Abstract: Described embodiments provide devices, systems and methods for sequencing liquid flow in response to a driving force by entrapping and releasing gas between volumes of liquid in a controlled manner. In one particular form, a centrifugal “lab on a disk” device is provided to drive liquid flow and sequencing by virtue of the centrifugal force and in one particular form a radially inward bend conduit is used in connection with controllably trapping and releasing gas between liquid volumes.

Abstract: Devices and systems for sampling and profiling microbiota of skin are described which include a replaceable microbe sampling unit including a substrate and a location information storage component, the substrate including a microbe-capture region configured to capture at least one type of microbe from one or more regions of a skin surface of an individual, and the location information storage component configured to store information associated with the location of said one or more regions of the skin surface of the individual.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting deterioration of an NOx selective reduction catalyst in an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine with improved accuracy, includes an NOx purification rate calculation unit for calculating the NOx purification rate in the NOx selective reduction catalyst based on the NOx concentration in the exhaust gas flowing into and out of the NOx selective reduction catalyst. A determination as to whether the NOx selective reduction catalyst is deteriorated is made based on the NOx purification rate at a time when the temperature of the NOx selective reduction catalyst is equal to or higher than a temperature (Tc0) at which the NOx purification rate will start to decrease with a rise in the temperature of the NOx selective reduction catalyst if the degree of deterioration of the NOx selective reduction catalyst is at the upper limit of an allowable range.

Abstract: A method of analyzing biological particles for a biological particle analyzer includes outputting a first detection result when at least one particle has arrived at the first detection area, outputting a second detection result to the control module when the particles have arrived at the second detection area, and determining when to turn on or off the light emission source and outputting a control signal to turn on or off the light emission source according to the first detection result, wherein a control module is configured to calculate a turn-on time according to different particle characteristics and an average velocity of the at least one particle, and the light emission source is turned on only when the at least one particle is being tested during the turn-on time.

Abstract: Disclosed therein is a sampler. The sampler includes: a chamber accommodating a fluid or solid reagent therein and being sealed at both ends with penetrable films; a tube joined with the chamber at one side, the tube having a hollow portion therein; and a movable bar having a tip which is formed at one end and has a specimen extracting portion, the tip being guided and moved through a hollow portion, the tip being adapted for mixing the specimen extracted by the specimen extracting portion with the reagent so as to form a diluted solution while penetrating through one end of the chamber and adapted for quantitatively discharging out the diluted solution while penetrating through the other end of the chamber.

Abstract: System, apparatuses, and methods for performing automated reagent-based analysis are provided. Also provided are methods for automated attachment of a cap to a reaction receptacle, and automated removal of a cap from a capped reaction receptacle.

Abstract: A breath analyzer is described with at least one chemical sensor sensitive to the concentration of a component in a sample of exhaled breath including a compensator for compensating for the effect of variations in the amount of exhaled breath between the user and the sensor location with the chemical sensor being integrated into a portable electronic device, particularly with the sensor being located in an air duct with an opening to the exterior of the housing of the analyzer with the total area of the opening being sufficiently small to restrict effectively mass transport between the exterior and the sensor and/or wherein the compensation includes the compensation for different responses of sensors.

Abstract: Fluidic devices and methods including those that provide storage and/or facilitate fluid handling of reagents are provided. Fluidic devices described herein may include channel segments positioned on two sides of an article, optionally connected by an intervening channel passing through the article. The channel segments may be used to store reagents in the device prior to first use by an end user. The stored reagents may include fluid plugs positioned in linear order so that during use, as fluids flow to a reaction site, they are delivered in a predetermined sequence. The specific geometries of the channel segments and the positions of the channel segments within the fluidic devices described herein may allow fluid reagents to be stored for extended periods of time without mixing, even during routine handling of the devices such as during shipping of the devices, and when the devices are subjected to physical shock or vibration.

Abstract: Specimen collection slides, methods of fabricating and methods of utilizing such specimen collection slides whereby each specimen collection slide includes a top rigid layer with an opening, a bottom rigid layer with an opening substantially the same size as the top layer opening, a middle rigid section having an opening larger than the openings in both the top and bottom layers, and a filtration media residing within the opening in the middle section. The top, bottom and middle are secured together to provide the resultant slide with thickness and rigidity that lends the slide to be utilized in automated handling processes and instruments. The middle section of the slide encases the filtration media and sandwiches it between the top and bottom layers so that the filtration media is protected from damage. Each slide may have its own unique identifier.

Abstract: Provided are pipette tip trays for use in biotechnology applications. In certain embodiments, provided are pipette tip trays having one or more of the following features: (i) lacking an external hinge between the lid and the rack, and (ii) having snap plate fasteners configured to releasably secure a snap plate to a base.

