer than the length of said sample preparation chamber in said second direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides centrifugal rotors for delivering a premeasured volume of liquid to a chamber in the rotor. In particular the rotors comprise siphons for delivering a premeasured volume of liquid between a first and a second chamber in the rotor. The siphons of the invention are designed such that the inlet of the siphon on the first chamber is radially outward of the siphon outlet on the second chamber. The first chamber is emptied to a level equivalent to the radial position of the siphon outlet.

Abstract: In a first exemplary embodiment, the present invention relates to an apparatus for performing an assay comprising a micro-system platform, a CD-ROM device and an information processor, where the CD-ROM device under control of the information processor is capable of reading and writing data to the micro-system platform. The micro-system platform comprises a first section for storing data in a continuous circular data band, which is disposed in an inner portion of the micro-system platform, and a second section including at least one assay, which is formed in an outer portion of the micro-system platform. During operation, the CD-ROM device retrieves and stores data related to the performance of the assay in the circular data band. The information processor is operative for controlling the CD-ROM device in accordance with the data retrieved from the circular data band, and for analyzing the results of the assay.

Abstract: A rack transportation assembly having a projecting member projecting forward is fixed onto a floor by a plurality of adjusters so that its rack transportation surface is brought to a desired level. The projecting member has a first reference surface facing upward. A treatment unit structure having a rack transferring area has a second reference surface in its lower surface. The treatment unit structure is pushed toward the rack transportation assembly under a condition that the second reference surface is lifted upward using height-adjustable casters so as to not become higher than the first reference surface. Then, the treatment unit structure is lowered so that the second reference surface is mounted onto the first reference surface, and a height in the front side of the treatment unit structure is adjusted using the plurality of adjusters.

Abstract: Sample processing devices including process chambers having bypass slots and methods of using the same are disclosed. The bypass slots are formed in the sidewalls of the process chambers and are in fluid communication with distribution channels used to deliver fluid sample materials to the process chambers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for measuring platelet activation in a whole blood matrix under physiological conditions and independent of the activation of a coagulation cascade in the plasma. The method and system measure the propensity of cells in a biological fluid to form adherent cell aggregates and thrombin. The method accommodates both citrated and native venous blood. The system includes a simple, low-cost, single-use thrombogenic test cartridge for measuring the intensity of thrombus formation, and for providing quantitative measurement of platelet functions in a near-patient environment. Hemostatic activity of platelets in a biological fluid sample is assessed by monitoring the degree of adherent thrombus formation after cells are exposed to platelet agonists in a shear stress environment. The system may be configured to monitor the therapeutic effects of anti-platelet agents, to assess primary hemostatic response of platelets, and to assess thrombotic potential of platelets.

Abstract: Sample processing devices may include compression structures that provide for the transfer of force from a platen to a platform such as a thermal block on which the sample processing device is located during processing. The sample processing devices may include a fill reservoir structure with various features such as arcuate edges, radially aligned exit channels, support structures, and selectively variable heights with a corresponding variable volume distribution.

Abstract: The present invention provides centrifugal rotors for delivering a premeasured volume of liquid to a chamber in the rotor. In particular the rotors comprise siphons for delivering a premeasured volume of liquid between a first and a second chamber in the rotor. The siphons of the invention are designed such that the inlet of the siphon on the first chamber is radially outward of the siphon outlet on the second chamber. The first chamber is emptied to a level equivalent to the radial position of the siphon outlet.

Abstract: Centrifugal analyzer and method for staining biological or non-biological samples in microgravity, wherein the method utilizes an increase in weight of a fluid sample as a function of g-load, to overcome cohesive and frictional forces from preventing its movement in a preselected direction. Apparatus is characterized by plural specimen reservoirs and channels in a slide, each channel being of differing cross-section, wherein respective samples are selectively dispensed, from the reservoirs in response to an imposed g-factor, precedent to sample staining. Within the method, one thus employs microscope slides which define channels, each being of a differing cross-section dimension relative to others. In combination therewith, centrifugal slide mounting apparatus controllably imposes g-vectors of differing magnitudes within a defined structure of the centrifuge such as a chip array.

Abstract: There is disclosed a measuring system that is for use with an automatic chemical analyzer and accomplishes accurate measurement reproducibility and low cost. The system has a turntable on which plural reaction cells are arranged circumferentially. A light source and a spectroscopic detector are located on opposite sides of the reaction cell in a detection position. The amount of light transmitted through the cell is measured. A motor having an encoder is connected to the turntable. The output signal from the detector corresponding to each reaction cell is accepted in response to the output signal from the encoder.

