Abstract: A material for manipulating liquid includes a porous substrate having first and second surfaces; and a wedge-shaped transport element disposed on one of the first and second surfaces, wherein the wedge-shaped transport element has a narrow end and a wide end, the wide end connected to a first reservoir, wherein the wedge-shaped transport element is configured to pass liquid from the narrow end to the wide end to the first reservoir, regardless of gravity, and wherein the first reservoir is configured to pass liquid away from the substrate in a z-direction opposite from the surface on which a liquid is deposited. The surface on which the wedge-shaped transport element is disposed is one of hydrophobic or superhydrophobic, and the wedge-shaped transport element is one of a) superhydrophilic when the first surface is hydrophobic, b) superhydrophilic when the first surface is superhydrophobic, and c) hydrophilic when the first surface is superhydrophobic.

Abstract: A microfluidic device is useful for modelling drug transmission across the vasculature and vascular barriers. The device includes a frame, a fluid-permeable lumen configured to carry a fluid through the frame in a first direction, a first chamber surrounding the lumen, and a second chamber surrounding the first fluid-permeable chamber. At least one surface of the first chamber is configured for deposition of a first population of endothelial cells. An outer surface of the second chamber is configured for deposition a second population of cells. The second chamber is configured to carry a fluid through the frame in a second direction. The fluid-permeable lumen is configured to allow the fluid to permeate through a wall of the lumen into the first chamber, and the first chamber and the second chamber are in fluid communication with each other.

Abstract: The biometric system comprises: a measurement cartridge; and a meter, equipped with the measurement cartridge, for measuring an analyte present in a sample of the measurement cartridge. The measurement cartridge comprises a reagent container, a capillary module, and a reagent rod. The reagent container receives a liquid reagent and has a top sealed with a sealing film. The capillary module comprises a capillary tube which is located on an upper side of the reagent container and collects the sample by a capillary phenomenon, and the capillary tube is introduced into the reagent container by rupturing a contact portion to the sealing film by an applied pressure.

Abstract: A device and a method of using the device for determining hematocrit in a whole blood sample. The device includes a first portion having an introducer, at least one fluid channel, a fluid actuator, and an analysis sensor and conductivity sensor disposed within the fluid channel. The second portion includes at least one well containing at least one material. The first portion and second portion are movable with respect to each other. The introducer is configured to transfer at least a portion of the material from the well in portion two into the fluid channel of portion one. The method includes measuring the resistance over substantially the entire portion of a whole blood sample and calculating an average hematocrit level of the whole blood sample based on the measured resistance.

Abstract: A microfluidic device, a microfluidic detection assembly and a detection method for the microfluidic device. The microfluidic device includes a first substrate and a second substrate; the first substrate and the second substrate are oppositely arranged to define a channel between the first substrate and the second substrate, the channel is configured for liquid to flow, the first substrate includes a base substrate and a plurality of control assemblies which are arranged on the base substrate along an extending direction of the channel, each of the plurality of control assemblies includes: a first electrode, a second electrode and a plurality of coils, and the first electrode is configured to input currents into the plurality of coils, and the plurality of coils are connected in parallel to the second electrode.

Abstract: A hydrogen gas sensor with a substrate and a zinc oxide nanostructured thin film deposited on the substrate, wherein the zinc oxide nanostructured thin film has a lattice structure with a weight ratio of low binding energy O2? ions to medium binding energy oxygen vacancies in a range of 0.1 to 1.0, and a method of fabricating a gas sensor by thermally oxidizing a metal thin film under low oxygen partial pressure. Various combinations of embodiments of the hydrogen gas sensor and the method of fabricating the gas sensor are provided.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a sample probe has a cap and a base, wherein the cap includes a grip portion and a projection portion. The projection portion fits within a hollow portion of a filter such that the filter is disposed on the outside of the projection portion and the filter and the cap form a cap assemblage. The base comprises a base recess that receives a portion of the cap assemblage including the filter. The cap and base include corresponding media transfer regions adjacent and connected to the filter that reduces flow resistance and chances of blockage and/or contamination during dissolution-testing sampling using the sample probe.

Abstract: A microfluidic flow cell including an electrode or sensor device which is located inside the flow cell and from which at least one connecting conductor leads to an externally accessible terminal contact. The electrode or sensor device is arranged on an insulated substrate member. The connecting conductor is embedded in the substrate member. The substrate member can be inserted into an opening in the flow cell such that the electrode or sensor device is placed in the flow cell.

Abstract: A plasmonic photoconductor sensing platform is provided. The plasmonic photoconductor sensing platform includes an insulating substrate; a semiconducting film placed on top of the insulating substrate; two metal contacts placed at least in part on the semiconducting film to enforce an electric field; a plurality of plasmonic nanostructures deposited on the semiconducting film and physically separated from metal contacts; an insulating layer, the insulating electrically isolating the plasmonic nanostructures from semiconductor; at least one energy source; and at least one microfluidic channel disposed on the insulating layer.

