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.

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: 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: A sterilization challenge device for verifying the efficacy of a gas sterilization process includes an outer container, an inner container, a chemical indicator, and a cap. The outer container includes an open end, a closed end, a chamber configured to contain the inner container containing the chemical indicator, and at least one hole arranged proximate the open end. The cap is configured to engage with the outer container to close the open end, and the at least one hole is configured to provide a flow path for the gaseous sterilant into the chamber.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to chemical indicators. In particular, the chemical indicators are useful for monitoring sterilization processes. The chemical indicator includes a fluid pathway and a chamber comprises a chemical-indicating composition.

Abstract: Optical properties of a tracer in water are measured at varying concentrations. A reference curve is built based on the measured optical properties at varying concentrations. An emulsion is mixed with the tracer. The emulsion is demulsified into an oil component and an aqueous component. Optical properties of one of the components are measured. A partition coefficient is determined based on the measured optical properties of a demulsified component and the reference curve.

Abstract: An isolation device for isolation of target particles from a plurality of liquid samples includes a plurality of isolation chips and a vacuum system. Each of the plurality of isolation chips includes a sample reservoir, and a first outlet and a second outlet disposed at opposite sides of the sample reservoir. The vacuum system includes a first vacuum pump connected to the first outlet of each of the plurality of isolation chips and a second vacuum pump connected to the second outlet of each of the plurality of isolation chips. The first vacuum pump generates a negative pressure in each of the plurality of isolation chips through a corresponding first outlet. The second vacuum pump generates a negative pressure in each of the plurality of isolation chips through a corresponding second outlet. The target particles are isolated from each of the plurality of liquid samples in a corresponding sample reservoir.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid handling and processing tool for analyzing a biological sample. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a fluid processing and detection module for processing a liquid sample and for detecting analyte in the sample.

Abstract: Asymmetric depth filtration for isolation of EVs or other desired nanoparticles from a biological or other fluid with high yield and purity in a simple, cost-effective manner. Such a method includes passing the biological fluid through the asymmetric depth filter (e.g., in a single pass) where the fluid is introduced into the filter at an entry portion, where components of the biological fluid pass through the wider entry portion of the pores before advancing towards the narrower exit portion of the pores, wherein EVs in the fluid become reversibly entrapped within the wider portion of the pores, while similarly sized soft, low-density lipids and/or proteins are pushed more deeply into the filter, so that the reversibly entrapped EVs can be released by simply reversing the flow, while the similarly sized soft low-density lipids and/or proteins remain permanently entrapped within the pores of the filter.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a micro-fluidic substrate, a micro-fluidic structure and a driving method thereof. The micro-fluidic substrate of the preset disclosure includes a substrate, and a plurality of driving electrodes on the substrate and configured to drive a droplet to move, the plurality of driving electrodes being in a same layer with a gap space between adjacent driving electrodes. The micro-fluidic substrate further includes: at least one auxiliary electrode on the substrate and configured to drive the droplet to move, an orthographic projection of the auxiliary electrode on the substrate at least partially overlapping with an orthographic projection of the gap space on the substrate, and the auxiliary electrode and the driving electrodes being in different layers.

Abstract: A module for an automated laboratory system is disclosed. The module comprises a module connector configured to releasably connect to a component of the automated laboratory system, a detector at least configured to detect at least one component marker located at the component so as to obtain position data of the module indicating an actual position of the module, a processor configured to calculate a position deviation of the module from a target position defined by the component based on the position data and to calculate position alignment data based on the position deviation, and a alignment device configured to align the module to the target position based on the position alignment data. Further, an automated laboratory system and a method for aligning a module are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention concerns an integrated microfluidic system that utilizes microfluidic chip technology to receive a patient sample including cells, expand the cells, reprogram the expanded cells and then store the reprogrammed cells in a microfluidic chip. These microfluidic chips with stored reprogrammed cells may then be used in scenarios of genetic differentiation into specific cell types. Overall this system and workflow is suitable as a hospital based device that will allow the generation of iPSCs from every patient for downstream diagnostic or therapeutic use.

Abstract: A microfluidic device and a method for sensing and sorting of cells or particles in a microfluidic channel are disclosed. The microfluidic device may include a substrate with a microfluidic channel having an inlet, the microfluidic channel being coupled with two or more output channels; one or more sensors located adjacent to a first region of the microfluidic channel for sensing respective particles flown through the microfluidic channel; and a first piezoelectric actuator located adjacent to a second region of the microfluidic channel downstream from the first region for deflecting the respective particles flowing through the microfluidic channel to respective output channels of the two or more output channels based on signals from the one or more sensors.

Abstract: A sanitizing system and method include multiple ultraviolet (UV) lamps and a power supply module. The UV lamps each include one or more UV emitters configured to emit UV light. The UV lamps are positioned to emit the UV light towards one or more target components within a space. The power supply module is electrically connected to each of the UV lamps and configured to provide electrical energy to the UV lamps to power the UV emitters to sanitize the one or more target components.

Abstract: Provided are an active droplet generating apparatus capable of controlling a droplet size, a method of controlling a droplet size using the same, and a self-diagnosis apparatus for diagnosing generation of a droplet, the active droplet generating apparatus including: a disposable microchannel upper plate; a multifunctional lower plate separated from the disposable microchannel upper plate and configured to be permanently used separately from the disposable microchannel upper plate; a functional polymeric film provided on a lower surface of the upper plate; a negative pressure forming means; and a flow velocity control device configured to adjust the droplet size to a desired size by receiving, by feedback, the voltage value measured by the droplet measuring electrode and controlling flow velocities of the oil and the sample, thereby controlling the droplet size in a feedback control manner by quickly and accurately measuring the droplet size using a capacitance impedance technique.

Abstract: In an automatic analysis device, it is possible during specimen analysis to add/deposit one rack at a time without stopping the analysis, and it is easy to ascertain the analysis sequence. The analyzer has an analysis module, a rack transport module for transporting a specimen rack in which a specimen container storing a specimen is loaded, and a control device. The rack transport module includes a rack supply part for supplying a specimen rack, a rack accommodating part for accommodating a specimen rack, a rack transport line for transporting a specimen rack supplied from the rack supply part, a dispensing line for transporting a specimen rack to the analysis module, and a rack rotor for transferring a specimen rack between the rack transport line and the dispensing line. Operation of the rack supply part for supplying a specimen rack can be stopped independently of the operation of the analysis module.

Abstract: Sub-millimeter scale three-dimensional (3D) structures are disclosed with customizable chemical properties and/or functionality. The 3D structures are referred to as drop-carrier particles. The drop-carrier particles allow the selective association of one solution (i.e., a dispersed phased) with an interior portion of each of the drop-carrier particles, while a second non-miscible solution (i.e., a continuous phase) associates with an exterior portion of each of the drop-carrier particles due to the specific chemical and/or physical properties of the interior and exterior regions of the drop-carrier particles. The combined drop-carrier particle with the dispersed phase contained therein is referred to as a particle-drop. The selective association results in compartmentalization of the dispersed phase solution into sub-microliter-sized volumes contained in the drop-carrier particles. The compartmentalized volumes can be used for single-molecule assays as well as single-cell, and other single-entity assays.

Abstract: The instant disclosure provides methods of multi-assay processing and multi-assay analysis. Such multi-assay processing and analysis pertain to automated detection of target nucleic acids, e.g., as performed in the clinical setting for diagnostic purposes. Also provided are common assay timing protocols derived from a variety of individual nucleic acid amplification and analysis protocols and modified to prevent resource contention. The instant disclosure also provides systems and devices for practicing the methods as described herein.