Abstract: Unlike conventional reagent storing means of an analyzing unit having a cold-storage function, replacement reagent storing means having no cold-storage function requires reagent management of a higher order. An automatic analyzer is provided that manages the placing elapsed time for a reagent vessel in replacement reagent storing means 2, compares the placing elapsed time for the reagent with a permissible placing limit value stored as one of analysis parameters for each analysis item, and determines as to whether or not the placing elapsed time exceeds permissible limit value. In this way, the analyzer prevents the degradation of the reagent and automatically transfers the reagent to an analyzing section for performing measurement.

Abstract: A microchip including a fluid circuit therein and a specimen inlet for introducing a specimen containing a first component and a second component different in specific gravity from each other into the fluid circuit is provided, in which the fluid circuit includes a specimen measurement unit connected to the specimen inlet and having a prescribed volume for measuring the specimen introduced through the specimen inlet and a separation unit which is a site connected to the specimen measurement unit and having a capacity capable of storing the total amount of the measured specimen, for storing the total amount of the measured specimen and separating the first component and the second component in the stored specimen from each other.

Abstract: A microfluidic valve system is disclosed that includes a matrix, a hydrophilic acceptor region a hydrophilic transfer region, and a hydrophobic gap between the acceptor region and the transfer region.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to systems and methods for analyzing target materials of a suspension include a tube and a float. The float may include expandable portions. The system traps a target analyte between the expandable float and the tube and/or to create a seal between the expandable float and the tube to inhibit fluid from flowing past the expandable float in the tube. The expandable portions may radially expand when exposed to an expanding fluid, such that the expanding fluid is not a naturally-occurring constituent of the suspension; or, the expandable portions may radially expand when a force is exerted upon the expandable portion. A tube may include expandable portions that expand towards the float.

Abstract: The described embodiments may provide a method of fabricating a chemical detection device. The method may comprise forming a microwell above a CMOS device. The microwell may comprise a bottom surface and sidewalls. The method may further comprise applying a first chemical to be selectively attached to the bottom surface of the microwell, forming a metal oxide layer on the sidewalls of the microwell, and applying a second chemical to be selectively attached to the sidewalls of the microwell. The second chemical may lack an affinity to the first chemical.

Abstract: A color-appearing ink composition includes a surfactant blend of at least two non-ionic surfactants having hydrophilic-lipophilic balance values greater than 10, or a non-ionic surfactant having a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance value greater than 10 and a charged surfactant. The composition includes one or more water-insoluble leuco dyes, a developer and a desensitizer. The composition may be applied to a substrate to form a sensor.

Abstract: An automated sample tube decanting system having one or more decanting grippers, a decant waste receptacle, a transporter, and means for rotating the decanting gripper. Each decanting gripper has a respective holder configured to selectively mate with a respective interface on a tube strip. The one or more decanting grippers are rotatable between a first position in which the tube strip is upright and a second position in which the tube strip is inverted. The transporter is configured to move the one or more decanting grippers in a lateral direction from a starting location to a location above the decant waste receptacle.

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: The invention relates to integrated electronic chip (IEChip) cartridge devices which are used in hot electron-induced electrochemiluminescence methods and to instrumentation based on the electrical excitation of label molecules with subsequent measurement of luminescence in order to quantitate analyte concentrations especially in bioaffinity assays, especially outside of central laboratories.

Abstract: A total organic carbon meter including a sample introduction mechanism that includes a case in which a sample introduction and rod opening is formed; a sample introduction rod at the front end part of which a sample tray is arranged and which is inserted in the set direction through the sample introduction and rod opening; and a cover formed on the outer circumferential surface of the sample introduction rod, wherein the insertion of the sample introduction rod, on the front end part of which a sample tray has been arranged, through the sample introduction and rod opening, causes the gap between the sample introduction and rod opening and the sample introduction rod to be closed by the cover.

Abstract: A liquid mixture is used to test and validate test devices for inspecting objects or persons, said mixture containing glycerol and sodium hydroxide, in a weight ratio of glycerol to solid hydroxide between 6.5 and 3.8, and containing water.

Abstract: A method of processing an adipose tissue to collect adipose derived regenerative cells is provided, wherein the method comprises providing a vessel comprising a fluid jet mixer, introducing the adipose tissue into the vessel, introducing a buffer solution into the vessel; washing the adipose tissue using the fluid jet mixer; introducing an enzyme solution into the vessel; initiating jet mixing into the vessel comprising the adipose tissue, the enzyme solution, and the buffer solution using the fluid jet mixer to digest the adipose tissue to form a digestion product; phase-separating the digestion product into a digested buoyant fat layer and a non-buoyant aqueous layer; and collecting the non-buoyant aqueous layer comprising the adipose derived regenerative cells. A system of processing an adipose tissue to collect adipose derived regenerative cells is also provided.

