Abstract: A microfluidic element for analysis of a fluid sample having a substrate and a microfluidic transport system having a channel structure enclosed by the substrate and a covering layer. The channel structure comprises a channel with two side walls as well as a chamber that is in fluid communication with the channel. The chamber has a chamber wall with an inlet orifice. The channel comprises a channel section and a valve section adjoining the channel section, wherein the valve section is in fluid communication with the inlet orifice in the chamber wall in such a way that a fluid can flow from the channel through the valve section and into the chamber. The valve section has a fluid transport cross-section, which enlarges in flow direction. The fluid transport cross-section in the valve section is greater than the fluid transport cross-section in the preceding channel section.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an apparatus, system and method for retrieving 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 concave opening 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: The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for detecting the presence of a target analyte in a fluid sample using an assay.

Abstract: A portable analytical device is provided for analysis of a component of a body fluid. A measuring facility within the device may carry out the analysis on a test element inserted therein. The test element may contain a reagent that reacts with a liquid sample of the body fluid when the test element is contacted thereby to produce a change that is characteristic of the analysis. A processor may process measuring values determined by the measuring facility to yield analytical measuring data taking into account calibration values. A standardized, wire-based computer interface may be provided on the analytical device via which the analytical device can be operated by a computer, the analytical measuring data can be transmitted from the analytical device to the computer, the analytical device can be supplied with electrical power by the computer, and the analytical device can provide software to be read-out by the computer.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein include a microfluidic chip having a plurality of microfeatures interconnected to provide a configurable fluid transport system for processing at least one reagent. Inserts are provided to removably interfit into one or more of the microfeatures of the chip, wherein the inserts include sites for interactions with the reagent. As will be seen from the following description, the microfluidic chip and the inserts provide an efficient and accurate approach for conducting parallel assays.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing at least one biological sample accommodated on at least one carrier member (15) in a chamber includes, at least one reservoir (18) able to accommodate a fluid on a surface inside the chamber adjacent to and/or facing a substantial part of the at least one biological sample. The apparatus may comprise a bottom member (12) arranged to support at least one carrier member (15) carrying at least one biological sample and a lid (14) including at least one fluid reservoir (18). The reservoir filled with water provides humidity to the chamber and impedes drying out of the sample.

Abstract: A shut-off valve for use in a reverse osmosis filtering system including a housing defining an interior in fluid communication with a water inlet, a water outlet, and a permeate inlet, the housing having a fluidic network with a flowpath that connects the water inlet and the water outlet, a diaphragm plate forming a portion of the fluidic network within the interior, a piston within the interior for selectively opening and closing the flowpath, and at least one diaphragm coupling to the piston and the diaphragm plate such that as permeate pressure changes occur at the permeate outlet, the piston rocks between opening and closing the flowpath based on deflection of the at least one diaphragm in response to the permeate pressure changes.

Abstract: A manway is provided that can be used with food processing equipment. The manway may be provided at an intersection of a top wall and an end or side wall of the food processing equipment. The manway may extend angularly with respect to the food processing equipment so that a passage extending through the manway extends into an inside space of the food processing equipment at an angle. A nozzle may be mounted so as to position an opening(s) of the nozzle in a direction that faces the passage of the manway, and the nozzle may deliver a cleaning fluid so that the manway can be automatically cleaned in place.

Abstract: A liquid removal apparatus adapted to separate liquid from a composite slurry of liquid and solids. The apparatus includes a movable, permeable membrane having opposing first and second sides. A ‘loaded belt portion’ of the second side is configured to receive the slurry. A permeable membrane support system is configured to provide movable support for the loaded belt portion and includes a transport deck located in contact with the first side of the permeable membrane below the loaded belt portion. The liquid removal apparatus has a housing with a low-pressure chamber in sealing contact with the first side of the permeable membrane. A pressure conditioning system applies a differential pressure via the housing to generate a lower pressure on the first filter belt side than on the second side. The transport deck is located within the low pressure chamber.

Abstract: Provided is a microfluidic apparatus that is mounted on a rotation driver and induces a flow of a fluid due to a centrifugal force, the microfluidic apparatus including: a separation unit that separates a target cell from a sample; a recovery chamber that is connected to the separation unit through a recovery channel and accommodates the target cell obtained by the separation; and an inclined portion that is disposed in the recovery chamber and tilted toward a bottom of the recovery chamber along a direction of the centrifugal force.

Abstract: A separator for use in a container for a biological fluid is disclosed. The separator includes a separator body having a first region at least partially made of a first material having a first density, and a second region at least partially made of a second material having a second density different from the first density. The separator has an overall density intermediate the densities of a first phase and a second phase of the biological fluid. At least a portion of the separator is deformable between a first condition in which the biological fluid can pass between an inner surface of the container and the separator, and a second condition in which at least a portion of the separator prevents the biological fluid from passing between the inner surface of the container and the separator.

