Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for sample processing. A device may be provided, capable of receiving the sample, and performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing multiple assays. The device may comprise one or more modules that may be capable of performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing the steps using a small volume of sample.

Abstract: A carrier strip having a plurality of areas for retaining anatomical pathology specimens may have a backing, a cover coupled to the backing along side regions located along opposite longitudinal edges of the carrier strip and along lateral intermediate regions positioned between each of the plurality of areas for retaining anatomical pathology specimens. The carrier strip may be configured to individually retain each of the anatomical pathology specimens in one of the plurality of areas for retaining anatomical pathology specimens between the backing and the cover. Diagnostic studies of anatomical pathology specimens may be facilitated by distributing a digital copy of an image of the specimen may be to a pathologist. A diagnosis may be received from the pathologist based on the digital image of the specimen.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of using a pipette with pipette tip columns were developed in which a pipette is operated with the pipette tip columns inserted into the wells of a microplate. In this configuration the pipette is free standing and is essentially perpendicular to the microplate. The open lower ends of the pipette tip column are approximately centered within the plate well. The columns and plate are designed in such a way that the open lower ends of the pipette tip columns are in contact with liquid in the plate well however, the columns do not seal on the well bottom, preventing flow in and out of the column. The pipette contains the appropriate firmware and software to control flow for all steps of pipette tip column operation.

Abstract: The present invention is to present a sample analyzer for analyzing a target substance in a sample by carrying out a target substance separating process for separating a complex containing the target substance and a magnetic particle from other substances other than the complex. The sample analyzer executes the target substance separating process with respect to a second container held by a second holder with a second nozzle while executing the target substance separating process with respect to a first container held by a first holder with a first nozzle, and completes the target substance separating process with respect to the first container with the first nozzle and completes the target substance separating process with respect to the second container with the second nozzle.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for dissolution testing of active substances in various dosage forms is provided. The apparatus has filtration cells equipped and configured to simulate bodily functions, operate continuously and facilitate testing various types of dosage forms including, but not limited to, tablets, capsules and those having non-disintegrating substrates.

Abstract: Provided herein are apparatuses and methods for fragmenting nucleic acids or disrupting cells. For example, some embodiments provide a disposable microfluidic device designed to position a sample to be in direct contact with a high frequency vibrating element that emits an ultrasonic frequency into the sample such that the vibrational energy transduced into the sample results in fragmenting nucleic acids or disrupting cells.

Abstract: A microfluidic apparatus capable of being mounted on a rotation driving unit. When mounted on the rotation driving unit and rotated, a fluid flow is induced in the apparatus due to a centrifugal force. the microfluidic apparatus includes a sample supplying unit that comprises a sample chamber to house a sample and provides a fluid including a target material in which fine beads are bound to a target cell in the sample; a density-gradient separation unit that houses a density gradient material with a lower density than the target material, and receives the fluid from the sample supplying unit to separate the target material from the fluid based on a density difference; a fluid supplying channel connecting the sample supplying unit to the density-gradient separation unit to form a passage of the fluid; and a fluid supplying valve provided to the fluid supplying channel to selectively allow a flow of the fluid.

Abstract: A method for desorption of a blood sample from a dried blood spot on a medical test sheet, for the purpose of biomedical analysis, comprises the steps of: interposing the test sheet inbetween first and second clamping heads; clamping the first and the second clamping heads onto the interposed test sheet; and flushing a desorption area of the clamped test sheet with a sample elution fluid. The clamping heads are transmitting compressive forces to parts of the test sheet. The compressive forces create an imprinted sealing area of the test sheet, which imprinted sealing area has a closed loop shape surrounding a desorption area of the test sheet. The desorption area is contained in a space enveloped by first and second outer surfaces of the first and second clamping heads, respectively, and sealed by the imprinted sealing area.

Abstract: A sample analyzer for performing analysis regarding a predetermined measurement item by using a combination of at least a first reagent and a second reagent, the sample analyzer comprising: a reagent container holder configured to hold a first reagent container which contains the first reagent and which includes a first storage medium, and a second reagent container which contains the second reagent and which includes a second storage medium; a writer configured to write information into the first storage medium and the second storage medium; and a controller configured to control the writer to write, into the first storage medium of the first reagent container, identification information for identifying the second reagent container which is paired with the first reagent container is disclosed. A reagent management method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for high-resolution luminescence microscopy of a sample marked with marking molecules that can be activated to excite particular luminescent radiation, including: repeated activation of a subset of the marking molecules to emit luminescent radiation; repeated imaging of the sample along a depth direction and with a predetermined optical resolution; and producing images from the repeated imaging. Locations of the marking molecules are determined with a spatial resolution that is increased above the predetermined optical resolution. Activation of the marking molecules can be through radiation introduced into multiple regions, each extending along a plane substantially perpendicular to the depth direction. The regions can be arranged so that the regions are behind one another and overlap only partially. Separate images of the sample may be recorded for activation in each of the regions in order to obtain depth information relating to the marking molecules from the separate images.

