摘要:
A pipette-loaded bioassay includes a measurement probe and a pipette tip. The measurement probe includes a probe head configured to launch an incident test signal and a connecting end configured to receive the incident test signal from a signal source. The pipette tip includes a sample interrogation region which is electromagnetically coupled to the probe head, the sample interrogation region configured to retain a plug of sample solution and constructed from a material which is substantially transparent to the incident test signal. The incident test signal electromagnetically couples through the sample interrogation region and to the molecular or cellular events occurring within the sample solution. The interaction of the incident test signal with the molecular or cellular events produces a modulated test signal which can be recovered and used to identify the molecular or cellular events occurring in a subsequently tested sample.
摘要:
Exemplary embodiments provide microfludic devices and methods for their use. The microfluidic device can include an array of M×N reaction sites formed by intersecting a first and second plurality of fluid channels of a flow layer. The flow layer can have a matrix design and/or a blind channel design to analyze a large number of samples under a limited number of conditions. The microfluidic device can also include a control layer including a valve system for regulating solution flow through fluid channels. In addition, by aligning the control layer with the fluid channels, the detection of the microfluidic devices, e.g., optical signal collection, can be improved by piping lights to/from the reaction sites. In an exemplary embodiment, guard channels can be included in the microfluidic device for thermal cycling and/or reducing evaporation from the reaction sites.
摘要:
A sample container for minimizing evaporation of a contained volume of sample includes a container housing, a repuncturable self-sealing membrane, and a collapsible sample bag. The container housing includes an open end and a hollow interior region. The repuncturable self-sealing membrane configured to self-seal after repeated punctures is engaged in the open end of the container housing and includes an exterior surface exposed to the external environment and an interior surface oriented toward the hollow interior region of the container housing. The collapsible sample bag includes a proximate end that is permanently attached to the interior surface of the repuncturable self-sealing membrane.
摘要:
Microfluidic devices having a diffusion-aided system for loading samples into the microfluidic device are provided. Methods of gas-venting a microfluidic device through a non-porous, gas permeable material sealing cover layer, for example, during liquid sample loading, are also provided. The non-porous, gas-permeable material can be, for example, a polysiloxane, for example, polydimethylsiloxane.
摘要:
The invention includes a filtration apparatus for processing a plurality of fluid samples into sample wells is provided. In one embodiment, the filtration apparatus includes a purification tray and a sample well tray with a plurality of sample wells. The purification tray includes a filter plate having a plurality of columns with discharge openings at the bottom thereof, at least one filter positioned in the columns of the filter plate for filtering the fluid samples as they pass therethrough, a heat plate positioned adjacent the columns of the filter plate, and a vent plate positioned below the heat plate. The heat plate is configured for transferring heat to the columns of the filter plate. The vent plate includes vents for permitting aerosols from the sample wells of the sample well tray to escape. A sample well tray with a plurality of the sample wells is positioned so that the sample wells align with the discharge openings of the filter plate columns to receive the liquid sample therein.
摘要:
A system is provided for carrying out real time fluorescence-based measurements of nucleic acid amplification products. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, an excitation beam is focused into a reaction mixture through a surface, the reaction mixture containing (i) a first fluorescent indicator capable of generating a first fluorescent signal whose intensity is proportional to the amount of an amplification product in the volume of the reaction mixture illuminated by the excitation beam and (ii) a second fluorescent indicator homogeneously distributed throughout the reaction mixture capable of generating a second fluorescent signal proportional to the volume of reaction mixture illuminated by the excitation beam. Preferably, the excitation beam is focused into the reaction mixture by a lens through a portion of a wall of a closed reaction chamber containing the reaction mixture. The same lens is used to collect the first and second fluorescent signals generated by the first and second fluorescent indicators, respectively, in response to the excitation beam. The ratio of the fluorescent intensities of the first and second fluorescent signals provides a stable quantitative indicator of the amount of amplification product synthesized in the course of the amplification reaction.
摘要:
The present teachings provide for systems, and components thereof, for detecting and/or analyzing light. These systems can include, among others, optical reference standards utilizing luminophores, such as nanocrystals, for calibrating, validating, and/or monitoring light-detection systems, before, during, and/or after sample analysis.
摘要:
A multi-well microfiltration apparatus and method are provided and feature a manual touch-off system for transferring pendent drops hanging from discharge-conduits of a discharge-conduit array to respective receiving wells or receiving holes of a corresponding receiving array, with minimum or no cross-contamination between the discharge conduits, or the receiving wells or receiving holes. The manual touch-off is achieved by manually shifting a carriage that supports one of the arrays, into a position whereat pendent drops of fluid hanging from the distal ends of the discharge conduits contact the inner sidewalls of the corresponding receiving wells or receiving holes of the receiving array.
摘要:
A heater module is described that includes a heat distribution plate including a bottom portion having first and second sides and a plurality of projections extending away from one of the sides. A heat source is provided for heating the heat distribution plate, and, optionally, a heating tray can be used to receive the heat source and heat distribution plate. The heater module is adapted to engage a sample purification tray having a plurality of purification and/or discharge columns which can extend through openings in the heater module and direct a sample into a sample receiving tray. Methods of heating samples using the heater module are also described.
摘要:
The present invention provides multi-well plates and column arrays in which samples (e.g., cell lysates containing nucleic acids of interest, such as RNA) can be analyzed and/or processed. In one embodiment, the microfiltration arrangement is a multilayer structure, including (i) a column plate having an array of minicolumns into which samples can be placed, (ii) a discrete filter element disposed in each minicolumn, (iii) a drip-director plate having a corresponding array of drip directors through which filtrate may egress, and (iv) a receiving-well plate having a corresponding array of receiving wells into which filtrate can flow. The invention provides multi-well microfiltration arrangements that are relatively simple to manufacture and that overcome many of the problems associated with the prior arrangements relating to (i) cross-contamination due to wicking across a common filter sheet or (ii) individual filter elements entrapping sample constituents within substantial dead volumes. Further, the invention provides multi-well microfiltration arrangements that adequately support discrete filter elements disposed in the wells without creating substantial preferential flow. Additionally, the invention provides multi-well microfiltration arrangements that avoid cross-contamination due to aerosol formation, pendent drops and/or splattering. Other disclosed features of the invention provide for the automated covering or heat-sealing of filtrate samples separately collected in an array of wells.