Abstract: A filtration container (1) includes a container body (2) including a porous filter (4) exhibiting both hydrophilic and oleophobic properties. The container also has a lid (3) which provides a secondary filter for the container (1). The filter is slidable within the container body and is rotatable into a vertical position. The filtration container may be used for testing a fat content of an item placed within the container. A method for testing the fat content of an item is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a laboratory climatic cabinet, in particular a gassed incubator, having an interior enclosed by a housing and the steam generator arranged outside the interior, which is connected to the interior via a steam feed line. The steam generator is designed as an essentially unpressurized container having a base area and a steam region located above it, the base area being designed to accommodate a water reservoir and being provided with a heating device for heating the water reservoir, the steam feed line leaving the steam generator in the area of the steam region and an air feed line opening into the steam generator, in order to feed ambient air to the steam generator and to introduce air enriched with water steam via the steam feed line in essentially unpressurized form into the interior of the incubator.

Abstract: A device is provided for the controlled sampling of fluid into a well formed within an upper surface, in which the well may be filled under dynamic wetting conditions by contacting a droplet on the upper surface with the top of the well. Wetting is supported by the increased hydrophilicity of the upper surface relative to that of the well side wall. The relative difference in hydrophilicity may be achieved by providing an upper surface with greater roughness than the side wall, effectively amplifying the hydrophilicity of the upper surface relative to that of the side wall. Wells are preferably formed in an unpolished surface of a siliconwafer, and can achieve a stable film with micron depth and an aspect ratio in excess of 100.

Abstract: A cassette for performing multiplex PCR is described. The cassette allows for the automated amplification and detection of multiple nucleic acid targets while limiting contamination. The device facilitates a two-amplification, two-primer PCR protocol which results in highly specific, highly sensitive and semi-quantitative amplification of multiple nucleic acid targets. The cassette contains a cavity, a base with a plurality of chambers, a movable pipette for the transfer of reagents and a detection area. The cassettes are single use, disposable devices which may be loaded with reagents needed for the detection of multiple targets. The cassettes may be used in a hospital or clinical setting to quickly screen clinical samples and detect the presence of infectious agents.

Abstract: A plastic device, such as a syringe barrel, tube, cartridge, filter disk, tubing, solvent reservoir, connector, valve, frit, or container, for transferring or storing solids and liquids used in sample preparation and extraction (SPE) methods, is provided with a barrier coating layer of Parylene over the surface of the plastic device, to prevent contamination of the solids and liquids being transferred or stored by the inventive plastic device from contaminants introduced from the plastic of the device.

Abstract: A substrate holding device is disclosed for use in histological studies. The device includes a tapered groove surface for retaining a tissue substrate. The device may be used with a cryogenic procedure.

Abstract: A chip with tri-layer electrodes and micro-cavity arrays for control of bioparticles and a manufacturing method thereof are revealed. The chip captures and releases bioparticles into and from preset cavities by dielectrophoresis (DEP) force generated by electrodes. The chip includes an upper layer body, a middle layer body, a lower layer body, respectively disposed with an electrode, and micro flow chambers. The electrodes of the upper layer body and the middle layer body are common electrodes while the electrode of the lower layer body is a dispersive electrode array exposed on the bottom of lower-layer microcavity. The cell capture and release at the single-cell level and the cell population level are attained by application of an AC electric field.

