Abstract: A device is described including a lid, a collection portion support, and a collection portion with a surface for receiving a biological sample, the lid includes a window and a window holder, the surface defines a first plane, the collection portion includes a first, a second, and a third position markers, each position marker indicates a center point marker, the center points define a second plane that has a line of intersection with the first plane, the device has an interior volume defined partially by the collection portion support, the collection portion, the window, and the window holder, the window allows visual inspection of the position markers, the collection portion support has a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet with a fluid path from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet via the interior volume.

Abstract: An integrated technological platform enabling real-time quantitative multiparameter metabolic profiling, utilizing either or both of extra and intracellular optical sensors, individually or simultaneously. A scalable embedded micropocket array structure, generally fabricated on fused silica substrates, facilitates the integration of multiple, spatially separated extracellular sensors for multiparameter analysis in a container formed with the use of an activation mechanism forming part of a device configured to hold the container during the measurements. The creation of hermetically sealed microchambers is carried out with a pneumatically and/or mechanically and/or electromechanically driven device that is “floating” within the holding device and that is optionally equipped with a vacuum/suction mechanism to hold a component of the container at its surface.

Abstract: In some aspects, a keyed cap for a container is provided. Furthermore, in some aspects, a keyed container device including a container and the keyed cap for the container is also provided. Still further, in some aspects, a keyed containing system including a container, keyed cap for the container, and an electronic device having a keying element that is adapted to mate or otherwise fit with a specific keying element on the keyed cap. If a keyed cap has a keying element that does not correctly correspond to a specific keying element on an electronic device, then the keyed cap will not properly mate with the keying element on the electronic device. For example, the two keying elements that do not match may not fit sufficiently far enough within each other to permit the piercing member on the electronic device to reach a septum on the cap.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a microchannel having an interior bounded by a side wall, an inlet, a switching region, and a plurality of outlet channels downstream of the switching region. The microchannel is formed in a microfluidic chip substrate and configured to accommodate a flow of liquid through the microchannel. The microfluidic device includes a valve operatively coupled to the switching region comprising a sealed reservoir. A side passage extends between the reservoir and the interior of the microchannel via an aperture in the side wall and is configured to accommodate a volume of liquid between the interior of the microchannel and the reservoir. The microfluidic device includes an actuator integrated into the microfluidic chip and configured to increase an internal pressure of the reservoir and move at least a portion of the volume of the liquid from the side passage into the microchannel to deflect a portion of the liquid flowing through the microchannel.

Abstract: A vial is described herein that comprises a tubular body which comprises an opened end, a closed end, and a cavity, wherein the opened end is located at one end of the tubular body and the closed end is located at an opposing end of the tubular body. The tubular body further comprises a tear line located therein, wherein the tear line extends across at least a portion of one side of the tubular body, across the closed end, and across at least a portion of another side of the tubular body. In addition, the tubular body further comprises two flanges extending from the closed end, wherein the two flanges are configured to separate from one another outwardly from the tubular body and apply a force to break-open at least a portion of the tear line to open at least the closed end of the tubular body.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the field of protein chemistry. In particular, mixed buffer compositions are formulated that allow an accurate identification of agent-induced changes in protein melting point temperatures. Such buffer compositions provide for methods that determine the specific effects of exogenous agents on protein stability, cryoprotective effects and/or protein quality control (e.g., synthesis and/or extraction purity validations).

Abstract: A device for automated characterization of radioactive analytes that provides an integrated system with liquid handling and plate reading components. The device can be further configured to include a chromatographic subsystem. Also provided is a method of using such a device, providing addition of a radioactive sample and a sequence of operations involving the abovementioned components of the system. The system is configured with radiation shielding in such a way that manipulations of radioactive samples do not interfere with concurrent radioactive measurements.

Abstract: A method for reconstituting a lyophilized reagent contained within a reagent well comprises the steps of drawing a diluent into a pipette tip attached to an automated pipettor and dispensing the diluent into the reagent well containing the lyophilized reagent. The reagent well has an internal side wall, a bottom wall, and an open upper end and includes one or more retention features disposed about the periphery of the internal side wall and defining a central opening into the well that permits passage of the pipette tip into the reagent well. The one or more retention features are integrally formed with the internal side wall, and each of the one or more retention features extends over a portion of the lyophilized reagent, thereby retaining the lyophilized reagent within the reagent well.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a substrate, a first heating element, and a second heating element. The substrate includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion that is between the first portion and the second portion. The first portion is characterized by a first thermal conductivity, the second portion is characterized by a second thermal conductivity, and the third portion is characterized by a third thermal conductivity. The third thermal conductivity is less than the first thermal conductivity and the second thermal conductivity. The first heating element is coupled to the first portion of the substrate, and is configured to produce a first thermal output. The second heating element is coupled to the second portion of the substrate, and configured to produce a second thermal output. The second thermal output is different from the first thermal output.

