Abstract:
A sample holder (100) for an apparatus (300) configured to perform an assay at a plurality of sample sites (130) is disclosed, wherein each sample site comprises a concatemer. The sample holder comprises a rotatable body (110), a matrix layer (120) and a liquid layer arranged on the matrix layer. The plurality of samples sites are distributed in the matrix layer in both a lateral direction and a thickness direction of the matrix layer, and the rotatable body is configured to be arranged in the apparatus to be rotatable around an axis (A) while the assay is performed at the plurality of sample sites. A corresponding method (200) and apparatus (300) are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A method for automated alignment of electronic components with respect to one or more inspection devices for inspecting the electronic components, each electronic component having a plurality of side surfaces. The method comprises: positioning each electronic component relative to an imaging device; determining, by the imaging device, an angular offset and a linear offset between each side surface of the electronic component and the one or more inspection devices; positioning each electronic component relative to the inspection devices; effecting alignment between each side surface and the one or more inspection devices in accordance with the respective angular and linear offsets; and inspecting each side surface after effecting alignment between the side surface and the inspection devices.
Abstract:
A continuous process for performing multiple nucleic acid amplification assays, where at least a portion of a second subset of reaction mixtures are transferred to a heater while a first subset of reaction mixtures are being subjected to conditions for performing a nucleic acid amplification assay. During the process, a plurality of reaction mixtures from the first and second subsets of reaction mixtures are simultaneously subjected to conditions sufficient to perform multiple nucleic acid amplification assays in the reaction mixtures. The presence or absence of a target nucleic acid in the first subset of reaction mixtures is determined while the reaction mixtures are in the heater.
Abstract:
To minimize cross talk in systems and methods for detecting two or more different optical signals emitted from each of a plurality of reaction receptacles, an excitation signal associated with each of the optical signals has a known excitation frequency, and any detected signal having a frequency that is inconsistent with the excitation frequency is discarded. The receptacles are moved relative to optical sensors configured to detect each unique optical signal from an associated receptacle, and to further minimize cross talk, the optical sensors are arranged so that only one reaction receptacle at a time is in a signal detecting position with respect to one of its associated optical sensors, and the optical sensors are grouped by the optical signal they are configured to detect so that a first optical signal is detected from each of the reaction receptacles before a second optical signal is detected from the reaction receptacles.
Abstract:
Examples are described including assay platforms having tooth elements. An impinging element may sequentially engage tooth elements on the assay platform to sequentially align corresponding detection regions with a detection unit. In this manner, multiple measurements may be made of detection regions on the assay platform without necessarily requiring the starting and stopping of a motor.
Abstract:
An instrument determines a concentration of bacteria in a plurality of fluid samples, and comprises a housing, a rotatable platform, a plurality of fluid containers, a light source, a sensor, and a motor. The rotatable platform is within the housing. The fluid containers are located on the rotatable platform. Each fluid container holds a corresponding one of the plurality of fluid samples, and has an input window and an output window. The light source provides an input beam for transmission into the input windows of the fluid containers and through the corresponding fluid samples. The input beam creates a forward-scatter signal associated with the concentration of bacteria. The motor rotates the rotatable platform so that the input beam sequentially passes through each fluid sample. A sensor within the housing detects the forward-scatter signal exiting from the output window associated with the fluid sample receiving the input beam.
Abstract:
A system is configured to process the contents of one or more receptacles to detect an optical signal emitted by the contents of each receptacle. Each receptacle is held within a receptacle station of a movable receptacle carrier disposed within a temperature-controlled chamber of an incubator. At least one signal detector is configured to detect an optical signal emitted by the contents of a receptacle as the receptacle carrier moves each receptacle into an operative position with respect to the signal detector. A magnet holder is attached to the receptacle carrier and holds one or more magnets adjacent to an associated receptacle station so as to expose the contents of each receptacle carried in the receptacle station to a magnetic field when the receptacle is in the operative position with respect to the signal detector.
Abstract:
According to one embodiment, cuvette has a bottom wall and a side wall. The bottom wall has a bottom surface. The side wall is connected to the bottom wall so as to surround the bottom surface. The inner surface of the side wall is alternately provided, in the long axis direction of the side wall, with first contact angle regions, each having a first contact angle with respect to a liquid, and second contact angle regions, each having a second contact angle larger than the first contact angle.
Abstract:
A configuration of detecting light from the front face of a light source is the best for confirming the variation of a light quantity, but when a plurality of light sources are present, as many detectors for checking a light quantity as the light sources are necessary and the apparatus configuration becomes complex. In the present invention, a detector for checking a light source light quantity is installed in a reaction container transfer mechanism used commonly for a plurality of detection sections, and the light quantities of light sources are checked with the detector.
Abstract:
A method for monitoring consumption or release of a gaseous analyte such as oxygen by a liquid sample under investigation includes providing a cuvette (1) having an elongate narrow tube (12) of a material which is substantially gas impermeable and which is at least partly transparent to measurement excitation radiation and emission radiation along some of the length of the tube. The tube (12) has a cross-sectional area of under 1 mm2. The sample (15) is loaded into the cuvette (1), the sample being in contact with a probe in the tube (12), the probe being sensitive to the gaseous analyte, and the liquid having at least one surface and an associated headspace (16). The cuvette, the sample, and the probe are equilibrated at a target measurement temperature. Excitation radiation is directed at a sampling zone of the tube (12) and which is distal from the headspace (16), while maintaining the cuvette at the measurement temperature. The emitted radiation is measured and analysed to determine consumption or release by the sample of the gaseous analyte.