Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling one or more pumps of a heart-lung-machine. An illustrative method may comprise receiving an actual flow rate of a pump, determining the actual flow rate is from a primary pump, determining an available amount of the actual flow rate of the primary pump that is available to one or more subordinate pumps, comparing the available amount of the actual flow rate of the primary pump to a sum of set flow rates of the one or more subordinate pumps, and operating the one or more subordinate pumps in a proactive control mode or a reactive control mode.

Abstract: A biosensor is provided. The biosensor includes a plurality of sensor units. Each of the sensor units includes a plurality of photodiodes, a plurality of first electrodes, an electro-wetting chamber, a second electrode, a bottom conductive layer, a photoconductive layer, an open cell chamber, and a top conductive layer. The first electrodes are disposed above the photodiodes. The electro-wetting chamber is disposed above the first electrodes, and a non-polar liquid is disposed in the electro-wetting chamber. The second electrode is disposed on the electro-wetting chamber. The bottom conductive layer is disposed above the second electrode. The photoconductive layer is disposed on the bottom conductive layer. The open cell chamber is disposed on the photoconductive layer and configured to receive a cell. The top conductive layer is disposed on the open cell chamber.

Abstract: A liquid handler rack system for test tubes includes a base assembly mounted on a platform. Racks are configured for loading onto the base assembly. An articulatable test tube holder assembly includes test tube holder modules. Each test tube holder module includes a casing with a compartment for receiving a test tube and hinges on opposite sides of the casing. The test tube holder modules are coupled together by the hinges which are configured to allow the test tube holder modules to rotate relative to each other. The articulatable test tube holder assembly is configured to be bent and shaped to conform to different equipment configurations. The test tube holder modules detain the test tubes with a ferrous element attracting to metal inserts in the racks. A magnet is housed by the test tube holder module and positioned to hold the test tube in the compartment.

Abstract: A container comprising a fluid sampling system configured for the flow of particulate containing fluid therethrough are provided. The particulate containing fluid enters the container from the exterior through a fluid inlet and flows through a fluid flow path which includes at least two serially fluidically coupled sample collection vessels, which are releasably installed in the container. Fluid flow through the fluid flow path is controlled by a fluid pump in a manner that allows for sequential receipt of the particulate containing fluid in the sample collection vessels, and for particulates in the particulate containing fluid to settle in at least one of the sample collection vessels. Upon receipt and settlement of the particulates, the container can be opened and the sample collection vessels can be released from the container Related methods for operating the fluid sampling systems are also provided.

Abstract: A tamper for making paraffin blocks for histology may include a pliable tamper head and a handle. The handle may be permanently or removably attached to the tamper by using screws, magnets, or the like. The tamper may be made from a pliable material, such as a silicone rubber, with improved thermal transfer and high latent heat. In use, the tamper may be warmed in advance to a working temperature by placing the tamper on a hot plate of the embedding station or on a dedicated smaller hot plate. Alternatively, the tamper may be heated with an electric resistive element, a thermoelectric device, or an electric induction coil.

Abstract: A microfluidic chip for conducting microbiological assays, includes a substrate in which incubation segments, a sample reservoir and microfluidic channels connecting the sample reservoir with the incubation segments are arranged. The microfluidic chip further includes a non-aqueous liquid reservoir for containing non-aqueous liquid wherein the reservoir is connectable via a releasable airtight and liquid-tight valve with the microfluidic channels connecting the sample reservoir with the incubation segments each incubation segment comprises an incubation well connected by a gas-exchange channel to an unvented gas cavity.

Abstract: A microfluidic platform is provided for controlling and configuring the evolution of a gradient. The microfluidic platform includes a plate having an outer surface and defining a chamber therein for receiving cells and/or drug/reagent particles of interest captured within a polymerized material. A plurality of wells are adapted for receiving a one or more types of desired media to form gradients in the polymerized material. The plurality of wells have first portions communicating with the outer surface of the plate and second portions communicating with the chamber. The first and second portions of the plurality of wells having corresponding widths and cross-sectional areas, and each of the plurality of wells is spaced from an adjacent well of the plurality of wells by a distance.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for use with urine and feces of a subject that are emitted into a toilet bowl. One or more sensors are coupled to the toilet bowl and are configured to detect one or more urine-related parameters relating to the subject's urine and one or more feces-related parameters relating to the subject's feces, without requiring any action to be performed by any person subsequent to emission of the urine or feces into the toilet bowl. A computer processor determines that the subject is suffering from dehydration, at least partially based upon the one or more urine-related parameters, and classifies the dehydration as being a given type of dehydration, at least partially based upon the one or more feces-related parameters. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides materials and methods for the continuous measurement of biomolecules in vivo and in real-time. The present disclosure relates more specifically to using capture agents and detection agents within a microfluidic device to detect and quantify biochemical features of biomarkers, enabling real-time detection and concentration measurements.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a cooled chemical cabinet include a cooling duct configured to cool a heatsink coupled to a thermoelectric module (TEM). The cooling duct includes a fan configured to pull air into an inlet duct and onto the heatsink. The air pulled in by the fan absorbs the heat from the heatsink. The cooling duct further includes an exhaust duct connected to the fan and configured to expel the heated air. The exhaust duct is configured to expel the heated air outside the chemical cabinet and away from the TEM.

