Figure 3.

Instrumentation for automated sample preparation and multi‐elution. A) Fluorescence detection optics and heat blocks assembly. B) Servo motor arrangement for (1) mounting heat blocks onto the cartridge, (2) swiveling magnets to the top and bottom of the cartridge for bead extraction and introduction into wells, and (3) translating the magnet arm along the cartridge for bead transfer between wells. C) Rotation of the heat blocks mounts them onto the cartridge followed by sample well heating to promote sample lysis and melt the wax seal. D) Translation of the top magnet from the sample well to the wash well followed by swiveling the magnet arm to swap the bottom magnet into close proximity with the cartridge pulls the beads into the wash buffer. E) Sequential transfer of beads into the first PCR well and then the second elutes captured RNA into both reactions. F) The first elution releases more RNA than the second elution with tunable release of the overall fraction of RNA by changing temperature of the buffer during elution. Both elution steps were run in triplicate at each temperature condition and shown here fit with a linear regression with 95% confidence interval bands.