Abstract: A fluid property measurement system for measuring free stream particulates includes a fluid movement device positioned within a fluid container which is configured to cause fluid flow within the fluid container along a fluid flow path when a fluid is present. A constricted region along the fluid flow path generates a region of concentrated streamlined flow within the constricted region and mixing of the fluid outside of the constricted region. A property measuring device is positioned with respect to the constricted region to measure fluid properties in the region of streamlined flow.

Abstract: The present invention provides microfluidic devices and methods for using the same. In particular, microfluidic devices of the present invention are useful in conducting a variety of assays and high throughput screening. Microfluidic devices of the present invention include elastomeric components and comprise a main flow channel; a plurality of branch flow channels; a plurality of control channels; and a plurality of valves. Preferably, each of the valves comprises one of the control channels and an elastomeric segment that is deflectable into or retractable from the main or branch flow channel upon which the valve operates in response to an actuation force applied to the control channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting one or more substances includes a radiation source emitting a beam of radiation and also includes a material capable of reflecting the beam of radiation with a first characteristic and capable of reflecting the beam of radiation with a second characteristic when the material interacts with the one or more substances. The apparatus also includes two or more radiation detectors to detect the first and second characteristics of the beam of radiation. A first one of the two or more radiation detectors is adjustably aligned to detect the first and second characteristics of the beam of radiation reflected from a first region of the material. A second one of the two or more radiation detectors is adjustably aligned to detect the first and second characteristics of the beam of radiation reflected from a second region of the material.

Abstract: A flow chamber having a vacuum chamber and a specimen chamber. The specimen chamber may have an opening through which a fluid may be introduced and an opening through which the fluid may exit. The vacuum chamber may have an opening through which contents of the vacuum chamber may be evacuated. A portion of the flow chamber may be flexible, and a vacuum may be used to hold the components of the flow chamber together.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for measuring the kinetic parameters of a catalyst powder, which include the reaction rate constants, active site concentration and intraparticle diffusivity. The measurement of the active site concentration selectively measures just the active sites and not the entire exposed atom concentration. The apparatus and method use surface concentrations less than 50% and larger than 1% the total active site concentration and a dynamic pulsed flow to avoid including weak adsorption sites not involved in the catalysis. The measurement is more accurate because (1) it uses a reactant gas and non-steady state adsorption at temperatures near to reaction temperatures, and (2) it uses the chemical kinetics expressions to extract the measured active site concentration to perform the measurement so as to count just those sites actually active for that reactant.

Abstract: The present invention is a flow cell and method for use in microfluidic analyses that presents highly discrete and small volumes of fluid to isolated locations on a two-dimensional surface contained within an open fluidic chamber defined by the flow cell that has physical dimensions such that laminar style flow occurs for fluids flowing through the chamber. This process of location specific fluid addressing within the flow cell is facilitated by combining components of hydrodynamic focusing with site specific cell evacuation. The process does not require the use of physical barriers within the flow cell or mechanical valves to control the paths of fluid movement.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods including a combination of thermal generating device technologies to achieve more efficiency and accuracy in PCR temperature cycling of nucleic samples undergoing amplification.

Abstract: Elongated molecules are stretched across a substrate by controlled fluid flow.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel microfluidic devices and methods for preventing/ameliorating formation of precipitate blockages in microfluidic devices. In particular, the devices and methods of the invention utilize microchannels of specific cross-sectional configuration and of specific arrangement as well as application of AC current orthogonal to the direction of fluid flow, in order to prevent/ameliorate formation of precipitate blockages in microfluidic devices.

Abstract: The present invention, provides a flow cytometry apparatus for the detection of particles from a plurality of samples comprising: means for moving a plurality of samples comprising particles from a plurality of respective source wells into a fluid flow stream; means for introducing a separation gas between each of the plurality of samples in the fluid flow stream; and means for selectively analyzing each of the plurality of samples for the particles. The present invention also provides a flow cytometry method employing such an apparatus.

Abstract: An automated standards sampling apparatus (50) and method for using such, apparatus are described. The apparatus can be integrated with a liquid analyzer to form a compact, integrated liquid analysis unit. When used in combination with a specially adapted vial se of standard liquids, the apparatus provides a system for automated, substantially error-free periodic calibration and accuracy verification for an online TOC analyzer (52). The automated standards sampling apparatus of this invention facilitates the easy introduction of known concentrations of standard solutions and “grab” samples into online TOC analyzers to satisfy regulatory compliance, calibration, and validation requirements.

