Abstract: A method in which a concentration of a chemical species of interest is obtained. The method comprises measuring a property (e.g. the oxidation reduction potential) of a reagent (typically based on a simple single electron redox couple) to obtain a baseline measurement. The reagent is mixed with the solution under test, then the property of the mixture is measured to obtain a post reaction measurement. Then the concentration of the chemical species of interest is determined based on the baseline measurement and the first post reaction measurement, typically by calculating a difference of the baseline measurement and the post reaction measurement, then using the difference and a pre-determined conversion table to determine the concentration of the chemical species of interest.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of assessing the potential color protecting effect in vivo of a test formulation such as rinse-off hair treatment formulation, the method comprising the steps of: providing a sample of the test formulation to be assessed; providing a model substrate in the form of a hair switch which has been artificially colored; applying the test formulation to the hair switch; subsequently rinsing the test formulation from the hair switch; collecting the rinse liquor and analysing it for the presence of eluted color; characterized in that the artificial color used to color the hair switch is a permanent hair colorant with a shade level 1 or 2 according to the International Color Chart (I.C.C.). The method provides improved sensitivity and differentiation, and enables the tester to compare different technologies in terms of effectiveness.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to the detection of whole blood hemolysis in a sample of whole blood. More specifically, this disclosure describes detecting hemolysis using one or more novel ratios of intercellular concentrations of whole blood analytes.

Abstract: A device for immunochromatographic assay includes a housing and a vessel body. The housing has an upwardly-extending hollow protrusion for housing the vessel body. The vessel body has a vessel body wall and a vessel body bottom. A raised tip and a fence surrounding the tip are arranged in the housing. The vessel body and the raised tip can be moved towards each other such that the raised tip can break the vessel body bottom to release liquid in the vessel body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a humidity indicating composition comprising (a) an organic pH indicator dye compound, (b) a Bronsted base comprising an organosilane, (c) a moisture-curable binder, (d) an optional rheology additive and (e) an optional alkaline filler.

Abstract: A hydrogel is dried by a critical point drying technique. The hydrogel may include indicator molecules embedded therein and may be part of a hydrogel-based device, such as, for example, an analyte sensor.

Abstract: Methods for producing a high resolution image of a sample are provided. In some embodiments, the method includes: detecting first and second sets of spatially-dependent emission signals from a sample labeled with a fluorescent polymeric dye; and producing a high resolution fluorescence image of the sample from the detected first and second sets of spatially-dependent emission signals. In some embodiments, the sample is a cell. Also provided are systems for imaging a sample that include a high resolution light microscope including a light source configured to irradiate a field of view with an excitation light; a photodetector configured to detect an emission signal: and a polarization modulator disposed in the light pathway between the light source and the photodetector; and a sample labelled with a polymeric dye and disposed in the field of view.

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 including a top portion having a first substantially rigid zone and a substantially flexible zone, a bottom portion separate from the top portion including a second substantially rigid zone, and at least one sensor recess containing a sensor. The top portion and the bottom portion are bonded to form the cartridge having a conduit over at least a portion of the sensor. The invention also relates to methods for forming such cartridges and to various features of such cartridges.

Abstract: A method for characterizing a brake fluid, the method comprising contacting a solvent with the brake fluid to provide a sample; introducing the sample into a first capillary column coated with a first stationary phase and allowing the sample to flow through the first capillary column to produce an effluent stream; and passing the effluent stream through a detector to identify one or more hydrocarbon components and optionally a detectable borate component, wherein the first capillary column is at a temperature effective for a borate ester in the sample, if any, to react with a portion of the solvent to form the detectable borate component.

