Abstract: A system comprised of an apparatus and a test device is described. The test device and the apparatus are designed to interact to determine the presence or absence of an analyte of interest in a sample placed on the test device.

Abstract: A micro-droplet-emulsifier to generate a micro-droplet-emulsion for application on digital polymerase chain reaction is provided. This device includes a micropipette to hold a dispersed-phase-liquid; a droplet generator that attaches to the micro-pipette and has a plurality of substantially flat micro-channels. The dispersed-phase-liquid is forced through the micro-channels to form micro-droplet-emulsion of dispersed-liquid-phase in the continuous-liquid-phase inside the chamber. The size of the micro-droplets is controlled by the shape and the aspect ratio of the micro-channels, the depth of the micro-channels and the material of the micro-droplet-generator-head that dictates the contact angle of the droplet on the micro-channels.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid-sealed cartridge in which a liquid is transferred by a centrifugal force generated when the liquid-sealed cartridge is rotated around a rotation shaft, including: a liquid storage portion configured to store the liquid therein; a seal having an outer peripheral portion connected to the liquid storage portion, the seal being configured to seal the liquid storage portion; a flow path connected to the liquid storage portion via the seal, through which the liquid in the liquid storage portion is transferred by the centrifugal force in a direction away from the rotation shaft, wherein, when the seal receives a pressing force, the seal is inclined in a pressing direction, with one portion of the outer peripheral portion thereof remaining connected with the liquid storage portion, and the other portion of the outer peripheral portion being separated from the liquid storage portion.

Abstract: Air flow systems, devices and methods for monitoring airborne agents include airborne agent collectors. Airborne agent collectors for collecting and detecting the presence and/or identification of an airborne agent(s) include a soluble and hydrophilic polycaprolactone (PCL) that has been treated with a base having a pH greater than 8 and in some embodiments, also treated with a neutralizing agent for increasing hydrophilicity. Detection and identification of airborne agents captured by an airborne agent collector can be performed using any suitable analytical protocols. Such protocols include nucleic acid assays, protein assays, and bioassays. The airborne agent collectors can be used for the detection and identification of nucleic acid from cells or organisms of any type in fixed structures and in mobile, portable devices or machines.

Abstract: An open-cell foam biological indicator for bacteria detection and removal from water or air, and methods of use.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods for differentiating between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. The method includes measuring eicosanoids and fatty acid levels in a biological sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to the detection of vitamin D metabolites. In a particular aspect, the invention relates to methods for detecting derivatized vitamin D metabolites by mass spectrometry.

Abstract: Methods and devices for forming droplets are provided. In certain embodiments, the methods and devices form droplets having different diameters. In particular embodiments, the device includes a fluid supply channel, a collection chamber, and one or more nozzles disposed between the fluid supply channel and the collection chamber. Each nozzle may include an inlet portion with a channel height, a first step with a first step height and a first tread length, and a second step with a second step height and a second tread length. In certain embodiments, the first step height is greater than the channel height, and the second step height is greater than the first step height.

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: 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: 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: A pipette for sampling an extended range of volumes of liquid includes a fixed pipette body. An operating rod is movable in translation relative to the pipette body, along a longitudinal axis of the pipette. The pipette includes a suction chamber and a set of N concentric pistons, wherein N corresponds to an integer greater than or equal to 2. Each of the pistons contributes to delimiting the suction chamber. A coupling module couples the operating rod with the set of N concentric pistons. The module is configured in such a way as to be able to be brought into N distinct configurations in which it respectively couples the operating rod with 1, 2, . . . , N pistons.

Abstract: Apparatus, system and method for dispensing a particle-laden fluid from a fluid holding and dispensing micro-feature and/or multiple lysing channel structures. In some implementations, the apparatus includes: a chamber having one or more surfaces that define a volume to receive fluid containing particulate matter, a soluble surface coating on a portion of the one or more surfaces of the chamber, and an outlet port to dispense at least a portion of the fluid from the chamber. In some implementations, the particle-laden fluid may be whole blood, and the soluble surface coating may include reagents and/or dyes that are diffused into the whole blood received within the chamber to generate signals to visualize various cellular components. In some implementations, the apparatus may also include a second soluble surface coating on portions of surfaces of the multiple lysing channel structures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to diagnostic devices as well as methods of using these devices for detecting proteins of interest associated with diseases or disorders in mammals. In particular, the proteins of interest may be misfolded proteins associated with certain misfolded-protein disorders in mammals including those mammals suspected of or at risk of having such disorders.

Abstract: Provided herein are pipette tip racks, and in particular, pipette tip rack plates that restrict lateral displacement of pipette tips loaded therein.

Abstract: A droplet generating method includes: providing a micro-pipe for dispensing a first liquid and a container containing a second liquid; providing a moving and locating device for positioning the micro-pipe over the container; providing a liquid driving device connecting to the micro-pipe through a connecting tube; providing a vibrating equipment connected to the micro-pipe for vibrating the micro-pipe; forming a relative periodic vibration between the micro-pipe and the container so that the outlet end of the micro-pipe is displaced to touch the second liquid in the container during a relative periodic vibration; and dispensing the first liquid in the micro-pipe out from the outlet end of the micro-pipe during the relative periodic vibration to generate a plurality of droplets of the first liquid in the second liquid which is induced by a force of the second liquid imposed on the first liquid at the outlet end.

Abstract: Methods of removing bubbles from a microfluidic device are described where the flow is not stopped. Methods are described that combine pressure and flow to remove bubbles from a microfluidic device. Bubbles can be removed even where the device is made of a polymer that is largely gas impermeable.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for sample processing. The system, in one configuration, includes a sample processing apparatus for use with a biological sample and/or a reagent, a housing and a touchscreen display mounted to the housing. The system, in one configuration, contains a cartridge insertion location; at least one optical detector; a control unit having a processor that is programmed to execute computer-readable commands; and a sample handling system.

Abstract: A pipettor includes a wash chamber between an upper plate, a lower plate, an upper seal, and a lower seal. The upper and lower seal retain each other and are located between the upper and lower plates. The pipettor includes a gasket located below the lower plate, a pipette tip retained by the gasket, and a piston with a tapered tip that passes through the plates, seals, and gasket into the pipette tip. The upper and lower seal isolate the piston from the wash chamber. The pipettor includes a channel defined by the piston, extending into the pipette tip, and an actuator that advances and retracts the piston. When the actuator retracts the piston such that the piston loses sealing contact with the lower seal and the wash chamber is supplied with wash fluid and pressurized, wash fluid passes through the groove in the upper seal and into the channel.

Abstract: Provided in part herein are static-defeating apparatus for use in multipipettor systems. Multiple pipette tips can be retained by a static-defeating sheet of material. A multipipettor, having multiple pipettes or nozzles, can engage the pipette tips retained by the sheet. After use, the multipipettor can eject the pipette tips, which sometimes are ejected as a single unit due to the pipette tips being retained by the sheet. In certain embodiments, an apparatus includes a snap plate having one or more holes, and a base rack for ease of mounting.