Abstract: A system and method for reducing the number of input/output connections required to connect a microfluidic substrate to an external controller for controlling the substrate. In one example, a microfluidic processing device is fabricated on a substrate having a plurality of N independently controllable components, (e.g., a resistive heating elements) each having at least two terminals. The substrate includes a plurality of input/output contacts for connecting the substrate to an external controller, and a plurality of leads for connecting the contacts to the terminals of the components. The leads are arranged to allow the external controller to supply control signals to the terminals of the components via the contacts using substantially fewer contacts than the total number of component terminals.

Abstract: To be adapted to various types of latex reagents for detecting scattered light and thereby measuring agglutination reactions with high sensitivity while sufficiently ensuring integration time. To be adapted to various types of latex particles of different particle sizes, a plurality of light receivers are arranged in a plane perpendicular to the direction of cell movement by rotation of a cell disk. To ensure sufficient integration time, the angle between the optical axis of the irradiation light and each of a plurality of optical axes of scattered light viewed from above the cell is made equal to or less than 17.7° including a mounting error.

Abstract: A method of securing a chain of custody of a specimen of a donor prevents tampering with or accidental mismanagement of the specimen. The method includes providing a tamper evident seal operable to indicate that an assaying device has been tampered with once the seal is sealed, the seal including a label having at least one portion including a machine-readable indicia area. The assaying device comprises a collection cup and a cap that carries at least one test strip.

Abstract: The present invention is generally in the field of measuring and indicating techniques and relates to a time-temperature indicator and methods of manufacturing and use thereof. More specifically, the time-temperature indicator comprises a time temperature indicator comprising at least one metal layer or metal containing layer and in direct contact to the metal layer or to the metal containing layer at least one doped polymer layer, wherein the dopant is an acid, a base or a salt or a photolatent acid or a photolatent base which dopant is added to the polymer, and/or at least one polymer layer wherein a polymer is functionalized with acidic or latent acidic or basic or latent basic groups; or a time temperature indicator comprising at least one polymer layer containing metal particles and a photolatent acid or a photolatent base, or at least one polymer layer containing metal particles wherein the polymer is functionalized with latent acidic or latent basic groups.

Abstract: A mobile water analyzing system for determining an analyte in a water sample includes a basic unit and a test element configured to be inserted into the basic unit. The test element includes a sample line with an inlet opening configured to receive the water sample, a measuring section forming a measuring track and configured to allow the determination of an analyte, a pump opening, and a key reagent disposed inside the sample line. The basic unit includes a test element receptacle configured to hold the inserted test element, an analyzer with an analyzer measuring track formed by the measuring section, and a pump actuator cooperatively connected with the pump opening.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for conserving energy of a power source of an analyte monitoring device. Also disclosed herein are methods and systems for reducing noise during data transmissions to and from the analyte monitoring device.

Abstract: Disclosed is an assay device comprising liquid transport means adapted to take up a liquid sample and conduct the liquid to an analyte detection region operable to provide a test signal indicative of the presence and/or amount of an analyte in the liquid sample; the assay device further comprising a sample presence signal generation means, which is not generated by means of an immunoreaction. This sample presence signal generation means can comprise a colored portion, which is overlaid by a material (e.g. nitrocellulose) that is opaque, when dry, and translucent or transparent, when wet, to allow the colored portion to become visible to the user. In another embodiment the signal generation means comprises a color changing material which under-goes a change in its visible properties upon wetting (e.g. pH indication). A third embodiment uses a mobilizable detectable which, when wetted by the sample, is carried along resulting in a streaked line parallel with the flow direction.

Abstract: A liquid specimen collecting and testing device has two chambers, a first for collecting a liquid specimen and a second for exposing a measured volume preliminary screening aliquot of the specimen to preliminary screening test strips. The first chamber has a catch basin of defined volume which is less than the sample volume. The basin is simultaneously sealed from the rest of the first chamber, thus separating and apportioning the measured volume preliminary screening aliquot from the collected volume. Simultaneously, an opening made leading from the basin to the second chamber initiating the preliminary screening test. Thus intermingling of a preliminary screening aliquot and a remainder aliquot is avoided.

Abstract: A blood glucose level measuring apparatus and measurement data management apparatus are provided which can carry out measurement of the blood glucose level of a plurality of patients relatively rapidly and reliably, while also addressing emergency situations. The blood glucose level measuring apparatus includes a patient identifier, blood glucose level measuring device, a date/time counter, a display, and a controller. The controller controls in a normal measurement mode the cross-checking of patient identification information and a patient data table, and then, if patient identification information is not found, measurement of the blood glucose level is inhibited. The controller also controls in an emergency measurement mode in which carrying out of measurement of the blood glucose level is permitted without acquiring the patient identification information by the patient identifier.

