Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a sample transfer apparatus (100) for transferring a sample holder (200) into and out of a vacuum chamber (810), comprising: a holding device (110) including at least one cam (120) configured to cooperate with at least one follower (210) of a sample holder (200), wherein the at least one cam (120) includes a curved track having an open end portion (122), a locking portion (126), a locking track portion (124) and a releasing track portion (128), wherein the locking track portion (124) and the releasing track portion (128) respectively connect the open end portion (122) and the locking portion (126), wherein the curved track is configured such that the at least one follower (210) of the sample holder (200) is guided from the open end portion (122) to the locking portion (126) via the locking track portion (124) for attaching the sample holder (200) to the holding device (110), and wherein the curved track is further configured such that the at least one follower (210) of the sa

Abstract: The chemical sensing device comprises a substrate of semiconductor material, integrated circuit components and a photodetector formed in the substrate, a dielectric on the substrate, a wiring in the dielectric, and a source of electromagnetic radiation, a waveguide and a fluorescent sensor layer arranged in or above the dielectric. A portion of the waveguide is arranged to allow the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the source of electromagnetic radiation to be coupled into the waveguide. A further portion of the waveguide is arranged between the photodetector and the fluorescent sensor layer.

Abstract: The sample container loading or storing unit includes a sample rack tray and a sample rack tray installation portion on which the sample rack tray is installed, the sample rack tray installation portion includes a claw portion that moves in a contact direction with a sidewall portion of the sample rack tray, the sample rack tray includes a claw guard portion provided on the sidewall portion of the sample rack tray, and the claw guard portion is configured to be separated from the sidewall portion of the sample rack tray by being pushed by a sample rack.

Abstract: An analysis device employs an analysis kit including a chip provided with a capillary through which a sample flows and a cartridge superimposed on the chip and provided with a liquid reservoir. The analysis device includes a guide-in section into which the analysis kit is guided, a placement section on which the analysis kit placed so as to be supported, a pusher member that pushes the analysis kit from one side face of the analysis kit, contact members that oppose another side face on an opposite side in the horizontal direction to the one side face of the analysis kit placed on the placement section, and contact the other side face of the analysis kit being pushed in by the pusher member so as to position the analysis kit in the horizontal direction, and a measurement member that measures a component present in the sample in the analysis kit.

Abstract: A container cap liner that that facilitates the storage of gases and various volatile organic compounds (VOCs). More particularly, the container cap liner reduces the loss of gases and various volatile compounds thereby providing for relatively longer storage periods with relatively more accurate analytical analysis.

Abstract: A porous polymer monolith comprises a polymer body having macroporous through-pores that facilitate fluid flow through the body and an array of mesopores adapted to bind from the fluid flow molecules of a predetermined range of sizes, wherein the surface area of the monolith is predominantly provided by the mesopores. Also disclosed is a method of making a porous polymer monolith. The method includes forming a polymer body by phase separation out of a solution containing at least a monomer, a crosslinker and a primary porogen, whereby the body contains multiple macroporous through-pores, wherein the solution further contains a secondary porogen comprising oligomers inert with respect to the monomer and cross-linker but chemically compatible with the monomer so as to form mesostructures within the polymer body during said phase separation, and washing the mesostructures from the body to provide an array of mesopores such that the surface area of the monolith is predominantly provided by the mesopores.

Abstract: A sample rack transport apparatus for transporting a sample rack to a sample analyser, comprising: a bidirectional transmission track for bidirectionally transmitting a sample rack without passing through the sample analyser; a feed channel in parallel with the bidirectional transmission track, wherein the sample rack may be delivered from the bidirectional transmission track to the feed channel and to the sample analyser; an unloading cache region located between the bidirectional transmission track and the feed channel, the unloading cache region being used for storing the sample tack; and an unloading mechanism for delivering the sample rack in the feed channel to the unloading cache region for storage, or delivering the sample rack stored in the unloading cache region to the bidirectional transmission track. Also provided are a sample analysis device and a sample analysis system using the sample rack transport apparatus.

Abstract: An ion exchange chromatographic packing material is described that includes support resin particles and a copolymer grafted to the support resin particles. The copolymer includes polymerized functional monomers such as a first ion exchange group monomer and a second ion exchange group monomer. At a first pH, the first ion exchange group monomer is configured to have a first charge at a first pH, and the second ion exchange group monomer is configured to have a net neutral charge. At a second pH, the first ion exchange group monomer is configured to have the first charge at a second pH, and the second ion exchange group monomer is configured to have a second charge at the second pH where the first charge and second charge both have a same polarity.

Abstract: A microfluidic chip (100), an apparatus, a system, and a control and preparation method therefor. The method comprises: a substrate (101), and an electrode layer (102) and a functional layer (103) sequentially formed on the substrate (101), said electrode layer (102) comprising a plurality of electrode groups (1021) arranged in an array, the electrode groups (1021) being used for converting electrical signals into acoustic signals when an electrode group is activated, and transmitting the acoustic signals to the functional layer (103); and the functional layer (103) being used for carrying a sample to be tested, and for absorbing the acoustic wave signals emitted by the activated electrode group (1021) and converting same into thermal energy for heating the sample to be tested that is carried at the position corresponding to the activated electrode group (1021).

Abstract: An electronic driving circuit for a microfluidic device, having a number of synchronized driving stages to generate a respective driving signal for each electrode or group of electrodes of the microfluidic device, the driving signals having a desired amplitude, frequency and phase-shift. Each driving stage has a switching-mode amplifier stage to receive a clock signal and a target signal and to generate, at an output thereof, an output signal defining a respective driving signal. The amplifier stage has: a switching module, coupled to a first internal node and controlled by the clock signal for selectively bringing the first internal node to a control signal; a filter module, coupled between the first internal node and the output, to provide the output signal; and a feedback module.