Abstract: A bulk sample is fed with a liquid into a mixing tank (1) where it is stirred to form a dispersion. A proportion of the dispersion is recycled from the bottom of the tank through a line to the top of the tank so that at least the dispersion in the recycle loop (3) is substantially homogeneous, and a representative sample of the dispersion is taken from the recycle loop, e.g. using a slurry sampler (5).

Abstract: A testing microchip includes a specimen storage section; a reagent storage section; a reaction section; a testing section for a test of a reaction product obtained from the reaction; a liquid feed control section; and a gas bubble trapping structure. The sections are connected continuously by a series of flow channels. The liquid feed control section stops passing of liquid until a liquid feeding pressure reaches a predetermined pressure, and passes the liquid when the liquid feeding pressure becomes higher than the predetermined pressure; and the gas bubble trapping structure traps a gas bubble in the liquid that flows in the flow channel so that the gas bubble does not flow to the downstream side and only the liquid passes to the downstream side. A testing apparatus that performs testing in the testing section of the testing microchip, wherein the testing microchip is attachably and detachably mounted to the apparatus.

Abstract: A fluid content monitor including a cuvette, a calorimeter adapted to generate a signal indicative of contents of a fluid sample contained in the cuvette, a container for holding a reagent, and a pump assembly for delivering reagent from the container to the cuvette. The pump assembly includes a tube extending from the container to the cuvette, check valves preventing reverse flow in the tube, and a hammer driven by a solenoid for repetitively compressing the tube to pump reagent to the cuvette. The cuvette can be removed for cleaning and replacement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting an analyte includes a sensor chamber for detecting an analyte, an analyte feed chamber, a distributor, and a controller for controlling the transport medium flow. The distributor includes an annular channel with four connections with a switchable isolating device between two connections. The controller controls the distributor for flushing the transport medium fed from the distributor to the sensor chamber without passing through the analyte feed chamber and for measuring the transport medium fed from the distributor to the sensor chamber while passing through the analyte feed chamber.

Abstract: A dialysis adapter cell includes a housing comprising a plurality of pillars extending between and attached to a top plate and a bottom plate to form a hollow receptacle, wherein the top plate comprises an aperture configured to provide access to the hollow receptacle; a dialysis membrane disposed about the housing and sealingly engaged to the top plate and the bottom plate; and a platform in physical communication with the bottom plate and configured to position the dialysis adapter cell in a sample holder of a United States Pharmacopoeia dissolution apparatus 4 flow-through cell.

Abstract: The fluidic system with an unclogging feature of the preferred embodiment includes a flow channel, a sheath pump to pump sheath fluid from a sheath container into an interrogation zone, and a waste pump to pump waste fluid from the interrogation zone into a waste container. The sheath pump and/or the waste pump draw sample fluid from a sample container into the interrogation zone. The fluidic system also includes a controller to adjust the flow rate of the sample fluid from the sample container into the interrogation zone. The pump and controller cooperate to propagate a pulsation through the flow channel from the pump if the flow channel is clogged. The fluidic system is preferably incorporated into a flow cytometer with a flow cell that includes the interrogation zone.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for conducting assays of samples, such as whole blood, that may contain cells or other particulate matter. Also disclosed are systems, devices, equipment, kits and reagents for use in such methods. One advantage of certain disclosed methods and systems is the ability to rapidly measure the concentration of an analyte of interest in blood plasma from a whole blood sample without blood separation and hematocrit correction.

Abstract: The fluidic system of the preferred embodiment includes a sheath pump to pump sheath fluid from a sheath container into an interrogation zone and a waste pump to pump waste fluid from the interrogation zone into a waste container. The sheath pump and/or the waste pump draw sample fluid from a sample container into the interrogation zone. The fluidic system also includes a controller to adjust the flow rate of the sample fluid from the sample container into the interrogation zone. The fluidic system is preferably incorporated into a flow cytometer with a flow cell that includes the interrogation zone.

Abstract: A disposable cartridge for characterizing particles suspended in a liquid, especially a self-contained disposable cartridge for single-use analysis, such as for single-use analysis of a small quantity of whole blood. The self-contained disposable cartridge facilitates a straightforward testing procedure, which can be performed by most people without any particular education. Furthermore, the apparatus used to perform the test on the cartridge is simple, maintenance free, and portable.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of detecting an S-nitrosothiol in a sample which includes treating the sample with a transition metal such as copper (I) and cysteine in the presence of a substance capable of blocking interactions between iron-containing compounds and NO and detecting the generated NO.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to suppress variations in measurement values when measuring a specific binding reaction between a physiologically active substance and a tested substance using a surface plasmon resonance measurement device, so that binding detection data with high reliability is obtained. The present invention provides a method for measuring a change in surface plasmon resonance, which comprises: using a surface plasmon resonance measurement device comprising a flow channel system having a cell formed on a metal film and a light-detecting means for detecting the state of surface plasmon resonance by measuring the intensity of a light beam totally reflected on the metal film; and exchanging the liquid contained in the above flow channel system, wherein a major axis of the metal film is 0.

