Abstract: A biological fluids concentration device, including a tube-in-tube assembly, is disclosed. The tube-in-tube assembly receives biologic fluids and may then be placed in the bucket of a centrifuge and spun to separate out the components of the biological fluid by their various densities. For example, whole blood may be centrifuged in the tube-in-tube assembly for separating into plasma, red blood cell component, and a buffy coat. A piston slideably and sealingly engages an inner tube of the tube-in-tube assembly, the inner tube fitting within an outer tube. A lid is designed to engage the top of the outer tube, which lid has an opening therein for receipt of a plunger. The plunger is adapted to move up and down with respect to the lid and the tubes, so as to sealingly, in a down position, and unsealingly, in an open position, engage the top of the inner tube of the tube-in-tube assembly.

Abstract: A pipetting device (100) for an apparatus (164) for processing a sample or reagent is disclosed. The pipetting device (100) comprises a coupling mechanism (102), wherein the coupling mechanism (102) comprises at least a first coupling unit (104) adapted to be coupled to a first pipetting tip and a second coupling unit (106) adapted to be coupled to a second pipetting tip, and a tilt mechanism (112) for moving the first coupling unit (104) between an untilted position, in which the first coupling unit (104) and the second coupling unit (106) are arranged parallel to one another, and a tilted position, in which the first coupling unit (104) is tilted relative to the second coupling unit (106).

Abstract: A method for producing a pneumatically actuatable microfluidic analysis cartridge includes closing a joining side of a fluidic part of the analysis cartridge with a first fluid-tight elastic membrane and/or closing a joining side of a pneumatic part of the analysis cartridge with a second membrane. The fluidic part is configured to perform fluidic basic operations of a biochemical analysis process, and the pneumatic part is configured to control the basic operations using air pressure. The joining side of the fluidic part and the joining side of the pneumatic part are aligned, and the fluidic part and the pneumatic part are connected to form the analysis cartridge.

Abstract: An analytical device for determining a parameter of a liquid sample, especially a digestion parameter, such as chemical oxygen demand, total carbon content or total nitrogen content, comprising a reactor, and measuring system for ascertaining the parameter of the liquid sample. A container system for storing samples, reagents and waste products in containers, a transport and dosing system for metering and transporting the sample and reagents from the containers into a metering container and for disposal of waste products from the metering container into a waste container, and a measuring transducer for registering a measured parameter correlating, measured value of the liquid sample mixed in the reactor, and measuring, system, in given cases, with one or more reagents is provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices and methods for determining the pH of fluid. Example devices include a device comprising a surface configured to contact the fluid and a pH indicator covalently bound thereto, wherein the pH indicator has a first color prior to contact with the fluid and changes color as a function of the pH of the fluid.

Abstract: A multi-fluid test strip may include a first zone to test a first fluid, a second zone to test a second fluid, and a third zone intermediate the first zone and the second zone. The third zone may prevent cross-contamination of the first fluid with the second zone and prevent cross-contamination of the second fluid with the first zone. The multi-fluid test strip may also include a first grip zone and a second grip zone. The first zone may be intermediate the first grip zone and the third zone and the second zone may be intermediate the second grip zone and the third zone. The first grip and second grip zones may be dimensioned to permit gripping of the first and second grip zones without touching the first or second zones.

Abstract: A method includes controlling an oil and gas extraction process, controlling a production separation process, and controlling a de-gassing process. The method also includes optimizing the oil and gas extraction process, the production separation process, and the degassing process to optimize at least one process objective. The method could further include controlling a lift-gas compression process. The optimizing could include optimizing the lift-gas compression process, the oil and gas extraction process, the production separation process, and the degassing process to optimize the at least one process objective.

Abstract: An analytical device for automated determining of a measured variable of a liquid sample comprises: a liquid storage, which includes one or more liquid containers for one or more liquids; a measuring cell for accommodating the liquid sample, especially a liquid sample, to which has been added one or more liquids from the liquid storage, and a measuring arrangement for providing one or more measurement signals correlated with the measured variable; an electronics unit, which includes a control unit for control of the analytical device and for determining the measured variable based on the measurement signals provided by the measuring arrangement; and a handling unit including a supply- and dosing, or metering, system for supplying and metering the liquid sample and liquids from the liquid storage into the measuring cell, wherein the analytical device includes at least one exchangeable cassette, into which are integrated at least parts of the liquid storage and/or at least parts of the handling unit.

Abstract: A device is described that overlays a first fluid, such as blood or a cellular suspension onto a base material, such as a density gradient. In some embodiments, the fluid layering device includes a cylindrical reservoir, a fluid barrier, a coupling extension, a plunger, and an exhaust vent. The fluid layering device can be coupled through its coupling extension to an open end of a container, such as a conical centrifuge tube, including the density gradient. Once attached, the plunger may be lowered to a position above the surface of the density gradient. A first fluid may flow from the reservoir into the conical tube across the plunger, so that a suitable overlay is formed without substantially disturbing a surface of the density gradient. The plunger may be buoyed upward by the first fluid during operation, providing a constant regulation of flow throughout overlaying, regardless of the care and skill of the user.

