Abstract: An apparatus is provided for sensing an analyte in a fluid.

Abstract: A surface acoustic wave (SAW) biofilm sensor includes a transmitting electric to acoustic wave transducer defining an upper surface and a lower surface, a receiving acoustic wave to electric transducer defining an upper surface and a lower surface, a piezoelectric film layer defining an upper surface and a lower surface, and a passivation film layer defining an upper surface and a lower surface. Portions of the lower surface of the piezoelectric film layer are disposed on the upper surface of the transmitting electric to acoustic wave transducer and on the upper surface of the receiving acoustic wave to electric transducer, and the lower surface of the passivation film layer is disposed on the upper surface of the piezoelectric film layer such that the upper surface of the passivation film layer is configured to enable contact with a biofilm.

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: The present application relates to: a strip for lateral flow assay, comprising a support, a medium for development, a sample pad comprising a subpad, and an absorption pad; and a cartridge for lateral flow assay, comprising the same. According to the present application, the strip adopts a novel sample loading method, thereby obtaining reproducible results irrespective of the volume of an injected sample, and it is possible to readily change the amount of a sample, as necessary, thereby improving the reproducibility of measured results and convenience.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for microfluidic processing by programmably manipulating a packet. A material is introduced onto a reaction surface and compartmentalized to form a packet. A position of the packet is sensed with a position sensor. A programmable manipulation force is applied to the packet at the position. The programmable manipulation force is adjustable according to packet position by a controller. The packet is programmably moved according to the programmable manipulation force along arbitrarily chosen paths.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for investigating, measuring and/or detecting properties of chemical and/or biological fluids as well as to a device for performing these procedures and a system comprising a holder for holding at least one of said devices. A device for detecting properties of chemical and/or biological fluids may comprise a tubular structure with a cavity for accommodating the fluid, the tubular structure comprising a magnetizable and/or magnetic material, wherein the tubular structure comprises a segment that is transparent to light of wavelength 200 nm to 2000 nm.

Abstract: A test strip to assist in determining the concentration of an analyte in a fluid sample comprises a base, at least one tab and a break line. The base includes a capillary channel and a test element. The capillary channel is in fluid communication with the test element. The test element is adapted to receive the fluid sample. The at least one tab is removably attached to the base. The capillary channel extends from the base into a portion of the tab. The break line intersects the capillary channel in which an inlet to the capillary channel is exposed along the break line when the tab is separated from the base.

Abstract: Hydrophilic articles and methods of using such articles are described. The hydrophilic articles include a hydrophilic layer comprising sintered, acidified silica nanoparticles attached to a substrate. A spacer layer attached to a first portion of the hydrophilic layer defines at least one fluid transport channel bounded on one side by a second portion of the hydrophilic layer. The nanoparticles may include one or both of spherical and elongated nanoparticles.

Abstract: A cartridge and method for conducting a labeled molecular affinity binding test such as antibody/antigen, ligand/receptor, and colorometric reactions, and other chemical reactions for which one or more analytes is present in a liquid sample formate. A progressive compression structure progressively forces a liquid flow out of a conjugate pad toward a reaction region to more thoroughly and rapidly mix the liquid, encouraging specific first affinity binding to the analytes in question. A specially dimensioned constricting passageway surrounding the reaction region including the result zones provides an additional siphoning force to the flow. These combined forces rapidly and more evenly guide the flow of liquid through the reaction region so that the rushed rate of uptake of analytes at the strip lines are more evenly distributed, adhesive attachment of non-specific molecules is largely avoided, vastly improving sensitivity and specificity, and providing quantitative results in some tests.