Abstract: A container for holding a biologic fluid sample for analysis is provided which includes a chamber and a label. The chamber includes a first wall, a transparent second wall, and a plurality of features including features spatially located within the chamber. The transparent second wall permits a fluid sample quiescently residing within the chamber to be imaged through the second wall. The plurality of features, including those spatially located within the chamber, are operable to enable the analysis of the biologic fluid. The label directly or indirectly contains information regarding the features and the spatial location of the features within the chamber. The sample is analyzed by an analytical device that utilizes the information communicated through the label.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multiwell strip comprising a frame portion consisting of a first stiff material, and a plurality of wells arranged in a line and consisting of a second material, which is not as stiff as the first material. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a multiwell-frame for obtaining a multiwell strip according to the present invention and methods for producing a multiwell strip according to the present invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sample container (10, 100, 500, 700) for biological sample material (23, 230), comprising an upper opening (11) that can be closed by a lid (14, 140, 540), a lateral wall region (12) and a base (13) and a hygroscopic substance (19, 190, 590, 790) contained in the interior of the sample container for drying sample material (23, 230) in the sample container, wherein the sample container is partitioned into at least two compartments, of which one is a sample compartment (16, 160, 560), and the other is a drying compartment (18, 180, 580) containing the hygroscopic substance, wherein the hygroscopic substance is connected to the interior of the sample container in a steam exchange connection, and wherein the sample compartment extends from an upper end, particularly equipped with an opening (40, 400), in the longitudinal direction to the opening in a flush manner to the base (13) of the sample container.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sampling plate. In particular the invention relates to a sampling plate for measuring certain selected properties of a liquid sample, such as the glucose levels in a blood sample. Sampling plates of the present invention have a sample zone (20) for receiving a liquid sample which is surrounded by an air porous body (4). The air porous body (4) acts to receive air from the sample zone (20) as it is displaced by an incoming liquid sample, thereby allowing efficient spreading of the liquid sample.

Abstract: A thermoconductive reservoir device and adaptor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for holding a fluid sample, said system comprising a transparent flexible tube for holding said fluid sample, a tube holder for holding said tube, a first flattening element, and second flattening element, wherein said first flattening element and said second flattening element may be moved relative to each other thereby changing said transparent flexible tube from a first state to a second state, where at least a first cross sectional dimension of said tube is smaller in said second state than in said first state.

Abstract: A device (1) for housing a scientific sample comprising at least one sample well (2) and an on-board buffering substance (3) wherein the onboard buffering substance (3) at least partly surrounds the sample well (2). The on-board buffering substance (3) may be in the form of a matrix, such as a gel-like matrix. The device (1) may further comprise an insulating means. Also described is a substance for use in culturing and/or assaying a sample whereby the substance provides atmospheric and thermal buffering. The invention further provides a lid for a single-well or multi-well sample plate, the lid being configured to facilitate delivery of a sample through the lid into a well, and for sealing the well. The lid comprises moveable portions (52, 53) that have at least one orifice (54, 57) formed through the moveable portions (52, 53) such that a conduit is formed by alignment of the orifices (54, 57) of both the lid portions (52, 53).

Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus for producing demineralized osteoinductive bone. The apparatus demineralizes bone by subjecting bone, including, for example, ground bone, bone cubes, chips, strips, or essentially intact bone, to either a rapid high volume pulsatile acidification wave process or to a rapid continuous acid demineralization process. The pulsatile acidification wave process includes subjecting bone to two or more rapid pulse/drain cycles in which one or more demineralizing acids is rapidly pulsed into a vessel containing bone, and after a desired period of time, is rapidly drained from the vessel. The continuous acid demineralization process includes subjecting bone to a continuous exchange of demineralizing acid solution in which the demineralizing acid solution is recirculated from the container holding the bone through an ion exchange media.

Abstract: A centrifuge tube apparatus for centrifuging a sample collected in a syringe, the apparatus comprising: a syringe comprising at one end a narrowed outlet and means for connection to a needle and at the opposing end a partially inserted syringe plunger; and a syringe holder having an interior for accepting the syringe, wherein the interior comprises at least one ledge for resting the syringe in an inverted position within the holder to prevent further insertion of the plunger during centrifugation, further wherein the syringe holder is sized for insertion in a centrifuge rotor.

Abstract: A microfluidic method and device for focusing and/or forming discontinuous sections of similar or dissimilar size in a fluid is provided. The device can be fabricated simply from readily-available, inexpensive material using simple techniques.

Abstract: A cover for a substrate including: a body defining a cavity, for positioning over the substrate to form a reaction chamber; and a projection extending from the body to define a fluid reservoir, when the cover is fitted to the substrate, the fluid reservoir being in fluid communication with the cavity.