Abstract: An automatic analyzer enables users to perform working steps easily and reliably by switching a display screen irrespective of a skill level of the user. The automatic analyzer, which determines a consistency of a test item, includes a display/input section to display a plurality of working steps relating to necessary work flow for measurement. The display/input section is adapted to selectively present a maximized workflow display and a reduced workflow display. The maximized workflow display shows a series of operations and works, and further shows a plurality of operations and works in an order that the plurality of operations and works are processed. In a reduced display of the work flow, the reduced workflow display shows details of a specific operation or work, and a position of the specific operation or work in a sequence that the entire series of operations and works are processed.

Abstract: A composition of matter is provided for testing smoke detectors. The composition includes an oligopolymeric siloxane and a fluorinated, propene-based propellant. The composition is non-flammable under all reasonably foreseeable conditions of use. The oligopolymeric siloxane may comprise phenyl trimethicone (INCI) (International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook), as typified by Dow Corning 556 Cosmetic Grade Fluid, Dow Corning 558 Fluid and equivalent siloxane compounds. The fluorinated propene-based propellant may comprise trans 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoroprop-1-ene. The trans 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoroprop-1-ene may comprise Honeywell Fluorine Products Division's HFO1,2,3,4ze(E) product. The fluorinated propene-based propellant may be present at from about 94% to 99% by weight. The oligopolymeric siloxane may be present at from about 1% by weight to about 6.0% by weight, ideally 1.5% to 2.0% by weight.

Abstract: The invention comprises a sample chamber for microscopic examinations, comprising a reservoir for receiving a sample, the reservoir being defined by a bottom plate and a side wall, and a parting plate disposed in the reservoir and being parallel to the bottom plate, the parting plate in the reservoir being disposed at a height which is lower than the minimum height of the side wall, so that it divides the reservoir into an upper and a lower partial reservoirs, the lower partial reservoir and the upper partial reservoir being laterally completely bordered by the side wall, and the upper and the lower partial reservoirs being connected by at least one inlet/outlet.

Abstract: A process challenge device comprising process challenge device comprising a container defining a space within the container, wherein the space can fully contain a process indicator; and at least one pressure-actuating valve associated with the container, wherein the at least one pressure-actuating valve regulates entrance of a sterilant into and exiting of a gas and/or liquid out of the space within the container, methods of using the device and a kit including the device are disclosed.

Abstract: This reagent preparation apparatus prepares a reagent supplied to a measurement portion measuring a specimen with the reagent. The reagent is prepared from a first liquid and a second liquid different from the first liquid. The reagent preparation apparatus comprises a reagent preparation portion preparing the reagent and a control portion acquiring reagent information related to the reagent prepared by the reagent preparation portion, acquiring supply time information related to a time when the reagent prepared by the reagent preparation portion was supplied to the measurement portion and outputting the reagent information and the supply time information.

Abstract: A method for transferring a filter membrane (130) bearing a retentate to a reagent pad (310), in which the membrane is mounted in a support frame (120) having a shoulder (121) and a skirt (122) projecting from the shoulder, the pad being mounted on a cassette (300) of complementary form to said skirt, the skirt being adapted to slide sealingly on the cassette until it comes into abutment formed by the shoulder, the method comprising the steps of sealingly engaging the skirt of the membrane support frame on the cassette, establishing a pressure difference between the cassette and the membrane support frame such that the membrane adopts the shape of a dome pointing towards the pad, while maintaining the pressure difference, applying a force on the frame so as to make the skirt slide on the cassette until contact is established between the end of the dome and the pad, maintaining a force on the frame so as to move it downward until it comes into abutment formed by the shoulder while maintaining the pressure diff

Abstract: An automated sample tube blotting system having one or more rotating grippers, a supply of absorbent material, a transporter, and an absorbent material removal mechanism. Each rotating gripper has a respective holder configured to selectively mate with a respective interface on a tube strip, and the one or more rotating grippers are rotatable between a first position in which the tube strip is upright and a second position in which the tube strip is inverted. The transporter is configured to move the rotating gripper in a lateral direction from a starting location to a location above the absorbent material, and in a vertical direction towards and away from the absorbent material.

Abstract: An automated chemistry analysis method is disclosed. In one general aspect, the method includes receiving a modular chemistry analysis test unit that includes one or more vessels for one or more reagents, and a machine-readable test specification coupled with the vessels. The method also includes defining a test that defines a test including a series of operations that employ the reagents for the vessels, and installing the chemistry analysis test unit in a first chemistry analyzer that includes one or more analysis tools and sequencing logic for sequencing instructions to be carried out by the analysis tools. The machine-readable test specification is automatically received from the chemistry analysis test module and stored for access by the sequencing logic to allow the sequencing logic to instruct the analysis tools to carry out the test defined by the test specification.