Abstract: An analyzer having an inner chassis surrounded by a housing includes sample and dilution probes, a mixing housing including first and second mixing chambers, a flow cytometer including a flow cell, and sample and sheath pumps configured to perform first and second pluralities of tasks, respectively. The first plurality of tasks includes: aspirating sample into the sample probe, dispensing sample from the sample probe into the first and second mixing chambers, delivering first sample-dilution fluid mixture to the flow cell, and delivering second sample-dilution fluid mixture to the flow cell. The second plurality of tasks includes: dispensing sheath to the flow cell in cooperation with the delivery of the first sample-dilution fluid mixture to the flow cell, and dispensing sheath to the flow cell in cooperation with the delivery of the second sample-dilution fluid mixture to the flow cell.

Abstract: An automatic analyzer is capable of transporting a sample at an optimum timing and a method of transporting the sample. An automatic analyzer includes an analysis unit which measures a sample, a transport unit which transports the sample to the analysis unit, and a control unit which controls the analysis unit and the transport unit. A sample is transported to the analysis unit by a time of starting an aspirating operation on the sample by allowing the analysis unit to perform a pre-measurement operation for each measuring method which needs to be performed before aspirating the sample even when the sample is still in the transport unit.

Abstract: A vial cap for a sample vial includes a cylindrical cap body defining a first circular opening at a first end. The vial cap also includes a cap lid extending radially inward from a second end of the cylindrical cap body. The cap lid defines a second circular opening. The vial cap also includes a septum located within the cylindrical cap body and in contact with the cap lid. The septum spans the second circular opening defined by the cap lid portion. The vial cap also includes a number of flexible threads extending from an internal surface of the cylindrical cap body.

Abstract: Micro-valve system includes two or more superimposed tubes and a pressing device for fluid control in miniaturized capillary connections. The micro-valve system and method of fabrication can be tailored to the requirements of a wide range of applications; composition, sturdiness and thickness of plastic tubes; and capable of been adapted to the resilient of mechanical pressure and the passing and transport of fluid types.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a metal component contained as an impurity in a polymer composition that contains a polymer and an organic solvent including a step (i) of preparing a dispersion by mixing the polymer composition with an acid aqueous solution, a step (ii) of separating the dispersion prepared in the step (i) into a dispersoid layer containing the polymer and a dispersion medium layer containing the metal component, and a step (iii) of quantifying the metal component contained in the dispersion medium layer separated in the step (ii).

Abstract: A combinable cavity tray for liquid handling is provided. The combinable cavity tray has at least one cavity for receiving a fluid and at least one passage for leading through a cavity of a second combinable cavity tray and/or for connecting to a pipetting apparatus. The at least one cavity of the combinable cavity tray is formed integrally. An assembly of combinable cavity trays having at least two combinable cavity trays, a method of manufacturing a combinable cavity tray and the use of a combinable cavity tray or of an assembly of combinable cavity trays for liquid handling are provided.

Abstract: Humidified sample preparation station for serial crystallography according to one embodiment is a humidified enclosure that delivers relative humidities above 95% and preferably above 97% in standard operation, and that can allow microscope observation of samples within. Humidified sample preparation station for serial crystallography can be used for preparation of protein crystal samples for examination using X-rays and for protein structure determination by X-ray crystallography, involving addition of liquid to the sample and removal of liquid from the sample using vacuum or suction.

Abstract: A sampling device comprises a receptacle having an inner material receiving space defined by a side wall portion and a bottom wall portion and having a receptacle opening; and a sample container being adapted to close the receptacle opening when collocated with the receptacle. The sample container includes: a sample receiving portion which, when collocated with the receptacle is located in liquid communication with the inner material receiving space; a sample well positioned radially outside of the sample receiving portion in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis, the sample well having a well opening; a liquid passageway for directing liquid from the sample receiving portion towards the well opening; a container having a container opening; and a liquid impermeable barrier for preventing liquid entering the container opening from the sample receiving portion).

Abstract: A sample extraction cassette and method are provided to test for a target in a sample. The sample is obtained on a swab. The swab is inserted into a chamber in a case and into contact with a contact portion of a membrane. The contact portion of the membrane is axially moved into sequential communication with a wash fluid and a reaction fluid. The reaction fluid reacts with the target to provide a visual display corresponding to the presence of the target.

Abstract: A centrifuge tube, a detection system and a detection method. The centrifuge tube includes: a tube body comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, a sensor provided at the inner surface of the tube body and comprising a first electrode group; and a second electrode group provided at the outer surface of the tube body and electrically connected with the first electrode group.