Abstract: An example cartridge includes a base having a channel configured to receive fluid, where the fluid includes a test sample to be tested on the cartridge, and a structure including at least part of a fluidic duct. The structure is configured to move relative to the base between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the channel and fluidic duct are aligned to create a fluidic connection between the channel and the fluidic duct and, in the second position, the channel and the fluidic duct are unaligned to block a fluidic connection between the channel and the fluidic duct.

Abstract: Methods for performing multiple omics analysis in parallel are provided, the methods can include: dividing the mixture of cells or cell components into at least a first portion and a second portion; performing a first analysis on the first portion to acquire a first set of analytical data; performing a second analysis on the second portion to acquire a second set of analytical data. Methods for forming mixtures of analytes into first and second portions are also provided. The methods can include aligning the first and second plates to engage the first exposed surface with the second exposed surface, wherein the engaging is sufficient to convey at least some of the first analytes into the second solution to form a second mixture of the first analytes.

Abstract: A sealing for a reagent container and provides a sealing plug which can be adapted to the respective reagent container. Within the meaning of the present disclosure the terms plug, and stopper will be used synonymously. A liquid which is deposited in a reagent container like a vial or tube is protected by a plug from both, evaporation, and oxidation by ambient air during its presence in the reagent container. In addition, when the reagent container is provided to the analyser, the plug reduces evaporation and oxidation of liquids like reagents. A system comprising the plug and a method for using the plug are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides devices, systems, and methods related to sequencing a biopolymer. In particular, the present disclosure relates to methods for sequencing a polynucleotide using a bioelectronic device that includes protein assemblies used as coupling molecules in bioelectronic circuits. The present disclosure also provides multimeric protein assemblies with various combinations of live and dead subunits arranged to maximize conduction.

Abstract: A method of quantifying microplastic mass in a sample composition, including the steps of pre-treating the sample composition to remove non-microplastic organic matter and extract microplastics thereby providing a pre-treated sample composition, measuring the organic carbon content of a microplastic polymer in the pre-treated sample composition using total organic carbon (TOC) analysis, and quantifying the microplastic mass in the sample composition according to the organic carbon content of the microplastic polymer.

Abstract: A sensor system includes a probe, and a photon source configured to direct photons at the probe. The probe can emit light in response to receiving photons. The sensor system can include a photodetector configured to detect the light emitted from the probe, and a configured to cause the photon source to emit photons according to a first time-varying intensity profile having a first frequency. The controller can be configured to receive optical data from the photodetector based on the interaction between the light emitted from the probe and the photodetector. The optical data can include a second time-varying intensity profile having a second frequency. The second frequency can be substantially the same as the first frequency. The controller can be configured to determine a difference in phase between the first time-varying intensity profile and the second time-varying intensity profile, and generate a report based on the difference in phase.

Abstract: Provided are methods to characterize the VP1, VP2 and VPS capsid proteins in an adeno-associated virus (AAV) particle using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry, and/or ultraviolet (UV)-visible spectroscopy. The methods generally include the steps of (a) subjecting an AAV particle to liquid chromatography to denature and then separate the VP1, VP2 and VPS capsid proteins, and (b) subjecting the separated VP1, VP2 and VPS capsid proteins produced in step (a) to UV and mass spectrometry to determine the ratio and masses of the VP1, VP2 and VPS capsid proteins in the AAV particle. In another aspect, the disclosure provides an AAV composition comprising a post-translation modification. The disclosure also provides methods for characterizing the purity of AAV compositions using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry.

Abstract: It is provided a device and method for extracting gaseous and liquid products from a reaction fluid, in particular from an electrochemical reaction systems.

Abstract: An example sterilization indicator (102) includes a cover (122), an indicator (102), and a seal (142). The cover (122) defines at least a portion of a cavity (138). The indicator (102) is disposed within the cavity (138). The indicator (102) is configured to fluidly couple with an internal cavity (110) of a sterilization package (package) and indicate an exposure to a sterilant. The seal (142) is configured to form a microorganism barrier between an exterior of the cover (122) and an internal cavity (110) of a sterilization package (100).

Abstract: In some examples, a device includes first and second electrodes separated from one another by a space; a particle coupled to the first electrode via a first plurality of bonds, and coupled to the second electrode via a second plurality of bonds; and a polymerase coupled to the particle. In some examples, a composition includes first and second electrodes separated from one another by a space; a fluid including a first electrically conductive label having a length at least as long as a length of the space; and detection circuitry to generate a first signal responsive to transient formation, using the first electrically conductive label, of a first electrically conductive bridge between the first and second electrodes.