Abstract: A measurement device includes a housing and at least one display integrated in the housing. The housing includes a recess adapted for insertion of a cartridge into the housing to deliver a sample to be measured to the device. The recess has an opening at the front of the housing and a first part of the housing for insertion of the cartridge protrudes in a direction enclosing an angle with a second part of the housing.

Abstract: A biological sample measuring device has the display screen of a display section divided into a first display area that displays measurement values, and a second displays area that displays the operating status. When the scheduled maintenance is needed for the biological sample measuring device, a controller displays an scheduled maintenance warning in the first and second display areas upon the first start-up that day, and displays an scheduled maintenance warning only in the second display area upon the second and subsequent start-ups that day.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a substrate, the substrate having supported thereon: plural collectors each for collecting a bodily fluid from the surface of a body part placed adjacent thereto; an analyser for analysing each collected bodily fluid; and a display for displaying an indication of a result of each analysis.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of a system for handling and processing chemical and/or biological samples, a MicroChamber comprises a substrate, a reservoir formed on the substrate for receiving a chemical and/or biological sample, and an encoder such as a barcode or other suitable device. The encoder encodes information describing at least one characteristic of the substrate and/or reservoir.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of pre-treatment and staining, according to a protocol, of a biological sample disposed upon the surface of a carrier, the method comprising the step of recording at least one parameter relating to at least one protocol step in a non-volatile memory located either upon or within the carrier or a device incorporating the carrier. Also disclosed is a device comprising: a non-volatile memory; a surface of the device adapted to carry a biological sample; and communications means electrically coupled to the memory for enabling data transmission to or from an external apparatus. Also disclosed is a method of controlling processing of a biological sample disposed upon a carrier, comprising: providing, upon or within the carrier or an apparatus holding the carrier, a non-volatile memory having information relating to sample processing priority or protocol; reading the information; and scheduling the processing based upon the information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for functionalizing fluid lines (1b) in a micromechanical device, the walls of which include an opaque layer. For this purpose, the invention provides a method for functionalizing a micromechanical device provided with a fluid line including a peripheral wall (5) having a surface (2) outside the line and an inner surface (3) defining a space (1b) in which a fluid can circulate, the peripheral wall at least partially including a silicon layer (5a).

Abstract: A hand-held device for measuring an analyte concentration in a sample of a body liquid includes a display means for displaying measured values; a measured-value storage for storing measured values; a measuring unit for generating measured values through measurements of the analyte concentration; a clock; a control unit for generating measured value datasets, each containing a measured value supplied by the measuring unit as well as the date and hour of the measurement by which the measured value was obtained, and for writing them into the measured-value storage; and operating elements that can be actuated by the user to set the clock, in which case the control unit will generate a time-correction dataset indicating the amount and direction of the setting effected. The control unit writes time-correction datasets into the measured-value storage so that a chronologically ordered sequence is generated containing time-correction datasets and measured value datasets.

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.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to jet assemblies that include a substantially inert fluid flow path. In some examples, a jet assembly includes a fluid flow path comprising a substantially inert metal in a fluid flow path. Devices and systems using the jet assembly are also described. In other embodiments, a brazeless or weldless jet assembly is provided. In some embodiments, the brazeless jet assembly may include an inert material or coating, e.g., a silica coating, in a fluid flow path.

Abstract: A reagent preparation and dispensing device includes a body. A reagent reservoir containing a reagent is disposed within the body. A solution reservoir containing a solution is disposed within the body. The device further includes an activator movably coupled with the body to open the reagent reservoir and the solution reservoir, The activator is operable to mix the solution with the reagent to form a specified amount of a reagent mixture. A dispensing reservoir tip is coupled with the body. The dispensing reservoir tip is sized and shaped to hold the specified amount of the reagent mixture and dispense the specified amount of the reagent mixture from the device.

Abstract: A apparatus for analyzing sample to prevent a sample from being stuck to a surface of the apparatus for analyzing sample in the course of being injected into the apparatus for analyzing sample. The apparatus for analyzing sample includes a platform having a disk shape. The platform includes chambers and channels, a sample inlet hole which is formed in an outer surface the platform and through which a sample is injected into the platform; an opening which is formed in the outer surface of the platform and through which a residual of the sample, present on the outer surface of the platform around the sample inlet hole, is introduced into a receiving space isolated from the chambers and channels; and a barrier which is formed on the outer surface of the platform around a portion of the opening to prevent the residual of the sample from moving past the opening in a radial outward direction of the platform.