Abstract: The automated sample-on-solid-support processing system of the present invention comprises a computer-based control unit and a main unit comprising a variable-speed centrifuge having an openable vacuum-tight chamber and a centrifuge rotor with a plurality of multi-sample holding positions, a liquid solvent supply subsystem which feeds solvent to a plurality of dispensing stations in the centrifuge chamber, a temperature control subsystem, and a vacuum subsystem. A sample/collection container includes a plurality of wells, each for separating a sample from its solid support when solvent is dispensed into the wells and the centrifuge is activated at a low speed. Operation of the centrifuge at high speed concentrates the cleaved sample in collection wells. In the preferred embodiment bar code reader or other identification means, preferably a non-contact reader, can be included in the chamber to allow sample carriers to be identified.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and systems for processing sample materials are disclosed. The present invention may provide a bridge between standard microtiter plate systems, methods, protocols, etc. (that include wells arranged in rectangular arrays) and rotating sample processing devices and systems that allow users to obtain the rapid processing advantages of the more advanced sample processing devices. The sample processing devices preferably include a rectangular body to improve compatibility of the sample processing devices of the present invention with equipment designed for use with more conventional microtiter plates (which are typically rectangular in shape). The sample processing devices also include at least one set of process chambers arranged in one or more circular arcs and may include input and/or output chambers arranged in a rectilinear grid array.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for screening a proteome. The method and apparatus include an array of affinity elements, such that a proteome is directed through the array and those components that specifically bind to the affinity elements of the array are eluted in a suitable eluent by means of centrifugation. Suitable eluents can include a proteome component, a chemical library component or an affinity element. This method and apparatus can be used for several purposes, including screening for bio-active compounds, determining physiological targets of known drugs, determining specificity of compound interactions with physiological targets, and for quantitative protein analyses.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for performing microanalytic and microsynthetic analyses and procedures. The invention provides a microsystem platform and a micromanipulation device for manipulating the platform that utilizes the centripetal force resulting from rotation of the platform to motivate fluid movement through microchannels. The microsystem platforms of the invention are also optionally provided having system informatics and data acquisition, analysis and storage and retrieval informatics encoded on the surface of the disk opposite to the surface containing the fluidic components. Methods specific for the apparatus of the invention for performing any of a wide variety of microanalytical or microsynthetic processes are provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing coagulation studies, chemistry procedures and the like, the apparatus including a container having a space for containing a body fluid sample therein, a covered opening and being provided with optically clear sides and a uniform cross-sectional configuration over at least a portion of the container, the cover being pierceable to permit the selective addition of reagents to be delivered into the container space, and the apparatus and method facilitating carrying out analytical procedures on body fluid sample when it is contained in the container. The apparatus further including instrumentation for optically reading and analyzing the fluid sample and adding appropriate reagents while the sample it is in the container.

Abstract: Automated staining equipment that can mix reagents is used to spray a Romanowsky stain onto slide mounted specimens which are then briefly centrifuged. The centrifugation step removes excess stain leaving only a thin film. Depending on the time of the centrifugation step, most of the organic solvent and part of the water in the stain are evaporated by airflow through the equipment. This greatly accelerates the staining reaction and preserves water soluble structures such as the granules in basophilic leukocytes. For optimal performance, this staining procedure requires a thiazin-eosin stain with about 90% to about 40% organic solvent, such as methanol, and only about 10% to about 60% water. This is a unique staining reagent in Romanowsky staining.

Abstract: A device for identifying analytes in a biological sample, including a substrate having a surface lying substantially in a first plane, a plurality of targets, each having a wall lying substantially in a second plane offset from the first plane, and a receptor coating applied to one of the surface and the target walls for binding analytes present in the biological sample when the biological sample is applied to the substrate. A laser beam is sequentially directed onto each of the plurality of target, the laser being positioned relative to the substrate such that when the beam is directed onto a target, a first half of the beam is reflected back to the laser from the wall of the target and a second half of the beam is reflected back to the laser from the surface of the substrate adjacent the target.

