Abstract: A filter test strip to filter and test a specimen in liquid includes a test element and a specimen filter assembly which is located on the test element and includes a filter cotton holding layer, a filter cotton layer and a cotton bonding layer. The filter cotton holding layer has a filter channel to allow the specimen in liquid to pass through. The filter cotton layer fills the filter channel. A gap is formed between the filter cotton holding layer and filter cotton layer. The cotton bonding layer is located below the filter cotton holding layer and bonded to the test element via an adhesive which masks the gap. Hence the specimen in liquid can be prevented from seeping out through the gap with passing through the filter cotton layer. Therefore, the specimen in liquid can fully be filtered by the filter cotton layer to enhance test accuracy.

Abstract: A horizontal scanner, a vertical scanner, and a dual-configuration scanner that is able to convert between a horizontal scanner and a vertical scanner is described herein.

Abstract: An improved sample handling carousel is mounted to an analytical furnace at an acute angle and includes sample holding cavities which are readily visible at eye level to an operator. The rotary carousel can be easily removed from a stepwise driven drive shaft for filling the carousel at a remote location, such as a weighing station, or can be filled directly while mounted on the drive shaft. A tray is positioned below the carousel and has a slot for dropping a sample when one of the sample holding cavities aligns with the slot in the tray. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the carousel is made of aluminum or a transparent polymeric material, such as acrylic.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the present invention allow for the automatic control and scheduling of a staining apparatus for biological samples on slides present within the apparatus. In some embodiments, the actions of a robot coupled to the staining apparatus, which performs some of the staining tasks on the individual slides in accordance with their respective protocols, may be prioritized and scheduled. In some embodiments, the scheduling may result in increasing or maximizing the throughput of slides. In some embodiments, robot scheduling ensures that the individual slides are processed substantially within the tolerances specified by their respective protocols. In some embodiments, the robot scheduler may respond to spontaneous user actions and adaptively schedule or re-schedule robot actions.

Abstract: A DNA amplification device utilizing a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and silicon substrate coated with spin-on glass (SOG) is provided. This PDMS layer is irreversibly bonded to the SOG layer of the silicon substrate using oxygen plasma. The amplification device is an inexpensive, microfluidic device, which can be utilized as a portable thermo-cycler to perform PCR amplification of DNA in the field.

Abstract: A luminescence sensor, comprising a non-transparent substrate structure (2) having at least one aperture (5) intended to comprise an analyte and a transparent substrate structure (3), which is arranged to or adjacent said first structure (2). The aperture has a smallest lateral dimension, which is smaller than half the effective wavelength of an excitation radiation, such as light at a wavelength of 700 nm, resulting in an effective wavelength in water of about 538 nm. The transparent structure has a trench (4) with a surface portion provided with ligands with an affinity towards a target molecule. The trench results in that a luminophore attached to the target molecule will be positioned at the entrance surface of the aperture, where the excitation energy is largest.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biosensor system comprising a light source, a cartridge adapted to be illuminated by said light source, a light detector adapted for detecting a signal originating from the cartridge, an illumination control means adapted to vary the illumination of the cartridge between at least two different states, a means for generating a first oscillation with a first frequency, and a means for generating a second oscillation with a second frequency, wherein the frame rate of the light detector is triggered by the first oscillation and the illumination control means is triggered by the second oscillation.

Abstract: A method of operating the automated sample workcell for processing one or more biological samples is presented. The method comprises receiving one or more biological samples. Each biological sample is contained in a sample tube. Each sample tube is a tube type. If a test order was received for at least one of the biological samples, the test order being indicative of one or more first processing steps, the workcell can automatically execute the one or more first processing steps. If the test order was not received, one or more second processing steps can be determined based on the tube type of the sample tube that contains the at least one biological sample and the one or more second processing steps can then be executed.

Abstract: A device for determining the presence and/or amount of at least one analyte contained in a liquid sample, includes a capillary diffusion element (2) materialized on which are a zone (3) for depositing the liquid sample, an upstream release zone (4) and at least two capture zones (5). The device (1) also includes at least one downstream release zone (6) located downstream of at least one of the capture zones, which downstream release zone (6) includes at least one detection reagent conjugated to a visible and/or measurable marker; and the detection reagent of a release zone and/or the capture reagent of the additional capture zone(s), located directly downstream of the release zone, are suitable for binding specifically with the analyte and/or for binding specifically with one another, in order to form a complex that enables the determination of the analyte in the liquid sample at the additional capture zone(s).

