901 results about "Sample handling" patented technology

The invention relates to a system, comprising: a) a sample processing unit, comprising an input port and an output port coupled to a rotating container having at least one sample chamber, the sample processing unit configured provide a first processing step to a sample or to rotate the container so as to apply a centrifugal force to a sample deposited in the chamber and separate at least a first component and a second component of the deposited sample; and b) a sample separation unit coupled to the output port of the sample processing unit, the cell separation unit comprising separation column holder (42), a pump (64) and a plurality of valves (1-11) configured to at least partially control fluid flow through a fluid circuitry and a separation column (40) positioned in the holder, the separation column configured to separate labeled and unlabeled components of sample flowed through the column.

Sample processing droplet actuators, systems and methods are provided. According to one embodiment, a stamping device including a droplet microactuator is provided and includes: (a) a first plate including a path or network of control electrodes for transporting droplets on a surface thereof; (b) a second plate mounted in a substantially parallel orientation with respect to the first plate providing an interior volume between the plates, the second plate including one or more stamping ports for transporting some portion or all of a droplet from the interior volume to an exterior location; (c) a port for introducing fluid into the interior volume between the plates; and (d) a path or network of reference electrodes corresponding to the path or network of control electrodes. Associated systems and methods including the stamping device are also provided.

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.

Systems and methods are provided for collecting, preparing, and / or analyzing a biological sample. A sample collection site may be utilized with one or more sample processing device. The sample processing device may be configured to accept a sample from a subject. The sample processing device may perform one or more sample preparation step and / or chemical reaction involving the sample. Data related to the sample may be sent from the device to a laboratory. The laboratory may be a certified laboratory that may generate a report that is transmitted to a health care professional. The health care professional may rely on the report for diagnosing, treating, and / or preventing a disease in the subject.

The present invention provides a processing station for automatically processing a biological sample, a system for automated real-time inventory control of consumables within a biological sample handling or assay instrument, a high throughput random access automated instrument for processing biological samples, an automated instrument for processing or analysis of a sample, and processes for automated mucoid detection and elimination. Methods of using the disclosed instruments, mucoid detection processes, and systems to process and / or analyze samples are also disclosed.

Methods and devices for thermal processing of multiple samples at the same time are disclosed. The sample processing devices provide process arrays that include conduits useful in distributing sample materials to a group pf process chambers located in fluid communication with the main conduits. The sample processing devices may include one or more of the following features in various combinations: deformable seals, process chambers connected to the main conduit by feeder conduits exiting the main conduit at offset locations, U-shaped loading chambers, and a combination of melt bonded and adhesively bonded areas.

A mobile, thermally insulated storage and retrieval unit for housing tube racks on shelves and having an elevator and conveyor for moving racks between shelves and an exterior loading tray.

A microfluidics device and method for sample loading, concentrating, mixing, and / or reacting is disclosed. The device has a microchannel network that includes a channel segment communicating with first and second reservoirs. A projection formed on a wall portion of the channel segment terminates therein at a point or edge. When a voltage potential is applied across the two reservoirs, the projection functions to create an electric field gradient within the channel segment that causes charged components in the channel segment to concentrate in the region of the projection. The device is useful, for example, in loading a sample of dilute charged components for electrophoretic separation in the device.

A sample processing tubule may include a first segment, a second segment, and a third segment. Each segment may be defined by the tubule, may be fluidly isolated, at least in part by a breakable seal, may be so expandable as to receive a volume of fluid expelled from another segment, and may be so compressible as to contain substantially no fluid when so compressed. Each segment may contain at least one reagent.

The present invention provides a method and device for collecting treating and analysis of biological or chemical material by introducing a source material into a specimen container, transferring the source material to a processing device and thermally, chemically and / or mechanically treating the source material to alter at least one constitutive characteristic of the source material and to release or create a target material from the source material.

A sample container may include an open end, a closure member, a cap, and an RFID tag. The RFID tag may be positioned near the open end and includes a code uniquely identifying an analytical sample contained in the container structure. A sample handling apparatus may operate with one or more sample containers. The sample handling apparatus may include a robotic assembly for moving a sample probe device and a sample probe supported by a guide of the sample probe device. An RF transceiver antenna may be mounted to the guide for communicating with the RFID tag of the sample container. The sample probe device is moved into proximity with a sample container to read a code stored by an RFID tag attached to the sample container, whereby a sample contained in the sample container can be uniquely identified. The code can be associated with additional information relating to the identified sample.

Molecular adsorption to the microfluidic device surfaces can be passively and actively mitigated by mixing certain hydrophilic polymers (organic polymers with repeating hydrophilic groups—the preferred polymers being amphipathic surfactants—with the sample liquid during or prior to relevant microfluidic operations. Nonionic surfactants such as polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate and polyoxyethylene octyl phenyl ether are especially effective. High molecular weight polyethylene polymers are also effective. The hydrophilic polymers appear to prevent binding of the fouling molecules to the microfluidic by occupying the surface sites in place of the fouling molecules or by interacting with the fouling molecules to prevent binding of the fouling molecules the surface. When surface adsorption is thus mitigated, microfluidic devices can readily handle samples containing biomolecules to enable active sample concentration, filtering, washing, transport, mixing and other sample handling operations.