Abstract: An apparatus for high-throughput combinatorial syntheses of organic molecules including a reaction vessel for containing a combinatorial-chemistry synthetic reaction, a liquid dispenser for dispensing the liquid, a liquid aspirator and an adjustment mechanism. The reaction vessel includes an ingress aperture allowing a liquid to enter into an interior of the vessel and an egress aperture for aspirating the liquid from the vessel. The liquid dispenser dispenses liquid through the ingress aperture. The liquid aspirator aspirates liquid through the egress aperture and includes a rotor for carrying the vessel and orbiting the vessel about an axis of rotation. The rotor is oriented generally in a horizontal plane and includes an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the angle of the vessel relative to the horizontal plane in response to the centrifugal force generated by orbiting the vessel about the axis of rotation. A method of combinatorial synthesis of organic molecules is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention provides methods an apparatus for detecting and quantifying particulate matter suspended in a fluid. Specifically, the invention provides an integrated, affinity-binding based, analytical system comprising a platform for performing an affinity-binding based assay for specifically binding particulates including microbial cells, and a detection means for detecting the particulates specifically bound to a defined surface or chamber comprising the platform. Methods for using the analytical systems of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: A bioanalytic method replenishes depleted zones of a sample liquid in a shallow probe-array reaction cell under ultragravity centrifugal forces. The ultragravity overcomes viscous and surface-tension forces to permit replenishment despite a shallow reaction-cell depth of 25 microns. Thus, replenishment is achieved using {fraction (1/10)}th the sample volume normally used in probe-array systems that use mixing to facilitate binding reactions. For similar amounts of sample, the shallow cell takes advantage of a ten-times greater concentration to achieve much greater signal strengths in much shorter times. Thus, signal strengths that normally take 17 hours to achieve are achieved in about 60 minutes.

Abstract: The present invention provides centrifugal rotors for delivering a premeasured volume of liquid to a chamber in the rotor. In particular the rotors comprise siphons for delivering a premeasured volume of liquid between a first and a second chamber in the rotor. The siphons of the invention are designed such that the inlet of the siphon on the first chamber is radially outward of the siphon outlet on the second chamber. The first chamber is emptied to a level equivalent to the radial position of the siphon outlet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to photometric analysis apparatus of the type which uses disk-shaped rotors, in which the rotors are loaded automatically. In particular, the present invention relates to photometric analysis apparatus of the type which uses disk-shaped rotors, characterized in that it has a device for loading the rotors (3) onto analysis apparatus (5) automatically, the device comprising a hopper (2) for supplying the rotors, the hopper (2) comprising asymmetric notches for locating the rotors (3) positively in the hopper.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and apparatus for performing microanalytic and microsynthetic analyses and procedures. Specifically, the invention provides a microsystem platform for use with a micromanipulation device to manipulate the platform by rotation, thereby utilizing the centripetal force resulting from rotation of the platform to motivate fluid movement through microchannels embedded in the microplatform. The microsystem platforms of the invention are also provided having microfluidics components, resistive heating elements, temperature sensing elements, mixing structures, capillary and sacrificial valves, and methods for using these microsystems platforms for performing biological, enzymatic, immunological and chemical assays.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and an apparatus to provide a dynamic matrix system for synthesizing a plurality of chemical compounds simultaneously, i.e. in parallel, and to synthesize a series of plurality of simultaneously synthesized chemical compounds sequentially, i.e. in series. The apparatus includes a base support structure, a physical chemistry teabag support structure, a plurality of physical chemistry teabags and a fixed-reactant/liquid reactant mixture shifting (changing) mechanism. The base support structure has a plurality of reaction vessels arranged in at least a two dimensional predetermined array. The physical chemistry teabag support structure is adapted to hold and support a plurality of physical chemistry teabags arranged in at least a two dimensional predetermined teabag array, at least partially coinciding with the base support structure reaction vessel array. The teabags have at least one predetermined fixed reactant thereon.

Abstract: Techniques for high throughput parallel separation, filtration and plate-to-plate transfer are described. Cells, proteins, chemical compounds and the like are being developed in multi-well, small volume well plates, such as 1536-well plates having wells of a volume on the order of 1 &mgr;l. A mechanism for clamping such plates together so that the wells will be aligned allows rapid separation or transfer by simply centrifuging the assembly. A membrane may be clamped between the plates. Alternatively, a membrane may replace one of the plates. Centrifuge dependent and independent designs are described.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for performing microanalytic and microsynthetic analyses and procedures. The invention particularly provides microsystem platforms for achieving efficient mixing of one or a plurality of fluids on the surface of the platform when fluid flow is motivated by centripetal force produce by rotation.

