Abstract: An integrated microfluidic device for carrying out a series of fluidic operations includes a housing including a plurality of n microfluidic conduits, wherein n is at least three, and a rotating valve having an internal channel with an entrance port and an exit port that are angularly separated. The rotating valve is positionable in a first position to connect two of the n fluidic conduits via the internal channel, and upon rotating the valve to a second position, two other of the n fluidic conduits are connected by the internal channel. The device further may include one or more fluidic chambers in fluid communication with respective fluidic conduits. Fluid contained in one fluidic chamber is transferrable by application of positive or negative gas pressure through associated fluidic conduits into another fluidic chamber via the internal channel. The device may be utilized to perform a variety of fluidic operations.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to devices, solutions and methods for collecting and processing samples of bodily fluids containing cells (as well as embodiments for the collection, and processing and/or analysis of other fluids including toxic and/or hazardous substances/fluids). In addition, the disclosure relates generally to function genomic studies and to the isolation and preservation of cells from saliva and other bodily fluids (e.g., urine), for cellular analysis. With respect to devices for collection of bodily fluids, some embodiments include two mating bodies, a cap and a tube (for example), where, in some embodiments, the cap includes a closed interior space for holding a sample preservative solution and mates with the tube to constitute the (closed) sample collection device. Upon mating, the preservation solution flows into the closed interior space to preserve cells in the bodily fluid. The tube is configured to receive a donor sample of bodily fluid (e.g.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining at least one evaluation parameter of a blood sample, comprising the following steps: providing (S4) at least one blood gas parameter; providing (S5) at least one hemostasis parameter; and determining (S6 . . . S10?) the at least one evaluation parameter as a function of the blood gas parameter and/or the hemostasis parameter.

Abstract: A biological sterilization indicator (BI) system and method. The system can include a BI and a reading apparatus comprising a well. The BI can include a housing, which can include a first portion, and a second portion movable between a first “unactivated” position and a second “activated” position. The BI can further include a frangible container containing a liquid and dimensioned to be positioned in the housing. The reading apparatus can be configured to detect activation of the biological sterilization indicator, for example, by detecting that the second portion is in the second position, and/or by detecting that the liquid from the frangible container is present in a specific chamber of the biological sterilization indicator. The method can include positioning the BI in the well of the reading apparatus and detecting activation, for example, by detecting one or more of the above conditions.

Abstract: A particle manipulation system uses a MEMS-based, microfabricated particle manipulation device which has an inlet channel, output channels, and a movable member formed on a substrate. The movable member moves parallel to the fabrication plane, as does fluid flowing in the inlet channel. The movable member separates a target particle from the rest of the particles, diverting it into an output channel. However, at least one output channel is not parallel to the fabrication plane. The device may be used to separate a target particle from non-target material in a sample stream. The target particle may be, for example, a stem cell, zygote, a cancer cell, a T-cell, a component of blood, bacteria or DNA sample, for example. The particle manipulation system may also include a microfluidic structure which focuses the target particles in a particular portion of the inlet channel.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter relates to a sensor or system for monitoring a target analyte by using a polymer solution that is capable of binding to the analyte. The sensor of the disclosed subject matter includes a viscosity-based sensor or a permittivity-based sensor. The viscosity-based sensor contains a semi-permeable membrane, a substrate, and a microchamber including a vibrational element. The permittivity-based sensor contains a semi-permeable membrane, a substrate, and a microchamber. The sensor discussed herein provides excellent reversibility and stability as highly desired for long-term analyte monitoring.

Abstract: A lateral flow device for use in a mainframe or point-of-care clinical analyzer, in which the lateral flow device includes a planar support having at least one sample addition area and at least one reaction area disposed thereon. The sample addition area and reaction area are fluidly interconnected to one another and form at least one lateral fluid flow path. The lateral flow device is sized for retention within a storage cartridge of the analyzer defined by a hollow interior and having a plurality of lateral flow assay devices retained in stacked relation therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a tissue sample including a retaining member having a first tissue engaging surface and at least one biasing element, the first tissue engaging surface being moveably attached to the retaining member by said biasing element; and a base having a second tissue engaging surface and configured to engage the retaining member to form an interior area with the first and second tissue engaging surfaces facing each other, wherein the at least one biasing element urges the first tissue engaging surface toward the second tissue engaging surface to retain the tissue sample therebetween in the interior area.

Abstract: A cell analyzer includes a flow cell through which a sample containing a cell flows; an imaging unit that captures the cell contained in the sample flowing through the flow cell; a cell image storage unit that stores a cell image captured by the imaging unit; a light source that irradiates the sample flowing through the flow cell with light; a light receiving unit that receives light from the cell irradiated with the light from the light source and outputs a signal corresponding to a light receiving amount; a waveform data storage unit that stores data indicating change in the light receiving amount obtained based on the output signal; a display unit; and a control unit that controls the display unit to display the cell image and a graph representing a waveform of data for the cell in the cell image and/or a marker corresponding to the data.

Abstract: The present invention is to present a specimen processing apparatus, comprising: an imaging device for imaging a cap of a covered specimen container containing a specimen; an aspirating device including a specimen aspirating tube, moving the specimen aspirating tube so as to pass the specimen aspirating tube through the cap of the covered specimen container and aspirating the specimen contained in the covered specimen container via the specimen aspirating tube; an aspiration controller for controlling a movement of the specimen aspirating tube into the covered specimen container based on an image obtained by the imaging device; and a specimen processing device for processing the specimen aspirated by the aspirating device.