Abstract: An automatic cleaning assembly for an analytical furnace is detachable from the filter chamber above the combustion tube. The cleaning assembly includes a rotating brush which is lowered through the filter chamber and into the combustion tube while a vacuum is drawn through the lower seal of the combustion tube. This results in a higher vacuum pressure differential and improved flow rate for removing dust from the filter of the furnace and the combustion tube.

Abstract: System, apparatuses, and methods for performing automated reagent-based analysis are provided. Also provided are methods for automated attachment of a cap to a reaction receptacle, and automated removal of a cap from a capped reaction receptacle.

Abstract: A microfluidic device is provided for inducing the separation of constituent elements from a microfluidic sample by introducing phase changes in the microfluidic sample while contained in a microfluidic channel in the device. At least a portion of the microfluidic sample is frozen to cause fractional exclusion of the constituent element from the frozen portion of the microfluidic sample. Different portions of the microfluidic sample may be frozen in different sectors and at different times in order to cause movement in a desired direction of the separated constituent element. Portions of the microfluidic sample may be frozen in a sequential order of adjacent sectors within the microfluidic channel in order to cause sequential movement of the excluded constituent element toward one portion of the microfluidic channel. The frozen portion of the microfluidic sample is then thawed, wherein the separated constituent element remains substantially separated from the thawed, purified microfluidic sample.

Abstract: Devices and methods for preparing and assessing a liquid sample are described which include: a microfluidic microscopy device including an absorbent structure including at least one dry dye for a liquid and configured to convey a polar liquid from a first end of the absorbent structure through the at least one dry dye for a liquid to a second end of the absorbent structure, a support structure positioned adjacent to a first surface of the absorbent structure, a lid structure positioned adjacent to a second surface of the absorbent structure, and a clamping structure positioned to maintain a relative position of the support structure and the lid structure to form a tapered internal chamber adjacent to the second end of the absorbent structure.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing contaminants such as hydrocarbons in soil and ground water utilizes a reaction device comprising a catalyst encapsulated in a permeable material and processes that device in contact with a contaminant in an analytical device in order to generate a spectrogram indicative of the contaminants in the soil and ground water.

Abstract: A biological particle analyzer is disclosed and includes a microchannel including an end coupled to a first drive electrode, another end coupled to a second drive electrode, a first detection area at an upstream location and an excitation area at a downstream location for containing particles flowing from the upstream location to the downstream location inside the microchannel, a first detection circuit coupled to the first detection area for outputting a first detection result when at least one particle has arrived at the first detection area, a light emission source, and a control module coupled to the first detection circuit and the light emission source for determining when to turn on or off the light emission source according to the first detection result.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of mass spectrometry, and more specifically to a vacuum ultraviolet photoionization and chemical ionization combined ion source, which consists of a vacuum ultraviolet light source and an ion source chamber. An ion acceleration electrode, an ion repulsion electrode, an ion extraction electrode, and a differential interface electrode positioned inside the ion source chamber are arranged along the exit direction of the vacuum ultraviolet light beam in sequence and spaced, coaxial, and parallel from each other. The ion acceleration electrode, the ion repulsion electrode, the ion extraction electrode, and the differential interface electrode are all plate structures with central through holes. The vacuum ultraviolet light beam passes through the central through holes of the electrodes along the axial direction.

Abstract: A system for extracting oil from oil-bearing plant parts has an extraction vessel supported by an upright stand, a separator vessel mounted below the extraction vessel, and an expansion filter vessel mounted downstream from the separator vessel. A source of hydrocarbon solvent supplies liquid gas to the top of the extraction vessel, while a recycling pump connected to the separator vessel facilitates transport of the solvent through the plant material in the extraction vessel. The solvent is recovered and re-circulated, while extracted oil is removed from the separator. A thermal jacket is mounted on each of the separator vessel and the expansion filter vessel; the thermal jackets supplying heat and cold to the interior of the separator vessel and the expansion filter vessel and help evaporate and condense the solvent.

Abstract: This invention describes an advanced cooling system for a laboratory instrument to maintain laboratory samples at a predetermined temperature. The advanced cooling system uses an algorithm that incorporates information from at least one sensor and other operational parameters including thermal effects from the operation of the instrument.

Abstract: Invention; It is about the tubes used to obtain blood products through centrifuge in order to cure open and closed injuries, to heal hard and soft tissues and to diagnose in all fields of medicine and dentistry. Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF) obtained in the tubes the surface of which contacts blood and made from pure titanium or titanium alloys has a better structure of fibrin than that is obtained through classical methods. The efficiency of the high speed centrifuge is increased with this designed tube and Platelet Rich Fibrin can be removed from the tube without spoiling it.