Abstract: A method is described for evaporating liquid samples contained in sample holders mounted within a chamber and rotated by the rotor during an evaporation process in which the pressure in the chamber is reduced below atmospheric and the sample holders are rotated at high speed so as to exert centrifugal force on the contents of the holders. Heat is supplied to elevate the temperature of the liquid component of the samples to assist in the evaporation process. The temperature of the sample material is continuously or regularly monitored during the evaporation process and temperature signals are transmitted to a remote computing means which is programmed to generate a control signal for controlling the supply of heat to the samples and controlling the evaporation process. The temperature may be sensed by a probe in a sample holder containing an evaporating liquid sample, or in an adjoining sample holder containing a buffer liquid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining at least one parameter of samples of physiological liquids, to test devices which may be used in the method, to a holder comprising a plurality of such test devices, and to a measuring apparatus adapted to accommodate the holder and to be used in the method and to a system comprising the apparatus and the holder.

Abstract: A coaxial-drive centrifuge provides for contactless regulation of sample temperature. The sample is contained in a multi-station chemical-processing circuit that has a metal receptor at each station. On demand, a stationary inductor induces eddy currents in the receptor as it spins by. Dissipation of the eddy current heats the receptor and the surrounding sample. The receptor has a thermal sensor that provides an optical indication of the sample temperature. A stationary contactless reader reads the optical indication. A controller activates the inductor when the reading indicates an actual temperature below a predetermined target temperature. When heating is required, the inductor is pulsed as the receptor is aligned with a gap in the inductor. The chemical-processing circuit is designed for a specific series of chemical reactions, in this case, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is implement as an iterated series of three steps.

Abstract: Methods of forming a density gradient by applying a centrifugal field to a solution of one or more metal ion chelate complexes are disclosed. The density gradients are self-forming equilibrium gradients and are useful for separating biological particles by ultracentrifugation. Also disclosed are methods of separating biological particles according to their density. Also disclosed are density gradients of lipoprotein particles and one or more metal ion chelate complexes, wherein the lipoprotein particles are partitioned along the density gradient according to their particle density.

Abstract: This invention relates to an automated device for loading a centrifuge where tubes are presented to the centrifuge via an automated routing system.

Abstract: This invention relates to an automated device for loading a centrifuge where tubes are presented to the centrifuge via an automated routing system.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for performing microanalytic and microsynthetic analyzes and procedures. The invention provides a microsystem platform and a micromanipulation device for manipulating the platform that utilizes the centripetal force resulting from rotation of the platform to motivate fluid movement through microchannels. These assays may be performed for a variety of purposes, including but not limited to screening of drug candidate compounds, life sciences research, and clinical and molecular diagnostics. Methods specific for the apparatus of the invention for performing any of a wide variety of microanalytical or microsynthetic processes are provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for determining the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and hematocrit simultaneously with the centrifugation of whole blood. A centrifuge separates the whole blood into its erythrocytes and its fluid portion. A video camera measures the levels of whole blood, erythrocytes and the fluid portion of the blood-and records the time of the formation of an interface between the erythrocytes and fluid portion. A monitor displays the results of the recording. Also disclosed are the method steps performed.

Abstract: A centrifugal spectrometer has a solid rotor (10) formed within which there are cavities or blades (12). In use, each blade is filled with a buffer solution, and a sample to be separated is placed in a sample well (32) at the end of a separation channel (24). The rotor is spun at a controlled velocity and, at the same time, a controlled potential difference is applied along the length of the blade. The blade shape causes the resultant electric field to vary as a function of radial distance. The sample separates out into bands, which move along the channel (24) under the combined influence of the centrifugal force and the varying electric field. The bands focus at differing equilibrium points according to their charge/mass ratios. The band positions are determined by a readout head (36). The dynamic range of the device may be controlled by altering the rotational velocity and the voltages that are applied.

Abstract: An automated centrifuge comprising a rotor having a plurality of cavities located in the rotor. A tube is structured to be insertable into any one of the cavities and a controller is configured to insert the tube into the cavity. The cavities located in the rotor are grouped in clusters, and the cavities of each cluster are substantially parallel.

Abstract: A sample handling method, in which the information on the sample to be examined is transferred throughout the entire measuring process by transferring the sample cup. The sample cups are handled in two independently operating drums, in which case at least two different handling phases can be carried out simultaneously in the measuring device. The diagnostic measuring device comprises a cassette drum, on the circumference of which the sample cup cassettes containing sample cups have been placed. The sample cup is fed to the first handling drum, which is simultaneously an incubation drum. After that the sample cup is transferred to a second handling drum, where washing, drying, measuring and discharge of the sample cup are carried out. The drums have been placed near each other, overlapping so that the transfers of the sample cup can be performed directly from one drum to another by means of transfer plungers.