Abstract: A system for decontamination of patient care equipment and a system for decontamination of an interior space. In some embodiments, a decontaminant distributor is provided in an enclosure and coupled to a decontaminant generator system. The decontaminant generator system may include a decontaminant generator removably coupled to the decontaminant distributor at an exterior of the enclosure for allowing the decontaminant generator to be removed and connected to another decontaminant distributor associated with another system for decontamination of patient care equipment. An air agitation system may be provided in the enclosure for agitating air and decontaminant in the enclosure. In some embodiments, a portable system may be transported to an interior space for decontaminating the items in the space using hot-air decontamination.

Abstract: The present application relates to a biochemical reaction test tube and a use method thereof, and a gene amplification kit. The biochemical reaction test tube includes a tube portion and a cover portion. The tube portion includes: a tube body including a first chamber and a second chamber, where a bottom of the second chamber is spaced apart from a bottom of the first chamber; and a limit unit provided at an outer side of the tube body. The first chamber and the second chamber are provided at different heights and used to hold different reaction components and solutions. Only one of the first chamber and the second chamber is heated to complete a biochemical reaction. When the test tube is vertically flipped at 180° and shaken, the solutions in the first chamber and the second chamber are mixed to further achieve a reaction, which eliminates harmful results.

Abstract: There is provided an automated analysis device capable of transferring instruments to be used for an analysis process to a predetermined processing position efficiently and rapidly. In an automated analysis device of the invention, a transfer unit forming a transfer mechanism to transfer instruments to be used for analyte processing into an analyte processing space includes a holding portion to hold the instruments. The holding portion includes a first fitting attachment portion to be attachable to a first instrument in a fitted state, and a second fitting attachment portion to be attachable to a second instrument in a fitted state.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes first and second substrate structures. The first substrate structure has a first substrate surface configured to receive one or more droplets. A plurality of electrodes configured to apply an electric field to the droplets. The second substrate structure has a second substrate surface facing the first substrate surface and spaced apart from the first substrate surface to form a fluid channel. The microfluidic device has a first heating element adjacent to the first substrate structure and disposed on an opposite side of the first substrate surface, and a second heating element adjacent to the second substrate structure and disposed on an opposite side of the second substrate surface. The microfluidic device further includes one or more temperature sensors disposed adjacent to the fluid channel between the first substrate structure and the second substrate structure.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and their methods of use, for generating and collecting droplets are provided. The device includes a collection region comprising a side wall canted at an angle. The invention further provides multiplex devices that increase droplet formation.

Abstract: Droplet interfaces are formed between droplets in an electro-wetting device comprising an array of actuation electrodes. Actuation signals are applied to selected actuation electrodes to place the droplets into an energised state in which the shape of the droplets is modified compared to a shape of the droplets in a lower energy state and to bring the two droplets into proximity. The actuation signals are then changed to lower the energy of the droplets into the lower energy state so that the droplets relax into the gap and the two droplets contact each other thereby forming a droplet interface. The use of sensing electrodes in the device permit electrical current measurements across the droplet interface. The sensing electrodes can be used for either (i) applying a reference signal during droplet actuation or (ii) recording electrical current measurements. Two or more electrodes are configurable to lyse cells within a droplet positioned over said electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (8) for cleaning and/or disinfecting a hollow tube (4), comprising: —The hollow tube (4), —a ring (18) mounted so as to slide over the hollow tube (4), the ring (18) enclosing an absorbent pad impregnated with a disinfecting and/or degreasing liquid, and arranged around the hollow tube (4). The system (8) further comprises an electromechanical actuation device (20) for actuating the ring arranged inside the hollow tube, the device being a motorised linear potentiometer and comprising a longitudinal translational drive element (26). Moreover, a longitudinal slot (11) is provided in the hollow tube (4), the element (26) protruding through the longitudinal slot (11) and being mechanically connected to the ring (18), in order to move the ring (18) in longitudinal translation along the hollow tube (4). The hollow tube (4) can be a lever for operating a door handle (2), or indeed a tube of a bar equipping a transport means, a T-bar door pull handle or a ramp.

Abstract: A sterilization system includes a vial, a carrier of microorganisms disposed in the vial, and a fluid management system having an output connectable to the vial for delivering a liquid chemical sterilant and a neutralizer thereto. Additionally, a growth medium may be delivered to the vial such that the vial and growth medium may assessed for a change to a visual characteristic indicative of sterilization inefficacy.

Abstract: Disclosed are a detection chip and a modification method therefor. A surface activation treatment is performed on a hydrophilic layer of the detection chip, such that a hydroxy-containing modification group is formed on a surface of the hydrophilic layer; and a solution containing an oxy compound is then used to perform a surface epoxidation treatment on the hydrophilic layer in order to form an epoxy-containing modification group on the surface of the hydrophilic layer.