Abstract: A liquid-chromatography module includes a microfluidic cartridge housing a microfluidic substrate with a channel for transporting fluid. The microfluidic substrate has fluidic apertures through which fluid is supplied to the channel. One side of the cartridge has nozzle openings, each aligning with a fluidic aperture in the microfluidic substrate and receiving a fluidic nozzle. A clamping assembly has a plunger that is movable into a clamped position and an end housing that defines a chamber. One wall of the end housing has a fluidic block with fluidic nozzles extending into the chamber. A second wall has a slot through which the cartridge enters the chamber. When moved into the clamped position while the cartridge is in the chamber, the plunger urges the cartridge against the fluidic block such that each fluidic nozzle enters one nozzle opening and establishes fluidic communication with one fluidic aperture in the microfluidic substrate.

Abstract: There is disclosed a tape cassette having a reeled-up carrier tape that carries at least one type of functional elements, namely test elements and/or puncturing elements, that are arranged at a distance from each other in a tape direction. The distances in the tape direction from a functional element to the next functional element of the same type change periodically in space at a period P. Moreover, there is disclosed a method for manufacture of a tape cassette of this type.

Abstract: Arrangements for the detection of the presence and/or concentration of an analyte in a sample of bodily fluid include diffuse transmission, diffuse reflection and edge or waveguide illumination arrangements. A vertical flow assay arrangement and/or technique is also disclosed, and includes a detection component that can be in the form of an array of optical detection elements. A number of assay pad constructions are described which may include at least one or more of the following components: a prefilter component, a reflective component, a membrane component, a reagent component, a mesh component, and a component to prevent lateral spreading.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a biosensor chip includes: forming at least one metallic layer on a transparent substrate to form a composite member; disposing the composite member in a vacuumed chamber, and introducing a gas into the vacuumed chamber; applying microwave energy to the gas to produce a microwave plasma of the gas within the vacuumed chamber, and causing the microwave plasma to interact with the metallic layer so that the metallic layer is melted and formed into a plurality of metallic nanoparticles that are spaced apart from each other and that expose partially the surface of the transparent substrate; and disposing a receptor at the surface of the transparent substrate that is exposed among the metallic nanoparticles. A biosensor chip is also disclosed.

Abstract: A food processing vat is provided with blade assemblies that extend from opposing sides of a rotating shaft. The blade assemblies may be curved or otherwise face different directions at different locations along their respective lengths. The vat may have a pair of rotating shafts and the rotation of the shafts may be timed so that the blade assemblies of the shafts simultaneously travel through a common swept volume. The blade assemblies may be positioned on the shafts so that they intermesh through each other while simultaneously moving through the common volume.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid-controlling device (10) for incorporation into a microchip (100). The fluid-controlling device (10) of the present invention includes: a glass substrate (1b) having a hollow part (3) provided therein, the hollow part (3) having a first opening (3?) extending to a top surface of the glass substrate (1b) and a second opening (4) extending to a bottom surface of the glass substrate (1b); and a glass sheet (2) being 1 to 50 ?m in thickness and sealing the first opening (3?), the glass sheet (2) changing a volume of the hollow part (3) when a position of the glass sheet (2) is displaced by and according to a pressing force applied toward the hollow part (3). With use of the present invention, it is possible to provide a versatile microchip system being usable under a high pressure and being usable with an organic solvent.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a plurality of reagent sources for a feeding a plurality of reagents, each reagent source feeding a corresponding reagent among the plurality of reagents. A macro-chamber receives one or more reagents among the plurality of reagents from the plurality of reagent sources. A microfluidic reactor is coupled to the macro-chamber and the plurality of reagent sources and configured to receive one or more reagents among the plurality of reagents from at least one of the macro-chamber, the plurality of reagent sources, and react the one or more reagents to generate reaction content. The macro-chamber is further configured to receive the reaction content from the microfluidic reactor. A system configured to control at least one of flow of a dry gas in and out of the macro-chamber, surface area of at least one of the one or more reagents, and the reaction content in the macro-chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hot detachable and replaceable water filter assembly, including a filter core cover and a filter cartridge; wherein the filter cover and the filter cartridge are fastened together. The filter cover includes an upper ceramic piece, a lower ceramic piece and a rotating shaft. The contact surface between the upper ceramic piece and lower ceramic piece is smooth. The upper ceramic piece includes a first through hole. The lower ceramic piece includes a corresponding second through hole. The lower ceramic piece includes a first groove. The rotating shaft includes a first projection to drive the lower ceramic piece to rotate. The filter cartridge includes a water division end cap which is cooperated with the rotating shaft.

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.