Abstract: An apparatus for preparing samples for chemical analysis includes a container receptacle for receiving a sample container having a crucible portion and an expansion portion. The container receptacle includes a heating compartment and a cooling compartment spaced apart from the heating compartment. The heating compartment is shaped to receive the crucible portion of the sample container, and the cooling compartment is shaped to receive the expansion portion of the sample container. The apparatus also includes a heating mechanism for heating the sample within the crucible portion of the sample container, a first cooling mechanism for cooling the expansion portion of the sample container, and a second cooling mechanism for cooling the crucible portion of the sample container.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of acetate quantification and acetate complexes useful in the methods of acetate quantification. Such methods and complexes are useful for any application where acetate quantification is desired, including measuring of concentration of 13C hyperpolarized acetate for imaging agent quality control in MRI and NMR spectroscopy. The disclosed acetate complexes may be prepared from acetate, Fe3+, and sulfosalicylic acid and from acetate, Fe3+, and salicylic acid.

Abstract: A solid phase for use in separation has been modified using an aqueous phase adsorption of a headgroup-modified lipid to generate analyte specific surfaces for use as a stationary phase in separations such as high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or solid phase extraction (SPE). The aliphatic moiety of the lipid adsorbs strongly to a hydrophobic solid surface, with the hydrophilic and active headgroups orienting themselves toward the more polar mobile phase, thus allowing for interactions with the desired solutes. The surface modification approach is generally applicable to a diversity of selective immobilization applications such as protein immobilization clinical diagnostics and preparative scale HPLC as demonstrated on capillary-channeled fibers, though the general methodology could be implemented on any hydrophobic solid support material.

Abstract: The present specification discloses filtration devices for processing a biofluid sample, methods of purifying a biofluid sample using the disclosed filtration devices, and systems comprising components of the filtration devices. The filtration device generally includes a collection container, a quantitative container, a filter, and a plunger slidably inserted through a plunger attachment. In a first configuration, the quantitative container is axially slidably inserted within the collection chamber, with fluid communication between the quantitative chamber and the collection chamber provided through the filter. In a second configuration, the filter and the collection container are separated from the quantitative container, the plunger attachment is fitted to the quantitative chamber open end with at least a portion of the plunger positioned within the quantitative chamber.

Abstract: A sample pretreatment system is equipped with a pipetting device for pipetting multiple primary samples to make multiple aliquot samples. The sample volume expected to be held in a test tube is set as a minimum guaranteed volume for each type of test tube; and a minimum guaranteed volume value is set for each type of the test tubes. A cumulative totaling unit adds up cumulatively the aliquot volumes of the aliquot samples based on pipetting request information with regard to the supplied test tubes. A reading unit reads the minimum guaranteed volume of the supplied test tube; and an aliquot sample preparation unit compares the minimum guaranteed volume successively with the cumulative total values of the aliquot volumes of the aliquot samples, and causes a pipetting device to pipette a maximum number of the aliquot samples in a manner not exceeding the minimum guaranteed volume.

Abstract: A lab-on-chip-based system is described for the direct and multiple sampling, control of the volume, fluid filtration, biochemical reactions, sample transfer, and dried spot generation on the conventional and commercial cards for dried fluid spot. Within an all-in-one integrated holder, the invention allows the complete process required to ensure a quantitative analysis of blood, plasma or any other fluids, modification and enrichment of molecule subsets, and formation of a dried fluid spot on the specific spot location of a passive cellulose, non-cellulose, absorbent, or non-absorbent membrane material sampling.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for selectively detecting an alkyne-presenting molecule in a sample and related detection reagents, compositions, methods and systems. The methods include contacting a detection reagent with the sample for a time and under a condition to allow binding of the detection reagent to the one or more alkyne-presenting molecules possibly present in the matrix to the detection reagent. The detection reagent includes an organic label moiety presenting an azide group. The binding of the azide group to the alkyne-presenting molecules results in emission of a signal from the organic label moiety.

Abstract: Mass spectrometry (MS) active, fluorescent rapid tagging reagent is provided having three substituent groups: (a) a tertiary amino group or other MS active atom; (b) a highly fluorescent moiety; and (c) a reactive group that can react with an amine. The reactive group provides rapid tagging of desired bio-molecules. The fluorescent moiety provides the fluorescent signal. The tertiary amino group provides the MS signal.

Abstract: The fiber optic probe (7) comprises: a first optical fiber (9) to convey an electromagnetic radiation towards a measuring area at an exit end of said first optical fiber (9); a second optical fiber (11) to collect an electromagnetic radiation from said measuring area, the second optical fiber comprising an entrance end arranged in the measuring area and adjacent to the exit end of the first optical fiber. The exit end of the first optical fiber and the entrance end of the second optical fiber (11) are treated so that at least part of the electromagnetic radiation conveyed along the first optical fiber exits laterally from the first optical fiber and enters laterally in the second optical fiber. Moreover, in the measuring area an indicating material (15) is arranged, indicating a parameter to be measured with the probe.

