Abstract: An apparatus, method and kit includes one or more use protocol indicators having a color changeable dye, the dye being translucent or having a first color upon immediate exposure to an environment and for a defined time thereafter and the dye changing color after exposure to the environment for the defined time. A dual environment indicator includes a first indicator color changeable dye being translucent or having a first color upon immediate exposure to a first environment and changing color after exposure to a second environment and a second indicator color changeable dye being translucent or having a first color upon immediate exposure to the second environment and for a defined time thereafter and changing color after exposure to the second environment for the defined time. A time exposure indicator comprises at least one color changeable dye disposed to change color in a sequential manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a smoke analysis characterization cell employing optical spectroscopy, which comprises: a reaction chamber, an inlet orifice for injecting smoke into the reaction chamber; an outlet orifice for discharging the smoke from the reaction chamber; and an analysis window for the entry of a laser beam intended to form the plasma inside the reaction chamber, which cell is characterized in that the system further includes a blower for blowing an inert gas close to the analysis window; and a shielding gas injector for the shielded injection of the smoke into the reaction chamber, the shielding being provided by a jet of inert gas around the smoke.

Abstract: A process for producing an analytical aid for the detection of at least one analyte in a sample, such as a body fluid. The analytical aid includes at least one housing and at least one test element including at least one test chemistry. The process includes the following steps: providing the test element; and producing at least one housing part of the housing using at least one shaping process, during which the test element is connected to the housing part.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a sample using microwaves comprises: a reaction vessel comprising a chamber which accommodates a refrigerant and a sample and an injection port through which a gas is injected; a microwave source which irradiates microwaves into the chamber; a connector which carries the gas injected through the injection port; and a gas supplier which is located in the chamber and injects the gas carried by the connector to a refrigerant in the chamber. The connector may comprise a gas carrying portion located above the level of the refrigerant in the chamber.

Abstract: Devices for detecting a particle in a fluid sample are provided. The device includes a segmented microfluidic conduit configured to carry a flow of a fluid sample, where the conduit includes one or more nodes and two or more sections, and a node is positioned between adjacent sections of the conduit. The device also includes a detector configured to detect a change in current through the conduit. Also provided are methods of using the devices as well as systems and kits that include the devices. The devices, systems and methods find use in a variety of different applications, including diagnostic assays.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to insulation components and their use, e.g., in regenerative reactors. Specifically, a process and apparatus for managing temperatures from oxidation and pyrolysis reactions in a reactor, e.g., a thermally regeneratating reactor, such as a regenerative, reverse-flow reactor is described in relation to the various reactor components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and systems for detecting the existence of oral conditions. In one aspect, the invention is a device including a detector capable of detecting a marker of an oral condition; a self-contained indicator that is actuated by a signal from the detector, wherein the indicator is one of a structural indicator adapted to undergo a physical change that is haptically perceptible, a dye adapted to be released into a user's mouth, and a flavor adapted to be released into a user's mouth; and wherein said device is detachably securable to an oral care implement.

Abstract: A colorimetric time indicator configured to indicate time specificity is provided. The colorimetric time indicator includes a colorimetric layer configured to be operatively coupled to a disposable medical device. The colorimetric time indicator is configured to indicate the time specificity via one or more visual indicators upon exposure to one or more external stimuli.

Abstract: An assay device includes: a liquid sample zone; a reagent zone downstream and in fluid communication with the sample zone. The reagent zone includes at least two reagent cells containing a reagent material and arranged in the reagent zone such that each reagent cell experiences substantially the same flow conditions of sample from the sample zone. The reagent cells divide the sample flow from the sample zone into multiple flow streams. Also includes are: one or more flow control elements disposed downstream from the reagent zone which combine the multiple flow streams into fewer flow streams; a detection zone in fluid communication with the reagent zone; and a wicking zone in fluid communication with the detection zone having a capacity to receive liquid sample flowing from the detection zone. The sample addition zone, the detection zone and the wicking zone define a fluid flow path.

Abstract: The present invention provides a personal hygiene item. In simple terms, one of the main features of the present invention is to provide a low-cost personal hygiene item capable of providing a multi-component detection function. The personal hygiene item of the present invention mainly comprises a first material layer and a second material layer. The first material layer is made of hydrophobic material, and the second material layer is disposed thereon. Also, the second material layer comprises a discolored portion. In actual practice, a fluid under test contacts with the corresponding discolored portions via the hydrophobic layer of second material layer for a color changing reaction. Meanwhile, since the hydrophilic performance of the discolored portion is better than the hydrophilic performance of the hydrophilic layer, the back permeation of the fluid under test can herein be prevented.

Abstract: The application relates to a conductivity measurement cell for measuring the concentration of a preselected biomarker or analyte in a body fluid, such as urine. In order to reduce the effect of sample dilution on measured concentration, the measured concentration can be normalized by a dilution factor, which can be determined from electrical conductivity. A test strip and measurement apparatus is disclosed for performing such normalized concentration measurement.

