Abstract: Apparatus and method for dissolution testing of active substances in various dosage forms is provided. The apparatus has filtration cells equipped and configured to simulate bodily functions, operate continuously and facilitate testing various types of dosage forms including, but not limited to, tablets, capsules and those having non-disintegrating substrates.

Abstract: Fluidic devices and methods associated with mixing of fluids in fluidic devices are provided. In some embodiments, a method may involve the mixing of two or more fluids in a channel segment of a fluidic device. The fluids may be in the form of, for example, at least first, second and third fluid plugs, composed of first, second, and third fluids, respectively. The second fluid may be immiscible with the first and third fluids. In certain embodiments, the fluid plugs may be flowed in series in the channel segment, e.g., in linear order, causing the first and third fluids to mix without the use of active components such as mixers. The mixing of fluids in a channel segment as described herein may allow for improved performance and simplification in the design and operations of fluidic devices that rely on mixing of fluids.

Abstract: A measuring device for measuring a physiological parameter of an aspirate. The device includes a sensor element for measuring the physiological parameter, a connection port for fluid communication with a medical tube, a collection tube for aspirating and/or collecting the aspirate, a housing, wherein the sensor element is mounted within the housing and a communication passage enabling the aspirate to enter the housing from the collection tube such that the sensor element can measure the physiological parameter. Further, a method for measuring the parameter is disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for dissolution testing of active substances in various dosage forms is provided. The apparatus has filtration cells equipped and configured to simulate bodily functions, operate continuously and facilitate testing various types of dosage forms including, but not limited to, tablets, capsules and those having non-disintegrating substrates.

Abstract: A microfluidic apparatus capable of being mounted on a rotation driving unit. When mounted on the rotation driving unit and rotated, a fluid flow is induced in the apparatus due to a centrifugal force. the microfluidic apparatus includes a sample supplying unit that comprises a sample chamber to house a sample and provides a fluid including a target material in which fine beads are bound to a target cell in the sample; a density-gradient separation unit that houses a density gradient material with a lower density than the target material, and receives the fluid from the sample supplying unit to separate the target material from the fluid based on a density difference; a fluid supplying channel connecting the sample supplying unit to the density-gradient separation unit to form a passage of the fluid; and a fluid supplying valve provided to the fluid supplying channel to selectively allow a flow of the fluid.

Abstract: A method for high-resolution luminescence microscopy of a sample marked with marking molecules that can be activated to excite particular luminescent radiation, including: repeated activation of a subset of the marking molecules to emit luminescent radiation; repeated imaging of the sample along a depth direction and with a predetermined optical resolution; and producing images from the repeated imaging. Locations of the marking molecules are determined with a spatial resolution that is increased above the predetermined optical resolution. Activation of the marking molecules can be through radiation introduced into multiple regions, each extending along a plane substantially perpendicular to the depth direction. The regions can be arranged so that the regions are behind one another and overlap only partially. Separate images of the sample may be recorded for activation in each of the regions in order to obtain depth information relating to the marking molecules from the separate images.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods and devices for quantitating, separating and/or detecting water in a liquid, gas or solid sample comprising one or more chemicals, the method comprising: providing the liquid, gas or solid sample comprising water and the one or more chemicals; and exposing said liquid, gas or solid sample to at least one solid support including at least one dicationic and/or tricationic species of Formula I or II adsorbed, absorbed or immobilized on the solid support.

Abstract: A sample processing cartridge for carrying out processing under centrifugal force acting in at least two directions as the orientation of cartridge relative to centrifugal force is changed, the cartridge comprising: a first cavity adapted to contain a sample; and a second cavity in fluid communication with the first cavity, wherein the first and second cavities are arranged such that the sample in the first cavity is moved therefrom to the second cavity as a centrifugal force acting on the cartridge is changed from a first direction to a second direction, the first cavity is elongated perpendicular to the centrifugal force acting in the first direction, and the second cavity is more shallow than the first cavity and more extended in the direction of the centrifugal force acting in the second direction than the first cavity is extended in the direction of the centrifugal force acting in the first direction.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a system component and method for analysis of airborne analytes by absorbing the analytes into a liquid and interrogating the liquid with an analytical instrument. In some examples, a cartridge with a microfluidic chip contains a vessel of a colloidal solution of nanostructured particles in a liquid. The vessel is broken, releasing the solution into microfluidic containers on the chip. Air having analytes is passed over the chip leading to absorption of airborne analytes into the solution. The analytes bind with the nanostructures and are detected optically. Techniques are disclosed for filling the vessel in a way that maintains the efficacy of the solution until it is needed for measurement.

