Canon U.S. Life Sciences, Inc.

Qiagen Gaithersburg Inc.

Franklin Regan

Eric D Schneider

Brian P Murphy

Kenton C Hasson

Bradley Scott Thomas

Johnathan Stuart Coursey

Shulin Zeng

Hiroshi Inoue

Brian A Self

Ben Lane

Alex K Flamm

Ivor T Knight

Gregory H Owen

Scott Corey

Weidong Cao

Hongye Liang

Sami Kanderian

Conrad Laskowski

Brian Bean

Takayoshi Hanagata

Ying-Xin Wang

Bert Jungheim

Andrew Leonard

Bowen Cui

Shubing Liu

Sharon Fluss

The present invention relates to systems and methods for the real time processing of nucleic acid during polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and thermal melt applications. According to an aspect of the invention, a system for the rapid serial processing of multiple nucleic acid assays is provided. In one embodiment, the system includes, but is not limited to: a microfluidic cartridge having microfluidic (flow-through) channels, a fluorescence imaging system, a temperature measurement and control system; a pressure measurement and control system for applying variable pneumatic pressures to the microfluidic cartridge; a storage device for holding multiple reagents (e.g., a well-plate); a liquid handling system comprising at least one robotic pipettor for aspirating, mixing, and dispensing reagent mixtures to the microfluidic cartridge; systems for data storage, processing, and output; and a system controller to coordinate the various devices and functions.

System and method for serial processing of multiple nucleic acid assays

An automated sample tube decanting system having one or more decanting grippers, a decant waste receptacle, a transporter, and means for rotating the decanting gripper. Each decanting gripper has a respective holder configured to selectively mate with a respective interface on a tube strip. The one or more decanting grippers are rotatable between a first position in which the tube strip is upright and a second position in which the tube strip is inverted. The transporter is configured to move the one or more decanting grippers in a lateral direction from a starting location to a location above the decant waste receptacle.

Automated pelletized sample decanting apparatus and methods

An automated sample tube blotting system having one or more rotating grippers, a supply of absorbent material, a transporter, and an absorbent material removal mechanism. Each rotating gripper has a respective holder configured to selectively mate with a respective interface on a tube strip, and the one or more rotating grippers are rotatable between a first position in which the tube strip is upright and a second position in which the tube strip is inverted. The transporter is configured to move the rotating gripper in a lateral direction from a starting location to a location above the absorbent material, and in a vertical direction towards and away from the absorbent material.

Automated pelletized sample blotting apparatus and methods

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Baltimore, MD, United States of America

Franklin Regan