Abstract: In a method of measuring the amount of metaldehyde in water, a water sample of known volume is mixed with an isotopologue, a colorimetric dye and Raman-scattering nanoparticles. The water sample contains an analyte, for example metaldehyde. Optionally, the analyte may be treated to form a compound reactive with the dye. The amount of the analyte is measured by producing a Raman spectrum of the mixture and performing a ratiometric analysis of the Raman spectrum to quantify the analyte.

Abstract: Fluidic and electrofluidic devices comprising carbon nanotubes and methods of making and using the same are provided. The carbon nanotubes may be densely bundled to span an aperture in a substrate. A polymeric coating over the substrate may contain reservoir(s) etched therein, the reservoir(s) in fluid connectivity with the carbon nanotubes. X-rays may be directed through the aperture and fluid-filled carbon nanotubes with x-ray analysis providing data on fluid structure and dynamics inside the carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: Automated pipetting systems and methods are disclosed for aspirating and dispensing fluids, particularly biological samples. In one aspect, a liquid dispenser includes a manifold and one or more pipette channels. The manifold includes a vacuum channel, a pressure channel, and a plurality of lanes. Each lane includes an electrical connector, a port to the pressure channel, and a port to the vacuum channel. The pipette channels can be modular. Each pipette channel includes a single dispense head and can be selectively and independently coupled to any one lane of the plurality of lanes. In some aspects, a valve in the pipette channel is in simultaneous fluid communication with a pressure port and a vacuum port of the manifold. The valve selectively diverts gas under pressure and gas under vacuum to the dispense head in response to control signals received through the electrical connector of the manifold.

Abstract: An automated system is provided for performing slide processing operations on slides bearing biological samples. In one embodiment, the disclosed system includes a slide tray holding a plurality of slides in a substantially horizontal position and a workstation that receives the slide tray. In a particular embodiment, a workstation delivers a reagent to slide surfaces without substantial transfer of reagent (and reagent borne contaminants such as dislodged cells) from one slide to another. A method for automated processing of slides also is provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of detecting manganese in a solution using resacetophenone oxime by spectrophotometric analysis wherein the resacetophenone oxime produces colorimetric responses to indicate the presence of manganese. The resacetophenone oxime is not only stable in solution, but it also may be inserted into a hydrocolloid gel to facilitate a “spot test” for the detection of manganese, resulting in a long shelf life. These manganese testing methods disclosed herein may be used at the pre-disinfection process at water treatment facilities. The disclosed methods of manganese testing may be combined with an ammoniacal buffer reagent that may be used by water processing facilities, prior to final disinfection, to augment existing manganese (II) efforts of removal. A secondary flocculation with this buffer will scavenge additional manganese (II), that can then be removed by sedimentation or filtration.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a biological fluid collection device, such as a blood collection device, that is adapted to receive a multi-component blood sample having a cellular portion and a plasma portion and quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively separate the plasma portion from the sample. A pressure gradient can be applied across a separation member to facilitate movement of the plasma portion ahead of the cellular portion. The present disclosure allows for both passive and active plasma separation and dispensing.

Abstract: A honeycomb tube with a planar frame defining a fluidic path between a first planar surface and a second planar surface. A fluidic interface is located at one end of the planar frame. The fluidic interface has a fluidic inlet and fluidic outlet. The fluidic path further includes a well chamber having an well-substrate with a plurality of wells. The well chamber is arranged in the planar frame between the first or second surface and the well-substrate. The well chamber is in fluidic communication between the pre-amplification chamber and the fluidic outlet.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a gas sensor includes a fixed electrode, and a film structure which covers the fixed electrode, forms a cavity inside the film structure, and includes a sensitive layer formed of an amorphous material containing a metal element, and a cap layer provided on the sensitive layer. The film structure is allowed to be deformed when the sensitive layer absorbs a predetermined gas.

Abstract: A microfluidic substrate and a manufacture method thereof, and a microfluidic panel are provided. The microfluidic substrate includes a base substrate, an acoustic wave generation device, and a first switching circuit. The acoustic wave generation device is on the base substrate and configured to emit an acoustic wave to drive a liquid droplet to move over the microfluidic substrates, the acoustic wave generation devices includes an acoustic wave driving electrode and an acoustic wave generation layer, the first switching circuit is on the base substrate, and the first switching circuit is electrically connected to the acoustic wave driving electrode and is configured to transmit an acoustic wave driving signal to the acoustic wave driving electrode, and the acoustic wave driving electrode is configured to drive the acoustic wave generation layer to generate the acoustic wave under control of the acoustic wave driving signal.

Abstract: A collection device is disclosed having a tubular housing detachably receiving a valved bulb reservoir at a first end thereof, the housing having a second end for dispensing fluids. The valved bulb reservoir has a sample capillary tube attached at one end thereof. The bore of the capillary is fluidically coupled to the valved bulb reservoir. The capillary is removed from the tubular housing to collect a sample in its bore, and is then replaced into the tubular housing. The contents of the valved tubular reservoir, which can be a buffer solution, a reagent, or other analytic fluid, or a gas, are then passed through the capillary bore to expel the sample and mix therewith in the housing. The sample product can then be dispensed from the tubular housing.

