Abstract: A sample testing device for testing for the presence of a component of interest in a liquid sample includes: (a) a capillary pathway having an upstream end and a downstream end and incorporating a reagent system capable of causing agglutination with the component; (b) optionally, a control capillary pathway; (c) a sampling region to which the liquid sample is applied and from which the sample is able to enter the upstream ends of the test and control capillaries; (d) a power source; (e) detection arrangements electrically associated with the power source for detecting the presence of liquid at a downstream region of the capillaries; (f) a display operated by the power source for indicating the result of the test; and (g) a signal processor associated with the power source, detection arrangement and display for evaluating the result of the test and providing the result on the display.

Abstract: The present invention provides for increasing fluorescence detection in surface assay systems while increasing kinetics of a bioreaction therein by providing low-power microwaves to irradiate metallic materials within the system in an amount sufficient to increase heat thereby affecting the kinetics of a bioreaction therein.

Abstract: The invention concerns a test element analytical system for the analytical examination of a sample, especially a body fluid, comprising at least one test element with one or more measuring zones and contact areas located on the test element, in particular electrodes or conductor paths, the sample to be examined being brought into the measuring zone to carry out an analysis in order to determine a characteristic measured quantity for the analysis, and an evaluation instrument with a test element holder for positioning the test element in a measuring position and a measuring device for measuring the characteristic change, the test element holder containing contact elements with contact areas which enable an electrical contact between the contact areas of the test element and the contact areas of the test element holder, characterized in that one of these contact areas is provided with an electrically conductive hard material surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composite semipermeable membrane, which comprises a separation functional layer on a microporous support, and in which the separation functional layer is made of a condensation product of a polymer that has acidic groups and a trialkoxysilane groups having an imidazolium structure in side chains. The composite semipermeable membrane has excellent selective separation performance for divalent ions over monovalent ions, while exhibiting excellent long-term durability. Also disclosed is a method for producing the composite semipermeable membrane. The composite semipermeable membrane is suitable for uses in various water treatment fields such as the desalination of seawater and the production of drinking water. In addition, the composite semipermeable membrane does not deteriorate as much as conventional composite semipermeable membrane even in cases where the membrane is sterilized by having chlorine-containing raw water permeate therethrough continuously or intermittently.

Abstract: An integral-type reaction cartridge includes a plurality of reaction containers and at least a separation container. The plural reaction containers and the separation container are integrally formed of plastic and lined along a first direction. The separation container has a first end, a second end opposing the first end, and a hollow accommodating space between the first and second ends, wherein the first end is an open end, the second end is a closed end, and the accommodating space tapers from the first end to the second end. The accommodating space has a first side and a second side along the first direction, as well as a third side and a fourth side along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Near the second end, at least one of the first side and the second side has a greater slope than the third side and the fourth side.

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 device having: one or more substrates in an enclosure having an inlet and an outlet; a template directed molecular imprinted material on the substrates; and a heater to heat the material. A method of: providing the above device including a sensor coupled to the outlet; flowing a gas though the device; heating the material; and flowing any vapor evolved from the material into the sensor.

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 sample substrate configured for samples of biological material is provided. The sample substrate has a dual chambered sample well separated by a wall that may be punctured or otherwise breached to allow mixing of material contained in the two initially separate chambers. The chambers are connected by channels to fluid reservoirs, wherein the channels can be staked to prevent further fluid flow into and out of the chambers. Methods of loading a sample substrate are also provided.

Abstract: Described herein are embossing methods for forming pico liter well arrays (and other structures), arrangements of such pico liter well arrays, for example, in arrays of pico liter well areas, and methods of forming templates for such embossing. Also described as wells with a refractive index similar to that of an aqueous medium used for supporting cells in the wells.

