Abstract: A uniform external field can enhance condensation on a superhydrophobic surface. Jumping droplets on superhydrophobic surfaces accumulate a positive charge which promises the manipulation and control of jumping behavior using external electric fields.

Abstract: A sample vessel may include a segmented tubule having an opening for receiving a sample material and at least one compressible section, the at least one compressible section having a wall constructed at least partially from a material having sufficient flexibility to permit compression of opposed sections of the wall into contact, and at least two segments of the tubule being fluidically isolated from one another by a bonding of opposed sections of the tubule wall to one another. The sample vessel may also include an interface in fluid communication with the opening in the tubule, the interface facilitating delivery of a sample material to the tubule through the opening.

Abstract: A manual pipette includes a manual volume adjustment having three discreet resolutions. The pipette uses three rotatable step cylinders and one non-rotatable cylinder to set the overall stroke length for the piston. The step cylinders are rotated by manual dials that are accessible on either side of the pipette body. The dial bodies include numerical scales corresponding to the setting of the respective step cylinders.

Abstract: Described is a biological sample carrier based on a rigid hydrophilic object fabricated from a non-absorbing inert porous material. A biological fluid sample applied to the surface of the object is absorbed into the pores and constituents of the biological fluid sample remain in the pores after drying. Unlike a disc punched from a conventional dried blood spot (DBS) card, the object is easily handled. In contrast to DBS cards containing glass fiber structures that interact with basic analytes and other DBS card having adsorbing fibers that tend to separate blood constituents as the sample spreads through the fibers, the biological sample carrier is substantially inert to drug analytes.

Abstract: A point-of-test diagnostic chip that is capable of simultaneous evaluation of blood coagulation time (INR Value) and hematocrit level. A finger prick volume of blood is placed at the inlet of the device, and the residual vacuum contained within the device provides a pressure gradient to drive the flow of whole blood. The INR value is determined by the distance the blood traverses down the channel before it coagulates. The channel is primed with tissue factor and phospholipids to induce coagulation. A control channel is primed with anticoagulants for use as a way to normalize initial loading times. The hematocrit level is determined by sedimentation of blood cells into a trench and the interface between blood cells that have overfilled the trench and plasma provide a visual readout.

Abstract: A detection method of detecting analytes of interest which are present in a liquid. The detection method including the steps of forming drops of liquid on a first surface by capillary breaking of a finger of liquid, which is initially formed by liquid dielectrophoresis. The thus formed drops each come into contact with a different detection surface, which is arranged facing the first surface. Analytes of interest which are present in each of the drops are detected at the corresponding detection surface.

Abstract: A mixing assembly includes an inlet, an outlet and a mixing chamber, the inlet is fluidly connected to the outlet through a plurality of micro fluid flow paths in a direction perpendicular from the inlet. The micro fluid flow paths fluidly connect to the perpendicular inlet via a curved transition portion. The curved transition portion provides a more efficient flow path for the fluid to travel from the inlet to the micro fluid flow paths to the mixing chamber. By transitioning the direction change, flow resistance is decreased, and the fluid flow rate and shear rate is increased. Increased fluid flow rate and shear rate helps to increase consistency and quality of mixing, and to reduce particle size of the fluid in the mixing chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are fluid handling devices that include integrated card and pipette tip devices, for use with multichannel liquid dispensing devices.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus for measuring hydroxyl radicals that measures hydroxyl radicals produced by irradiating a liquid to be treated flowing through a channel in which an ultraviolet lamp is arranged with ultraviolet rays, the apparatus includes a diverting unit, a reagent adding unit, and a measuring unit. The diverting unit has a diverting channel that diverts the liquid to be treated before being irradiated with the ultraviolet rays from the channel and part of which is arranged at a position enabling the liquid to be treated within the channel to be irradiated with the ultraviolet rays. The reagent adding unit adds a hydroxyl radical measuring reagent to the diverted liquid to be treated. The measuring unit irradiates the diverted liquid to be treated with the ultraviolet rays and measures the amount of hydroxyl radicals produced based on a change in the hydroxyl radical measuring reagent between before and after the irradiation with the ultraviolet rays.

Abstract: Methods and systems for filtering of biological particles are disclosed. Filtering membranes separate adjacent chambers. Through osmotic or electrokinetic processes, flow of particles is carried out through the filtering membranes. Cells, viruses and cell waste can be filtered depending on the size of the pores of the membrane. A polymer brush can be applied to a surface of the membrane to enhance filtering and prevent fouling.

Abstract: Automated apparatus and methods for dispensing fluids into microplates utilizing microwell covers, the covers comprising open portions to allow a pipette access to one or more wells and impermeable portions which prevent the fluids from getting into wells shielded by the impermeable portion. The open portions and impermeable portions are preferably arranged and sized to align with alternating rows of wells in a particular microplate. Preferred covers are movably positioned on the microplate. Automated dispensing apparatus for use with microplates and microwell covers comprises a programmable controller, and suitable interfaces which allow the apparatus to be programmed, and which control a dispensing head such that pipettes are moved in the desired manner in order to take advantage of the protective features of the microwell covers. The apparatus also preferably comprises at least one transfer mechanism for moving a cover relative to a microplate at a dispensing station.