Abstract: A particle manipulation system uses a MEMS-based, microfabricated particle manipulation device which has an inlet channel, output channels, and a movable member formed on a substrate. The movable member moves parallel to the fabrication plane, as does fluid flowing in the inlet channel. The movable member separates a target particle from the rest of the particles, diverting it into an output channel. However, at least one output channel is not parallel to the fabrication plane. The device may be used to separate a target particle from non-target material in a sample stream. The target particle may be, for example, a stem cell, zygote, a cancer cell, a T-cell, a component of blood, bacteria or DNA sample, for example. The particle manipulation system may also include a microfluidic structure which focuses the target particles in a particular portion of the inlet channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting sample well trays with respect to a heating device is provided. The apparatus includes a sample well tray holder, a rotational actuator, and a biasing mechanism. The sample well tray holder includes a plate in which a sample well tray may be positioned. The sample well tray holder is configured to rotate about a first rotational axis. The rotational actuator is configured to rotate the sample well tray holder about the first rotational axis. The biasing mechanism is configured to urge the sample well tray holder in a generally upward direction along the first rotational axis.

Abstract: Provided is a diagnostic apparatus. The diagnostic apparatus includes a microfluidic chip including first and second measurement parts for respectively measuring an amount of hemoglobin and an active degree of an enzyme within a blood sample. The second measurement part of the microfluidic chip analyzes the active degree of the enzyme within the blood sample using voltammetry.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing tissue samples using acoustic energy. The tissue sample may be collected and placed on a substrate (e.g., microscope slide), or other sample holder. A transfer substrate may be positioned on the other side of the sample opposite the substrate. A microscope incorporated with the acoustic treatment system may be used to view, identify and select a portion of the sample to be transferred from the initial substrate to the transfer substrate. The selected portion of the sample is exposed to focused acoustic energy while disposed between the two substrates. The focused acoustic energy has characteristics (e.g., high frequency, small focal zone) that may be effective to transfer the selected portion of the sample from the initial substrate to the transfer substrate. Such transfer may occur with little to no damage to the sample, for example, at low temperature isothermal conditions and/or little to no cavitation of or around the sample.

Abstract: Provided is an automatic analyzer capable of detecting not only clogging and air suction of the dispensation probe but also a decrease in the dispensation quantity caused by a bubble film, air bubbles or a highly viscous sample. Each of a sample/reagent suction operation time and a sample/reagent discharge operation time of a probe is segmented into multiple time sections. For each of the time sections determined by the segmentation, a parameter is calculated by applying a detected pressure waveform to an approximation formula. For each of the time section, the presence/absence of a dispensation abnormality is judged by comparing the calculated parameter with a parameter in cases of normal dispensation. An automatic analyzer capable of judging the presence/absence of an abnormality specific to each time section and making abnormality judgments difficult for conventional techniques can be realized.

Abstract: An assay test device comprises a cup container having a detachable top cover that has a volume-reducing internal structure. A pocket shaped and dimensioned to nest a chromatographic test strip cartridge is mounted against a flattened transparent portion of the cup side wall. The cartridge is held in a vertical position with an aperture near the top edge of the cup. A splash shield projects for the brim region of the cup over that aperture preventing any part of the sample fluid poured into the cup from entering the cartridge and contacting the test strips prematurely. When the lid is installed and the cup flipped upside-down, the internally projecting structure raises the level of sample fluid for better access to the cartridge aperture. The structure can be adapted to extend all the way through the inside of the cup to contact its closed bottom. A central cavity in the structure having a open end captures a small volume of fluid and preserves it for later confirmatory analysis.

Abstract: A sample separation apparatus includes a fluidic valve including a first inlet fluidically coupled to one of a first fluid drive and a second fluid drive, and a second inlet fluidically coupled to the other of the first fluid drive and the second fluid drive. The fluidic valve includes at least two different sets of storage paths, wherein each set of storage paths comprises a first storage path. The first storage path of a first set of said at least two sets of storage paths has a first volume, and the first storage path of a second set of said at least two sets of storage paths has a second volume different from the first volume. The fluidic valve is configured for selectively switching one set of the least two sets of storage paths to the first inlet and the second inlet.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel microfluidic devices and methods that are useful for performing high-throughput screening assays and combinatorial chemistry. Such methods can include labeling a library of compounds by emulsifying aqueous solutions of the compounds and aqueous solutions of unique liquid labels on a microfluidic device, which includes a plurality of electrically addressable, channel bearing fluidic modules integrally arranged on a microfabricated substrate such that a continuous channel is provided for flow of immiscible fluids, whereby each compound is labeled with a unique liquid label, pooling the labeled emulsions, coalescing the labeled emulsions with emulsions containing a specific cell or enzyme, thereby forming a nanoreactor, screening the nanoreactors for a desirable reaction between the contents of the nanoreactor, and decoding the liquid label, thereby identifying a single compound from a library of compounds.

Abstract: In aspects of the present disclosure, a no coding blood glucose monitoring unit including a calibration unit is integrated with one or more components of an analyte monitoring system to provide compatibility with in vitro test strip that do not require a calibration code is provided. Also disclosed are methods, systems, devices and kits for providing the same.

Abstract: A marker system for applying to surfaces of items, articles, goods, vehicles and/or premises, said marker system comprising: a marker comprising a temperature resilient medium having a predefined carbonization temperature capable of securing the marker system onto a surface; wherein the medium contains an inorganic matrix having a predefined fusing point lower than the predefined carbonization temperature of the medium; such that when the marker system is subjected to temperatures above the predefined carbonization temperature of the medium, the inorganic matrix fuses to the marker to form an adhesive protective layer thereby securing the marker onto said surface. A composition comprising the marker system. An item, an article, a good, a vehicle and/or premises comprising a surface impregnated with the marker system.