Abstract: Sample conditioning systems and methods especially useful for converting non-elemental forms of mercury to elemental form. The systems involve a reactor having a heater, with the reactor configured such that a heated sample is flowed through a calcareous sorbent during heating and then cooled in the presence of a solid metal that is more chemically active or less noble than mercury. The methods may be used as a part of an emissions monitoring process to insure compliance with emission standards and to precisely gage the amount of abatement needed.

Abstract: In order to provide a method for collecting a droplet attached on an external surface of a needle into a capillary tube, the present invention is a method for collecting a droplet attached on an external surface of a needle into a capillary tube, the method comprising steps of: (a) preparing a substrate comprising a capillary tube; a flexible thin film; a liquid-repellent film; and a hole; (b) moving the needle in the Z-direction to move the droplet from the external surface of the needle to the surface of the liquid-repellent film; (c) allowing the droplet to arrive at an inlet of the capillary tube by moving the needle more in the Z-direction, so as to suck the droplet into the capillary tube by a capillary phenomenon.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a reactor cell assembly that utilizes a novel design and that is wholly or partially manufactured from Aluminum, such that reactions involving Hydrogen, for example, including solid-gas reactions and thermal decomposition reactions, are not affected by any degree of Hydrogen outgassing. This reactor cell assembly can be utilized in a wide range of optical and laser spectroscopy applications, as well as optical microscopy applications, including high-temperature and high-pressure applications. The result is that the elucidation of the role of Hydrogen in the reactions studied can be achieved. Various window assemblies can be utilized, such that high temperatures and high pressures can be accommodated and the signals obtained can be optimized.

Abstract: A method for monitoring content of a coating solution for coating components includes supplying a tank with the coating solution containing a concentration of a solvent and a concentration of a coating material. The concentration of the coating material is tested using a titration process. The titration process may include controllably contacting a volume of the coating solution with a reagent solution to form a mixture and using a color processing device to obtain input color data of the mixture to detect an end-point of the titration process. One or both of the solvent and the coating material is supplied to the tank based on an amount of coating solution contacted with the reagent solution when the color processing device detects an input color data signaling the end-point of the titration process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of identifying a natural substance that is capable of complexation with Ni2+, Cu2+ and/or Fe2+ ions, wherein an extract containing natural substances is led over a stationary phase loaded with Ni2+, Cu2+ and/or Fe2+ ions, which is suitable for immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC).

Abstract: A hybrid nanostructure for molecular analysis is disclosed. The structure includes a plurality of nanofingers wherein each nanofinger is coated with a metal coating, is attached at one end to a substrate, and is freely bendable along its length such that the second ends of each nanofinger are capable of movement toward each other to form a cavity. The structure further includes a nanoparticle trapped in the cavity. An array of hybrid nanostructures and a method for fabricating the hybrid nanostructures are also disclosed.

Abstract: Processes and apparatuses are provided for the liberation of one or more volatile organic compounds from a test sample. The processes include exposing a sample to light of a wavelength less than 400 nm, subjecting the sample to heat, and collecting one or more volatile organic compounds produced from the sample. The volatile organic compounds are detected by any of various methods, and are optionally identified by methods such as FTIR. The processes and apparatus provide for improved detection of relevant volatile organic compounds that are otherwise undetectable by traditional processes.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems adapted to provide mixing of a liquid reagent in an automated clinical analyzer. The methods include aspirating an air separator (e.g., an air slug) into the interior of a probe. A relatively small volume of reagent liquid is also aspirated into the probe adjacent to the air separator; the volume of liquid reagent being entirely contained within the probe. The volume of liquid reagent may be repeatedly aspirated and dispensed at a relatively high frequency to accomplish reagent mixing in the reagent container. Improved sample and reagent mixing may be promoted using a similar method. Systems carrying out the methods are provided, as are other aspects.