Portable systems for processing and analyzing biological or environmental samples as well as different configurations of chip-based flow cytometers are provided. The portable systems include an automated assay preparation module configured to process a sample into a fluid assay with fluorescently tagged particles and a microfluidic analysis module coupled to the fluid assay module, wherein the microfluidic analysis module includes a chip-based flow cytometer.

A system for identifying test tube types and properties in a sample handling machine using visual information automatically obtained by an optical imager and then processed using vision processing methods. The system includes an optical imager positioned to capture images containing one or more test tubes in a rack and a microcontroller programmed to extract predetermined regions of interest and interpret the optical information in the image to decipher the dimension of the test tubes, determine the presence or absence of caps on the test tubes, decode any encoded data, and interpret custom symbologies. The system may then determine the nature of the test tubes or other containers presented before the image and provide that information to the sample handling machine to assist with processing of samples.

A system identifies or screens one or more biological materials. The system includes at least one bioreactor adapted to provide biological samples and an automated sample handler comprising at least one bi-directional pump to transport biological samples, reagents and fluids, at least one reaction chamber with at least two regions separated by a semi-permeable membrane and fitted with a thermoelectric module for cooling and heating the chamber. At least one multi-positional valve directs transport of the biological samples, reagents and fluids into and out of the reaction chamber and a micro-processor to control operations of the sample handler. A detector is used to identify the biological material in the samples and a sample repository collects the identified biological samples.

A method for automatically operating a sample handling system and associated analyzers to conduct assays on a number of patient samples by comparing the assays to be conducted with a set of assay defined rules, subdividing the analyzers into analyzers which are in compliance with the assay defined rules and analyzers not in compliance with the set of assay defined rules; thereafter, operating the system to supply patient samples to analyzers in compliance or operating the system so as to bring at least one analyzer into compliance with the assay defined rules and supplying patient samples to such an analyzer.

The present invention provides a method of determining the presence or activity of a clostridial toxin by (a) treating with a sample, under conditions suitable for clostridial toxin protease activity, a clostridial toxin substrate which includes a fluorophore; a bulking group; and a clostridial toxin recognition sequence containing a cleavage site that intervenes between the fluorophore and the bulking group; (b) exciting the fluorophore with plane polarized light; and (c) determining fluorescence polarization of the treated substrate relative to a control substrate, where a change in fluorescence polarization of the treated substrate as compared to fluorescence polarization of the control substrate is indicative of the presence or activity of the clostridial toxin.

There is disclosed a sample processing system for processing a sample contained in a liquid. Specifically, there is disclosed a sample processing system comprising a pipettor, and a cartridge. The cartridge comprises a chamber which has an inlet and an outlet. The chamber contains a microarray device having an active surface. The active surface is accessible to liquid contained in the chamber. The cartridge further comprises an optical interface that provides optical access to the active surface of the microarray device, an inlet port and an outlet port. The inlet port is so configured and dimensioned that it forms an air-tight connection with a pipette tip when the pipette tip is inserted into the inlet port.

A series of optical spectral sensors is based on a combination of solid-state sources (illumination) and detectors housed within an integrated package that includes the interfacing optics and acquisition and processing electronics. The focus is on low cost and the fabrication of the sensor is based on techniques that favor mass production. Materials and components are selected to support low-cost, high volume manufacturing of the sensors. Spectral selectivity is provided by the solid-state source(s) thereby eliminating the need for expensive spectral selection components. The spectral response covers the range from the visible (400 nm) to the mid-infrared (25,000 nm / 25.0 μm), as defined by the availability of suitable low-cost solid-state source devices. A refractive optical system is employed, primarily in an internal reflection mode, allowing a selection of sample handling tools, including, but not restricted to internal reflectance and transmittance. A secondary channel allowing for light scattering or fluorescence methods is an option. The targeted applications of the sensing devices are for lubricants and functional fluids in the heavy equipment, automotive and transportation industries. A source reference channel is included to provide measurement stability and temperature compensation.

Sample processing devices with variable valve structures and methods of using the same are disclosed. The valve structures allow for removal of selected portions of the sample material located within the process chamber. Removal of the selected portions is achieved by forming an opening in a valve septum at a desired location. The valve septums may be large enough to allow for adjustment of the location of the opening based on the characteristics of the sample material in the process chamber. If the sample processing device is rotated after the opening is formed, the selected portion of the material located closer to the axis of rotation exits the process chamber through the opening. The remainder of the sample material cannot exit through the opening because it is located farther from the axis of rotation than the opening.

Photonic crystal (PC) sensors, and sensor arrays and sensing systems incorporating PC sensors are described which have integrated fluid containment and / or fluid handling structures. The PC sensors are further integrated into a sample handling device such as a microwell plate. Sensors and sensing systems of the present disclosure are capable of high throughput sensing of analytes in fluid samples, bulk refractive index detection, and label-free detection of a range of molecules, including biomolecules and therapeutic candidates. The present disclosure also provides a commercially attractive fabrication platform for making photonic crystal sensors and systems wherein an integrated fluid containment structure and a photonic crystal structure are fabricated in a single molding or imprinting processing step amendable to high throughput processing.