Abstract: An air sampling device is disclosed which includes one or more air sampling cassettes, with each cassette having a cassette internal diameter and a sample collection media disposed within the cassette internal diameter. The sum of the interior diameters of the air sampling cassettes is from about 2.5 mm to about 65 mm. The device also includes a sampling device casing having one or more air inlet orifices, an air outlet orifice, and an interior passageway in flow communication with both air inlet orifices and the air outlet orifice. One air sampling cassette is attached to each air inlet orifice. The device also includes a fan for drawing air through the air sampling cassettes and the interior passageway at an air flow rate. The device produces a noise level of less than 40 dBA, measured at a distance of 1 foot from the air outlet orifice, when the air flow rate is from about 0.5 to about 2.0 liters per minute. A method for air sampling is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cartridge assembly tray for conducting automated biochemical tests, such as immunoassay tests. The tray comprises a base member, a hinged frame and a locking mechanism. The base member includes a plurality of slots within the base member. Each of the plurality of slots is to receive a test cartridge. The hinged frame is coupled to the base member. The hinged frame is capable to rotate to an opened position or a closed position. The hinged frame includes a horizontal push bar configured to apply a downward force to test cartridges received in the plurality of slots when the hinged frame is in the closed position. The locking mechanism is to lock the hinged frame in the closed position when the hinged frame rotates to the closed position.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for the synthesis of chemical compounds, e.g., radiopharmaceutical compounds. In one implementation, the apparatus may include a synthesis module and a loading module configured to receive multiple chemical cassettes having reagents and a transfer mechanism. The apparatus may further include a shifter configured to move the cassettes from a location on the loading module to a location connected to the synthesis module on an interface configured to connect to the cassette.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for generating radionuclides for use in production of radiopharmaceuticals; synthesizing the radionuclides generated and removing any unwanted products; measuring the quantity and activity level of the synthesized radionuclides; distributively delivering the radionuclides in appropriate quantities to modular cassette synthesis units in a modular cassette subsystem for contemporaneous/parallel production of radiopharmaceutical output and that allow reuse and/or quick, safe, and disposable replacement of portions of the subsystem; delivering non-radionuclide components to the modular cassette synthesis units as part of production of radiopharmaceutical output; measuring the quantity and activity level of each stream of radiopharmaceutical output; purifying the radiopharmaceutical output; dispensing individual doses in sterile vial(s); automatically producing labeling and dose related information; performing automated quality control on extracted samples of produced radiopharmaceuti

Abstract: A biological fluid collection device that allows a blood sample to be collected anaerobically is disclosed.

Abstract: Provided are: a device for storing biochemical reagents wherein an amount of a reagent can be hermetically stored and dropped from a storage site without coming into contact with the outside air; and a biochemical analyzer using the device. The device (10) is constituted by: sticking a top sheet (32) to a base sheet (31) provided with a convex-shaped hollow pocket (16) in which a reagent can be housed; a reagent container as a PTP packaging sheet (30) wherein an opening of the pocket in the base sheet (31), in which a reagent is preliminarily housed, is hermetically sealed with the top sheet (32); and sticking the film sheet surface as the top sheet (32) of the PTP packaging sheet (30), in which the reagent is hermetically packaged, to a cartridge surface of a device body (20) to thereby hermetically seal the inside of the device body too.

Abstract: A thermal system for controllably altering a temperature within a reaction chamber in a sample processing assembly is described. The reaction chamber is bounded by a substrate and cover member in the sample processing assembly. The thermal system includes at least one thermal generator for generating temperature changes, one or more transfer layers for transferring temperature changes between the thermal generator and the sample on the substrate and a fluid isolator for isolating the thermal generator from fluid dispensed into the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A biological liquid collection vessel is adapted to contain a biological liquid to be centrifuged. The collection vessel has a vessel body having an open upper end and a closed lower end, a continuous wall, a target area at the upper end, and a solids area at the lower end that is connected to the target area. The target area is extended in length. In some embodiments, a volume capacity of both of the target area and the solids area are configured so that a red blood cell portion of the centrifuged biological liquid (e.g., blood) is substantially contained in the solids area, and the serum or plasma portion of the centrifuged biological liquid is substantially contained in the target area. Methods of and systems using the liquid collection vessels are provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: A cup used to receive, hold, measure and pour liquids, such a specimens, such as for a medical assay, is described. The cup comprises an open receiving upper chamber, two or more open sample-directing channels, and an open, calibrated and marked measuring column. When sitting on a level surface, fluid flows freely from the upper chamber through the sample-directing channels into the measuring column. A foot is under each fluid-directing channel. The base of the measuring column functions as an additional, such as a third, foot. Cups nest, with the two feet of the upper cup sitting into two sample-directing columns of lower cup. The measuring column and upper chamber taper to permit nesting. If the cup is tipped, it rests on two of three of: the two feet and the base of the measuring column, and a point on a lower perimeter of the upper chamber, such that fluid will not spill.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ultrahigh-sensitivity two-dimensional chromatography-based biosensor, wherein cross-flow of high driving force across a narrow membrane is applied, thereby enabling the elimination of background noise, efficient supply of a large-sized polymeric or high-molecular-weight signal tracer, sequential material supply for increased reactivity, and simultaneous washing and signal generation when additional signal generation is required, as in an enzyme.

Abstract: An aliquoting and freezing storage device comprises a test tube and at least one capillary tube. The capillary tube is inserted into a test tube, and the capillary tube is provided with an inner long hole which penetrates throughly. The device utilizes the capillarity to quickly and easily store biological samples in the capillary tubes. When needed, the operator only needs to remove one or several of the tubes, without affecting the remaining biological samples, so as to avoid repeated freezing and thawing of biological samples.