Abstract: The present invention is a specially prepared fibrin foam, and a method of (and equipment for) making it, which is flexible, contains either open cells, closed cells or both, and having individual cell diameters between 0.001 and 2 mm. Typical ratios of reactants, to give the desired foam characteristics, include 50 cc (45-55 cc) of whole blood (prior to separation to the plasma component) with the subsequent addition thereto of 2 ml (1.5-2.5 ml) 3% hydrogen peroxide, 5000 units (4500-5500 units) thrombin and 1 gm (0.9-1.1 g) calcium chloride in 3 cc (2-4 cc) water. The present invention also includes specialty vessels and constructs, namely, automated, or semi-automated inner containers for the non-blood reactants, and a custom outer separation vessel having a punted based with an annular base lip as well as an upper tube shape tapering inward towards its top annular opening.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for characterizing material samples. In one aspect, a device for characterizing a sample includes a substrate configured for receiving a sample thereon; an optical fiber probe comprising a first end positioned near the sample and a second end that is bifurcated to include one or more first fiber configured for connection to a first light emitting device and one or more second fiber configured for connection to a spectrometer; a reflectance module coupled to the substrate; and a second light emitting device positioned near the sample. The optical fiber probe is configured for selectively obtaining at the spectrometer both a reflectance absorbance measurement of the sample associated with the first light emitting device and a photoluminescence measurement of the sample associated with the second light emitting device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of loading a fluid into a fluidic element, wherein the method is performed in a fluidic system comprising the fluidic element, wherein the method comprises determining a volume that has flown into the fluidic element since a start time tstart, and at a switching time tswitch, switching the fluidic system to an operating state to stop flow into the fluidic element. The present invention also relates to a fluidic system configured for performing the method, and to a corresponding computer program product.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a portable system, method and kit for onsite adsorbent evaluation useful for quickly testing adsorbents used to remove unwanted contaminants from water sources, including ground water. The embodiments of the portable system, method and kit of the present invention may be used in remote locations including the location of the source water obviating the need for transporting contaminated water or performing sampling in a laboratory. Components of the system may include a plurality of fluid channels or paths. Each fluid path may or may not include a column containing the adsorbent under evaluation, passive sampler, sampling vessel, source tubing, treated water return tubing, taps at junctions and a pump to draw source water through the fluid path in the system.

Abstract: An automatic analyzer includes a transporter, a first dispensing probe, a second dispensing probe, a reagent dispenser, a first reaction container transporter, a fluid dispenser, and a second reaction container transporter. The reagent dispenser is configured to dispense the reagent into the first reaction container at a first dispensing position by the first dispensing probe. The first reaction container transporter is configured to move the first reaction container, from the first dispensing position to a sucking position by the transporter. The fluid dispenser is configured to dispense the fluid including the reagent from the first reaction container at the sucking position into the second reaction container at a second dispensing position by the second dispensing probe. The second reaction container transporter is configured to transport the second reaction container containing the fluid from the second dispensing position to the first dispensing position by the transporter.

Abstract: Provided herein are magnetofluidic cartridges of use in a wide variety of sample analysis applications, including nucleic acid amplification assays. The magnetofluidic cartridges include sample inlet wells and sample analysis wells for performing controlled serial elution techniques that enables execution of extraction/purification and splitting of analytes for multiplex detection via magnetic actuation only. Related magnetofluidic devices, kits, and methods are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microfluidic reactor for controlling a chemical reaction and a chemical reaction control method using the same, and more specifically provides a microfluidic reactor capable of controlling a chemical reaction on an expanded scale and a microfluidic reaction device including the same. In addition, the present invention provides an ultrafast synthesis method for controlling unstable intermediates using the microfluidic reactor and microfluidic reaction device.

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.