Systems and methods for fluid and component handling

A method of processing a biological sample, comprising:

• a) introducing a sample having a volume of 500 microliters or less into a benchtop, point-of-care biological sample processing device comprising a housing for containing all of the following:
• i) a sample handling system comprising a pipette assembly;
• ii) at least a first and a second fluidically isolated vessel;
• iii) a diluent;
• and
• iv) a centrifuge, wherein the sample comprises bodily fluid at a first concentration;
• v) a first detection station comprising an optical sensor;
• vi) a second detection station comprising an optical sensor and a light source;
• vii) a cytometry station comprising an imaging device and a stage for receiving a microscopy cuvette;
• viii) a fluidically isolated sample collection unit configured to retain a biological sample;
• ix) an assay station comprising at least a first, a second, a third, and a fourth independently movable and fluidically isolated assay unit;
• x) a communication unit configured to electronically connect said biological sample processing device with another device or with a network;
• and
• xi) a controller, wherein the controller comprises a local memory and is operatively coupled to the sample handling system, one of the first or second detection station, and the communication unit;
• b) with the aid of the sample handling system, introducing at least a portion of the sample into the centrifuge;
• c) centrifuging the sample, to generate a centrifuged sample;
• d) with the aid of the pipette assembly, removing at least a portion of the centrifuged sample from the centrifuge;
• and
• e) with the aid of the pipette assembly, mixing at least a portion of the centrifuged sample with the diluent to generate a diluted sample, wherein the diluted sample comprises bodily fluid at a second concentration, and the second concentration of bodily fluid is one-half or less of the first concentration of bodily fluid;
• and,
• f) with the aid of the pipette assembly, transferring at least a portion of the diluted sample to at least one of the first and the second fluidically isolated vessels.