Abstract: An assay method is described, which comprises the steps of immobilizing a binding partner (e.g., an antigen or antibody) for an analyte to be detected (e.g., an antibody or antigen) on a portion (140) of a surface (130) of a microfluidic chamber (120,122,124); passing a fluid sample over the surface and allowing the analyte to bind to the binding partner; allowing a metal colloid, e.g., a gold-conjugated antibody, to associate with the bound analyte; flowing a metal solution, e.g., a silver solution, over the surface such as to form an opaque metallic layer; and detecting the presence of said metallic layer, e.g., by visual inspection or by measuring light transmission through the layer, conductivity or resistance of the layer, or metal concentration in the metal solution after flowing the metal solution over the surface.

Abstract: A method, in which a succession of plugs (G) made of a physicochemical system capable of conversion in a carrier phase (P) is made to flow, in a tubular flow member (12), and at least one analysis of at least one plug is carried out and the or each parameter is deduced therefrom.

Abstract: A magnetic bead-based sample separating device is provided. The device includes a first reactor, a second reactor, a third reactor, a first micro-channel and a second micro-channel. The first reactor receives a mixing solution including several magnetic beads and a sample extraction. The sample extraction is bound with the magnetic beads. The second reactor receives a washing buffer for washing the magnetic beads with sample extraction. The third reactor receives an elution buffer for separating the washing buffer from the magnetic beads. The first micro-channel is for connecting the first reactor and the second reactor and moving the magnetic beads to the second reactor from the first reactor. The second micro-channel is for connecting the second reactor and the third reactor and moving the magnetic beads to the third reactor from the second reactor.

Abstract: A microfluidic system employs a microchannel and a gravity driven pump comprising horizontally oriented fluid supply reservoirs which supplies fluid to the microchannel at a substantially constant rate. The device is useful for numerous microfluidic applications, for example in the culture and/or treatment of biological systems under constant flow-induced stress, cell-size sorting, motile sperm sorting, or embryo culture.

Abstract: An automated apparatus and method for analyzing liquid samples by forming discrete sample aliquots (boluses) in an elongated conduit which contains a hydrophobic carrier liquid. Aliquots may be analyzed by adding at least one reagent to the sample aliquot that reacts selectively with an analyte contained therein. The reaction product, which is selective for the analyte of interest and proportional to its concentration, is measured with an appropriate detector. Intrinsic sample properties of the sample may also be measured without the need for adding chemical reagents. The invention enables simple and accurate testing of samples using time honored wet-chemical analysis methods in microliter volume regimes while producing remarkably small volumes of waste.

Abstract: Methods are presented for realizing zero-dispersion segmented flow for transfer of small microfluidic samples onto or within microfluidic analysis or processing devices. Where fluidic systems are in whole or in part made of materials favorable to the zero-dispersion conditions for an indicated solvent/carrier fluid system, the system may be covalently coated to impart the necessary surface properties. This invention is demonstrated in an embodiment where 1 microliter samples (6) are robotically prepared and transferred through 3 meters of capillary tubing (4) to a microcoil NMR probe.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus (FIG. 4a) are disclosed for selective and very sensitive detection of certain hydrolyzable compounds, especially urea, in water by hydrolyzing said hydrolyzable compounds in a sample of the water to one or more carbon dioxide group compounds and determining the difference in the carbon dioxide content of the water and the hydrolyzed sample using conductivity measurements or other carbon dioxide detector outputs.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards apparatuses and methods for the automated measurement of blood analytes and blood parameters for bedside monitoring of patient blood chemistry. Particularly, the current invention discloses a programmable system that can automatically draw blood samples at a suitable programmable time frequency (or at predetermined timing), can automatically analyze the drawn blood samples and immediately measure and display blood parameters such as glucose levels, hematocrit levels, hemoglobin blood oxygen saturation, blood gases, lactate or any other blood parameter.

