Abstract: A blood purification apparatus includes a blood circuit, a blood purifying device, a first valve, a discharge line, a second valve, and a detection device. The blood circuit has an arterial blood circuit and a venous blood circuit. The first valve opens and closes the venous blood circuit. The second valve opens and closes the discharge line. The detection device detects whether a priming solution is replaced with blood in an end portion of the venous blood circuit at an upstream side from the first valve. The blood purification apparatus automatically turns the first valve from a closed position to an open position and the second valve from an open position to a closed position, respectively, when the detection device detects the priming solution being replaced with the blood.

Abstract: Water-based colorant traced formulations (products) containing one or more water treatment agents, such as phosphonates, polyacrylic acids and/or polymers, co-polymers, terpolymers thereof, azoles, molybdate, polysilicates, phosphates, zinc, polyphosphates, etc., are provided wherein the water-soluble colorant is detectable in the visible light range of about 580-640 nm and is chemically inert relative to the water treatment agent(s). Measurement of an optical property of the colorant in the treated coolant water permits the concentration of the product therein to be ascertained, and the level of the product containing can be adjusted for controlling scale, corrosion, deposition, and/or microbial activity in commercial and/or industrial cooling water systems. These products may be reliably monitored and dosed to maintain a product level in treated water of 5 to 500 mg/L.

Abstract: This invention provides a device for determining the concentration of an analyte like glucose, cholesterol, free fatty acids, triglycerides, proteins, ketones, phenylalanine or enzymes, in a physiological or aqueous fluid like blood, serum, plasma, saliva, urine, interstitial and/or intra-cellular fluid, the device having an integrated calibration and quality control system suitable for dry reagent test strips with a very small sample volume of about 0.5 ?L based on to a new sample distribution system. The production of the inventive analyte test element involves only a small number of uncomplicated production steps enabling an inexpensive production of the strips.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for manipulating particles on a micro- or nano-scale. An embodiment of the present invention includes a magnetic micro-manipulation technique that utilizes micro-coils and soft magnetic microscopic wires for localized manipulation of particles. Another embodiment of the present invention uses magneto-static interaction between two magnetic microscopic wires to mechanically manipulate particles. Yet another embodiment of the present invention combines a magnetic particle with a magnetic manipulator or other device for generating magnetic fields to operate as a micro-fluidic micro-motor. Other embodiments of the present invention employ a magnetic separation system employing porous membranes partially filled with magnetic wires.

Abstract: A new class of fluorophores is presented. The fluorophores include a conjugated ring system, such as a dithiolone, a pyran, and a pyrazine containing ring system. The structure is designed with the flexibility to have multiple substitution patterns. The fluorophores may be used in applications including, but not limited to, biomarker applications, pH sensors, metal sensors, and as components for molecular electronics.

Abstract: There is provided a method of reducing blood free light chain concentration in a subject, the method comprising the step of subjecting the subject's blood to haemodialysis, haemodiafiltration or haemofiltration. There is also provided the use of a dialysis membrane which is a membrane that allows passage of molecules having a molecular weight of up to 45 kDa in presence of whole blood, and has a molecular weight exclusion limit in water of about 200 kDa in the preparation of a haemodialysis unit for conducting haemodialysis, haemodiafiltration or haemofiltration on a subject to reduce blood free light chain concentration in the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for purifying a forensic sample using an automated extraction and purification system includes optical tweezers; an input channel through which the sample is introduced; a chamber which receives the sample from the input channel; a collection channel through which selected particles of the sample are removed; and an output through which unselected particles of the sample are removed. At least one buffer input channel is provided. The input channel may allow sedimentation of the sample into the chamber by gravity. In another arrangement, the system includes an optical trapping system; a first channel through which the sample is introduced; a second channel through which buffer is introduced; wherein the optical tweezers are used to move selected particles of the sample from the first channel to the second channel. The selected particles may be sperm. The optical tweezers preferably utilize holographic optical trapping.

Abstract: Various methods for altering surface characteristics of a microsphere are provided. One method includes coupling an enolic acid to the microsphere to modify the surface characteristics of the microsphere. The surface characteristics may include charge density and/or pKa. A reagent can be coupled to the microsphere via the enolic acid. The reagent may include a biomolecule. The modified surface characteristics may increase a stability of the reagent when the reagent is coupled to the microsphere. The modified surface characteristics may also improve performance of an assay carried out with the microsphere. Another embodiment relates to a microsphere that includes an enolic acid coupled to a polymer core of the microsphere such that the enolic acid modifies surface characteristics of the microsphere. A reagent can be coupled to the microsphere via the enolic acid.

Abstract: A light modifying ceramic composition comprises an oxygen permeable sol-gel matrix and a lumophore held on the matrix. In particular, the lumophore of the invention is a hexanuclear molybdenum/tungsten core having 12 anionic ligands and two ligands that are uncharged. Uncharged ligands include organic nitriles, organic phosphines, and organic arsines. In one embodiment, the ceramic composition containing the lumophore and the sol-gel matrix is applied to the end of an optical fiber to provide a remote oxygen sensor. The sensors are useful for in situ biological monitoring of oxygen either in vivo or in vitro, and in time dependent control of combustion processes such as an automobile or power plant.