Abstract: An analysis device for particle analysis, configured in such a manner that a reagent container is set in the device by inserting the reagent container from a side surface of the device toward the inside thereof, the reagent container having, near the forward end thereof, a suction pipe entrance portion into which a suction pipe can enter. The analysis device is provided with: a reagent container holding portion which holds the reagent container inserted from the suction pipe entrance portion side; and the suction pipe which enters, from above, the suction pipe entrance portion of the reagent container held by the reagent container holding portion and which sucks a reagent within the reagent container. The reagent container holding portion includes a guide member for guiding the insertion of the reagent container, which is inserted from the suction pipe entrance portion side, into the reagent container holding portion.

Abstract: A handheld apparatus for preparing a specimen slide includes a handle, a filter holder assembly coupled to and extending from the handle; and a slide holder assembly coupled to and extending from the handle spaced apart from the filter holder assembly, wherein the slide holder assembly comprises a plurality of positioning members movably coupled to one another, and a slide holder movably coupled to one of the positioning members to allow a slide mounted on the slide holder to make rolling contact with an outward facing surface of a filter mounted on the filter holder assembly.

Abstract: Provided is a blood separating agent that can form an excellent partition wall in an intermediate layer between clot and serum or between blood cell components and plasma even under low-temperature centrifugation conditions, is less likely to form crevices in the partition wall, is less likely to have any effect on test values, and offers stable performance even after long-term storage. The blood separating agent contains: a polymer for the blood separating agent which is composed of a (meth)acrylic acid ester-based polymer and has a viscosity of 10 to 200 Pa·s at 25° C. and a ratio of viscosity at 15° C. to viscosity at 25° C. of below 4.6; an inorganic powder; and a polyalkylene glycol having a number average molecular weight of 700 or more, wherein the polyalkylene glycol is mixed at a concentration of 5% by weight or less of the total weight of the blood separating agent.

Abstract: This invention concerns a sample processing device capable of efficiently recovering biological molecules, such as nucleic acids or proteins. The sample processing device is capable of placing a reaction container having a plurality of reaction sites, and it comprises a nozzle mechanism with a nozzle capable of attaching and removing a dispenser tip for dispensing a solution into the reaction sites of the reaction container and a magnetic tip for generating a magnetic field that allows magnetic beads to migrate to a space among the plurality of reaction sites in the reaction container, and a drive control unit controlling the nozzle mechanism.

Abstract: A packaging system (20), has a container (22) which delimits a container volume which can hold at least one unit-measure or unit-quantity of a selected commodity or article (24). The container includes at least one access portion (26) that can provide a selective closed arrangement and a selective open arrangement. An electronic data mechanism (28) can be operatively connected to the container (22), and can be operatively configured to electronically transpond or otherwise transmit data to a reader mechanism (30). A deactivation mechanism (32) can be operatively connected to the container (22) and to the electronic data mechanism (28), and can be operatively configured to selectively disable the electronic data mechanism.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials involved in collecting and processing complex macromolecular mixtures (e.g., stool samples). For example, stool collection devices, buffers for stabilizing nucleic acid and polypeptides present in stool, and kits for using sequence-specific capture probes (e.g., nucleic acid sequences designed to hybridize with particular target nucleic acids) to capture target nucleic acids directly from complex macromolecular mixtures (e.g., stool samples) without the need to perform prior steps to enrich, isolate, or purify the nucleic acid component are provided.

Abstract: A sampling device includes a body, a needle, a sealing element and an element for feeding and removing a liquid. The needle has at least one groove located between the sealing element and the sampling end of the needle. The sampling end has a sampling hole opening out on a lateral wall of the end. The sampling device leakage problems encountered in the conventional art to be overcome while at the same time resolving the problems of placing the inside of a tube containing a product to be analyzed at atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for processing tissue samples are described. The apparatus comprises: at least one retort for accommodating tissue samples; at least one container for storing alcohol or xylene; a valve adapted to connect the at least one retort with the at least one container depending on an operating position of the valve; and at least a first sensor that is arranged in flow direction between the container and the retort for measuring a value of a parameter that represents a purity level of the alcohol or xylene; wherein the first sensor and the valve are configured to replace the alcohol or xylene depending on the value of the parameter that represents the purity level. The method comprises for the alcohol or xylene conducting between the container and the retort; automatically measuring the purity level and replacing depending on the purity level.

