Abstract: Pipetting containers, such as reservoirs, reservoir liners, microplates, PCR plates, microtubes and PCR tubes, include anti-vacuum channels on the bottom wall of the receptacle to prevent a pipette tip vacuum engaging the wall during aspiration. The groupings of anti-vacuum channels are located on the bottom surface facing upward into the basin that holds liquid samples or reagents. The anti-vacuum channels also lower the required working volume for pipetting and reduce liquid waste.

Abstract: Provided herein is technology relating to testing fluid specimens and particularly, but not exclusively, to apparatuses, devices, methods, systems, and kits for testing a fluid specimen, e.g. urine, saliva, or other body fluids, to detect specified chemical components in the specimen.

Abstract: A device for permeation of a biological material may include a lower portion and an upper portion configured to be releasably coupled to the lower portion. The lower portion may include a groove configured to receivingly support a biological material. The lower portion and the upper portion may be coupled such that a first reservoir and a second reservoir are formed collectively by the lower portion and the upper portion. The first reservoir, the second reservoir, and the groove may be in fluid communication with each other.

Abstract: Devices, kits, and methods separating and metering a plasma sample from a patient's liquid test sample.

Abstract: A sample separation device to introduce a sample to be separated to an inside of the sample separation device, centrifuge the sample, and collect a desired liquid after separation, includes: a sample introducing portion introducing the sample into the sample separation device; a liquid surface defining portion connected to the sample introducing portion; a first separating portion connected to the liquid surface defining portion; a second separating portion connected to the first separating portion; a third separating portion connected to the second separating portion; and a liquid extracting portion including the third separating portion and connected to the third separating portion, in which a tubular flow path is formed by at least the first separating portion and the second separating portion, in which an opening of the sample introducing portion and an opening of the liquid extracting portion are oriented in the same direction.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly for transporting a carrier coupled to a receptacle to a processing station located within a housing of an instrument. The conveyor assembly includes a spur conveyor subassembly and a buffer conveyor subassembly for transporting the carrier from a host conveyor assembly to the spur conveyor subassembly. The spur conveyor subassembly includes (i) a rotatable diverter having at least one recess for receiving and moving the carrier between the buffer conveyor subassembly and the spur conveyor subassembly and (ii) a gripper configured to grasp the carrier and move it from the diverter to the processing position located within the housing of the instrument.

Abstract: A system includes a reagent selector valve controllable to select a reagent flow path from a plurality of reagent flow paths, and a pump coupled to the reagent flow path to draw a liquid through the reagent flow path in accordance with a prescribed test protocol. The system includes a discharge flow path to expel the drawn liquid, and a flow meter to measure liquid displaced by the pump and that outputs data representative of the measured flow. The system also includes a processor to access the data and to determine a volume of the liquid displaced by the pump.

Abstract: In one example, a flow cell includes a substrate, an electrode positioned on the substrate, and a patterned material positioned on the electrode. In this example, the patterned material includes depressions separated by interstitial regions, and a functionalized surface of the electrode is exposed at each of the depressions. In this example, the flow cell further includes a primer grafted to the functionalized surface in each of the depressions. In another example, a flow cell includes a substrate and a patterned electrode positioned on the substrate. In this other example, the patterned electrode includes depressions separated by interstitial regions, and a functionalized surface of the substrate exposed at each of the depressions. In this other example, a primer is grafted to the functionalized surface in each of the depressions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide various nanogap sensor designs (e.g., horizontal nanogap sensors, vertical nanogap sensors, arrays of multiple nanogap sensors, various arrangements for making electrical connections to the electrodes of nanogap sensors, etc.), as well as various methods which may be used to fabricate at least some of the proposed sensors. The nanogap sensors proposed herein may operate as molecular sensors to help identify chemical species through electrical measurements using at least a pair of electrodes separated by a nanogap.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for washing a plurality of fluid samples are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a system for washing a plurality of fluid samples respectively located within a plurality of cuvettes includes a rotor configured to rotate the plurality of cuvettes about an axis, a traveler mechanism located beneath the rotor, the traveler mechanism configured to move a plurality of magnets parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotor to position the plurality of magnets so that each cuvette of the plurality of cuvettes is located adjacent to at least one magnet of the plurality of magnets, and a wash system located above the rotor, the wash system configured to at least one of inject fluid into or aspirate fluid from the plurality of the cuvettes, while the plurality of magnets suspend magnetic particles located within each of the plurality of cuvettes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a container system for transport of biological material comprising a container casing and an insulating device, wherein the container casing defines a container interior space for accommodation of the insulating device and for accommodation of biological material to be transported, and wherein the insulating device is constituted of at least two insulating portions, which are formed so as to surround the biological material inside the container interior space. The invention further relates to uses of such a container system for packaging and transport of biological material, as well as methods of packaging biological material for transport.

