Abstract: A sample analyzer cartridge for use at a point of care of a patient such as in a doctor's office, in the home, or elsewhere in the field. By providing a removable and/or disposable cartridge with all of the needed reagents and/or fluids, the sample analyzer can be reliably used outside of the laboratory environment, with little or no specialized training.

Abstract: A test element analysis system for the analytical investigation of a liquid sample. The test element comprising a carrier film having a first light guide layer having a flat side, a second light guide layer positioned adjacent to the first light guide layer and opposite of the flat side, and a coupling out zone which is part of the flat side of the first light guide layer. A test field is secured to the flat side and is constructed and arranged to receive a liquid sample. The test field comprises a reagent system having a soluble reagent capable of causing an optically measurable change upon reaction with an analyte of the liquid sample, and a detection zone in optical contact with the coupling out zone.

Abstract: A blood glucose monitoring kit includes a case constructed in the form of a bi-fold wallet which comprises an upper flap and a lower flap that are connected together through a fold. Blood glucose monitoring electronics are preferably integrated directly into the upper flap of the case, the electronics including a printed circuit board (PCB), a test port mounted on the PCB and a display mounted on the PCB. Preferably, the upper flap is provided with an opening through which the test port is externally accessible. Additionally, the upper flap is provided with a window through which the display is externally visible. A pouch is secured onto the inner surface of the lower flap and is sized and shaped to retain a plurality of disposable test components.

Abstract: A device for separating heavier and lighter fractions of a fluid sample is provided, the device including a container and a unitary separator located therein, the separator having an overall density between the heavier and light fractions. The separator is capable of moving between the fractions upon centrifugation, and sealing the fractions from one another when centrifugation ends.

Abstract: A histological specimen retaining device for processing tissue. The histological specimen retaining device comprises a foldable permeable sheet having edges and a permeable target disposed on the foldable permeable sheet within the edges of said sheet thereby providing extended flap portions. The extended flap portions are foldable to overlap the target. The histological specimen retaining device also comprises a malleable securing strip attached to the permeable sheet of a length sufficient to secure said folded flap portions overlapping said target.

Abstract: Instrument-cartridge interfaces for fluidic analyzers that have an instrument and a removable cartridge are disclosed. For example, and in one illustrative embodiment, the instrument may include a needle that is adapted to penetrate a septum on a removable cartridge. In another illustrative embodiment, the instrument may include a plunger that is adapted to deform a deformable membrane on a removable cartridge. In yet another illustrative embodiment, the instrument may include a nozzle that is adapted to mate and seal with a flow channel on a removable cartridge. Techniques for detecting the flow rate in a flow channel on a removable cartridge, as well as the position of fluid in a flow channel of a removable cartridge, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A dual inlet microchannel device and a method for using the device to perform a flow-through kinetic assay are described. A microplate having an array of the dual inlet microchannel devices and in particular their specially configured flow chambers is also described. Several embodiments of the dual inlet microchannel devices and specially configured flow chambers are also described.

Abstract: Colorimetric sensor films comprising a reflective layer, a polymeric detection layer, and a semi-reflective layer are disclosed. Devices comprising the calorimetric sensor films and methods of making the films and devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides extraction columns for the purification of an analyte (e.g., a biological macromolecule, such as a peptide, protein or nucleic acid) from a sample solution, as well as methods for making and using such columns. The invention is characterized by the use of low dead volume columns, which is achieved in part by the use of low pore volume frits (e.g., membrane screens) to contain a bed of extraction media in the column. Low dead volume facilitates the elution of the captured analyte into a very small volume of desorption solution, allowing for the preparation of low volume samples containing relatively high concentrations of analyte.

Abstract: A test strip construction includes a test strip having a testing region bearing a chromogenic reagent to detect the presence of a substance in a fluid test sample. A supporting member is attached to one end of the test strip in a manner such that the testing region is remote form the attachment point and is free from any contact with supporting member. When dipped into the test sample the test strip can flutter away from the supporting member to allow for full contact between that the testing region and the test sample. When removed from the test sample the supporting member provides a consistent background for observation of color changes of the reagent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a carrier tape which carries a plurality of consumable elements for a system for determining an analyte concentration of a human or animal bodily fluid and is folded into a stack. According to the invention, the consumable elements are disposed on the carrier tape in groups, wherein the distance between adjacent groups in the longitudinal direction of the carrier tape is greater than that between adjacent consumable elements within a group.

Abstract: Medical and environmental diagnostic devices are described and claimed. Preferred embodiments feature cup (1) within cup configurations wherein one cup is dedicated, for the most part, to sample collection and another cup (2) is dedicated, for the most part, to assay performance. Communication between the cups is afforded by what is believed to be a unique valve assembly (3) and lid (7) tandem.

