The Pre-Analytical Problem
The pre-analytical phase — specimen collection, transport, metering, and routing — is responsible for 46–68% of all laboratory errors. HELIX ONE was engineered specifically to eliminate this failure domain.
Operating as the upstream counterpart to Dr. POCT and EtherX-1, HELIX ONE consolidates diverse sample formats — whole blood collection tubes, swab transport media, urine cups, BAL specimens — and homogenizes their output for downstream cartridge loading with absolute volumetric precision.
Intake-to-Routing Architecture
Raw Intake
Automated tube decapping and barcode verification. Eco-Labware collection vessels are natively compatible. Specimen type auto-detected via optical sensor array.
Volumetric Metering
Precision microfluidic metering ensures exact fluid volumes enter each test cartridge. Dead volume <2µL per chamber. Eliminates the pipetting variance that dominates manual workflows.
Microfluidic Distribution
Intelligent carrier routing directs the prepared sample to the appropriate analytical platform — Dr. POCT for POCT panels, EtherX-1 for high-throughput centrifugal assays.
Core System Modules
Automated Decapping & Stabilization
Mechanical decapping with contamination prevention barriers. Continuous mechanical isolation between specimen zones prevents cross-contamination.
Centrifugal Microfluidic Routing
Rotational frequency as the sole pumping mechanism on two-ply polycarbonate siphon valve discs. Sequential reagent release across 12 serial stages. Dead volume <2µL per chamber.
Acoustofluidic Cell Separation
2 MHz standing acoustic wave fields stratify leukocytes from erythrocytes at >97% purity in <90 seconds. Label-free. Lysis-free. No centrifuge required.
Workflow Abstraction Layer
LIMS/AI orchestration layer manages all physical routing decisions autonomously. Integrates with the Zero-Trust LIMS node for automated lot verification and real-time QC flagging.
Ecosystem Integration
HELIX ONE is the upstream node of the BiQadx Diagnostic Ecosystem. Its output is a normalized, volume-controlled specimen payload, intelligently tagged and routed to the appropriate downstream analyzer.