Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an apparatus, system and method for retrieving a target material from a suspension. A system includes a plurality of processing vessels and a collector. The collector funnels portions of the target material from the suspension through a cannula and into the processing vessels. Sequential density fractionation is the division of a sample into fractions or of a fraction of a sample into sub-fractions by a step-wise or sequential process, such that each step or sequence results in the collection or separation of a different fraction or sub-fraction from the preceding and successive steps or sequences. In other words, sequential density fractionation provides individual sub-populations of a population or individual sub-sub-populations of a sub-population of a population through a series of steps.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an apparatus, system and method for retrieving a target material from a suspension. A system includes a primary vessel, such as a tube, a collector, and a two-part seal including an internal pliant part and an external constricting part. The internal pliant part may be a float and the external constricting part may be a sealing ring. The system may also include a processing vessel, such as an Eppendorf tube, a syringe or a test tube. The collector is sized and shaped to fit into a primary vessel and funnels the target material from the suspension through a cannula and into the processing vessel. In one implementation, the processing vessel includes at least one displacement fluid to be expelled, such that the at least one displacement fluid pushes the target material into the collector.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods for sealing a glass microstructure assembly comprise providing one or more side retainer members on a base plate adjacent the glass microstructure assembly, the side retainer members having a height less than an uncompressed height defined by the glass microstructure assembly. The methods also comprise compressing the glass microstructure assembly via a load bearing top plate in intimate contact with the top glass layer while heating the glass microstructure assembly and the top plate to a glass sealing temperature, the glass sealing temperature being a temperature sufficient to make glass viscous, wherein the glass microstructure assembly is compressed until the load bearing top plate contacts the side retainer members, and wherein the lower surface of the top plate maintains adhesion to the upper surface of the top glass layer at the glass sealing temperature while the load bearing plate is supported by the side retainer members.

Abstract: Provided is a fluid analysis cartridge that performs a test on a fluid sample. The fluid analysis cartridge includes: a testing part configured to receive a fluid sample and configured to perform a test on the fluid sample; a housing including at least one supply hole configured to supply the fluid sample to the testing part; a filtering part that is disposed between the at least one supply hole and the testing part and is configured to filter a particular material included in the fluid sample; and at least one stepped part provided on a surface of the housing facing the filtering part and that forms a gap between the filtering part and the surface of the housing.

Abstract: A micro fluidic device comprises one microstructure layer (5) and one cover layer (1), wherein the cover layer (1) is connected to the microstructure layer (5). The microstructure layer (5) comprises one bottom layer and a plurality of microstructures on it to position samples. The cover layer (1) comprises one top layer, one positioning well (6) and at least one inlet pool (4). The positioning well (6) is right above the microstructures and connected with each other. The inlet pools (4) and the positioning well (6) are connected by microchannels (3) which are formed between the microstructure layer (5) and the cover layer (1). The micro fluidic device can be applied in vitro fertilization, in determining how glial cells affect neurons, in constructing neural network and in detecting cell growth conditions.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an apparatus, system and method for retrieving a target material from a sample. A density-altering agent may be added to a vessel that contains the sample to change the density of a non-target material.

Abstract: This invention provides mixing, reaction and ejection devices for small volume samples. This invention also provides cooling devices, sample preparation apparatuses and sample preparation methods for studying chemical and biological reactions. The mixing, reaction and ejection devices of this invention allow ejection of small volume liquid samples from a microfluidic channel. Cooling devices of the invention enable serial cooling and collection of samples in an efficient and accurate manner. This invention also provides apparatuses comprising the mixing, reaction and ejection devices and cooling devices. This invention provides methods of using the novel devices and apparatuses.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an apparatus, system and method for retrieving a target material from a suspension. A system includes a processing vessel, such as an Eppendorf tube, a syringe or a test tube, and a collector. The collector is sized and shaped to fit into a primary vessel, such as a test tube. The collector funnels the target material from the suspension through a cannula and into the processing vessel. The cannula extends into a cavity at a first end of the collector that holds the processing vessel. The collector includes a funnel at a second end in fluid communication with the cannula. In one implementation, the processing vessel includes at least one displacement fluid to be expelled, such that the at least one displacement fluid pushes the target material into the collector.