Abstract: A sensor for high explosives, comprising a thin layer of fluorescent polymer covalently linked to a silica support with an oxide surface. The support preferably is a silica support, and in a preferred embodiment is a silica chromatographic support. In preferred embodiments, the fluorescent polymer is one or a few monolayers. A preferred embodiment sensor for high explosives is fluorescent polymer within or upon a porous nanostructure. In preferred embodiments the nanostructure is a porous silica nanoparticle. Embodiments of the invention provide methods, sensors, sensor kits, and sensor fabrication processes that enable detecting traces of high explosives by fluorescence quenching in combination with a chromatographic separation. A method for forming a sensor for high explosives includes preparing a fluorescent polymer, capping the reactive polymer with a reactive capping group that covalently reacts with hydroxide groups, and reacting the reactive capping group with surface hydroxides of an oxide support.

Abstract: Chemical indicators for acidic or basic gases include an inert, porous substrate, an indicator dye or mixture of dyes contained within at least some of the pores of the inert, porous substrate, and an inert adhesive layer attached to the inert, porous substrate. The porous substrate may be a microporous substrate.

Abstract: A sterilization indicator system and method of using the system to determine efficacy of a sterilization process. The system may include a vial having an optional first compartment and a second compartment comprising a growth medium comprising one or more of a disaccharide, an oligosaccharide or a polysaccharide capable of conversion to a monosaccharide by germinating spores of the one or more species of microorganism, the vial being free of the monosaccharide prior to use; a strip including two or more electrodes to oxidize the monosaccharide and to carry a resulting electrical signal, and an apparatus to detect and measure the electrical signal resulting from the oxidation. Spores of a suitable biological indicator may be disposed in the first compartment and/or on the strip.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of loading reagent in a specimen handling device is disclosed. Fluids including specimen samples and reagents are moved between tubes during processing without directly passing over tubes which the reagents could contaminate. The apparatus may also include a head adapted to carry selected fluids in pipettes and a reagent receptacle adapted to permit entry of the head.

Abstract: A use composition monitor determines the concentration of peracid and/or peroxide in a use composition using a kinetic assay procedure. A sample mixture containing a sample of the use composition, a diluent and at least one reagent is prepared and analyzed using, for example, an optical detector. A reduced-turbulence optical detector can be used to improve collected response data. A reduced-turbulence optical detector can include a cell body disposed about a length of transparent tubing. The cell body positions one or more emitter/receiver pairs about the transparent tubing. Thus, tube junctions are eliminated and sample flow within the tube is substantially turbulence free.

Abstract: A multilayer time indicator comprises: A. A topsheet, B. An activating layer, C. A timing layer, D. A dye layer, and E. A substrate. In one embodiment the topsheet and activating layer comprise a first or activation section of the indicator while the timing layer, dye layer and substrate comprise a second or base section of the indicator. In one embodiment the activating layer of the first section and the timing layer of the second section are each protected with a release sheet. In one embodiment, the first and second sections of the indicator comprise a kit which can be converted into an active time indicator by removal of the release sheets and joining of the activating layer to the timing layer. In one embodiment the first and second section are joined to one another by a common release sheet or liner which maintains the indicator in an inactive state until the release sheet is removed and the activating layer is joined to the timing layer.

Abstract: A process for producing an analytical aid for the detection of at least one analyte in a sample, such as a body fluid. The analytical aid includes at least one housing and at least one test element including at least one test chemistry. The process includes the following steps: providing the test element; and producing at least one housing part of the housing at least one shaping process, during which the test element is connected to the housing part.

Abstract: A sample digester with independently controllable sample heating and ultraviolet radiation. There are two unique advantages. Because the two digestion means are independent, the user can optimize the means of digestion to suit the analytical method. A second advantage is that the ultraviolet source can be maintained at a relatively cool temperature, for which the greatest amount of light is transmitted. Since both means of digestion can be carried out simultaneously, there is a substantial saving of time and a significant improvement in digestion efficiency.

Abstract: Provided is a clinical diagnostic system that comprises a diagnostic instrument and a disposable cartridge. The diagnostic system can be used to measure assays in point of care clinical settings.

Abstract: A clinical diagnostic system is disclosed, including a clinical diagnostic instrument with a disposable cartridge. The disposable cartridge is capable of performing diagnostic and analytical functions including filtering samples such as plasma from whole blood and running assays and collecting measurements of analytes or biomarkers.

Abstract: A substrate for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy analysis (SERS) comprises a ferroelectric single crystal having polarization-inverted patterns of spontaneous polarizations including polarization-inverted portions and non-inverted polarization portions, and metallic dots positioned at only either one polarized surfaces of the polarization-inverted portions and the non-inverted polarization portions. The provided SERS substrate produces a high enhancement effect. A microfluidic device incorporating the SERS substrate is also provided.