Abstract: A membrane strip biosensor device using a fluid mobile conductive composition of ferromagnetic particles bound to a conductive polymer bound to a capture reagent is described. The biosensor device is designed to detect analytes at low concentrations in near real-time with an electronic data collection system and can be small. The device can be used to detect pathogens, proteins, and other biological materials of interest in food, water, and environmental samples.

Abstract: A device for analyzing samples is disclosed, which are supplied in sample vessels (2), a central unit (1) with reaction vessels (2), a transport unit (6) for transporting the reaction vessels and at least one analytical unit (7, 8, 9) being provided. The central unit (1) contains a sampling unit (30), by which at least a part of the sample is transferred from the sample vessel (2) to a reaction vessel. At least a part of the reaction vessels is transferred via/by the transport unit (6) to at least one of the analytical units (7, 8, 9). Furthermore, at least one reagent vessel (20, . . . , 23) with at least one reagent is provided, which is supplied to the sample in the reaction vessel for a reaction between the sample and the reagent. Finally, at least one measuring device (5) or at least one measuring unit for the measuring of a physical property of the sample is provided. The device according to the invention works extremely efficiently, simultaneously a minimal effort of resources being required.

Abstract: Methods, processes and compositions are provided for a visual or chemochromic hydrogen-detector with variable or tunable reversible color change. The working temperature range for the hydrogen detector is from minus 100° C. to plus 500° C. A hydrogen-sensitive pigment, including, but not limited to, oxides, hydroxides and polyoxo-compounds of tungsten, molybdenum, vanadium, chromium and combinations thereof, is combined with nano-sized metal activator particles and preferably, coated on a porous or woven substrate. In the presence of hydrogen, the composition rapidly changes its color from white or light-gray or light-tan to dark gray, navy-blue or black depending on the exposure time and hydrogen concentration in the medium. After hydrogen exposure ceases, the original color of the hydrogen-sensitive pigment is restored, and the visual hydrogen detector can be used repeatedly.

Abstract: A specimen-transport module adapted for use with each of a plurality of specimen-processing instruments of a multi-instrument clinical workcell. Such module is adapted to transport individual racks of specimen-containers relative to a specimen-aspiration probe of an associated instrument in a workcell, as well as to transfer selected racks of specimen-containers to an adjacent and identical specimen-transport module associated with another clinical instrument of the workcell. Since the same transport system is used to both present specimens for aspiration and to transfer specimens between instruments, there is no need for two independent conveyances as is characteristic of the prior art. Preferably, the specimen-transport module includes a magnetic X/Y transport system that operates beneath a rack-supporting surface to advance racks in mutually perpendicular directions across a supporting surface via magnetic forces.

Abstract: A container is configured to provide sequential access to contents therein, and includes an upper portion and a lower portion connected to the upper portion by a hinged portion, the lower portion defining an interior space bearing a moveable tray and an opening through which the moveable tray may move, the moveable tray defining an interior volume configured to receive at least one device therewithin. The container also includes at least one device borne by the moveable tray, at least one cavity for receiving the at least one device disposed in the upper portion and at least one insert located between the upper and lower portions, the at least one insert comprising at least written indicia thereon.

Abstract: An apparatus to detect particulate matter. The apparatus includes a sensor electrode, a shroud, and a heater. The electrode measures a chemical composition within an exhaust stream. The shroud surrounds at least a portion of the sensor electrode, exclusive of a distal end of the sensor electrode exposed to the exhaust stream. The shroud defines an air gap between the sensor electrode and the shroud and an opening toward the distal end of the sensor electrode. The heater is mounted relative to the sensor electrode. The heater burns off particulate matter in the air gap between the sensor electrode and the shroud.

Abstract: A drug disposal and verification device includes a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber has an injection port for receiving wasted drug solution and a disposal volume. A positive displacement flow measuring device positioned between the injection port and the disposal volume is used to measure the volume of wasted drug solution injected into the device. The positive displacement flow measuring device is also adapted to divert a small portion of the wasted drug solution to the second chamber. The second chamber holds a breakable test reagent ampule for quantitative testing of the wasted drug solution. The disposal volume of the first chamber may include at least one test strip for qualitative testing of the wasted drug solution.

Abstract: Combinatorial processing including stirring is described, including defining multiple regions of a substrate, processing the multiple regions of the substrate in a combinatorial manner, introducing a fluid into a first aperture at a first end of a body to dispense the fluid out of a second aperture at a second end of the body and into one of the multiple regions, and agitating the fluid using an impeller at a second end of the body to facilitate interaction of the fluid with a surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A device for testing a fluid including an elongated carrier; two foam members for absorbing the fluid, which are arranged at an end of the carrier; a positioning member having a sleeve which is slidably arranged on the carrier; and a diagnostic device, which is arranged in the positioning member having a sensor die adapted to detecting at least one property of the fluid and means for supplying the fluid to a sensor surface of the sensor die. After the fluid has been supplied to the foam members, the positioning member is moved towards the end of the carrier where the foam members are located. When the diagnostic device comes into contact with one of the foam members, the fluid is squeezed from the foam member and supplied to the sensor surface of the sensor die through the fluid supplying means of the diagnostic device.

