Abstract: The invention discloses a microfluidic device for the culture, selection and/or analysis of sample organisms such as nematodes, as well as for other biological entities such as for instance animal embryos. The device features reservoirs, culture chambers and smart filtering systems allowing fir the selection of specific populations/specimens of sample organisms, thus permitting long-term cultures thereof as well as phenotypic/behavioural analyses. Systems and methods for using the microfluidic device are within the present disclosure as well.

Abstract: Microfluidic network device (2) configured to supply reagents to a biological tissue sampling device (1), comprising a plurality of microfluidic inlet channels (12) connected to respective sources of said reagents, at least one common outlet channel (22), and a plurality of valves (36) interconnecting an outlet end (14) of each of said plurality of inlet channels to said at least one common outlet channel.

Abstract: The invention discloses a microfluidic device for the culture, selection and/or analysis of sample organisms such as nematodes, as well as for other biological entities such as for instance animal embryos. The device features reservoirs, culture chambers and smart filtering systems allowing for the selection of specific populations/specimens of sample organisms, thus permitting long-term cultures thereof as well as phenotypic/behavioural analyses. Systems and methods for using the microfluidic device are within the present disclosure as well.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for in situ imaging of samples by cycle multiplexing that enables imaging of various molecular targets through multi-molecular read-outs on the same sample in a rapid, highly sensitive and reliable manner. The invention is further related to imaging buffers preventing the degradation of the sample and of the imaging reagents, which are particularly useful in a method of in situ imaging of samples by cycle multiplexing according to the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for quantitative measurement of a biomarker by in situ immunofluorescence and uses thereof. In particular, the invention relates to a method which is a useful tool for use in the field of diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of disease or disorders, in particular in the field of cancer management and therapy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for in situ imaging of samples by cycle multiplexing that enables imaging of various molecular targets through multi-molecular read-outs on the same sample in a rapid, highly sensitive and reliable manner. The invention is further related to imaging buffers preventing the degradation of the sample and of the imaging reagents, which are particularly useful in a method of in situ imaging of samples by cycle multiplexing according to the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for quantitative measurement of a biomarker by in situ immunofluorescence and uses thereof. In particular, the invention relates to a method which is a useful tool for use in the field of diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of disease or disorders, in particular in the field of cancer management and therapy.

Abstract: A biological and chemical sample processing device that b. comprises a high pressure-resistant, shallow and wide area microfluidic chamber having at least one wall formed by a detachable slide containing samples such as immobilized entities, biological samples or molecules, c. comprises an arrangement of microfluidic access holes for injecting to and collecting fluid form said chamber, d. is interfaced with inlet ports and microfluidic channels which are formed external to the chamber, e. is configured so that the slide may be brought into contact with the device to form the said chamber, f. is adapted to deliver and to transport fluidic substances and reagents inside said chamber in a fast manner, preferably within less than 15 seconds, and in a regular or uniform way owing to said arrangement of microfluidic access holes.

Abstract: Microfluidic network device (2) configured to supply reagents to a biological tissue sampling device (1), comprising a plurality of microfluidic inlet channels (12) connected to respective sources of said reagents, at least one common outlet channel (22), and a plurality of valves (36) interconnecting an outlet end (14) of each of said plurality of inlet channels to said at least one common outlet channel.

Abstract: The invention discloses a microfluidic device for the culture, selection and/or analysis of sample organisms such as nematodes, as well as for other biological entities such as for instance animal embryos. The device features reservoirs, culture chambers and smart filtering systems allowing for the selection of specific populations/specimens of sample organisms, thus permitting long-term cultures thereof as well as phenotypic/behavioural analyses. Systems and methods for using the microfluidic device are within the present disclosure as well.

Abstract: A biological and chemical sample processing device that b. comprises a high pressure-resistant, shallow and wide area microfluidic chamber having at least one wall formed by a detachable slide containing samples such as immobilized entities, biological samples or molecules, c. comprises an arrangement of microfluidic access holes for injecting to and collecting fluid form said chamber, d. is interfaced with inlet ports and microfluidic channels which are formed external to the chamber, e. is configured so that the slide may be brought into contact with the device to form the said chamber, f. is adapted to deliver and to transport fluidic substances and reagents inside said chamber in a fast manner, preferably within less than 15 seconds, and in a regular or uniform way owing to said arrangement of microfluidic access holes.

