Abstract: The present invention relates to a vessel for containing and storing a sample and subsequent easy access to individual specimens of the sample, in particular specimens of biological samples. One embodiment discloses a breakable multi-specimen storage vessel comprising a container comprising a lower end and an upper end, at least one end having an open end, the length of said container being continuously formed and provided with break portions at predetermined positions alongside thereof where said container is adapted to be broken into a plurality of specimens, each specimen having a first end provided with at least a part of a first fastening mechanism and a second end provided with at least a part of a second fastening mechanism, wherein the configuration of the first fastening mechanism is different from the configuration of the second fastening mechanism. The breakable storage vessel according to the present invention may be applied within cryogenic storage applications.

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: A test tube, suitable to be immersed in a cryogenic fluid, comprises a containing body having a perimeter wall that defines a containing compartment, a bottom wall, disposed inside the latter to close it at the lower part, and a housing seating, inside the perimeter wall and outside the containing compartment. A support element for an identification code is suitable to be inserted into the housing seating, with at least a free surface facing toward the outside of the housing seating on the opposite side with respect to the bottom wall. In correspondence to said housing seating, mechanical constraint means are provided in cooperation with said perimeter wall of the containing body and with a peripheral portion of the free surface of the support element, in order to constrain the latter in a defined axial position with respect to the containing body.

Abstract: A system is capable of detecting substrates and can differentiate between zero, one, or multiple transparent or semi-transparent substrates in a stack. The system can include an optical sensor, an optically anti-reflective element, and a detector. The optical sensor outputs light towards the optically anti-reflective element. The light detector is positioned to detect light from the light source that is reflected by substrates, if any, positioned within a detection zone between the optically anti-reflective element and the detector.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a filtration device and method for filtering liquids. In conventional devices, a liquid is placed in a vial, and a plunger, having a filter membrane located at one end, is depressed into the vial, causing the liquid to pass through the filter membrane into the interior of the plunger, where it is stored until required for further processing. However, such plungers are typically made of a plastics material. It is undesirable to store the filtered liquid in contact with plastics for extended periods of time, as contaminants may leach from the plastics material into the sample. In embodiments of the present invention, a filtrate receptacle made from a different material to the plunger, such as a glass material, is located in the interior of the plunger and the filtered liquid collected in the filtrate receptacle after passing through the filter membrane.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dispensing radioactive liquids using a liquid dispensing apparatus are described. The apparatus includes a support arm rotatable about a rotation axis, an actuator operatively connected to the support arm and configured to at least one of rotate the support arm about the rotation axis and displace the support arm in a direction parallel to the rotation axis, and a pipette assembly mounted to the support arm. The pipette assembly includes a pipette tip defining an opening through which liquids are aspirated and dispensed, a piston, and a stepper motor operatively connected to the piston to control linear displacement of the piston.

Abstract: In a manipulation container (1) for cryomicroscopy, having at least one holder (9) for a sample carrier mount (7) and at least one manipulation opening (2) for manipulating sample carriers or sample carrier mounts (7), the holder (9) for a sample carrier mount (7) is movable into a displacement path (11), passing completely through the manipulation container (1), of a displacement apparatus (3) for the sample carrier mount (7).

Abstract: Provided is a gas-blowing vaporizing and drying device for blowing gas at a solution containing a target component, and thus nebulizing the solution to promote vaporization of the solvent while dropping the solution into the collection container, in which contamination does not occur even if different solutes are successively powderized. In the gas-blowing vaporizing and drying device according to the present invention, a cap 20 to be fitted to the upper opening of a collection container body 19 includes: a solution-introducing tube 20A for introducing a solution supplied from a passage 14, into a collection container 21; a gas-introducing tube 20B for introducing a gas supplied from a passage 22, into the collection container 21; and an exhaust port 20C. Further, the exhaust port 20C includes a filter 20D for preventing the powderized solute from passing therethrough.

Abstract: The present invention provides microfabricated substrates and methods of conducting reactions within these substrates. The reactions occur in plugs transported in the flow of a carrier-fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides microfabricated substrates and methods of conducting reactions within these substrates. The reactions occur in plugs transported in the flow of a carrier-fluid.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device and a method for carrying out experiments of chemical, biochemical, biological and physical analysis, reaction and assay employing a reaction unit, in a preferred embodiment comprising: a capillarity reaction chamber, non-capillarity zone and bottom structure, which can use capillary action to quantitatively take up by itself and hold liquid in the reaction chamber. A multi-unit plate, which contains a number of reaction units on a plate frame, can be used for parallel experiments in conjunction with reservoir plate, waster pad, and liquid transfer guider.