Abstract: A cuvette holder for holding a plurality of reaction cuvettes is disclosed. The cuvette holder includes a body made by injection molding of a plastic material. The body extends along a circular segment and defines an array of chambers arranged along a circular segment, each of the chambers is for receiving, retaining and loosely holding the upper end portion of a reaction cuvette.

Abstract: An apparatus which comprises: an organic-substance oxidation part in which organic substances contained in a sample water supplied are oxidized into carbon dioxide; a carbon dioxide separation part in which the carbon dioxide contained in the sample water is caused to permeate and come into a measurement water; and a conductivity measurement part in which the conductivity of the measurement water is measured. The carbon dioxide separation part comprises: a sample water channel in which sample water flows; an intermediate water part in which intermediate water having a higher pH value in a neutral region than the sample water is present; and a measurement water channel through which the measurement water comprising deionized water flows. The sample water channel is in contact with the intermediate water part through a gas-permeable membrane, and the intermediate water part is in contact with the measurement water channel through a gas-permeable membrane.

Abstract: The present invention is to present a sample analyzer which can conduct a stable feeding of container used for preparing a measuring sample.

Abstract: The present invention is to present a sample analyzer which is able to move a reagent container containing a reagent which a user desires to replace to a pick up position. The sample analyzer comprises: a holding section comprising a plurality of holding regions for holding reagent containers, and being capable of moving the holding regions; analyzing means for analyzing a measurement sample prepared by mixing a sample and the reagent contained in the reagent container held by the holding section; receiving means for receiving a specification of a holding region from the plurality of holding regions to replace or add a reagent; and control means for controlling the holding section so as to move the specified holding region to a replacement-addition position at which the reagent is replaced or added, when the receiving means receives the specification of the holding region.

Abstract: For containing a biological fluid and draining a constituent of the biological fluid, a kit includes a barrel, a piston assembly, a removable element, which is configured to move the piston assembly, a drainage element, which interacts with the piston assembly, and an interacting element, which interacts with the piston assembly. The kit allows for fluid separation without risk of contamination from the biological fluid itself or contamination of the biological fluid itself. Further, the kit offers the advantage of involving no needles or other sharp elements.

Abstract: A device for collecting and analyzing a biological fluid is provided. The device contains a sample collecting section having at least one collection pad for collecting a sample of the biological fluid, a sample accommodating section operatively engageable with the sample collecting section for extracting and accommodating the sampled collected by the sample collecting section, a sample analyzing section, disposed within the sample accommodating section and having a sample analyzing means in fluid communication with the sample extracted and accommodated within the sample accommodating section.

Abstract: A reagent cup device 1 includes a plurality of individually sealed reagent cup compartments 7, each holding a reagent cup 8 having an open end and an inner surface, at least part of which is coated with a chemical reagent. Each reagent cup compartment 7 is closed and has a first end covered by a first breakable seal 5 and a second end covered by a second breakable seal 10. Since the reagent cup compartments 7 are individually sealed by the breakable seals 5, 10, it is possible to gain access to the interior of a reagent cup compartment 7, and thereby to the reagent cup 8 held therein, without breaking the sealing of the remaining reagent cup compartments 7. Thereby degradation of the chemical reagent in the reagent cups 8 is reduced, and the expected lifetime of the reagent cups 8 is accordingly increased. The breakable seals 5, 10 may be provided with weakened zones in order to easier break the seals 5, 10 when access is desired.

Abstract: A fluid handling unit 16 has an outside large-diameter cylindrical portion 16a, an outside small-diameter cylindrical portion 16b and an inside cylindrical portion 16c, which are integral-molded so as to be integrated with each other. The inside cylindrical portion 16c has a plurality of slits 16d, which are extend from the lower end of the inside cylindrical portion 16c to the upper end thereof, for establishing a communication between an inside fluid housing chamber 30, which is formed in the inside cylindrical portion 16c, and an outside fluid housing chamber 28 which is formed between the inside cylindrical portion 16c and the outside small-diameter cylindrical portion 16b.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a system for guiding chemiluminescence and a system for preventing a variation in dark currents. The apparatus includes a first light shielding BOX having a sample container holder and a shutter unit therein, the shutter unit including a top plate which is partly formed by a movement of a plate member and a second light shielding BOX having a photodetector therein. While a measurement is not implemented, the shutter unit is closed to block entrance of stray light to the photodetector, and while a measurement is implemented, the plate member is moved to open the shutter unit, and the tip of the photodetector is inserted into a through hole formed in the top plate, so that the distance between the bottom of the sample container and a sensitive area of the photodetector is reduced to several millimeters or less.

Abstract: An article is provided herein for use in seeding cells on at least one filter extending across at least one well of an assay device. The article includes an elastomeric body having spaced-apart first and second surfaces, and at least one channel extending between, and through, the first and second surfaces. The channel is formed to sealingly, and detachably, engage an outer surface of the well with the filter being at least partially encompassed by the channel. Advantageously, with the subject invention, a cell monolayer can be formed on the exterior surface of the filter. The assay device may be a multiwell plate, an insert plate, a column, a test tube, or a pipette.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and devices for rapid testing of solid, semi-solid, or liquid specimens, such as stool, blood, urine, saliva, or swab specimens of the cervix, urethra, nostril, and throat, and for environmental testing.