Abstract: Systems and methods that control the size and composition of emulsified droplets, multi-lamellar and asymmetric vesicles, encapsulation of reagents, membrane proteins, and sorting of vesicles/droplets. More particularly, microfluidic devices for controlled viscous shearing of oil-water emulsions of micro- and nano-scale droplets, the subsequent formation of amphiphilic vesicles such as liposomes, polymer vesicles, micelles, and the like, the post-assembly and post-processing of the droplets including splitting, fusing, sorting and the like, polymer emulsions, and the integration of amphiphilic vesicle production-line on a single microfluidic chip. Preferably, the microfluidic device enables oil-water co-flows with tunable viscous shear forces higher than the immiscible interfacial tension forces that generate favorable conditions for droplet formation.

Abstract: An automatic, self-contained device for detecting toxic agents in a water supply includes an analyzer for detecting at least one toxic agent in a water sample, introducing means for introducing a water sample into the analyzer and discharging the water sample from the analyzer, holding means for holding a water sample for a pre-selected period of time before the water sample is introduced into the analyzer, and an electronics package that analyzes raw data from the analyzer and emits a signal indicating the presence of at least one toxic agent in the water sample.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for treating a liquid sample stream including at least one analyte ion species and matrix ion species of opposite charge to said one analyte ion species. The liquid sample stream flows through a treatment channel. A carrier liquid stream including a matrix ion species capture material flows substantially parallel to the sample stream in the treatment channel forms a liquid interface between them. The matrix ion species diffuses through the interface to contact and become bound by the capture material in said carrier liquid.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for controlling a fluid flow over a sensing surface within a flow cell. The methods employ laminar flow techniques to position a fluid flow over one or more discrete sensing areas on the sensing surface of the flow cell. Such methods permit selective sensitization of the discrete sensing areas, and provide selective contact of the discrete sensing areas with a sample fluid flow. Immobilization of a ligand upon the discrete sensing area, followed by selective contact with an analyte contained within the sample fluid flow, allows analysis by a wide variety of techniques. Sensitized sensing surfaces, and sensor devices and systems are also provided.

Abstract: In a reaction caused by using a microreactor which provides a plurality of supply routes in communication with one reaction channel as a multicylindrical structure having a co-axis and causes a plurality of fluids L1, L2, L3 to flow together in the reaction channel via the respective fluid supply routes, whereby these fluids L1, L2, L3 are coaxially laminated and caused to flow as laminar flows whose sections orthogonal to the co-axis are annular and the fluids are diffused together in a normal direction of contact interfaces thereof to cause the reaction, among the plurality of laminated fluids L1, L2, L3, at least one fluid is constituted by a fluid not participating in the reaction of other fluids.

Abstract: An improved microscale diffusion immunoassay utilizing multivalent reactants is disclosed. In particular, a method for detecting the presence of analyte particles in an analyte fluid is disclosed, the method comprising: (a) providing the analyte fluid comprising the analyte particles; (b) providing a diffusion fluid comprising binding particles capable of binding with the analyte particles; (c) flowing the analyte fluid and the diffusion fluid in adjacent laminar flow through a microfluidic channel; (d) allowing the analyte particles to diffuse into the diffusion fluid and bind with the binding particles to form analyte/binding particle complexes; and (e) detecting the presence of the analyte particles and the analyte/binding particle complexes, wherein each of the binding particles is capable of binding with more than one analyte particle, and wherein each of the analyte particles is capable of binding with more than one binding particle.

Abstract: A method of directed automated analysis of a plurality of analytes of a process solution includes providing a sample of the process solution containing a plurality of the analytes, admixing an enriched isotope spike for each of the plurality of analytes to be analyzed with the process solution sample thereby effecting admixture of the enriched ratio of isotopes with the naturally occurring ratio of each analyte to be analyzed, creating ions from the spikes, introducing the ions into a mass spectrometer for determination of the identity and quantity of each analyte and delivering the information to a microprocessor. If desired, the process solution sample may be diluted and/or subjected to the addition of reagents or standards prior to initiation of the analysis. The ions may be created by an atmospheric pressure ionization interface. The information obtained is processed in a computer which serves to control other portions of the practice of the method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the condition of a biological fluid by recording the IR spectrum of a sample of the biological fluid. To this end, the biological fluid can be examined in its native form. The method of the invention is usable, for example, for detecting pathological conditions in organisms.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring apolipoprotein B100 (apo B) during the cholesterol subclass measurement process is provided which obviates the need for a separate apo B test.

Abstract: A device for detecting bacterial endospores in a sealed container. The device has a suction tube connected to an aerosol concentrator containing a lanthanide salt solution, a suction pump engaged to the aerosol concentrator, an excitation energy source and an optical set-up for directing the excitation energy source to the lanthanide salt solution and collecting photoluminescence generated by the excited lanthanide salt solution. A method for detecting bacterial endospores is also provided.