Abstract: An improved device and method for passive mixing of fluids is described, and the use of the device in clinical diagnostic procedures. The mixer provides thorough mixing of a sample of blood or other fluid with an assay material, such as a diluent or a component of an assay system, in a closed system with a low and limited pressure drop. Sample size is small, typically 5 to 300 microliters. Mixing is accomplished by a combination of rotational vortex mixing due to a fluid stream coming tangent to a drain, and either or both of a second vortex mixer of opposite handedness, and a Dean mixer. Combinations of these techniques reliably provide complete mixing at low pressure drop. In a preferred usage, the microfluidic system can run a diluent continuously and inject samples at intervals, to facilitate automatic data processing of optical or other signatures of the well-mixed stream.

Abstract: A portable chemical analytical apparatus to analyze a test swipe having a base; a chemically treated pad containing the swiped sample positioned in a white zone above the base; and a tab attached to one side of the base. The apparatus includes a heater to warm the test swipe to a predetermined temperature; a clamp to secure the test swipe to the heater; one or more pumps to dispense one or more chemicals onto the test swipe from a disposable cartridge; a fan to remove chemical vapors rising a predetermined distance from the test swipe; and a camera to capture an image of the test swipe for un-biased automated analysis, and displayed on an LCD screen.

Abstract: The invention consists of a method for determining Total Dietary Fiber (TDF) and its sub-fractions, Insoluble Dietary Fiber (IDF) and Soluble Dietary Fiber (SDF) in food and feed samples which utilizes flexible reaction/filtration containers that can be divided into one or more sections for capturing the IDF and SDF fractions separately or for capturing TDF in its entirety. Each container is fashioned as a bag that can be temporarily sealed in multiple locations to create multiple sections and is made of non-porous and porous material. Use of these containers eliminates the need for problematic transfers of mixtures from beaker to filter, and vastly improves the filtration process.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for patterning a surface of a material. A substrate having a polymer film thereon is provided. The polymer is a selectively reactive polymer (e.g., thermodynamically unstable): it is able to unzip upon suitable stimulation. A probe is used to create patterns on the film. During the patterning, the film is locally stimulated for unzipping polymer chains. Hence, a basic idea is to provide a stimulus to the polymeric material, which in turn spontaneously decomposes e.g., into volatile constituents. For example, the film is thermally stimulated in order to break a single bond in a polymer chain, which is sufficient to trigger the decomposition of the entire polymer chain.

Abstract: A sample processing cartridge for carrying out processing under centrifugal force acting in at least two directions as the orientation of cartridge relative to centrifugal force is changed, the cartridge comprising: a first cavity adapted to contain a sample; and a second cavity in fluid communication with the first cavity, wherein the first and second cavities are arranged such that the sample in the first cavity is moved therefrom to the second cavity as a centrifugal force acting on the cartridge is changed from a first direction to a second direction, the first cavity is elongated perpendicular to the centrifugal force acting in the first direction, and the second cavity is more shallow than the first cavity and more extended in the direction of the centrifugal force acting in the second direction than the first cavity is extended in the direction of the centrifugal force acting in the first direction.

Abstract: A device includes a plasma separation membrane, a capillary channel positioned adjacent the plasma separation membrane to receive plasma from blood placed on the plasma separation membrane, at least one cuvette coupled to the capillary channel, a gas permeable membrane, and a distribution channel coupled to the capillary channel to provide plasma to the cuvette, wherein the cuvette is configured to hold an amount of plasma with reagent suitable for colorimetric assay by a tester to hold the device. Variations include the use of a quantitation channel to provide a selected amount of plasma and a mixing channel to mix plasma with a diluent.

Abstract: A collection device with double outputs and a method of using the same are provided.

Abstract: Monatomic metal anions are generated in the gas phase by collision-induced dissociation of the anions [26] of a dicarboxylic acid salt of the metal. This method is applicable to a number of metals, including sodium, potassium, cesium, and silver. The metal anions produced in this way can subsequently be stored in an ion trap [88] or transmitted as a focused beam [52]. The metal anions of this invention undergo collisional cooling and have low kinetic energy, which distinguishes them from ions produced by other high energy processes (with kinetic energy in excess of 1 keV). Metal anions so produced can be used to pattern nanoscale features on surfaces [56], used as electron transfer agents or reducing agents in ion-molecule reactions, or used for surface [122] modification of biomaterials [124].

Abstract: Contemplated diagnostic test containers and methods include an adapter configured to sealingly receive and retain a positive displacement pipette tip to so form a fluid-tight seal for the container during at least part of the diagnostic test. Most preferably, the entire container is flexible and the container and adapter are single-use disposable and are usable with known commercially available positive displacement pipette tips.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system (1) for supplying a microfluidic subsystem with liquids, comprising a first valve (14, 29, 46) and a first fluidic duct (10, 25, 28), for connecting said first valve (14, 29, 46) with said microfluidic subsystem and supplying a first liquid, and a second fluidic duct (11), for connecting with said microfluidic subsystem and supplying a second liquid characterized in that said first valve (14, 29, 46) is suitable for closing with time resolution not worse than 100 msec, and parameters of said first fluidic duct (10, 15, 28) are chosen such that the value of X1[Pa?1], defined as: X1[Pa?1]=(0.