Abstract: A photostructurable ceramic is processed using photostructuring process steps for embedding devices within a photostructurable ceramic volume, the devices may include one or more of chemical, mechanical, electronic, electromagnetic, optical, and acoustic devices, all made in part by creating device material within the ceramic or by disposing a device material through surface ports of the ceramic volume, with the devices being interconnected using internal connections and surface interfaces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic circuit including at least one microchannel for the flow of a first fluid conveying drops or bubbles of at least one second fluid, characterized in that the height of the microchannel is sized so as to crush the drops or bubbles during the movement thereof, and in that the microchannel comprises at least one trough, extending at least partially in the direction of flow of the first fluid or an area for trapping drops or bubbles, said area or the trough having a height that is greater than the height of the microchannel, such that at least some of the drops or bubbles of the second fluid in the microchannel are drawn and guided into the trough or into the trapping area.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to medical articles which exhibit a color change upon exposure to an analyte of interest and to methods of detecting analytes in bodily fluid using the same.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cartridge housing for forming a cartridge capable of measuring an analyte or property of a liquid sample. The housing comprising a first substantially rigid zone, a second substantially flexible zone, a hinge region, and at least one sensor recess containing a sensor. The housing is foldable about said hinge region to form a cartridge having a conduit over at least a portion of said sensor. The invention also relates to methods for forming such cartridges and to various features of such cartridges.

Abstract: A method for optimization of a response of a biological system includes: (1) obtaining measurements of a biological system in response to varying concentrations of drugs in a drug combination; (2) fitting the measurements into a model of the biological system; and (3) using the model of the biological system, predicting concentrations of the drugs in the drug combination to yield an optimized response of the biological system.

Abstract: A sensor device comprises a dielectric substrate (52); and a metal layer (53) on the substrate (52) with at least one array of cavities (54) therein and adapted to support L-SPR, each of the cavities (54) in the metal layer (53) having an opening (56) and a closed bottom (58) and widening from opening to bottom. A bed of dielectric material (62) is provided over the bottom (58) of each cavity (54) to reduce its apparent depth, the bed surface (62) being functionalized to bind to receptor moieties (64). This sensor device is particularly designed for SPR detection, but can be used in other detection techniques.

Abstract: A biological fluid sampling transfer device that is adapted to receive and separate a multi-component blood sample is disclosed. After separation, the biological fluid sampling transfer device is able to transfer a plasma portion of the blood sample to a point-of-care testing device. The biological fluid sampling transfer device of the present disclosure also provides a closed sampling and transfer system that reduces the exposure of a blood sample and provides fast mixing of a blood sample with an anticoagulant. The biological fluid sampling transfer device is engageable with a blood testing device for closed transfer of a portion of the plasma portion from the biological fluid sampling transfer device to the blood testing device. The blood testing device is adapted to receive the plasma portion to analyze the blood sample and obtain test results.

Abstract: A detection chip is provided. The detection chip includes a substrate, an active reagent, a hydrophilic droplet and a lipophilic substance. The substrate includes a first containing slot, wherein the first containing slot includes a first space and a second space adjacent to each other. The active reagent is disposed in the first space of the first containing slot. The hydrophilic droplet is disposed in the second space of the first containing slot. The lipophilic substance is disposed in the first containing slot, wherein the lipophilic substance is immiscible to the active reagent and the hydrophilic droplet, and separates the active reagent from the hydrophilic droplet.

Abstract: There is provided a device, such as a microfluidic device, for performing an assay including: a substrate comprising a channel, such as a microfluidic channel; at least one optical element having an input port arranged to be optically coupled to a light source; an output port optically coupled to at least a portion of the channel; and a light guide portion optically connecting the input port and output port; and a detection port optically coupled to said at least a portion of the channel. The device provides an improved geometry which addresses problems related to traditional orthogonal detection arrangements and in-line detection systems.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are analytical aids having a surface coated at least partially with a hydrophilic coating, where the hydrophilic coating includes nanoparticles with silica structure and an average particle size in a range from about 1 nm to about 500 nm. Also disclosed are methods of producing the analytical aids, as well as using the analytical aids in, for example, a sampling device containing the at least partially coated analytical aid.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices and in particular microfluidic devices incorporating a valve for selectively controlling the flow of a fluid within the microfluidic device are described. Specific examples of a microfluidic device are described, comprising a sacrificial valve, desirably one that is dissolvable on contact with a fluid or that is configured to disintegrate or dissolve on experiencing a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: A microchip to be used for measuring a plurality of types of objects to be measured. The microchip includes at least a reagent retaining portion and a detecting portion. The test reagent retaining portion includes a plurality of types of test reagents corresponding respectively to the plurality of types of objects to be measured. A plurality of time courses for a change in detected value at the detecting portion caused by a reaction between the test reagents and the objects to be measured corresponding respectively thereto are all different from each other.