Abstract: A method of generating a metamater-operable in the visible-infrared range is provided. The method comprises a) depositing a layer of a conductive material on a substrate; b) forming a layer of electron beam resist on the layer of conductive material; c) patterning the layer of electron beam resist using electron beam lithography to form a patterned substrate; d) depositing a layer of a noble metal on the patterned substrate; and e) removing the resist. A metamaterial operable in the visible-infrared range comprising split-ring resonators having a least line width of about 20 nm to about 40 nm on a substrate is provided. A transparent photonic device or a sensor for chemical or biological sensing comprising the metamaterial is also provided.

Abstract: Devices and methods are presented in which a plasma separation device with a first and second portion separates a blood containing fluid. Most preferably, the first portion produces a cell fraction and a plasma fraction, and the second portion captures the plasma fraction. A first actuator then fluidly isolates a portion of the plasma fraction within the second portion, and a second actuator moves the isolated portion of the plasma fraction from the second portion.

Abstract: A dry chemical test strip with multiple layers of membranes based on concentration gradient, comprising a substrate, an indicator layer, a reagent layer and a diffusion layer, further comprises a concentration gradient layer. Wherein a first reagent is uniformly applied on the reagent layer, a second reagent is applied on the concentration gradient layer. The concentration gradient increment ?? of the second reagent is 0 in the width direction of the test strip, and is a constant or a function of the variable of length in the length direction of the test strip, a chromogenic reagent is uniformly applied on the indicator layer. The dry chemical test strip with multiple layers of membranes based on concentration gradient can allow all the testing and analysis procedures to be directly carried out on the test strip, test results to be directly obtained on the spot without the help of instruments.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, the apparatus comprises a fluid collecting device configured to receive a sample of breath; a conditioning device coupled to the fluid collecting device and configured to receive the sample of breath and condition the sample with respect to at least one of temperature, flow rate, pressure, humidity, and concentration; and a sensing device coupled to the conditioning device and configured to receive the conditioned sample, wherein the sensing device includes a nanoparticle-based sensor and further whereby the analyte interacts with the sensing device to cause a change that is sensed by the sensing device and wherein the change comprises information useful in characterizing the analyte. Preferably, the apparatus is hand-held and characterizing the analyte is useful for health monitoring.

Abstract: Various embodiments that allow for a more accurate analyte concentration by determining at least one physical characteristic, particularly hematocrit, of the blood sample containing the analyte, particularly glucose, and deriving a specific sampling time based on a relationship between the physical characteristic and sampling time so that the analyte concentration can be determined with greater accuracy with the specific sampling time point.

Abstract: A chemical assay device includes a hydrophilic substrate and one or more hydrophobic structures that extend from a first side of the hydrophilic substrate to a second side of the hydrophilic substrate. A hydrophobic structure in the hydrophilic substrate forms a fluid barrier wall that extends from the first side of the hydrophilic substrate to the second side of the hydrophilic substrate with a deviation of less than 20° from a perpendicular axis between the first side and the second side. The hydrophobic structure is formed from a wax or a phase change ink.

Abstract: A specimen collection or a specimen collection and testing device having an embossed or raised section. In one embodiment the device includes a first panel with one or more apertures for receiving specimen and a second panel having a removable tab, the removable tab aligned with the one or more apertures when the device is assembled such that depositing specimen through the one or more apertures deposits the specimen on the removable tab. A cover has one or more embossed (or raised) sections that align with the one or more apertures when the cover overlays the first panel, thus helping to prevent adherence of the specimen to the inner surface of the cover.

Abstract: The present invention is such a plug application and removal device that mist which is generated upon plug removal of a sample container or a reagent container is not peripherally scattered, or is such a sample processing device that mist which is generated upon dispensing of a sample or a reagent into a container is not mixed to another container. A plug application and removal device has a container holding mechanism that holds a container housing liquid inside and applied with a plug, and has a plug application and removal mechanism that removes or applies the plug from/to the container. The plug application and removal device has: a control mechanism for controlling movement of liquid or mist spilled out of the container upon a process of removal or application of the plug by the plug application and removal mechanism.

Abstract: Optical analytical devices and their methods of use are provided. The devices are useful in the analysis of highly multiplexed optical reactions in large numbers at high densities, including biochemical reactions, such as nucleic acid sequencing reactions. The devices include integrated illumination elements and optical waveguides for illumination of the optical reactions. The devices further provide for the efficient coupling of optical excitation energy from the waveguides to the optical reactions. Optical signals emitted from the reactions can thus be measured with high sensitivity and discrimination using features such as spectra, amplitude, and time resolution, or combinations thereof. The devices of the invention are well suited for miniaturization and high throughput.