Abstract: The specification describes a cartridge for insertion into a meter, the interior of the meter comprising a boss having a main body and a protrusion extending from the main body. The cartridge comprises an orientation member provided at one end of the cartridge, the orientation member comprising a recess having a cross-sectional shape corresponding to that of the boss and configured to receive the boss therein, the orientation member further comprising a ramp surrounding at least part of the portion of the recess corresponding to the main body, the portion of the recess which corresponds to the protrusion adjoining the lower end of the ramp via a step.

Abstract: The behavior of a monitored condition over time for a reactor or reaction system can be analyzed using groupings or windows of data to identify anomalous features in the time-average values. Anomalous features can be identified based on a threshold value generated from the analysis. Based on identification of an anomalous feature, a corrective action can be taken. For example, when the monitored condition is the pressure drop across a catalyst bed, detection of an anomaly can indicate the time to initiate a wash process for the catalyst bed before a large drop in catalyst activity occurs. By detecting an anomaly at an earlier point in time, a wash cycle can be initiated earlier so that the wash is more effective at restoring the catalyst bed to a desired condition.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods to operate microreactor devices through the controlled delivery of pressurized fluids. A heated reservoir, a heated manifold, and a heater for the microreactor device provides for the delivery of a pressurized gas while minimizing evaporation and condensation; and a fluid interface and pressure interlock provides for the delivery of aseptic fluids while minimizing contamination and fluid loss.

Abstract: A sampling and assay device comprises at least three chamber portions connected together in a row. Each chamber portion defines a chamber separated by respective partitions. One end chamber is capable of receiving a sample. The other chambers contain reagent. In respect of each pair of adjacent chamber portions one of the adjacent chamber portions has the respective partition fixed thereto and the other of the adjacent chamber portions has a rupture member arranged to rupture the respective partition on relative movement of the adjacent chamber portions. Each pair of adjacent chamber portions have respective connection portions mated together, the connection portions being designed to allow further chamber portions identical to an intermediate chamber portion to be connected into said row.

Abstract: A reagent delivery device includes a reagent delivery column with a housing receiving reagent storage elements that can move, and a breaching element coupled to the housing. The device includes an actuation member that during operation forces the reagent storage elements toward the breaching element. Breaching the storage elements releases the reagent. The breaching element and/or the housing are configured to communicate reagent between the reagent storage element and a target chamber coupled to the housing. The breaching element can be a needle, a blade, or a combination thereof. Multiple reagent delivery columns can be coupled to microplate wells for larger scale reagent delivery and processing. Biasing elements such as a spring and a counterweight can be directly or indirectly coupled to the housing and/or the reagent storage elements, resisting and/or moderating movement of the reagent elements.

Abstract: A biomedical testing sheet comprises: a substrate with calligraphy paper material, wherein the substrate comprises a wax pattern layer, which is a part of a surface of the substrate coated by a waxy material, and penetrated and diffused by the waxy material, and the wax pattern layer comprises one or more carrying units for carrying one or more droplets of liquids to be measured. The lotus effect substantially prevents diffusion of the liquids and reagents on the carrying units, and reduces the required amount of liquids to be measured and the amount of agent.

Abstract: A clinical analyzer has been described that includes a probe to aspirate a fluid. The probe is washed between aspirations to reduce carryover. The wash operation includes both an internal and an external wash, where the internal wash operation is terminated prior to terminating the external wash. In one example, the probe wash can be implemented on an integrated clinical chemistry/immunoassay analyzer.

Abstract: A sample analyzer comprising: a sample dispenser for dispensing a sample into a reaction container; a sample transporter for sequentially transports a plurality of reaction containers along a transporting path; a processing station including a plurality of processing sections and a transferring section that transfers a reaction container between the sample transporter and the processing sections; and a controller is disclosed. The sample dispenser sequentially dispenses samples at intervals. The controller alternates the interval when problem occurred at any of the processing sections.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a device for measuring blood coagulation includes a substrate having a surface, an optical waveguide provided on the surface of the substrate, the waveguide having a tip, and means for spatially separating objects from the tip of the waveguide.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the analyzer includes a reagent driving disk that accommodates a reagent configured for analysis and that transports the reagent to a desired position, and a fixed disk that has a reagent stand-by position in which to make a reagent container containing the reagent, temporarily stand by, and a magnetic particles stirring position for stirring magnetic particles. A portion of the reagent stand-by position is constituted by a loading system. A reagent container moving unit moves reagent containers containing the reagent, between the reagent driving unit and the fixed disk, according to analytical request status. Providing in a part of the fixed disk the loading system constructed so that reagent containers containing the reagent can be mounted therein during operation enables changing of reagent containers, irrespective of an operational status of the reagent driving disk, and the system to having cold-storage functionality.