Abstract: Covers for microwells, the covers comprising open portions to allow a pipette access to one or more wells and impermeable portions which prevent the liquids from getting into wells shielded by the impermeable portion. The open portions and impermeable portions are preferably arranged and sized to align with alternating rows of wells in a particular microplate. Preferred covers are movably positioned on the microplate and comprise alignment adjusting members for adjusting the alignment of the cover with a microplate. Automated dispensing apparatus for use with microplates and microwell covers comprises a programmable controller, and suitable interfaces which allow the apparatus to be programmed, and which control a dispensing head such that pipettes are moved in the desired manner in order to take advantage of the protective features of the microwell covers. The apparatus also preferably comprises at least one transfer mechanism for moving a cover relative to a microplate at a dispensing station.

Abstract: A syringe for obtaining nano-sized components from a solution includes a barrel having an interior, a needle extending from one end of the barrel, and a plunger received in the interior at an end of the barrel opposite the needle. A filter cartridge is positioned between the needle and the barrel, wherein the filter cartridge maintains at least one membrane having apertures of two distinct size ranges, and wherein operation of the plunger to draw the solution into the barrel allows for retention of nano-sized components of a size between the two distinct size ranges.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a device and a system for picking a target analyte of a suspension. A picker introduces at least one force, such as by a magnetic gradient and/or by a pressure gradient, to extract the target analyte from a specimen. The magnetic gradient may be introduced by a magnet, such as a permanent magnet or an electromagnet, and the pressure gradient may be introduced by a pump which moves within a fluid-primed cannula to create the pressure gradient, thereby drawing the target analyte into the cannula. The picker may also expel the target analyte onto or into a substrate, such as a well plate, after the target analyte has been drawn into the picker by reversing the pressure gradient or removing the magnetic gradient.

Abstract: A urinalysis cassette and system that includes a toilet, into which a urinalysis cassette is inserted. The cassette is comprised of a roll of color-change-reagent strips. Each strip includes a plurality of strip sections wherein an absorbent material is imbued with color-change reagent, or onto which one or more color-change reagents are dispensed. The color-change-reagent strips are consecutive and contiguous on the roll. A cassette includes two spools arranged such that when the spools turn, the reagent strip moves from a first (source spool) to a second (waste spool). The section of the reagent strip that is between the two spools may be exposed to a urine specimen. The absorbent-material strips that have been exposed to both a urine specimen and a color-change reagent may undergo a chemical reaction. Selective-lighting illumination may be applied to absorbent-material strips that have undergone such chemical reactions to measure reflectivity of certain color wavelengths.

Abstract: A phase change material is used for the production of a sterile state indication means for a sterilization container. A sterile state indication means for a sterilization container includes a fluid-tight case containing a phase change material. In this assembly, the case wall of the case includes at least one transparent zone and an activator which can be actuated in order to release an activation energy and/or crystallization seeds. The activator is in contact with the phase change material. Further, a sterilization container includes a container trough and a container lid, including a sterile state indication means. The sterile state indication means is provided either on the container trough or on the container lid, and the activator, in the closed state of the sterilization container, is in direct or indirect connection with the respectively other element among container trough and container lid.

Abstract: Embodiments encompass a single-molecule detection system and methods of using the detection system to detect an object. Further, embodiments encompass a detection system comprising a movable light coupler, a waveguide, and a light detector. Embodiments further encompass methods of single-molecule detection, including methods of single-molecule nucleic acid sequencing.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a process that includes obtaining a porous medium comprising a porous material having a first shape and an initial porosity profile. The porous medium is engaged with a cavity in a fluidic device, wherein the cavity is in fluid communication with a channel of the fluidic device. The first shape of the porous material can be adjusted to a second shape resulting in the initial porosity profile being adjusted to a target porosity profile. Such adjustment can be accomplished by the engaging of the porous medium with the cavity, by pre-adjusting a shape of the porous media before insertion into the cavity, or by some combination thereof. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting or culturing cells or cell colonies includes: a common substrate formed from a flexible resilient polymeric material and having a plurality of wells formed therein; and a plurality of rigid cell carriers releasably connected to said common substrate, with said carriers arranged in the form of an array, and with each of the carriers resiliently received in one of the wells. A method of collecting or culturing cells or cell colonies with such an apparatus is carried out by depositing a liquid media carrying cells on the apparatus so that said cells settle on or adhere to said the carriers; and then (c) releasing at least one selected carrier having said cells thereon by gradual application of release energy to each carrier from the cavity in which it is received (e.g., by pushing with a probe).

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system for sorting sperm cells in a microfluidic chip. In particular, various features are incorporated into the system for aligning and orienting sperm in flow channels, as well as, for determining sperm orientation and measuring relative DNA content for analysis and/or sorting.