Abstract: A device for studying individual cells including a picowell array (such as an array of microwells, dimples, depressions, tubes or enclosures) and a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the picowells through channels is disclosed. Preferably, the device has a moveable lid that in one rest location allows loading of cells in the picowell array. Preferably the channels of the device are capillary channels. Also disclosed is a device for the automated study of cells including a picowell-bearing device having a picowell array with a moveable lid, a lid-moving component, at least one solution dispensing component and a control system functionally associated with the lid-moving component as well as with the solution dispensing component.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microfluidic device, for instance for molecular sieving or for detecting a target substance in a sample fluid. The device comprises a first substrate (120) having a substantially flat first surface that is provided with first recesses (124), and a second substrate (128) having a substantially flat second surface that is provided with second recesses (130). At least some of the first recesses are filled with a porous material (114). Alternate first recesses and second recesses form a meandering channel for a sample fluid. The second recesses may be filled with a further porous material. In an embodiment, a capture substance for binding a target substance is arranged in or on the porous material.

Abstract: A method of preventing non-specific adsorption of proteins onto a surface can include providing a substrate that has a surface on which surface groups are attached. A solution can be applied to the surface that includes a protective reagent having a terminal functional group exhibiting a dipole moment. A monolayer comprising the protective reagent is assembled on the surface by reacting the protective reagent with the surface groups, thereby creating a protected surface. The protective reagent alone is sufficient to confer to the protected surface an increased resistance to adsorption of proteins.

Abstract: A dry test strip assembly includes: a carrier base having a test port and a well adapted for receiving a dry test strip element, and a cover having a sample opening. The cover can be snapped onto the base with the sample opening aligned over the test port and with a test strip element compressed between the base and cover. A maximum dry test strip compression stop controls the maximum compression on the dry test strip, and a minimum dry test strip compression stop controls the minimum compression on the dry test strip. A rib between two test ports prevents fluid flow in the dry test strip element from one side of the rib to another, thereby separating the test strip element into a plurality of separate fluid compartments. A manufacturing system efficiently assembles the dry test strip assembly without handling by humans.

Abstract: The invention is directed to fluid-containing pouches and to methods for forming fluid-containing pouches. In one embodiment, the invention is to a fluid-containing pouch, comprising first and second opposing sheets, and a fluid (e.g., a calibrant fluid, a reactant fluid or a wash fluid) disposed between the first and second opposing sheets. The first sheet and the second sheet have a substantially liquid and gas impermeable perimeter seal. The sheets may be sealed, for example, by one or more of heat crimping, pressure crimping, heat and pressure crimping, ultrasonic welding, metal-to-metal welding or laser welding. Fluid-containing pouches sealed according to the disclosed methods and apparatuses show substantially improvement in terms of reduced gas exchange, notably CO2 pressurization levels.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a first substrate including a micro-flow path, and a valve seat protruding into the micro-flow path, a second substrate, coupled to the first substrate, and including a cavity corresponding to the valve seat, a first parylene layer disposed on an inner surface of the first substrate, and a valve gate film provided between the first substrate and the second substrate, such that the valve gate film opens and closes the micro-flow path with air pressure applied between the valve seat and the cavity, the valve gate film having a hydrophilic surface. A portion of the first parylene layer, which is disposed on a lower surface of the valve seat and contacting the valve gate film, has a hydrophobic surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing non-detonable and non-explosive parent-odor scent simulants of both detonable and entropy-burst chemical explosive materials. A detonable explosive material is a material that explosives with the aid of detonation while an entropy burst explosive material is a very sensitive energetic material that does not require detonation, but explodes through a spontaneous decomposition of its molecules into gaseous products. The invention also presents representative non-detonable, non-hazardous compositions of such simulants that can be safely and effectively utilized within a broad spectrum of biological and non-biological explosives detection programs, non-limiting examples being the training of biological search-and-detect creatures such as explosive detecting dogs and the calibration of electronic explosive detecting instruments that rely on the principles of vapor sampling for their operations.

Abstract: A system (10) for removing a pipettable substance from a pre-filled container (20), which is closed off by a top (30) having at least one opening area (40), comprises an opening tool (100) having a tube (110), which has a cross-section corresponding substantially to the shape of the opening area and which comprises at a distal end (120) an endpiece (140) extending substantially obliquely relative to the longitudinal axis of the tube, which moves a part of the top (30) located inside the opening area (40) towards the container when the opening tool is applied, so as to form an opening in the top, and a point of attack (150) for a transporting tool (200). The opening tool (100) is designed to remain on the container (20) after use.