Abstract: A case for containing a plurality of biological samples contains a base, a substrate and a cover. The substrate is attached to the base and comprises a plurality of reaction regions configured to receive one or more biological samples. The cover comprises an inner surface and is configured to be attached to the base such that the base and cover together provide a cavity containing the substrate. The inner surface includes a central area and a recessed area disposed about the central area. The central area is configured to cover the reaction regions, while the recessed area is offset from the central area in a direction normal to the inner surface.

Abstract: An air removal test system for verifying adequate air removal during a sterilization cycle of a pre-vacuum type sterilizer includes specimen holder and a test strip. The test strip includes a solid indicator chemical, which liquefies and travels along a wicking element during the sterilization cycle. The test strip is configured to verify adequate removal of air during the sterilization cycle by displaying a color change through a window.

Abstract: A cartridge (700) for insertion into a meter comprises: a plurality of cartridge brackets (704) disposed on an inner wall (703) of the cartridge; a spindle (702) mounted so as to be rotatable within the cartridge and movable longitudinally in first and second directions within the cartridge; and a plurality of testing members (708) each arranged to be supported temporarily by at least one of the plurality of cartridge brackets, each of the testing members including) a hole (306) through which the spindle is located, the spindle having a plurality of spindle brackets (706) disposed on an outer surface thereof, each spindle bracket being movable between first and second positions.

Abstract: There is provided a microchip-based platelet multi-function test apparatus. The apparatus includes a sample container configured to accommodate a blood sample therein, a stirrer that is installed inside the sample container and induces a shear flow in the blood sample, a parallel channel configured to divide and flow the blood stirred by the stirrer into a plurality of paths, a vacuum device that is connected to an end of each parallel channel, maintains constant pressure, allows the stirred blood to flow along the parallel channel, a light source that is installed in a rear side of the parallel channel and radiates light to the parallel channel, and an image sensor that receives light transmitted through the blood in the parallel channel, converts the light into an electrical signal, and measures a flowing distance of a blood flow.

Abstract: Provided herein is a carryover-reducing liquid handling probe for an analytical system, incorporating a rigid sheath and a polymer core that extends from the sheath to act as the fluid contact surface.

Abstract: A fluid container comprises a first vessel, a second vessel connected or connectable to the first vessel, and a sealing partition preventing fluid flow from the second vessel. The container further includes a spherical opening element initially supported within the second vessel by the sealing partition and configured to be contacted with the sealing partition to open the sealing partition and permit fluid flow from the second vessel.

Abstract: A transfer device (100) comprises a housing (110) defining a chamber (130), carriers (120), and an adjustable spacing mechanism (124). The carriers (120) can be positioned in the chamber (130) and have receiving openings (158). The spacing mechanism (124) is configured to move carriers (120) relative to one another along a chamber (130) to a desired spatial arrangement. Items, such as microscope slides (260), can be transferred between slide holder devices by using the transfer device (100). The pitch of the carriers (120) can be adjusted to receive and dispense slides (260).

Abstract: Microfluidic devices, and methods for their use are described. The microfluidic devices include articles formed from a thermoplastic composition comprising a poly(aliphatic ester)-polycarbonate comprising soft block ester units, derived from monomers comprising an alpha, omega C6-20 aliphatic dicarboxylic acid or derivative thereof, a dihydroxyaromatic compound, and a carbonate source.

Abstract: A test reagent container including a discharge port, formed by depressing a projecting part formed on a container bottom part, through which content can be easily and reliably discharged. The test reagent container includes: a bottom part; a peripheral wall raised approximately perpendicularly from a periphery of the bottom part; and a storage part defined by the bottom part and peripheral wall. A projecting part is formed on the bottom part in a projecting manner toward outside the container. A proximal end of the projecting part is formed in a bendable manner relative to the bottom part, and an easily breakable part is formed on a periphery of the projecting part except for the proximal end of the projecting part. The easily breakable part is broken when the projecting part is depressed from outside the container to be pushed into the inside of the container to form a discharge port.

Abstract: A microwell plate is described, including a frame 2 that has a frame plate 4 made of a first material having holes 2?, and a vessel 3 formlockingly connected to the frame plate 4 and made from a poly(aliphatic ester)-polycarbonate including soft block ester units, derived from monomers including an alpha, omega C6-20 aliphatic dicarboxylic acid or derivative thereof, a dihydroxyaromatic compound, and a carbonate source.