Abstract: The invention discloses a liquid quantifying device which comprises a base body and a liquid quantifying area arranged on the base body; the liquid quantifying area is provided with a preset volume, two ends of the liquid quantifying area are respectively provided with a liquid quantitative inlet and a liquid quantitative outlet, the liquid flows into the liquid quantifying area from the liquid quantitative inlet and reaches the liquid quantitative outlet after the liquid quantifying area is filled; and a liquid identification device is arranged at a relevant position of the liquid quantitative outlet and used for identifying the liquid reaching the liquid quantitative outlet. The invention also discloses a use of the liquid quantifying device in a microfluidic chip. The invention can improve the accuracy of quantification and detection.

Abstract: The subject matter described herein relates to devices and methods for capturing micrometer scale objects from a fluid flow, and more particularly, to devices and methods for capturing cells. The devices generally comprise an array of posts configured and arranged to selectively direct the micrometer scale objects toward trapping channels defined between posts in which the micrometer scale objects can be trapped, and to direct smaller particles through bypass channels around the posts. Methods for using the devices to trap cells, analyze cells and treat cancer are also described.

Abstract: A multi-channel pipetting assembly includes a linkage member and a plurality of pipetting structures arranged in parallel. Each pipetting structure includes a pipette body, a piston rod, a piston tube, and an elastic element. The pipette body has a plurality of air chambers with different inner diameters, and the air chambers are arranged axially and communicate with each other. The piston rod is fixed to the linkage member. The piston tube is sleeved on the piston rod. The piston rod and the piston tube are located in the pipette body, and are axially and reciprocatingly movable in the pipette body. The piston rod matches the air chamber with the smallest inner diameter, and the piston tube matches the remaining air chambers. The elastic element is telescopically sleeved on the piston rod and corresponds to the piston tube. Therefore, a plurality of volume ranges meeting the accuracy requirements can be provided.

Abstract: A pipette tip rack system includes a thermoformed clamshell tip container and a dispenser for the clamshell tip container. The tip dispenser includes a base for holding the clamshell container, cover and a lifting mechanism for lifting the lid of the tip container and the cover when a latch on the base is released. The tip dispenser is configured to facilitate one-touch operation so that a laboratory work may hold a pipette in the other hand while using the dispenser, and conveniently open and close the dispenser cover to reduce the risk of contamination. The dispenser can be used without the thermoformed tip container as well.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a microfluidic chamber fluidly coupled to an inlet port and an outlet port, a semiconductor microchip including fluid active circuitry and transistor circuitry, and a bed of solid supports positioned within the microfluidic chamber fluidly positioned between the inlet port and the outlet port. The transistor circuitry in this example provides onboard logic at the semiconductor microchip to control fluid active circuitry. The semiconductor microchip also defines a portion of the microfluidic chamber.

Abstract: A container includes a base with a top wall, a vessel depending from a top wall aperture in the top wall, a fluid retainer projecting above the top wall and surrounding the top wall aperture, and a skirt surrounding the vessel and including opposed grooves for gripping the container. A lid is disposed on a top end of the base and includes a cover wall with a lid aperture generally aligned with the top wall aperture of the base. A septum is disposed between the top wall of the base and the cover wall with a portion of the septum disposed between the lid aperture and the top wall aperture. Fluid retainer/return structure is configured to prevent fluid deposited on the septum from dripping off the container and to allow at least a portion of the fluid deposited on the septum to run off the septum and into the vessel.

Abstract: A sample holder for holding a liquid sample for laboratory processing, such as PCR thermal cycling. The sample holder includes at least one vessel having a bottom and sidewall defining an interior volume and a rim defining an opening to the interior volume. The vessel has a first portion that defines at least a part of the bottom and sidewall of the vessel and is made of a first material, and a second portion that defines the rim of the vessel and is made of a second material different from the first material.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a microfluidic device (100) includes depositing a bonding layer (106) on a surface of a second glass layer (104a) of a glass substrate having a first glass layer (102) and the second glass layer (104a) fused to the first glass layer (102), such that a masked region of the surface is covered by the bonding layer, and an exposed region of the surface is uncovered by the bonding layer; removing a portion of the second glass layer corresponding to the exposed region of the surface to form a flow channel (112) in the glass substrate; and bonding a cover (108) to the glass substrate with the bonding layer (106).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a flow cell carrier. The flow cell carrier may include a flow cell and a frame. The frame may include a pocket and a handle. The pocket may have at least one spring feature and at least one banking feature. The frame may be configured to retain the flow cell within the pocket such that a maximal surface area of the flow cell is exposed to an optical lens. Related methods and kits are also disclosed.