Abstract: A part formed of a laminated strip having at least one stack formed by alternately stacking a thin and fragile metal strip and a layer of an adhesive material. The thin and fragile metal strip is made of an alloy taken from a nanocrystalline alloy or hard and fragile alloy of the type iron-cobalt, iron-platinum, iron-silicon or iron-nickel or nickel-chrome or alloy of molybdenum or tungsten.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for measuring the quality and/or degradation of a fluid, especially an oil, comprising a sensor consisting of at least one pair of electrodes which are distanced from each other. Said sensor is immersed in the fluid which is to be measured. The electrodes and the fluid form a capacitive element whose capacity varies according to the dielectric constant of the fluid. The sensor can provide an electric output signal representing said dielectric constant. The inventive device also comprises processing means which receive the output signal and which can determine the degree of quality and/or degradation of the fluid on the basis of said output signal. The invention is characterized in that the electrodes extend substantially on the same plane and in that the fluid surrounds the two surfaces of the electrodes on both sides of said plane.

Abstract: An apparatus for retaining magnetic particles in self-assembled magnetic particle structures in a liquid flow, comprises a micro-channel (5) and magnets (1,2) for generating a substantially static magnetic field across the micro-channel (5) such that magnetic particles (12) suspended in a liquid in the micro-channel (5) form magnetic particle structures (15). The micro-channel (5) has along its length transverse large sections (8) alternating with narrow sections (9). The large sections (8) are periodically distributed along and on either side of the narrow sections (9) so that in use magnetic particle structures (15) form across the large sections (8) of the micro-channel (5), the magnetic particle structures being retained by engagement of end parts (18) of the magnetic particle structures in the large sections (8) of the cell or channel (5).

Abstract: Method for producing parts for passive electronic components according to which: a laminated strip (1) is produced which is constituted by at least one stack of a thin metal strip and a layer of adhesive material, and at least one part (6) is cut from the laminated strip (1), the cutting operation being carried out using a method which comprises at least one step for etching by means of sandblasting. Parts produced.

Abstract: Method for producing parts for passive electronic components according to which: a laminated strip (1) is produced which is constituted by at least one stack of a thin metal strip and a layer of adhesive material, and at least one part (6) is cut from the laminated strip (1), the cutting operation being carried out using a method which comprises at least one step for etching by means of sandblasting. Parts produced.

Abstract: An apparatus for retaining magnetic particles within a segment of a flow-through cell during flow of a fluid through the cell comprises (a) optionally, an electrical current source; (b) an electromagnet having a winding connected to the current source and an air gap between at least one pair of poles each of which has a corrugated outer surface and (c) a flow-through cell which is configured and dimensioned to receive an amount of magnetic particles to be retained within the flow-through cell and to allow flow of a liquid through the flow-through cell. The liquid carries molecules or particles to be captured by means of the magnetic particles. A portion of the flow-through cell is inserted in air gap.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for measuring the quality and/or degradation of a fluid, especially an oil, comprising a sensor consisting of at least one pair of electrodes which are distanced from each other. Said sensor is immersed in the fluid which is to be measured. The electrodes and the fluid form a capacitive element whose capacity varies according to the dielectric constant of the fluid. The sensor can provide an electric output signal representing said dielectric constant. The inventive device also comprises processing means which receive the output signal and which can determine the degree of quality and/or degradation of the fluid on the basis of said output signal. The invention is characterized in that the electrodes extend substantially on the same plane and in that the fluid surrounds the two surfaces of the electrodes on both sides of said plane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for measuring the quality and/or degradation of a fluid, especially an oil, comprising a sensor consisting of at least one pair of electrodes which are distanced from each other. Said sensor is immersed in the fluid which is to be measured. The electrodes and the fluid form a capacitive element whose capacity varies according to the dielectric constant of the fluid. The sensor can provide an electric output signal representing said dielectric constant. The inventive device also comprises processing means which receive the output signal and which can determine the degree of quality and/or degradation of the fluid on the basis of said output signal. The invention is characterized in that the electrodes extend substantially on the same plane and in that the fluid surrounds the two surfaces of the electrodes on both sides of said plane.

Abstract: A device for transporting magnetic or magnetizable microbeads (25) in a capillary chamber (14) comprises a permanent magnet (10) or an electromagnet (11) for subjecting the capillary chamber to a substantially uniform magnetic field, to apply a permanent magnetic moment to the microbeads (25). At least one planar coil (22) and preferably an array of overlapping coils are located adjacent to the capillary chamber (14) for applying a complementary magnetic field on the microbeads parallel or antiparallel to said substantially uniform magnetic field, to drive the microbeads. An arrangement is provided for switching the current applied to the coil(s) (22) to invert the field produced thereby, to selectively apply an attractive or repulsive driving force on the microbeads (25). The device is usable to transport microbeads for performing chemical and biochemical reactions or assay, as is done for instance in clinical chemistry assays for medical diagnostic purposes.