Abstract: A particulate matter sensor device comprising an enclosure (21) that comprises a flow inlet (11), a flow outlet (12) and a flow channel (2) extending therebetween, a radiation source for emitting radiation into the flow channel (2) for interaction of the radiation with the particulate matter in the flow (20) of an aerosol sample when guided through the flow channel (2), a radiation detector (4) for detecting at least part of said radiation after interaction with the particulate matter. The sensor device comprises a flow modifying device (511) arranged upstream of the radiation detector (4) and/or of the radiation source (3) for modifying the flow (20) for reducing particulate matter precipitation onto the radiation detector (4) and/or onto the radiation source (3) and/or the channel wall sections in close proximity to the detector (4) and/or source (3). The invention also relates to a method of determining parameters of particulate matter in an aerosol sample by using such a particulate matter sensor device.

Abstract: Integrated cartridges for sample homogenization, nucleic acid fragmentation, and nucleic acid detection are disclosed herein. The integrated cartridges include a main housing having a sample well and a detection chamber and a sonication feature coupled to and extending outwardly from the main housing. The sonication feature includes a sonication chamber for receiving a sample fluid. A fluidic path directs the sample fluid from the sample well, to the sonication chamber, and to the detection chamber. Systems for use with the integrated cartridges can include sonotrodes with openings for positioning the sonication feature and/or temperature sensors for monitoring the temperature of the sonication feature. Methods include moving the sample fluid from the sample well to the sonication feature, transmitting ultrasonic energy into the sample fluid, moving the sample fluid from the sonication feature to the detection chamber, and performing a nucleic acid detection assay within the detection chamber.

Abstract: A fluid specimen collection receptacle includes a cup containing a chamber and an open end and a lid for connection with the cup open end and closing the cup chamber. A closure and a specimen collection needle are connected with the lid and a reservoir is arranged beneath the lid and connected with the closure for rotation relative to the lid between open and closed positions. The closure affords access to the needle when the closure is in the open position and prevents access to the needle when the closure is in the closed position. The reservoir includes a chamber closed by a portion of the lid when the closure is in the open position. When the closure is rotated to the closed position, the reservoir is opened for communication with the cup chamber to release an absorbent material from the reservoir chamber into the cup chamber to solidify any residual fluid specimen within the cup chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for interfacing to or interacting with the flow of liquid passing into or through lateral-flow assays and related paper- or membrane-based in-vitro diagnostic testing platforms. This is done for the purpose of improving their performance, sensitivity, accuracy, repeatability, degree of multiplexing, and/or level of quantitation, and/or reducing their inherent limitations while maintaining, in large part, their simplicity, cost effectiveness, and ease of use. New methods are disclosed for pre-sample purification, aliquoting, sequential liquid delivery, flow control and other functions that are largely automatic and require no action on the part of the user.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to retractable diagnostic devices, and hybrid diagnostic devices comprised of water-dispersible, flushable, biodegradable, or water-soluble material and non-water-dispersible, non-flushable, or non-water-soluble material.

Abstract: When an automatic analysis apparatus has a mechanism that performs an operation of an arcuate trajectory to access a plurality of positions arranged on a straight line, an arc and a straight line cannot coincide with each other. Thus position adjustment is required to minimize the deviation between the arc and the straight line. An automatic analysis apparatus according to the invention includes a reagent disk which accommodates a plurality of reagent bottles in each of which a plurality of suction ports are arranged along a center line, and which rotates around a central axis to transport a reagent bottle to a desired position; and a reagent dispensing mechanism which rotates around a rotation axis to suck a reagent from the reagent bottle at a predetermined suction position on the reagent disk, in which the reagent disk is provided with, at least one mounting position of the reagent bottle on the reagent disk, first and second marks sandwiching the mounting position of the reagent bottle.

Abstract: A pneumatic driver for a syringe is provided. The syringe has an elongated barrel with a cap secured to the proximal end that has a through bore. A filter is secured to the cap interior of the barrel that covers an opening in the through bore interior of the barrel. The pneumatic driver includes a source of pressurized air; a support for receiving and locating the syringe; and a supply block configured to receive pressurized air from the source and having an outlet for delivery of pressurized air. The supply block is movable between a first position spaced apart from the cap of the syringe and a second position in contact with the cap with fluid communication being established between the outlet of the supply block and the through-bore in the cap.

Abstract: A biological sample analysis device that is an easily portable free-standing device for determining the rate of deterioration of biological samples.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for receiving a body fluid, wherein the apparatus comprises a first chamber with a displaceable wall and a second chamber of a constant effective size, said second chamber being movable with respect to the displaceable wall, wherein the apparatus is designed to connect the first chamber and the second chamber during a longitudinally axial movement of the second chamber with respect to the displaceable wall and to transfer body fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber during a movement of the second chamber together with the displaceable wall.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for tracking and printing within a histology system. In some embodiments, a system is provided that includes an information reader configured to read identifying data associated with a tissue block, a microtome configured to cut one or more tissue sections from the tissue block, one or more slides for receiving the one or more tissue sections, and a printer configured to receive the identifying data and print, after the one or more tissue sections are cut from the tissue block, one or more labels for the one or more slides, the one or more labels comprising information associating the one more tissue sections on the one or more slides with the tissue block.

