Abstract: Disclosed is a transport method to be performed in an analysis system configured to transport a specimen to an analyzer configured to analyze an analyte contained in the specimen, the transport method comprising: cooling and preserving, in a cooling-and-preserving part, a quality control specimen containing an analyte having a known concentration; and controlling transport of the quality control specimen between the cooling-and-preserving part and the analyzer on the basis of a status of the analyzer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a test device. The device includes a testing element and a house configured to accommodate the testing element, where the house is formed by folding a paper-made card, and the testing element is located in the housing. The housing is allowed to be in different change states to test or assay an analyte in a sample.

Abstract: In a two-dimensional conveyance line employing an electromagnetic conveyance technique, carriers are conveyed in consideration of the length of a group of stagnated carriers, so as to reduce idle positions and ensure conveyance efficiency of a specimen inspection system and maximize the number of carriers conveyed simultaneously. Current is supplied to a winding of an electromagnetic circuit and an electromagnetic force is generated between the winding and a carrier with a magnet that holds a test tube to move the carrier. The processing efficiency of a specimen inspection system is improved by changing the current of the electromagnetic circuit to change a conveyance speed of the carrier to which the specimen sample is mounted, and by shortening the conveyance time, and reducing the conveyance speed of the carrier and increasing the number of carriers that are conveyed simultaneously as an alternative to detouring the carrier during congestion.

Abstract: A measurement system for measuring a status of a process of a treatment apparatus for treating a component in a chamber to generate a gas mixture including gaseous phase materials includes a sampling unit configured to selectively communicate an exhaust pipe for discharging the gas mixture including the gaseous phase materials from the chamber to sample the gas mixture from the exhaust pipe as much as a predetermined time or a predetermined volume; and a detection unit configured to separate and detect the gaseous phase materials included in the gas mixture sampled by the sampling unit into substances.

Abstract: The present application relates to a rack (1) for holding a plurality of petri-dishes (P), comprising a main body (2) with a plurality of adjacent and spaced apart holding portions (3) each configured to receive and support, in a substantially parallel orientation that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction (X) of the rack (1), a petri-dish (P), wherein each holding portion (3) includes positioning features (4) for positioning the petri-dish (P) in the holding portion (3) and allowing insertion of the petri-dish (P) from a lateral side in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X). The holding portions (3) and positioning features (4) respectively comprise a pair of separation elements (11) spaced apart from each other to define therebetween a slot (12) configured to receive the petri-dish (P).

Abstract: A device for separating and recovering blood fractions includes two conical chambers communicating via their bases, the first chamber having a duct for supplying the fluid to be treated and means for recovering at least one component, the second chamber comprising an elastically deformable flexible membrane that transversely separates a space opening into the duct for communicating with the second chamber, and a bag having a volume that varies according to the deformation of the membrane.

Abstract: A sample rack recovery method after an accidental interruption of operation of a sample rack manipulation device (10), a sample rack manipulation device (10) capable of performing the method, an automatic detection system (1) comprising the device (10), and a computer-readable medium in which a program for executing the method is stored. The device (10) comprises a conveying device (103) adapted to move in a transport area (TB) to convey a sample rack (30) between a loading/unloading area (TA), sampling areas (TD, TE) and a buffer area (TC). The method comprises: a conveying device detection step of detecting the state of a conveying device (103); a sample rack detection step of detecting the position of a sample rack (30) in a sample rack manipulation device (10); and a sample rack recovery step of conveying the sample rack (30) to a loading/unloading area (TA) by the conveying device (103) according to the detection results of the conveying device (103) and the sample rack (30).

Abstract: A sample holder includes a first member featuring a first retaining mechanism configured to retain a first substrate that includes a sample, a second member featuring a second retaining mechanism configured to retain a second substrate that includes a reagent medium, and an alignment mechanism connected to at least one of the first and second members, and configured to align the first and second members such that the sample contacts at least a portion of the reagent medium when the first and second members are aligned.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microfluidic device (1), preferably for producing a three-dimensional cell culture, having at least one chamber (2), and a fluid channel (3) which flows through at least part of the chamber (2) in order to provide a fluid stream which flows through the chamber (2) preferably continuously, wherein the chamber (2) is connected to a loading opening (4) and via the loading opening (4) can be loaded with hydrogel up to a desired fill level, characterized in that the chamber (2) comprises a main chamber (5) and a secondary chamber (6) connected to the main chamber (5), wherein, when the chamber (2) is being loaded with hydrogel up to the desired fill level, the secondary chamber is at least partially filled with hydrogel backed up from the main chamber (5).

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.