Abstract: A test strip container with an expandable insert, and methods of manufacturing and utilization thereof are disclosed. The container includes a housing defining a cavity, a lid, and a compressible insert removably mounted in the cavity. The compressible insert is expandable to retain a plurality of test strips in the cavity and to protect the test strips from environmental degradation.

Abstract: A closure assembly is provided for a specimen collection container. The closure assembly includes a bottom ring and top ring assembly. The bottom ring is removably attachable to the open end of the container. The top ring assembly, which is removably attached to the bottom ring, includes a mounting ring and a pierceable, resealable septum that closes the bottom ring and permits pierceable instrument access therethrough. The container interior can also be accessed by the removal of the bottom ring from the open end of the container or by the removal of the top assembly from the bottom ring.

Abstract: Provided is a slide processing apparatus for processing a plurality of slides to which a bio probe is attached. The slide processing apparatus includes a reaction chamber of which side walls are sealed, and a plurality of reaction heating plates disposed in parallel in the reaction chamber at a first distance from each other. The slides are mounted adjacent to the reaction heating plates in the reaction chamber and in parallel to the reaction heating plates.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus for selectively delivering one or more liquid reagents into a reaction or test chamber (2), especially of an assay apparatus, the apparatus comprising: one or more respective storage chambers (5,6) for containing the one or more liquid reagents and arranged generally above the reaction or test chamber (2); and a plunger element (4) arranged and operable for insertion into the mouth of a selected storage chamber so as to displace a selected reagent from therewithin into the reaction or test chamber (2) generally therebelow by gravitational liquid overflow from the mouth of the chamber. The apparatus may conveniently be provided as a discrete delivery unit, with the storage chambers (5,6) prefilled with the selected reagents.

Abstract: The invention provides a method in which an annular or spiral droplet holder formed of wire is used to hold a droplet in a state of being hung therefrom or being contained therein. A means for moving the droplet holder is added to the droplet holder to enable droplet transfer. To merge two droplets, they are brought into contact. To drip the droplet held by a droplet holder formed of wire, the droplet holder is deformed using an external force. A light path which passes through a droplet is set to enable optical measurement. The present invention enables inexpensive, simple droplet transfer. An inexpensive, simple configuration for handling droplets in the fields of chemical analysis, biochemical analysis, and automatic blood analysis can be realized according to the present invention.

Abstract: This invention has two synergistic elements for simultaneous use in point-of-care or field analyses of diverse substances important to clinical medicine and other applications. The first element is a sample holder in which are stored the several reagents need for quantification of target molecules. The onboard storage of reagents in a water soluble plastic obviates the need for purchase, storage, measuring and mixing of the required reagents prior to analyses. The second part of the invention is a compact hand-held analyzer made of modern miniature optical components, into which the holder is inserted right after it is loaded with a sample by capillary action. The combination of the holder and analyzer permits analyses that are ten times faster than those done with current analyzers, and equally accurate. Analyses can be performed by diverse people, who require only a few minutes of training in the use of the entire invention.

Abstract: A collection device with double outputs and a method of using the same are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and kits that may be used to detect and quantify the presence of Coccidioides species. The methods include quantification PCR assays, and the kits and compositions include oligonucleotides used as primers and probes.

Abstract: A slide cartridge for use with a chemical analyzer includes an upper ring and a lower ring secured together but rotatable with respect to each other. The upper and lower rings define a plurality of reaction chambers between them, which receive dry analyte test slides. A gear track formed in the underside of the lower ring engages a pinion gear attached to a stepping motor of the chemical analyzer in order to rotate the slide cartridge. The slide cartridge is rotated under a sample fluid metering device, which deposits a sample fluid on the test slides through a plurality of spotter ports formed in the upper ring, and above a reflectometer, which performs a colorimetric measurement on the spotted test slides through viewing windows formed in the lower ring of the slide cartridge. A chemical analyzer with which the slide cartridge may be used includes a reflectometer, a sample fluid metering device and a stepping motor for rotating the slide cartridge.