Abstract: A multi-layer sealing structure for sealing a microwell array defined in or on a substrate includes at least one front compliant layer, a back compliant layer, and a flexural layer arranged between the at least one front compliant layer and the back compliant layer, wherein the at least one front compliant layer is closer than the back compliant layer to microwells of the microwell array. One or more front compliant layers may be optically reflective and/or may embody a sensor layer. The back compliant layer may include an adhesive or various types of rubber, and the flexural layer may include a polymeric material or metal. A multi-layer sealing structure may be separated from a microwell array by peeling. A multi-layer sealing structure allows local disruption of sealing where particle contaminants are present without compromising the sealing performance of an entire microwell array, and without requiring a large sealing force.

Abstract: A microfluidic system configured to focus particles suspended in a fluid. One general aspect includes a microfluidic system comprising one or more substrates and a focusing channel formed in the one or more substrates and spanning a length from an inlet to an outlet for receiving a flow of particles suspended in fluid, wherein the particles have a diameter (a) and the focusing channel has a hydraulic diameter (dh).

Abstract: An apparatus having a spectrometer and techniques for use thereof for efficient and effective point-of-care diagnostics are provided. In one aspect, a device is provided. The device includes: an intake port; fluidic channels connecting the intake port to a detecting chamber(s), wherein the detecting chamber(s) is configured to permit optical measurements of a fluid sample; a vent leading away from the detecting chamber(s); and a liquid blocker between the detecting chamber(s) and an opening of the vent, wherein the liquid blocker permits air to pass therethrough while at the same time restricting liquid flow. A method for analyzing a fluid sample is also provided. The method includes: introducing the fluid sample to the device; contacting the fluid sample with a reagent(s) prior to the fluid sample entering the detecting chamber(s); and making optical measurements of the fluid sample in the detecting chamber(s).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for inserting into an imaging system. The device has a receptacle for a specimen carrier for a specimen. The device also includes an arrangement for producing a magnetic field in a region of the receptacle for the specimen carrier.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for analyzing a fluid sample. An example device comprises a fluidic substrate comprising a micro-fluidic component embedded therein, for propagating a fluid sample; a needle or inlet for providing the fluid sample which is fluidically connected to the micro-fluidic component; a lid attached to the fluidic substrate thereby at least partly covering the fluidic substrate and at least partly closing the micro-fluidic component; wherein the fluidic substrate is a glass fluidic substrate and wherein the lid is a microchip. The present disclosure also relates to a method for fabricating a fluid analysis device. The method comprises providing a fluidic substrate; providing a lid; attaching the lid to the fluidic substrate to close the fluidic substrate at least partly.

Abstract: A point-of-care medical testing system integrated with a patient monitor is disclosed. The system may include a microfluidic cartridge configured to receive a blood sample and generate a sensory signal dependent on a concentration of a biomarker in the blood sample. A cartridge reading assembly receives the microfluidic cartridge. The cartridge reading assembly includes a processing unit and a memory coupled with the processing unit. The memory stores executable instructions to cause the processing unit to receive the sensory signal, correlate the received sensory signal with the concentration of the biomarker in the blood sample, and produce an output representative of the concentration of the biomarker in the blood sample. The cartridge reading assembly is coupled to the patient monitor and configured to send the output to the patient monitor.

Abstract: Multi-stage sample-recovery systems, including automated 2-stage and 3-stage sample-recovery systems, are provided. Such systems enable the rapid screening and recovery of samples, including viable cell-based samples, from high-throughput screening systems, including systems utilizing large-scale arrays of microcapillaries. In specific screening systems, each microcapillary comprises a solution containing a variant protein, an immobilized target molecule, and a reporter element. Immobilized target molecules may include any molecule of interest, including proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and other biomolecules. The association of a variant protein with a molecular target is assessed by measuring a signal from the reporter element. The contents of microcapillaries identified in the assays as containing variant proteins of interest can be identified and recovered using the multi-stage systems disclosed herein.

Abstract: A blood glucose measurement reagent includes glucose dehydrogenase; a chromogenic indicator; and an aromatic hydrocarbon having at least one sulfonic acid group.

Abstract: A pretreatment apparatus (100) for performing pretreatment of a sample is provided with a holder (610) for holding a container (10) containing a sample, a centrifugal separation device (600) for rotating the container (10) held by the holder (610) to perform a centrifugal separation, a temperature adjustment device (420) for adjusting the temperature of the sample in the container (10) in the holder (610), an input device (320) for receiving from a user a designated temperature that is adjusted by the temperature adjustment device (420), a controller (300) for controlling the temperature adjustment device (420) in accordance with the designated temperature received via the input device (320).

Abstract: A pretreatment apparatus (100) for performing pretreatment of a sample is provided with a holder (610) for holding a container (10) containing a sample, a centrifugal separation device (600) for rotating the container (10) held by the holder (610) to perform a centrifugal separation, a temperature adjustment device (420) for adjusting the temperature of the sample in the container (10) in the holder (610), an input device (320) for receiving from a user a designated temperature that is adjusted by the temperature adjustment device (420), a controller (300) for controlling the temperature adjustment device (420) in accordance with the designated temperature received via the input device (320).

Abstract: A sample carrier having a region for receiving a sample which is to be analyzed, the volume thereof being between 1-100 ?l, and having an area for handling the sample carrier. The sample carrier is characterized by devices for the fluid-tight placement of the sample carrier together with the sample in an analysis device. An analysis device, in particular a flow cell, includes the sample carrier.