Abstract: A method for investigating transport processes in a preferably biological specimen, a laser light beam (2, 3) being guided by means of a scanning apparatus line by line over the specimen within definable specimen regions, and the light proceeding from the specimen being detected by means of a detection apparatus, is characterized, in the interest of the capability of investigating, with high accuracy, processes within the specimen that proceed on a short time scale, in that both an image production light beam (5) for the purpose of observing the specimen and a manipulation light beam (4) for the purpose of manipulating the specimen are used as the laser light beam (2, 3), the image production light beam (5) preceding the manipulation light beam (4) in such a way that pixels of the specimen not yet manipulated by the manipulation light beam (4) are illuminated with the image production light beam (5).

Abstract: A method for preparing receptor-coated particles is described which comprises the following steps: a) providing a support body, b) conducting a liquid containing particles into or onto the support body, c) immobilizing the particles on at least one surface area of the support body, d) conducting a liquid which contains receptors or receptor building blocks for synthesizing polymeric receptors over the immobilized particles, e) coupling the receptors or receptor building blocks location—or/and time-specifically to the immobilized particles at in each case predetermined positions of the support body, f) repeating, where appropriate, the steps (d) and (e), until the desired receptors have been synthesized on the immobilized particles at the in each case predetermined positions of the support body.

Abstract: An assay device in which to carry out a fluid-phase chemical assay, comprising means for supporting a test substrate, a sample chamber for receiving a fluid sample and at least one fluid control device for controlling the movement of fluid into and/or out of the sample chamber, wherein the fluid control device comprises a fluid outlet chamber in fluid communication with the sample chamber, and a displaceable flexible diaphragm the displacement of which alters the volume of the outlet chamber so as to allow and/or restrict fluid flow between the outlet and sample chambers. The invention also provides assay apparatus incorporating such a device, an assay station for use as part of such apparatus, a fluid control unit for use as part of the assay device and a method of conducting an assay which may involve the use of such apparatus and devices.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, apparatuses, and systems for performing nucleic acid sequencing reactions and molecular binding reactions in a microfluidic channel. The methods, apparatuses, and systems can include a restriction barrier to restrict movement of a particle to which a nucleic acid is attached. Furthermore, the methods, apparatuses, and systems can include hydrodynamic focusing of a delivery flow. In addition, the methods, apparatuses, and systems can reduce non-specific interaction with a surface of the microfluidic channel by providing a protective flow between the surface and a delivery flow.

Abstract: This invention provides microfluidic devices and methods for using the same. Microfluidic devices of the present invention comprises a first elastic layer, a fluid flow channel within the elastic layer; and a means for providing a fluid sample from the fluid flow channel to an analytical device. The present invention also provides an analytical apparatus comprising such a microfluidic device and an analytical device.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring apolipoprotein B100 (apo B) during the cholesterol subclass measurement process is provided which obviates the need for a separate apo B test.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to microfluidic devices. In one embodiment, a microanalysis chip comprises a body having at least one transfer-separation channel with a channel bottom that has a bottom opening. The transfer-separation channel terminates in a discharge aperture.

Abstract: A bulk sample is fed with a liquid into a mixing tank (1) where it is stirred to form a dispersion. A proportion of the dispersion is recycled from the bottom of the tank through a line to the top of the tank so that at least the dispersion in the recycle loop (3) is substantially homogeneous, and a representative sample of the dispersion is taken from the recycle loop, e.g. using a slurry sampler (5).

Abstract: A microfluidic device comprising one, two, three or more enclosed microchannel structures, each of which comprises a) an inlet arrangement with an inlet opening for liquid, b) a reaction microcavity (RM1) downstream to the inlet opening, and c) an upstream section that is located between the inlet opening and the reaction microcavity (RM1) and is defined between two planar substrates made of plastic material which substrates are common for said microchannel structures. The characteristic feature is that the inner wall in said upstream section exposes a hydrophilic surface area with an underlying base layer comprising metal oxide. In one aspect the microfluidic device as such is covered.

Abstract: A catalytic testing device comprising a reaction block comprising a set of reaction chambers, each chamber comprising a fluid inlet and outlet connected to an outgoing fluid duct connected to analysis means, fluid feed means capable of performing regulated dosing of flows of the fluid at the required pressure independently in each of the reaction chambers, automatic and dynamic pressure control means, capable of performing pressure regulation in each reaction chamber, which comprise a non-return valve in the outgoing fluid duct between the outlets of the reaction chambers and a common regulating tank that receives the outgoing fluid from the chambers, a pressure sensor provided in a first outlet duct and an automatic needle valve provided in a second outlet duct from the tank.