Abstract: A system for measuring cellular forces exerted on a surface comprising: a deformable sensor that has a deformable surface adapted to deform on application of a cellular force, and an optical detector for optically detecting deformation of the surface.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides, in various embodiments, methods of analyzing samples having a low abundance of proteins, e.g., single cells, utilizing liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectroscopy (LC-MS/MS).

Abstract: A method and device performing the method for estimation of cell count, such as sperm cell count, is disclosed. The device may be a kit including a cartridge configured to hold fluid, such as seminal fluid, and an instrument configured to centrifuge the cartridge. The cartridge and instrument are configured such that, during operation or centrifugation, they are securely attached to each other. The cartridge has a component with a defined cross-sectional volume. The defined cross-sectional volume is used to mark the component with markings, allowing a user of the device to read the markings and estimate cell volume and, thus, concentration. Various embodiments of the device are disclosed.

Abstract: A biological sample collection system can include a sample collection vessel having an opening configured to receive a biological sample and a selectively movable valve configured to at least partially associate with the opening of the sample collection vessel. The selectively movable valve can include a post and a valve head associated with a distal portion of the post. The system can additionally include a sealing cap configured to associate with the selectively movable valve and with the sample collection vessel. The sealing cap can include a reagent chamber for storing a measure of sample preservation reagent and associating the sealing cap with the sample collection vessel causes a physical rearrangement of the post and the valve head such that a fluid vent associated with the post aligns with an aperture defined by the valve head allowing fluid communication between the reagent chamber and the sample collection vessel.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods for modeling ocular translaminar pressure gradients ex vivo. A first fluid pressure level can be applied to a first side of a wall of donor eye cup (e.g., a posterior human eye cup) to simulate intracranial pressure (ICP), for example around the optical nerve head (ONH), and a second fluid pressure level can be applied to a second side of the wall of the donor eye cup to simulate intraocular pressure (IOP). These devices, systems, and methods are unique in that they allow ex vivo modeling of dynamic changes in translaminar pressure gradients.

Abstract: A sample analyzer includes a suction unit configured to suction a sample in a sample container through a stopper installed in an opening of the sample container; a rack transport unit configured to transport a sample rack holding a sample container along a transport path, and position the sample container held by the sample rack at a suction position by the suction unit; a sample transport unit in which a sample container other than the sample container transported by the rack transport unit is installed and which is configured to transport the installed sample container to the suction position provided on the transport path; a measurement unit configured to measure a sample suctioned by the suction unit from the sample container positioned at the suction position; and an analysis unit configured to analyze the sample based on the measurement result of the measurement unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexible bag, a perfusion filter and a fluid port. The fluid port comprises: —a first fluid connection (3; 3?); —a second fluid connection (5; 5?) being in fluid communication with the first fluid connection (3; 3?); —an intermediate fluid path (7: 7?) connecting the first fluid connection (3; 3?) with the second fluid connection (5; 5?); wherein said intermediate fluid path (7; 7?) at least a portion of which comprises a substantially right-angled bend (9; 9?); —a protection cap (11; 11?) protecting at least the bend (9; 9?) of the intermediate fluid part (7; 7?) from contact with other objects; and —a connection surface (13; 13?) configured for sealing to a film of an object to be supplied by said port, said connection surface will, when sealed to the film of the object, together with the film provide a fluid tight seal surrounding the first fluid connection (3; 3?).

Abstract: A device for separating and concentrating target particles or molecules from a fibrinogen containing sample of liquid comprises a container (1) for collecting the sample and a closure (2). The container (1) comprises a first end and a second end and at least one interior wall defining a reservoir portion (5) for receiving the sample. The reservoir portion (5) comprises at least one anchor element (4) to locally catch a polymerized fibrin pellet formed upon the addition of the sample into the container. The separation and concentration process is operated by trapping the target particles or molecules into the so-formed polymerized fibrin pellet that are captured on the anchor element (4).

Abstract: This automated analysis device is provided with a plurality of analysis units for analyzing a specimen, a buffer portion which holds a plurality of specimen racks on which are placed specimen containers holding the specimen, a sampler portion which conveys the specimen racks held in the buffer portion to the analysis units, and a control portion which, when performing a process to deliver the specimen racks to the plurality of analysis units, outputs synchronization signals to all the plurality of analysis units, wherein the analysis unit performs a delivery process starting from the synchronization signal, and the analysis unit performs a delivery process starting from the synchronization signal.