Abstract: A pressurizable sample system includes a microplate having a planar plate surface and several sample wells. Each sample well has a flange positioned circumferentially around an outer surface of the sample well and against the planar plate surface. The sample system further includes a capping plate with a planar cap surface and several caps projecting from the planar cap surface. Each cap has a geometrical configuration in complementary correspondence with the configuration of the sample well.

Abstract: The application relates to a unit for collecting a stool sample for medical use. The unit may be used both in the clinic and in the home.

Abstract: To provide an information writable film that is chemical and abrasion resistance, and is suitable for high contrast white laser marking. The information writable film comprises a writable film layer 110 and a reading assistance layer 120. The writable film layer 110 is formed into a film shape by thinly stretching a material, which material is a mixture of a color former composition for coloring white when receiving the particular wavelength laser beam by changing its physical and chemical characteristic and a transparent plastic composition. The reading assistance layer 120 is provided enhancing the contrast ratio. The writable film layer 110 is provided with laser coloring properties and chemical and abrasion resistance. During writing, an identification code is written by laser by coloring the color former in the writable film layer 110. During reading, the contrast ratio is enhanced by superimposing the color of the reading assistance layer 120.

Abstract: Container to be used for preparing a multi-layered blood product by centrifugation, said container comprising a substantially cylindrical body (2) with a closed bottom (3) and a top (4) having a filling opening as well as a filter device (15), which is slidable inside the container (1). The filing opening is closed by means of a penetrable membrane (13), and the filter device (15) comprises a substantially planar mesh (16) and a supporting buoyancy body (18). In addition to this, there are means (35, 36, 39, 40, 42), for releasable fixation of the filter device (15) adjacent to the bottom (3) of the container (1).

Abstract: Blood collection apparatus includes a blood collection container and a mix detection unit operatively coupled to the blood collection container. The mix detection unit includes a device to produce a data signal indicative of the extent to which the blood collection container is moved in a manner to promote mixing of blood collected into the container and an anti-coagulant also present in the container. A method described herein provides for filling a blood collection container with blood, inverting the blood collection container by hand to mix the blood with an anti-coagulant, and viewing or listening to an indication generated by a mix detection device attached to the blood collection container, wherein the indication provides information about the appropriate amount of mixing for the blood.

Abstract: The present invention is a cuvette assembly for use in optically measuring at least one characteristic of particles within a plurality of liquid samples. The cuvette assembly comprises a main body having internal walls and external walls, and a plurality of cuvettes within the main body at least partially being defined by the internal walls. Each of the plurality of cuvettes has a liquid-input chamber for receiving a respective one of the plurality of liquid samples, a filter, and an optical chamber for receiving a respective filtered liquid sample caused by passing the respective one of the plurality of liquid samples through the filter. Each of the optical chambers includes an entry window for allowing transmission of an input light beam through the filtered liquid sample and an exit window for transmitting a forward scatter signal caused by the particles within the filtered liquid sample.

Abstract: Sample container for holding and transferring a liquid sample and method thereof. The sample container includes an inlet configured to allow a liquid sample to enter a sample container, and an outlet configured to allow one or more droplets of the liquid sample to exit the sample container by one or more acoustic ejections respectively. The inlet and the outlet are in different locations.

Abstract: A system for regulating a temperature of a measurement array is disclosed. The system includes a measurement array including a plurality of sensors, wherein the plurality of sensors are integrated onto an integrated circuit die. The system includes a thermal sensor integrated onto the integrated circuit die, wherein the thermal sensor senses a temperature associated with the plurality of sensors. The system further includes a heat pump coupled to the integrated circuit die, wherein the heat pump is controlled by a feedback control circuit including the thermal sensor.

Abstract: The present techniques provide a pyrolysis process that is reduced in coke and/or tar formation relative to comparable processes. A flushing fluid is applied or injected directly into a pyrolysis reactor to reduce high levels of coke and tar that can accumulate within the pyrolysis reactor during pyrolysis of the feed.