Abstract: Improved methods and devices using reduction of pressure for removing ethanol from filters in a fluidic or microfluidic system in point of care devices involve filters that are solid state extraction filters used to capture and/or concentrate nucleic acids prior to further downstream processing such as amplification by polymerase chain reaction. The method uses the induction of negative pressure with respect to atmospheric pressure to improve the efficiency of the ethanol removal process.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a stand-alone molecular diagnostic test device includes a detection circuit that includes a light emitting device and a light receiving device (e.g., a photodiode) that are arranged to produce an electronic signal associated with a colorimetric output produced by the stand-alone molecular diagnostic test.

Abstract: An eDNA sample collection device having a rigid housing with openings to allow contact between the interior of the housing and the external environment. The housing includes membrane retaining portions for holding flexible membranes in the housing of the device, and membrane holders are used to secure membranes within the housing.

Abstract: A method for evaluating a mass spectrometry device includes: by a mass spectrometry device, performing mass spectrometry of an ester of phthalic acid and detecting a plurality of types of ions produced by dissociation of the ester of phthalic acid; and obtaining information concerning whether the mass spectrometry device is in a state suitable for analysis, based on a ratio of intensities of the plurality of types of ions detected.

Abstract: A method of identifying microorganisms in a sample by evaluating the vibrational profile.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to devices, and methods for quantifying thiol content in a sample containing a mixture of proteins or protein isoforms. The method includes conjugating a portion of the sample with free thiol detection binders, separating the contents in the portion of the sample into separated protein isoforms, detecting fluorescence signals associated with each separated protein isoform, and quantifying, based on the fluorescence signals, a relative amount of free thiol associated with each separated protein isoform. In some instances, the method includes quantifying the amount of each separated protein isoform based on absorbance signals associated with each separated protein isoform. In some instances, the fluorescence and/or absorbance signals associated with protein isoforms conjugated with detection binders can be compared with the corresponding signals associated with unconjugated protein isoforms.

Abstract: Systems and methods for applying an antimicrobial barrier to a hand include a barrier precursor material, a reservoir for the barrier precursor material, and a dispenser connected to the reservoir and configured to dispense the barrier precursor material onto a hand positioned adjacent the dispenser. The barrier precursor material cures and adheres to the hand to form an antimicrobial barrier on the hand. The antimicrobial barrier does not retain or transfer microorganisms from an object grasped by the hand.

Abstract: The present application relates to a biochemical reaction test strip tube and a use method thereof, and a kit. The biochemical reaction test strip tube includes a tube portion and a cover portion. The tube portion includes: a tube body including a first chamber and a second chamber; a limit unit provided at an outer side of the tube body; and a biochemical chromatographic test strip provided inside the second chamber, where a first end of the biochemical chromatographic test strip is provided with a sample absorption pad. In this structure, different chambers are provided in the closed test tube, such that a biochemical reaction solution in one chamber is directly detected on the biochemical chromatographic test strip in another chamber, which avoids the solution leakage; and different chambers are provided at different heights, such that the chambers holding biochemical reaction reagents can be selectively heated.

Abstract: A system, device and method to pick and/or place specimen containers. The system or device may include a mechanical pick and/or place head, or a vacuum-based pick and/or place head. The mechanical pick and/or place head may include a drive shaft with an engagement head to draw a single specimen container into a receiver and retain such until positioned to place such. The vacuum-based mechanical pick and/or place head may include a vacuum conduit to draw a single specimen container into a receiver and drive shaft that orients a portion of the receiver to retain such until positioned to place such. Various sensors may be employed, for example to detect frost, and a defroster employed.

Abstract: A nutrient intake amount estimation system according to an embodiment includes: a sensor that is disposed in a toilet space, and configured to detect an excretion smell related to excretion of a user of the toilet space; an estimation unit configured to estimate an estimated nutrient intake amount that is an amount of nutrients taken by the user by using an output of an estimation model that outputs information indicating an amount of nutrients estimated to be taken by the user in accordance with an input based on an output value of the sensor; and an output unit configured to output information based on the estimated nutrient intake amount.

Abstract: Provided are devices for automated analysis of one or more samples in single or multi-well plates or vessels, wherein the process of automated analysis comprises automated flow, wherein the samples comprise liquid or particles in a sample vessel, and wherein the devices comprise an assembly of components that enable processing of a sample for analytical assessment by fluidic and/or particle based instruments. Automated flow may comprise systems for moving samples including vacuum systems, pressure-based systems, pneumatic systems, pumps, peristaltic pumps, diaphragms, or syringes. The devices may comprise an assembly of components that enable movement in X, Y, and Z dimensions, as well as switches, microfluidic tubing, well plate block, electronic pressure controllers, pneumatic or fluidic mixing devices, components for fluid handling, sampling vessels, and mechanical components for translating or transporting system components.