Abstract: A clamp including a first jaw member having a camming surface, a second jaw member pivotable with respect to the first jaw member, a first biasing member biasing the first and second jaw members to a first position; and a locking mechanism that includes a cam or roller for cooperating with the camming surface of the jaw member, and a second biasing member biasing the cam or roller against the camming surface to lock the first and second jaw members in a second position. An optional alignment collar can be used to align components of the filtration apparatus prior to clamping. Filtration apparatus including the clamp, and also optionally including the alignment collar, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sample carrier for assaying can include a plurality of pins having a surface that is capable of picking up at least one substance on the surface. The pins can be arranged such that one or more of the plurality of pins are introduced into a corresponding reaction vessel of a microplate. The sample carrier can be divided into a plurality of modules, with each of the plurality of modules comprising one or more pins of the plurality of pins. Methods of use include placing the sample carrier onto a microplate so that at least the one or more of the plurality of pins extend into the corresponding reaction vessel of the microplate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gripping device for a container intended for a biological analysis, including an annular part of X axis, elastically deformable gripping fins extending radially inwardly from the annular part, the fins being capable of being deformed when a container is introduced into the annular part, the fins being evenly distributed over the circumference. Each fin has a so-called upper surface and an opposite so-called lower surface, the lower surface being intended to come into contact with the container, the lower surface having a concave zone, or vice versa.

Abstract: Disclosed are a positioning method, a positioning apparatus and a sequencing system (300). The sequencing system (300) comprises an imaging assembly (110) and a mobile platform (102), wherein the imaging assembly (110) comprises an optical axis (OP), the mobile platform (102) bears a reaction apparatus (200), the stroke of the mobile platform (102) in a first direction is controlled by means of a limiting switch, and the stroke comprises a first limit.

Abstract: A container to be used for preparing a multi-layered blood product by centrifugation comprises a substantially cylindrical body (2) with a closed bottom (3) and a top (4) having a filling opening as well as a filter device (15), which is slidable inside the container (1). The filing opening is closed by means of a penetrable membrane (13), and the filter device (15) comprises a substantially planar mesh (16) and a supporting buoyancy body (18). In addition to this, there are means (35, 36, 39, 40, 42), for releasable fixation of the filter device (15) adjacent to the bottom (3) of the container (1).

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a removable cap with a top hole and a seal with a heat induction closure for sealing an opening of a container. Advantageously, the cap and the seal do not need to be removed for a probe to access contents of the container, when used in a diagnostic analyzer, thereby eliminating operator steps of cap removal and seal peeling/perforation. Automated opening of the cap and seal combination is provided by puncturing the seal. The seal retains its opened shape required for unobstructed, non-contact probe access to contents of the container. The seal is comprised of three layers: a first polymer sealing layer capable of being heat-sealed to a container; an aluminum foil layer on top of the first polymer sealing layer, configured to heat seal the first layer by inductive heating; and a second polymer layer on top of the aluminum foil layer for protection.

Abstract: A disposable test card configured to accept a fluid sample for an assay, and a method of manufacturing same, is disclosed herein. In a general example embodiment, a test card for analysing a fluid sample includes a first substrate layer including an inlet port and an outlet port, a channel layer bonded to the first substrate layer, the channel layer including a microchannel placing the inlet port in fluid communication with the outlet port, and a second substrate layer bonded to the channel layer, the second substrate layer having electrodes printed adjacent to a target zone of the microchannel of the channel layer, wherein the electrodes are configured to raise the temperature of the fluid sample within the target zone of the microchannel when a current is applied thereto.

Abstract: It is possible to realize a sample container transfer device capable of handling a plurality of racks in which a sample container can be efficiently transferred from a preprocessing system to a carrier used in an analysis system and can be transferred to a plurality of kinds of carriers of the analysis system. A plurality of kinds of racks A and racks B is held by an empty rack holding area 330. The racks A or the racks B can be used for conveyance of specimen containers according to the application of a specimen. After a fixed number of specimen containers separated by a separation mechanism 301 according to an application are collected by stoppers 303a and 303b, the specimen containers are conveyed to a transfer start position 309 to be transferred from a holder to a rack. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress an occurrence of a state in which the rack does not have a part where no specimen is mounted.

Abstract: Automated test instruments electronically determine and/or obtain cell availability of cells of a holding structure in an incubated test chamber and for each of a plurality of open and available cells and electronically identify neighboring cells, electronically determining whether each of the identified neighboring cells are occupied or empty and, if occupied, electronically evaluating at least one of a test status or a time from load of a specimen container held therein. The instruments then electronically rank each of the plurality of open and available cells based at least in part on whether the identified neighboring cells are occupied or empty and the at least one of test status or time from load of the occupied cells of the identified neighboring cells. The loading mechanism is then directed to load an incoming specimen container into a selected one of the open and available cells based on the ranking.

Abstract: A method to store sample tubes in a laboratory storage and retrieval system is presented. The laboratory storage and retrieval system comprises a storage section, a database comprising a sample tube inventory of the storage section, a control device, and at least one sample tube transport system. The storage section comprises at least two storage subsections. In a first step of the method, the control device identifies at least two sample tubes with at least one substantially identical sample tube attribute and distributed over the at least two storage subsections. In a second step of the method, the at least one sample tube transport system consolidates the at least two sample tubes in at least one storage subsection, wherein the control device further determines in which of the at least two storage subsections the identified sample tubes are consolidated.