Abstract: A microfluidic device molded in a single step provides a seamless fluid communication path from fluid input features to microfluidic channels. The device comprises a molded material which is formed around thread for forming high aspect ratio microfluidic channels. An associated method for the manufacture of the device is also provided.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a substrate, first and second capillary inlets, a microfluidic channel unit, an outlet disposed downstream of the microfluidic channel unit, and a suction member disposed downstream of the outlet. A first liquid is drawn into a first sub-channel and a main channel of the microfluidic channel unit through the first capillary inlet. A second liquid is drawn into a second sub-channel of the microfluidic channel unit through the second capillary inlet. The suction member provides a predetermined suction force to permit the second liquid to penetrate into the first liquid and to break up into droplets in the first liquid, thereby generating monodisperse emulsions.

Abstract: A method for processing organic cells includes providing a microfluidic system having a chamber comprising a stationary phase in the form of a plurality of microparticles. The method further includes letting a plurality of organic cells in a mobile phase into the chamber across a first opening of the microfluidic system. The method further includes accumulating the organic cells in a tapered section of the chamber that is upstream of a filter of the microfluidic system that is impermeable to the microparticles. The method further includes flushing a lysis agent into the chamber to resuspend the microparticles and the organic cells in the chamber for a disruption of the organic cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system of analysis, which can be used in a mobile laboratory in a drilling site situation or in a similar situation, suitable for measuring (preferably in relation to at least two partially gaseous species, which derive preferably from a mixture extracted from a drilling mud, for example, methane, ethane, propane and/or any other heavier hydrocarbons) the quantities of the different isotopes of at least a same chemical element (preferably the quantities of 13C, carbon isotope with 6 protons and 7 neutrons, and of 12C, carbon isotope with 6 protons and 6 neutrons, respectively) by means of a laser isotopes analyzer regulated for a single, at least partially gaseous species which contains said chemical element.

Abstract: A sample preparation device, preferably for sterility testing, comprising a manifold including one or more receptacles for filtration units and at least one inlet and/or outlet port. The receptacle(s) is/are respectively provided with one or more connectors for establishing a fluid connection with mating ports of the filtration units and media containers/vials upon insertion of the same into the respective receptacles. The connectors are in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet port(s) via channels defined in the manifold to allow a desired fluid transfer through the manifold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for opening a reaction vessel having a body forming a volume for liquid, and a lid. In the method at least one reaction vessel is placed on a transport vehicle and the reaction vessel is positioned on the vehicle so that the vessel's rotation about its own axis is prevented. Then, the at least one reaction vessel is transferred on the vehicle and a guide rod, attached to the lid that is attached by a hinge to the reaction vessel, is pushed by the movement of the vehicle against a guide surface that forces the lid to turn on the hinge so that the lid is at least partially opened.

Abstract: A system electronically monitors the consumption of gas adsorbent media in a media bed. The system includes a controller and a monitoring rod having a plurality of sensors disposed on the monitoring rod. The sensors are in communication with the controller. Each sensor includes a corrodible portion having an exposed electrically conducting material susceptible to corrosion by a corrosive agent, a first lead in electrical contact with a first end of the corrodible portion, and a second lead in electrical contact with a second end of the corrodible portion. The corrodible portion, the first lead and the second lead together form a continuous communication path to the controller, and the monitoring rod is at least partially disposed in the media.

Abstract: A module may be provided with at least one opening, the opening being an endpoint of a microfluidic channel that passes through at least part of the module. A set of multiple such modules may be arranged into an arrangement of modules, which may be coupled together using one or more coupling mechanisms included on each module. The arrangement of modules may fit within a regular polyhedral grid, and each module within the arrangement of modules may have a form suitable for arrangement of the modules within the regular polyhedral grid. Fluid may then flow through at least a subset of the arrangement of modules via the microfluidic channel of each module of the subset of the arrangement of modules. Some modules may include sensors, actuators, or inner microfluidic channel surface coatings. The arrangement of modules may form a microfluidic circuit that can perform a microfluidic circuit function.

Abstract: A closure and a container assembly are disclosed. The closure includes a first visual identifier and a second visual identifier, wherein the second visual identifier is different from the first visual identifier. The first visual identifier may be a first color, and the second visual identifier may be a second color. At least one of the first and/or second visual identifier may include a fluorescent compound having a characteristic fluorescent spectra. The first visual identifier and the second visual identifier may be provided on the annular skirt of the closure. The fluorescent compound may be provided on at least one of the closure and the container assembly and can be used to facilitate automated visualization of the fluorescent compound under fluorescence excitation light.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for storing a reagent includes a single unit includes a first portion having a reagent storage chamber configured to hold a reagent. The device also includes a second portion having a reaction chamber configured to support the reagent during a reaction process to form a product. The device also includes a valve configured to isolate the reagent storage compartment from the reaction chamber when the valve is in a closed state.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the content of at least one oxidizable constituent of an aqueous, liquid sample, comprising a high temperature reactor for decomposing the liquid sample and forming a gaseous mixture, which contains at least the constituent as a gaseous oxide, wherein the high temperature reactor has a liquid inlet for delivery of the liquid sample and a gas inlet for delivery of a carrier gas, and is connected via a gas discharge with an analysis chamber, wherein a condensing unit is placed in front of the analysis chamber for condensing water from the gas mixture, wherein, during operation of the apparatus, a gas stream of the carrier gas with the gas mixture of the high temperature reactor passes via the gas discharge and the condensing unit into the analysis chamber, and wherein, between the gas discharge and the condensing unit, a heatable filter unit is interposed for removal of salts and/or metal oxides from the gas mixture, and the gas discharge, the filter unit and optionally connecting e