Abstract: A biological sensing structure includes a mesa integrally connected a portion of a substrate, wherein the mesa has a top surface and a sidewall surface adjacent to the top surface. The biological sensing structure includes a first light reflecting layer over the top surface and the sidewall surface of the mesa. The biological sensing structure includes a filling material surrounding the mesa, wherein the mesa protrudes from the filling material. The biological sensing structure includes a stop layer over the filling material and a portion of the first light reflecting layer. The biological sensing structure includes a second light reflecting layer over a portion of the stop layer and a portion of the top surface of the mesa. The biological sensing structure includes an opening in the second light reflecting layer to partially expose the top surface of the mesa.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an arrangement provided with a chip body having a fluid channel and configured such that an end portion of the fluid channel is opened in a surface of the chip body, and a sheet-like seal member which covers at least the opening in the surface of the chip body for bringing the inside of the fluid channel to a sealed state. The seal member is constituted of laminated sheet members including a first sheet member having a ductility and an elasticity capable of forming a hole therein with use of a nozzle member, and a second sheet member having a lower ductility than the first sheet member. The sheet members adjoining each other are adhered to each other by an adhesive or a tackifier. The second sheet member is disposed on the chip body side than the first sheet member.

Abstract: This invention describes a device for assaying a dry or small volume liquid sample on a lateral flow capillary assay by utilizing a supplementary non-sample aqueous solution that will push the sample up the assay without diluting or significantly diluting the original sample. This invention enables a sample to be assayed rapidly and/or on-site when the sample is in dried or solid form, or when the liquid volume is too small to complete an assay. As an option, the device can display a colored signal when a sufficient amount of liquid sample has been collected or added to the device. The minimal liquid volume requirement of the device significantly reduces the sample collection time to a matter of seconds and resolves situations in which fluids available for collection are not abundant. Therefore, this invention allows the lateral flow test device to be a more rapid, efficient, and versatile apparatus.

Abstract: A single device to collect, transfer, and measure salivary nitric oxide analyte and metabolite, nitrite, a biomarker for nitric oxide, as well as, a method to assess the effects of diet and exercise on changing an individual's nitric oxide status and health.

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.

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: Device (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d; 40) for extracting, storing and/or processing blood or other substances of human or animal origin, and for applying blood compounds or other biological compounds, which comprises a body (2; 41) inside which a piston (3; 42) is capable of moving longitudinally and is separable at least in part, where the body (2; 41) is provided with an internal space (9; 51) that may be connected to the outside by means of a conduit (6; 50) at a first end (4; 48) of the body (2; 41), where the body (2; 41) and the piston (3; 43) may be blocked longitudinally in at least one position to allow the creation of different degrees of vacuum. The device has multiple uses and is extremely versatile.

Abstract: A wick for use in determining sufficiency of an amount of analyte fluid provided to an analyte test section of an assay device is provided. The wick comprises a primary wick portion attached or attachable to the analyte test section so as to be in fluid communication therewith. The primary wick portion has a receiving surface adapted for receiving the analyte fluid and is configured to draw the analyte fluid from a first area to a second area of the primary wick portion. The assay wick further comprises an indicator portion having a contrasting visual characteristic. The indicator surface is covered by at least a portion of the primary wick portion, which comprises a wicking material that becomes more light transmissive when wetted by the analyte fluid. The contrasting visual characteristic is viewable through the at least a portion of the primary wick portion only when the at least a portion of the primary wick portion is suffused by the analyte fluid.

Abstract: A specimen analyzing method and a specimen analyzing apparatus capable of measuring interference substances before analyzing a specimen. The method comprises a step for sucking the specimen stored in a specimen container (150) and sampling it in a first container (153), a step for optically measuring the specimen in the first container, a step for sampling the specimen in a second container (154) and preparing a specimen for measurement by mixing the specimen with a reagent in the second container, and a step for analyzing the specimen for measurement according to the results of the optical measurement of the specimen.

Abstract: Devices, systems, kits, and methods for detecting and/or identifying a plurality of spectrally labeled bodies well-suited for performing multiplexed assays. By spectrally labeling the beads with materials which generate identifiable spectra, a plurality of beads may be identified within the fluid. Reading of the beads is facilitated by restraining the beads in arrays, and/or using a focused laser.