Abstract: Methods for using semiconductor nanocrystals for determining fluid movement, fluid dilution and fluid removal are described. Methods for using semiconductor nanocrystals for monitoring and quantifying the amounts of solid materials dissolved in a liquid are also described.

Abstract: Methods for using a centrifuge are presented. A vessel containing a sample and a separator substance is placed within a centrifuge. Upon sufficient centrifugation, the sample separates into two or more fractions separated by the separator substance. The centrifuge exposes the separator substance to a sufficient energy to polymerize the separator substance to produce a hardened barrier between the fractions.

Abstract: A dialysate fluid circulation apparatus includes a dialyzer, a first housing and a second housing. The first housing contains material capable of releasing sodium into dialysate fluid flowing through the first housing. The second housing contains material capable of binding sodium ions from dialysate fluid flowing through the second housing. Hydraulic conduit sections are configured to extend between the dialyzer, the first housing, and the second housing to connect the dialyzer with the housings in a primary flow path for dialysate fluid to flow from the dialyzer to the first housing, from the first housing to the second housing, and from the second housing back to the dialyzer.

Abstract: A method of testing a compound for its capability of quenching singlet excited state energy from a photon-excited photoactive compound, thereby photostabilizing said photoactive compound, comprising mixing: (1) a composition comprising a photoactive compound in a solvent and determining the degree of fluorescence of said composition (1) by exposing the composition (1) to UV radiation in an amount sufficient for the photoactive compound to reach an electronic singlet excited state, and (2) a mixture comprising said photoactive compound with a test compound in a solvent, and determining the degree of fluorescence of said mixture (2) by exposing the mixture to UV radiation to the same degree as composition (1), and comparing the degree of fluorescence of composition (1) with mixture (2).

Abstract: Methods for performing microfluidic sampling are provided. The method includes providing a substrate including an arrangement of first, second and third electrodes, wherein the second electrode is interposed between the first and third electrodes. The method additionally includes causing a fluid input to continuously flow to the first electrode and biasing the first, second and third electrodes to a first voltage to cause a portion of the fluid input to spread across the second and third electrodes. The method further includes biasing the second electrode to a second voltage different from the first voltage to form a droplet on the third electrode, the droplet being separate from the fluid input.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling a sample volume defining device for separating at least one small defined volume of a liquid sample from a relatively larger undefined volume of said sample, said device including a first body and a second body movable relative to each other, whereby said first body has at least one cavity in a surface thereof, said at least one cavity having said defined volume. One of said first or said second body has at least one inlet opening adapted to be placed in a drop of the liquid sample. A defined channel is provided between said first and second body, which channel has fluid connection with said at least one opening and at least beyond said at least one cavity whereby the dimensions of said channel being such that said channel and said at least one cavity is filled with said liquid sample.

Abstract: Selecting a stationary phase for a fluid analyzer using certain criteria to determine an appropriate material for use in, for instance, a micro fluid analyzer. High absorption of an analyte or sample, low water sorbency and high porosity or permeability of the material may be sought. A selected material may incorporate a toughening agent using a neutral leaving group. A selected material may have a capping agent to promote hydrophobicity. A selected material may be a hydrophobic polymer. The selection of a stationary phase may involve molecular modeling.

Abstract: A method of chemical analysis that includes: a) introducing an analyte fluid having a flow to a surface of a sample chip through a microfluidic device comprising i) a fluid inlet having a semi-circular groove and ii) a flow chamber comprising an inner wall having an inlet end, where the fluid inlet is in communication with the flow chamber and where the inner wall at the inlet end is curved and has a radius similar to the radius of semi-circular groove; b) maintaining the flow of the analyte fluid such that the analyte fluid forms a pattern on the surface of the sample chip, the pattern approximating the semi-circular groove; c) maintaining the flow of the analyte fluid so that a linear fluid front forms on the surface of the sample chip at the inlet end; and d) maintaining the flow so that the linear fluid front moves along the surface of the sample chip.

Abstract: The invention provides a fluid retaining assembly. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the fluid retaining assembly may include a base assembly including a cavity and a reservoir assembly disposed in the cavity of the base assembly. The reservoir assembly may include a body portion having a well in which fluid is retainable and a membrane covering the well. The reservoir assembly may further include an absorbent strip disposed in the well and covered by the membrane. The base assembly may be provided to include at least one attachment member. The attachment member serves to attach the reservoir assembly to the base assembly. A plurality of reservoir assemblies may be retained by the base assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for separating particles using ultrasonic standing waves which are switched between two different frequencies. A second order harmonic standing wave is used together with the fundamental standing wave. If the particles are exposed to the fundamental standing wave, the forces act to collect particles at the center. If the particles are exposed to the second order harmonic standing wave, the forces act to collect particles at the two pressure nodes at the sides. By switching the frequency between the second order harmonic standing wave and the fundamental standing wave, particles with different properties will be exposed to different accelerations and are separated into two streams.

Abstract: A method and system to consistently and automatically conditioning and delivering a solid-free liquid (filtrate) sample suitable for instrumental analysis is disclosed. A slurry, preferably a slurry produced by a sub-atmospheric pressure chlorate dioxide generating process, is fed through a filter to remove the solid phase and to provide the liquid phase on the downstream side of the filter, where the concentration of at least one dissolved component is determined.