Abstract: Fluidic devices and methods including those that provide storage and/or facilitate fluid handling of reagents are provided. Fluidic devices described herein may include channel segments positioned on two sides of an article, optionally connected by an intervening channel passing through the article. The channel segments may be used to store reagents in the device prior to first use by an end user. The stored reagents may include fluid plugs positioned in linear order so that during use, as fluids flow to a reaction site, they are delivered in a predetermined sequence. The specific geometries of the channel segments and the positions of the channel segments within the fluidic devices described herein may allow fluid reagents to be stored for extended periods of time without mixing, even during routine handling of the devices such as during shipping of the devices, and when the devices are subjected to physical shock or vibration.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a test instrument and an optical measurement apparatus which enable easy matching of test results when tests by optical measurement are performed with respect to a large number of patients. To the above end, a test instrument B is provided, which includes reagent retaining portions 8A, 8B, 8C retaining a reagent which reacts with a sample to produce a color reaction. The test instrument B includes a patient information entry section 64 as an example of patient identifying information region in which patient identifying information is to be written.

Abstract: Body fluid testing device for analyzing a body fluid comprises a test media tape adapted to collect the body fluid. The test media tape comprises a tape and test media portions. A free tape portion without test medium is located between successive test media portions. The testing device further comprises a supply portion. The supply portion comprises a housing in which uncontaminated test media tape is contained. The housing further has an opening for withdrawing test media tape from the housing. The testing device further has a sealing means for closing the opening against the surrounding. A free tape portion of the test media tape is located between a wall of the housing and the sealing means when the sealing means closes the opening. Further aspects concern a test media cassette with sealing means and a method for providing test media while holding them sealed against humidity during onboard storage.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a biochip comprising a substrate and a three-dimensional mesoporous layer on top of it, wherein the mesoporous layer on top is chemically modified to recognize labeling DNAs, proteins, peptides, saccharides, and cells. In addition, this invention also discloses a method for forming the biochip with a three-dimensional mesoporous layer, including a blending process, a heating process, a coating process, a gelation process, a drying process, and a surface modification process.

Abstract: In some aspects, an analyte meter sleeve is provided for storing an analyte meter (e.g., a blood glucose meter or insulin pump) and a lancet device. The sleeve includes a first sleeve member adapted to receive the analyte meter and a second member affixed to the sleeve and adapted to receive the lancet device. The first sleeve member may have a window adapted to allow viewing of a meter display. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A system for decreasing volatile organic compounds (VOC) in a crude oil tanker includes: a supply pipe horizontally installed over a crude oil storage tank of the crude oil tanker and having an end connected to a crude oil storage tank on land; a load pipe vertically connected to a bottom surface of the supply pipe, vertically passing through the crude oil storage tank of the crude oil tanker, and communicating with a lower part of the crude oil storage tank; a distribution pipe horizontally connected to a lower end of the load pipe; and a pressure control unit installed at a lower end portion of the load pipe.

Abstract: A polyethylene terephthalate container having a hydrogen generator and catalyst disposed or otherwise incorporated in components of the container. The container further comprises an indicator system or means for use with a hydrogen generator and a catalyst system.

Abstract: A method for treating the surface of a polymerio substrate, including the following steps: providing a first polymeric substrate; contracting at least one part of one face of the first substrate with some liquid solvent system, the liquid solvent system containing at least a first volatile compound and at least a second compound having a low molecular weight and able to swell and/or soften the polymeric material forming the face; letting at least the volatile compound to evaporate from the face of the first substrate and; contracting the so-treated face of first substrate with a third material.

Abstract: A chemical sensor having a sol-gel material affixable to a predetermined surface, and an indicator within the sol-gel, for detecting and signaling the presence of at least one chemical is provided. Also provided is an indicator for detecting and indicating a presence of at least one chemical. The indicator includes a sol-gel material affixable to a predetermined surface and an indicator within the sol-gel, for detecting and signaling the presence of at least one chemical. There is provided a method of detecting at least one chemical by applying the indicator from above to a predetermined surface of an object and indicating the presence of a chemical. A method of making a chemical sensor encapsulating within a sol-gel a detector capable of detecting and signaling a presence of at least one chemical.

Abstract: Test element analysis system for the analytical investigation of a sample, in particular of a body liquid of human beings or animals, comprising test elements (2) with a carrier film (5) and a test field (7) fixed to the flat side (6) of the carrier film (5), the test field (7) containing a reagent system the reaction of which with the sample (21) leads to an optically measurable change in the detection zone (24) which is characteristic for the analysis, and an evaluation instrument with a measuring device for measuring the optically measurable change.