The invention is directed to a droplet actuator device and methods for integrating gel electrophoresis analysis with pre or post-analytical sample handling as well as other molecular analysis processes. Using digital microfluidics technology, the droplet actuator device and methods of the invention provide the ability to perform gel electrophoresis and liquid handling operations on a single integrated device. The integrated liquid handling operations may be used to prepare and deliver samples to the electrophoresis gel, capture and subsequently process products of the electrophoresis gel or perform additional assays on the same sample materials which are analyzed by gel electrophoresis. In one embodiment, one or more molecular assays, such as nucleic acid (e.g., DNA) quantification by real-time PCR, and one or more sample processing operations such as sample dilution is performed on a droplet actuator integrated with an electrophoresis gel. In one embodiment, an electrophoresis gel may be integrated on the top substrate of the droplet actuator.

An analytical system and method that enables more efficient transport of movable devices (22) among stations (24, 25, 26). According to one aspect of the invention, the system and method permit operational timesharing of a transport mechanism (34) for the movable devices. According to another aspect of the invention, control of the transport mechanism is effected on an event-driven basis. The invention has particular application to an adaptive, motion and fluids system for automating the sample handling / management process associated with analytical processes and especially bioanalytical processes such as introducing samples into LC and HPLC systems.

The present invention pertains inter alia to a method for analysing a sample comprising biomolecules, which comprises the following steps:Aa) lysing the sample to provide a lysed sample and optionally clearing the lysed sample;b) contacting at least a portion of the lysed sample with a dry composition comprising reagents for performing the analytical method, thereby providing a reconstituted composition;c) performing an analytical method using the reconstituted composition;orBa) contacting the sample with a lysis solution thereby providing a lysis mixture;b) using the lysis mixture to reconstitute a dry composition comprising reagents for performing the analytical method, thereby providing a reconstituted composition;c) performing an analytical method using the reconstituted composition,wherein the reconstituted composition is optionally cleared and wherein subsequent to step b) at least one step is performed which supports the lysis of the sample.Furthermore, specifically adapted processing cartridges and systems are provided.

An apparatus for detection of an analyte of interest in a solid, semi-solid, or liquid biological sample, using a lateral flow assay test strip, is described. The apparatus minimizes sample handling and manipulation upon introduction of the sample into a sample-receiving chamber and transfer of the sample to a test chamber containing the assay strip.

A robotically manipulable sample handling tool, such as a colony picking head or robotic pipetting tool, includes needles arranged on the tool. Actuators are associated with each needle to control flow for the needle. A plurality of plungers are each associated with a needle, and movement of the plungers can actuate a corresponding needle. Each of the plungers has a passageway that may be opened or closed, e.g., to move the corresponding needle and / or draw fluid into / expel fluid from the needle when the plunger is moved in the tool body. The actuators are arranged so that plunger passageways may be individually controlled by a controller.

A cartridge-based cryogenic imaging system includes a sample handling system. This system uses a kinematic base and cold interface system that provides vertical loading to horizontally mounted high-precision rotation stages that are able to facilitate automated high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) imaging with computed tomography (CT). Flexible metal braids are used to provide cooling and also allow a large range of rotation. A robotic sample transfer and loading system provides further automation by allowing a number of samples to be loaded and automatically sequentially placed on the sample stage and imaged, These characteristics provide the capability of high-throughput and highly automated cryogenic x-ray microscopy and computed tomography.

A handling device for samples and reagents to be used in testing in a system. Carriers of samples and reagents are loaded on a platform which detects the presence of, and proper loading of, such carriers. The carriers are moved from the platform by a transporter to a bar code reader for identification. A reagent container is rotated during reading to facilitate identification. The transporter further moves identified reagent carriers to a carousel on which the carriers automatically secured for storage awaiting use in testing. The carousel rotates, and selected reagent containers rotate on the rotating carousel, during storage.

An apparatus for detection of an analyte of interest in a solid, semi-solid, or liquid biological sample, using a lateral flow assay test strip, is described. The apparatus minimizes sample handling and manipulation upon introduction of the sample into a sample-receiving chamber and transfer of the sample to a test chamber containing the assay strip.

This invention relates to an apparatus for an apparatus for processing a fluid sample comprising: (i) a sample processing chamber comprising a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; (ii) a waste chamber downstream from the sample processing chamber and in fluid communication with the sample processing chamber fluid outlet and wherein the fluid communication between the sample processing chamber outlet and the waste chamber comprises a divergent analyte flow path; (iii) at least two further chambers up stream from the sample processing chamber both of which are in fluid communication with the sample processing chamber fluid inlet; (iv) a means for moving fluid from each of the at least two further chambers through the sample processing chamber and into the waste chamber or into the divergent analyte flow path as desired by applying positive or negative pressure to the desired flow path; and (v) a passive means for restricting the flow of fluid. This invention also relates to a method and use of the same.