Abstract: An apparatus for hermetically sealed storage of liquids for a microfluidic system includes at least one cavity and at least one sealing cone. A connection to the microfluidic system is established via the at least one sealing cone. Additionally, the at least one sealing cone is configured to close the at least one cavity.

Abstract: Systems configured to isolate particles in a fluid assay are disclosed. Methods for collecting a sample of magnetic particles from a liquid are also disclosed. In certain embodiments, the disclosed systems and methods include a magnetic actuator coupled to a chassis, where the magnetic actuator comprises at least one shielded rotatable magnet.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of on-demand, reversible generation of aqueous two-phase microdroplets core-shell microbeads, microparticle preparations comprising the core-shell microbeads, and drug delivery formulation comprising the microparticle preparations. Because these aqueous microdroplets have volumes comparable to those of cells, they provide an approach to mimicking the dynamic microcompartmentation of biomaterial that naturally occurs within the cytoplasm of cells. Hence, the present methods generate femtoliter aqueous two-phase droplets within a microfluidic oil channel using gated pressure pulses to generate individual, stationary two-phase microdroplets with a well-defined time zero for carrying out controlled and sequential phase transformations over time. Reversible phase transitions between single-phase, two-phase, and core-shell microbead states are obtained via evaporation-induced dehydration and water rehydration.

Abstract: A method for determining a condition in a blood sample includes: providing a sample of blood; providing a metering probe having a pump for aspirating and dispensing; inserting the metering probe a selected distance into the blood sample; measuring the pressure between the sample and pump during sample aspiration or sample dispense; comparing the measured pressure with a reference value; and signaling the presence or absence of the condition. A method for confirming or detecting the presence of a selected layer of blood component in a centrifuged blood sample includes: measuring a pressure of a suspected selected layer in a metering probe during aspiration or dispense; comparing the measured pressure with a reference value, wherein if the measured pressure and the reference value are substantially identical then the selected layer of the blood component is confirmed. In a preferred embodiment the reference value is a pre-selected pressure range.

Abstract: This invention concerns a sampling procedure for an aqueous hydrosoluble polymer solution flowing in a main circuit, enabling a sample to be collected to undergo at least one analysis under ambient air giving at least one property of the hydrosoluble polymer characterised in that a stabilizing solution is added to the aqueous hydrosoluble polymer solution, according to a discontinuous addition method, before or after sampling from the main circuit, so as to obtain a sample comprising a mixture of aqueous hydrosoluble polymer solution and stabilizing solution in which the hydrosoluble polymer is protected against attacks it may undergo in an atmosphere containing at least 10% by volume of oxygen.

Abstract: A multi-phase system includes a phase-separated solution comprising at least two phases, each phase having a phase component selected from the group consisting of a polymer, a surfactant and combinations thereof, wherein at least one phase comprises a polymer, wherein the phases, taken together, represent a density gradient. Novel two-phase, three-phase, four-phase, five-phase, or six-phase systems are disclosed. Using the disclosed multi-phase polymer systems, particles, or other analyte of interest can be separated based on their different densities or affinities.

Abstract: Devices to detect a substance and methods of producing such a device are disclosed. An example device to detect a substance includes a housing defining an externally accessible chamber and a seal to enclose at least a portion of the chamber. The example device also includes a substrate includes nanoparticles positioned within the chamber. The nanoparticles to react to the substance when exposed thereto. The example device also includes a non-analytic solution within the chamber to protect the nanoparticles from premature exposure.

Abstract: A specimen concentration container contains a specimen-containing liquid mixture, and the liquid mixture is concentrated in the specimen concentration container. The specimen concentration container includes: a tubular container main body including an upper surface on which an upper surface opening portion is formed; an upper surface opening portion communicating with an inside of the container main body; a specimen concentration portion formed at a bottom portion side of the container main body and containing the concentrated liquid mixture; and a specimen lid provided in the container main body and configured to cover the upper surface opening portion.

Abstract: To provide to a method for measuring and examining lithium ions in an aqueous solution of a specimen such as biomaterials or environment samples, by using a lithium reagent composition as a coloration reaction reagent and by visual observing or a simple a colorimeter. The lithium ions measuring method is characterized by contacting the specimen including serum and plasma test sample with an aqueous solution of a lithium reagent composition comprising a tetraphenyl porphyrin compound, a pH regulator and a pH buffer, by irradiating or expose the resulting solution with white light, and by detecting change in color tone by a visual observation or by detecting the sensitivity by a colorimeter.

Abstract: A single use filtering device comprises a filter body formed at least in part of a filter medium configured to hold a sample during filtration and a fastening element configured for releasably mounting the filtering device to a holder. The fastening element being adapted to undergo an irreversible structural alteration during the mounting or removal of the filtering device from the holder to prevent remounting of the filtering device to the holder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a station for uncovering a receptacle comprising a body in which a plurality of adjacent holes, initially sealed by a cover, are formed. The station comprises at least one cutting member for making at least one cut in the cover between two adjacent holes, so as to form at least one cover portion closing off at least one of the holes of the receptacle, i.e., the selected hole; and at least one heating gripping device which is arranged so as to heat and remove said cover portion, thereby opening the selected hole.