Abstract: A process for realising a device (1) for collecting and transferring samples for molecular biology, the device including at least: a support body (2) having at least a first portion (2a), and a plurality of fibers (6) attached and arranged on the first portion (2a) of the support body (2) by flocking, such as to define a flocked collecting portion (3) destined to collect, on the said collecting portion, (3) a quantity of the sample for molecular biology, the process including at least a step of pre-treating the plurality of fibers (6) with a surfactant, the step of pre-treating the plurality of fibers (6) with a surfactant being performed after application of the fibers on the support body (2) by flocking and/or before application of the fibers (6) on the body (2) by flocking and/or wherein the surfactant is added to the fiber (6) during production of the fiber (6).

Abstract: A centrifuge tube assembly which allows for a single centrifuge cycle and which permits the aspiration of fluids from multiple levels with the centrifuge tube assembly. The centrifuge tube assembly includes a vertically disposed outer containment tube having a closed lower end and an open upper end with the open upper end being closed by a cap. An elongated inner tube extends downwardly through the cap and into the interior of the outer containment tube. A generally cone-shaped disk assembly is slidably mounted on the inner tube to create a chamber above the disk assembly. An O-ring is mounted on the lower end of the disk assembly which is in yieldable engagement with the inner tube. A flapper valve is positioned in the upper end of the disk assembly. The flapper valve has a plurality of slits formed therein.

Abstract: The application relates to a collection assembly (1), in particular for blood samples, comprising a sample container (2) and a closure device (3) which has a closure cap (22) and a pierceable septum (26) held on the closure cap. At its open end (4) delimited by an end face (11), the sample container has a flange (13) and an annular skirt (15), the flange projecting radially beyond a side wall (7). The annular skirt (15) extends axially from a flange end (14) to a closed end (5) of the sample container (2). The sample container (2), the flange (13) and the annular skirt form a one-piece component. Between an outer surface (9) of the side wall (7) and an inner annular skirt surface (16) facing toward this outer surface, there is an approximately tubular free space (17) which is delimited in the axial direction in the region of the open end (4) by the flange (13).

Abstract: The subject invention provides materials and methods for detecting the presence of an electron donor. In a specific embodiment, the device detects the presence of dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) via a colorimetric change output by the sensing device. In another specific embodiment, the presence of an enzyme capable of catalyzing, or an agent capable of inhibiting, the production of NADH can also be detected by a colorimetric readout using the same device. In some embodiments, dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) can also be detected using the device provided herein. Advantageously, preferred embodiments of the subject invention provide a low-cost, sensitive device for monitoring the presence of critical biological analytes in a variety of applications.

Abstract: A particle processing device includes a chamber and at least one capturing structure. The chamber is connected to a first port and a second port to provide a space between the first and second ports for flowing of a fluid having a particle. The capturing structure is provided in the chamber to form a fluidic channel, wherein the fluidic channel has a first opening and a second opening and a capturing region is formed between the first and second openings such that the capturing region has a changeable sectional shape for capturing the particle in the fluid flowing from the first port to the second port.

Abstract: A specimen collection container includes inner and outer tubes. The inner tube includes a bottom end, a top end, and a sidewall extending therebetween defining an interior. The sidewall includes an inner surface and an outer surface having at least one annular protrusion extending therefrom. The inner tube includes at least one funnel portion adjacent the top end for directing a specimen into the inner tube interior, and an annular ring disposed about a portion of the outer surface of the sidewall adjacent the top end. The outer tube includes a bottom end, a top end, and a sidewall extending therebetween, the sidewall having an outer surface and an inner surface defining an annular recess adapted to receive a portion of the annular protrusion therein. The inner tube is disposed within the outer tube and a portion of the top end of the outer tube abuts the annular ring.

Abstract: A film bag for storing a fluid, in particular a reagent or an auxiliary agent for a biochemical analysis method, includes a film, a seam, and an irreversibly destructible predetermined breaking point. The film is impermeable to the fluid and constituents of the fluid. The seam is formed in a fluid-tight manner between a first sub-region of the film and a second sub-region of the film and forms the film into a fluid-tight bag for accommodating the fluid. The bag is configured to be arranged in a chamber of a device that provides a fluid for a biochemical evaluating unit. The predetermined breaking point is formed from the film and is fluid-tight when a fluid pressure in the film bag is below a limit. The predetermined breaking point is destroyed when the fluid pressure is above the limit.

Abstract: An immersion liquid for microscopy is provided, comprising (a) an organic compound which contains a saturated polycyclic hydrocarbon residue, (b) an oligomeric or polymeric saturated acyclic hydrocarbon and (c) an alkyl aromatic compound, selected from the group consisting of alkyl naphthalene and alkyl biphenyl.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a protein standard for gel electrophoresis. The standard may be detected using multiple modalities. These modalities include, for example, observation of color or fluorescence arising from dyes, porphyrins, or haloalkylated tryptophan residues covalently linked to proteins of the standard; or detection of fluorescence or chemiluminescence arising from antibodies or other binding partners bound to proteins of the standard through polypeptide epitopes or affinity tags. The protein standard comprises multiple protein sets, each set corresponding to a different gel band, and proteins within a set may be detectable with one or more modalities.

Abstract: An apparatus for cell observation and a method for cell collection using the same are disclosed. The apparatus for cell selection comprises a first substrate having an opening; and a second substrate having a photoresist unit disposed on a surface thereof, wherein the photoresist unit comprises at least one notch and defines a space which is interconnected with the notch and corresponds to the opening of the first substrate.

Abstract: An improved disposable electrochemical test sensor designed to facilitate sampling of fluid samples. It has a fluid chamber having a novel extra wide sampling entrance. The chamber provides a reservoir from which a sample fluid can be drawn into the chamber through capillary action. The novel extra wide sampling entrance of the test sensor provided by the present invention can draw blood into the chamber not only from the front of the sampling entrance as usual in convenient sensors, but also from the top, bottom, left corner and right corner of the sampling entrance. Thus it allows easy targeting the samples with small volume, picking up smeared samples and it is more tolerant to users who jam the tip of the sensor into users' finger.

Abstract: An oestrus detector includes a reservoir portion which contains a coloured liquid. The detector further includes a generally planar portion that is attached to and sealed from the reservoir portion, except for an open or closed passage in a seal line separating the reservoir portion and the generally planar portion. In use the liquid is squeezed from the reservoir portion, through the passage, and into the generally planar portion, when the reservoir portion receives pressure.