Abstract: The present invention provides a highly reliable reaction cuvette in which air bubbles are adhered little and mutual contamination can be prevented among samples and reagents in adjoining reaction cuvettes, a method of surface treatment for a reaction cuvette, and an automatic analyzer with the reaction cuvette mounted therein. The reaction cuvette according to the present invention, in which a sample and a reagent are mixed with each other and its concentration is measured, has an area subjected to hydrophilic treatment by electric discharging on inner and outer surfaces of the reaction cuvette. Further the reaction cuvette has a container-like form with its upper portion opened to provide an opening and its lower portion closed to provide a bottom. The hydrophilic area is present from a bottom of the reaction cuvette up to a midway to the opening.

Abstract: A reaction surface array diagnostic apparatus and method of making the same includes a substrate carrying a plurality of reaction surfaces, a plate and a gasket, each having a plurality of through bores, alignable with one of the reaction surfaces and forming a fluid tight well about each reaction surface when the gasket and the plate are sealingly affixed to the substrate to form a stack. Clamp members engage opposite side edges of a stack to compress the gasket. A plurality of side-by-side disposed clamped stacks of plates, gaskets and substrates are mounted in a tray in the standard footprint of a microtitre plate. Alternately, the plate and the gasket are combined into a single plate formed of a flexible material having an adhesive on one surface.

Abstract: A protective sheath for prolonged storage of pathology paraffin blocks. The sheath protects the paraffin block against gouging, scratching, denting, rodents, and insects. A pathology slide slides into slots in the protective sheath fixing the slide into position in protective sheath. Fixation points are built on the side of the slide to allow a user or automated system to place and retrieve protective sheath.

Abstract: A rack for holding samples and various reagents, wherein the rack may be used for loading the samples and reagents prior to using the reagents. The rack accepts complementary reagent holders, each of which contain a set of reagents for carrying out a predetermined processing operation, such as preparing biological samples for amplifying and detecting polynucleotides extracted from the samples.

Abstract: The present invention teaches apparatus (511) and methods for screening the effect of test formulations on the barrier properties of a membrane (212), that are especially beneficial when skin is used as the test membrane (212). The apparatus (511) and methods enable more efficient measurements of skin permeabilization, of the permeation of molecular or particulate entities through skin, and of the absorption and adsorption by skin of ingredients in fluid formulations, together with screening of exfoliation of material from the exterior of the stratum corneum. The apparatus (511) provide for fluid contact to the skin from both donor and receptor sides, for measurements of skin electrical response in the presence of test formulations, of permeation and permeation enhancement, for the depth profiling of test formulation constituents through the skin, of stratum corneum component disruption, and of loss of material from the stratum corneum.

Abstract: A liquid testing assembly for testing a liquid, the assembly comprising a test vessel and a stopper adapted to fit into a free end of the vessel. The stopper substantially hermetically seals the test vessel from the ambient. Further, the assembly includes a support coated with one or more identifying materials for identifying one or more constituents of the liquid. The support is fixed in the stopper and/or the vessel and extends into its interior for a predetermined distance. The liquid testing assembly when assembled is pre-evacuated to a predetermined vacuum sufficient to draw a predetermined volume of liquid to be sampled into the test vessel. The predetermined volume is of such an amount that it wets the one or more identifying materials ensuring identification of one or more constituents present in the liquid. A kit employing the liquid testing assembly is also discussed.

Abstract: A small-sized reactor having practical utility in light of a bonding force, ease in observation, exemption from impurities and high resistance against pressure, is provided. In bonding a plural number of inorganic transparent substrates (11) to (13) to form a small-sized reactor, surfaces for bonding (16) to (19) of the inorganic transparent substrates (11) to (13), bonded on contact to one another, are initially polished and planarized. A part of the surface of each of the surfaces for bonding is then machined. The surfaces for bonding (16) to (19) are then hydrophilicity enhanced and washed with pure water. A film of pure water is swung off and removed by a centrifugal force. The resultant product is then heated with the surfaces for bonding in contact with one another. The surfaces for bonding, in contact with one another, may be bonded together by chemical bonding via oxygen to form small-sized reactors (1), (2) in which the inorganic transparent substrates (11) to (13) are bonded together strongly.