Abstract: A particulate matter sensor device comprises an enclosure (21) defining a flow channel (2), a radiation source (3) for emitting radiation into the flow channel for interaction of the radiation with particulate matter in an aerosol sample in the flow channel, and a radiation detector (4) for detecting at least part of said radiation after interaction with the particulate matter. The sensor device comprises a flow modifying device (511) arranged upstream of the radiation detector and/or radiation source so as to reduce particulate matter precipitation onto the radiation detector, the radiation source and/or the channel wall sections in their proximity. The invention also relates to a method of determining parameters of particulate matter in an aerosol sample by using such a particulate matter sensor device.

Abstract: A MEMS-based particle manipulation system which uses a particle manipulation stage and optical confirmation of the manipulation. The optical confirmation may be camera-based, and may be used to assess the effectiveness or accuracy of the particle manipulation stage. In one exemplary embodiment, the particle manipulation stage is a microfabricated, fluid valve, which sorts a target particle from non-target particles in a fluid stream. The optical confirmation stage is disposed in the microfabricated fluid channels at the input and output of the microfabricated sorting valve. Deep learning techniques are brought to bear on the camera output to increase speed, accuracy and reliability.

Abstract: A pipette tip system for use with a plurality of pipette tips is disclosed that includes a support card connected to a base, wherein the base comprises an interlocking structure constructed to mate with an adjacent base. This unique base can be used with the several embodiments disclosed herein.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus for maintaining liquid membrane includes a liquid supply unit which supplies a liquid onto a sensor element and forms a liquid membrane, and a liquid discharge unit which discharges the liquid in the liquid membrane.

Abstract: A thermostatic apparatus thermostatically holds a sample container holding a sample. The thermostatic apparatus includes a sample rack which accommodates and holds a plurality of the sample containers and is attachable to and detachable from the thermostatic apparatus; and a heat conduction member which is controlled to a constant temperature and transfers heat to the sample container, in which an opening portion is formed in the sample rack, and when the sample rack is mounted on the thermostatic apparatus, a contact portion forming one part of the heat conduction member directly contacts the sample container by passing through the opening portion, or directly contacts the sample container protruding from the opening portion.

Abstract: A method for preparing one or more biopsy tissue samples for histological examination includes positioning a tissue sample in a tissue cassette, closing a peripheral portion of a frame including a cassette lid, and moving the lid and the tissue cassette from a first position to a second position. The tissue cassette is coupled to a frame by a frame-cassette connector and moving the lid and the tissue cassette from the first position to the second position includes breaking the frame-cassette connector. The tissue cassette has a recess including at least one side wall and a bottom wall and is formed of a first material that can be successfully sectioned in a microtome. In the second position, the bottom wall and at least a portion of the side wall extend downwardly beyond a bottom edge of the frame for sectioning in the microtome.

Abstract: Embodiments include chemical sensors, devices and systems including the same, and related methods. In an embodiment, a medical device is provided. The medical device can include a graphene varactor, including a graphene layer and a self-assembled monolayer disposed on an outer surface of the graphene layer through electrostatic interactions between a partial positive charge on hydrogen atoms of one or more hydrocarbons of the self-assembled monolayer and a ?-electron system of graphene. The self-assembled monolayer can include one or more substituted porphyrins or substituted metalloporphyrins, or derivatives thereof. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: A method for sizing a DNA molecule is disclosed, which comprises the following steps of: providing a DNA sizing device, comprising: a cover substrate; a substrate disposed on the cover substrate and comprising a first hole and a second hole; and a first slit-like channel disposed between the cover substrate and the substrate, wherein two ends of the first slit-like channel respectively connects to the first hole and the second hole; loading a sample comprising a DNA molecule to the first slit-like channel through the first hole, wherein the DNA molecule moves in a direction from the first hole to the second hole; detecting and recording an intensity and an area of a distribution of the DNA molecule; and analyzing the intensity and the area to obtain the size of a DNA molecule.

Abstract: Methods and systems for macromolecular sequencing of one or a small number of a particular macromolecule are provided. The methods and systems generally operate by flowing a sample containing the macromolecule between a first electrode and a second electrode separated by a small gap. On one side of the gap, the first electrode is electrically coupled to an electron source that produces electrons with a narrow distribution of energies. On the other side of the gap, the second electrode is electrically coupled to an electric current sensor that detects electric current flowing across the gap from the first electrode to the second electrode.

Abstract: A test sample handling system for transporting test samples to a testing mechanism comprises a rotary sample holder including a carrier cylinder configured to rotate about a central rotational axis thereof and a carrier arm adjustable between a retracted position and an extended position. A carrier is configured to support one of the test samples and is removably coupled to the carrier cylinder. A lifter mechanism is adjustable between a lowered position and a raised position with the adjustment of the carrier arm from the retracted position to the extended position including a decoupling of the carrier from the carrier cylinder and a transporting of the carrier and the corresponding one of the samples to a position above the lifter mechanism. An adjustment of the lifter mechanism from the lowered position to the raised position includes a removal of the one of the samples from being supported by the carrier.