Abstract: The invention is a slide cleaner apparatus. The apparatus includes a cleaning chamber configured to receive a cell counting slide, at least one fluid inlet arranged to align with an inlet on a cell counting slide when located in the chamber, and configured to feed cleaning fluid into the cleaning chamber and slide, and at least one fluid outlet configured to remove cleaning fluid from the cleaning chamber and slide. The invention also includes methods of cleaning a cell counting slide.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and devices for sample extraction.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, materials and devices for approximation of blood volume in a fluid, such as in a biological fluid collected during a surgical procedure. The method and devices include the use of a RBC flocculant, such as polyDADMAC, and an approximate blood hematocrit for the type of animal, as well as a calculated RBC packing ratio corresponding to the collection device being used. Also provided is a Blood Indicator Panel (BIP), comprising a series of markings calculated from an observed red blood settlement volume, the average animal type hematocrit, and a calculated RBC packing ratio “?” value for the collection device. Pediatric (about 200 ml or 250 ml size container), adult human (about 1,000 ml-1,500 ml) and veterinary (about 500 ml-2,500 ml) collection containers are also disclosed, that include a RBC flocculant, for use in approximating blood volume in a fluid.

Abstract: A method for reducing the variability, as measured by relative standard deviation (RSD), of an analytical testing technique is provided. This improvement in RSD improves the confidence in the values obtained during field testing. The method includes incorporating a focusing agent into the sampling media, which permits providing sampling media such as thermal desorption tubes preloaded with the focusing agent.

Abstract: A biologic sample preparation system that prepares samples for processing includes a frame defining a horizontal plane, a pipette assembly, a sample module and an extraction module. The pipette assembly includes a first pipette. The pipette assembly is movably mounted to the frame in a direction substantially perpendicular to the horizontal plane during operation. The sample module includes a sample plate and is movably mounted to the frame. The sample module is movable substantially parallel to the horizontal plane at least from a sample area spaced from the pipette assembly and a working area proximate the pipette assembly. The extraction module includes an extraction plate and is movably mounted to the frame. The extraction module is movable substantially parallel to the horizontal plane at least from an extraction staging area spaced from the pipette, assembly and the working area proximate the pipette assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and system for formation fluid sampling. In at least some embodiments, the method includes pumping formation fluid from a public flow line of a downhole tool via a private flow line into a detachable sample chamber. The method also includes isolating the private flow line from the public flow line. The method also includes collecting measurements of the formation fluid in the private flow line. The method also includes associating the measurements with the detachable sample chamber.

Abstract: Provided are a microfluidic apparatus and a method for separating a target cell using the same. The microfluidic apparatus for separating a first material in a biological sample from the biological sample, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, includes: a body rotatable on a rotation axis; a mixing chamber included in the body, wherein the biological sample and magnetic beads that are combined with a second material in the biological sample are mixed in the mixing chamber; a separation chamber included in the body and connected to the mixing chamber, wherein a mixed sample of the first material and the second material combined with the magnetic beads is separated in the separation chamber; and a magnetic member positioned on one side of the body outside the separation chamber, wherein, in the separation chamber, the first material is separated from the second material combined with the magnetic beads by a centrifugal force and a magnetic force.

Abstract: An open fluid droplet ejection cartridge containing one or more fluids to be dispensed by digital fluid dispense system and a method for digitally dispensing fluids. The open fluid droplet ejection cartridge includes a cover having one or more openings therein, fluid funnels pending from each of the one or more openings in the cover, a chamber separator attached to the fluid funnels for directing fluid to one or more fluid chambers, a fluid overflow chamber for fluid overflow from the one or more fluid chambers, fluid vias associated with each of the one or more fluid chambers, and a plurality of fluid ejection devices adjacent to the fluid vias on a single semiconductor substrate in fluid flow communication with the fluid vias.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, materials and devices for approximation of blood volume in a fluid, such as in a biological fluid collected during a surgical procedure. The method and devices include the use of a RBC flocculant, such as polyDADMAC, and an approximate blood hematocrit for the type of animal, as well as a calculated RBC packing ratio corresponding to the collection device being used. Also provided is a Blood Indicator Panel (BIP), comprising a series of markings calculated from an observed red blood settlement volume, the average animal type hematocrit, and a calculated RBC packing ratio “?” value for the collection device. Pediatric (about 200 ml or 250 ml size container), adult human (about 1,000 ml-1,500 ml) and veterinary (about 500 ml-2,500 ml) collection containers are also disclosed, that include a RBC flocculant, for use in approximating blood volume in a fluid.

Abstract: A system includes a reagent pack input carousel, a carousel frame supporting the carousel, and a track on which the carousel frame is supported for movement of the carousel into and out of an instrument in drawer-like fashion. The carousel is rotatable about an axis of rotation and includes a plurality of reagent pack input stations arranged about the perimeter of the carousel. Each input station is adapted to carry a reagent pack, and the input stations are oriented at an angle with respect to a radial orientation relative to the axis of rotation. Each input station includes an alignment block located at a radially inner end of the station, and the block is received within a recess formed in an end of the reagent pack placed in the station to align and position of the reagent pack within the station.