Abstract: A support device for a cytocentrifuge sample container includes a support body including spaced edge fingers and a clip hinged to the support body. The clip has a latch for each spaced edge finger of the support body and edge members each including lugs engaging slotted ledges in the sample container.

Abstract: The present invention describes Photolabile Compounds methods for use of the compounds. The Photolabile Compounds have a photoreleasable ligand, which can be biologically active, and which is photoreleased from the compound upon exposure to light. In some embodiments, the Photolabile Compounds comprise a light antenna, such as a labeling molecule or an active derivative thereof. In one embodiment, the light is visible light, which is not detrimental to the viability of biological samples, such as cells and tissues, in which the released organic molecule is bioactive and can have a therapeutic effect. In another embodiment, the photoreleasable ligand can be a labeling molecule, such as a fluorescent molecule.

Abstract: An automated staining system and a reagent container designed for use with the automated staining apparatus. The reagent container includes a reagent containment section capable of containing a volume of a reagent. The reagent containment section includes an upper wall and a base wall that are spaced apart along an axis. The base wall includes a well having a nadir that is aligned axially with an access opening in the upper wall so that a reagent probe entering the opening parallel to said axis will travel toward the nadir. In another aspect of the invention, the reagent container may include a two-dimensional data element containing reagent information. The staining apparatus may include one removable drawer for holding reagent containers and another removable drawer holding slides.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods for using assay preparation plates comprising wells with two trenches are presented. More specifically, well plates are presented that comprising an array of wells configured to retain a plurality of beads suspended in a fluid during an assay procedure, each well in the array comprising a first trench and a second trench, wherein the working volume of each well is between about 25 uL and about 10 mL.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an integrated system and method for humidity control and vapor-phase decontamination of laboratory equipment with a multi-component vapor, one component of which is water vapor. The laboratory equipment can be a sealable enclosure such as an incubator, isolator, glove box, clean room, fume hood, safety cabinet, or centrifuge. The carrier gas flow is preferably in a multiple-pass, closed-loop recirculating mode. The humidity control and decontamination can be carried out automatically without user intervention for an indefinite period of time once the system has been installed, the required utilities connected and the desired settings including temperature and humidity level programmed. The integrated humidity control and decontamination system can be retrofitted onto existing laboratory equipment.

Abstract: Fluid containers are disclosed which have fluid reservoirs in their closures. These reservoirs are advantageous to hold sacrificial fluid which lessens the loss of the fluid of interest to the outside through evaporation. The reservoirs may have openings to the inside or outside of the container, or to both. Reservoirs with openings to the outside serve to reduce evaporative loss by raising the partial pressure of fluid in the vicinity of the contact between the closure and the remainder of the container. The reservoirs may be refillable without opening the container. In one embodiment a fluid reservoir allows the zone of contact between the closure and the remainder of the container to be immersed in fluid, so that gases seeking to escape the interior of the container must pass through fluid.

Abstract: A label and labeling system for identifying the volume of a specimen within a specimen collection container are disclosed. The system includes providing a specimen collection container having an open top end, a closed bottom end, and a sidewall extending therebetween forming an interior adapted for receiving a specimen therein. The specimen collection container also includes a label having a label body disposed over at least a portion of the sidewall, in visual alignment with a colored background. At least one of the sidewall of the specimen collection container and the label body have printing disposed thereon having a color that is substantially identical to the colored background against which the specimen collection container will be viewed. At least one of the sidewall of the specimen collection container and the label body may have colorless indicia having a surface enhancement feature for providing visual distinction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring device for measuring at least one property of cells or vesicles, characterized in that is divided into two chambers by a hydrophobic partition having a horizontal opening, these chambers containing electrolyte solution and said opening being closed by a lipid double layer. The invention is characterized in that at least one cell or vesicle contacts the lipid double layer. The invention also relates to methods involving the use of the measuring device and to arrays, measuring chambers and microtitration plates all suited therefor.