Abstract: Materials, components, and methods consistent with the disclosure are directed to the fabrication and use of micro scale channels with a gas, where the micro channel can include a base (110) and a side (120), where the base and the side can be configured to form at least a portion of an inflow opening, and an outflow opening. The micro channel can be configured to accommodate a flow of the gas from the inflow opening to the outflow opening in a first direction substantially perpendicular to a cross section of the micro channel. The side can have a thickness in a range 0.5 ?m and 500 ?m, where the micro channel with a thickness in a range 0.5 ?m and 500 ?m is formed, in part, by providing the side on the base.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of assessing the potential color protecting effect in vivo of a test formulation such as rinse-off hair treatment formulation, the method comprising the steps of: providing a sample of the test formulation to be assessed; providing a model substrate in the form of a hair switch which has been artificially colored; applying the test formulation to the hair switch; subsequently rinsing the test formulation from the hair switch; collecting the rinse liquor and analysing it for the presence of eluted color; characterized in that the artificial color used to color the hair switch is a permanent hair colorant with a shade level 1 or 2 according to the International Color Chart (I.C.C.). The method provides improved sensitivity and differentiation, and enables the tester to compare different technologies in terms of effectiveness.

Abstract: A microfluidic probe is disclosed. The microfluidic probe includes a probe head, a liquid spacer supply and a spacer modulation unit. The probe head may include a processing liquid channel in fluid communication with a processing liquid aperture provided on a face of the probe head. The probe head is configured to transport, circulate, recirculate, or move some processing liquid in (or via) the processing liquid channel toward and/or from the processing liquid aperture. The spacer supply is fluidly connected, via a spacer insertion junction, to the processing liquid channel. The spacer supply is configured for inserting liquid spacers into the processing liquid channel, via the spacer insertion junction. Liquid volumes can be obtained, which are separated by inserted liquid spacers. The spacer modulation unit is configured to control the spacer supply, to modulate the insertion of spacers via the spacer supply. Related devices and methods of operation are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting mercury in a hydrocarbon-containing fluid stores a sample of the hydrocarbon-containing fluid in a first reservoir. A liquid phase reagent solution is stored in a second reservoir. The liquid phase reagent solution includes nanoparticles with an affinity to mercury, wherein the nanoparticles are suspended as a colloid in the liquid phase reagent solution. The sample of the hydrocarbon-containing fluid is delivered from the first reservoir into a first port of a fluidic device while the liquid phase reagent solution is delivered from the second reservoir into a second port of the fluidic device such that the fluidic device produces slug flow. The slug flow is subject to optical analysis that determines concentration of mercury in the sample of the hydrocarbon-containing fluid.

Abstract: A sealed bag containing a reference fluid for the calibration and/or quality control of a creatine and/or creatinine sensor, the bag comprising: an inner polymer layer and an outer polymer layer; and an aluminium oxide gas barrier layer there between; and wherein the inner polymer layer is in contact with the reference fluid.

Abstract: In one aspect, presence and/or level of an analyte within a sample is determined by use of a construct comprising a magnetic moiety and a fluorescent moiety. In one embodiment, the construct is magnetically migrated to a transparent surface and then dragged along the surface. In one aspect, an evanescent field is applied and changes in the diffusional or rotational properties of the fluorescent moiety as it migrates in and out of the evanescent field are measured by changes in its fluorescent emission, providing a measure of the interaction between the construct and a component of the sample.

Abstract: A biological fluid sampling transfer device adapted to receive a multi-component blood sample is disclosed. After collecting the blood sample, the biological fluid sampling transfer device is able to separate a plasma portion from a cellular portion. After separation, the biological fluid sampling transfer device is able to transfer the plasma portion of the blood sample to a point-of-care testing device. The biological fluid sampling transfer device 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 a sample stabilizer. 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: The present invention relates to containers having caps with smoking tools attached thereon, including an ashtray with a poker protruding inwards from its associated cap, and a jar for smoking materials having a combination scoop and packer protruding inwards from its associated cap. More than one container may be temporarily attached to another container via a single or multiple caps having means of attachment to another cap, and the caps may contain means for grinding material. The present invention makes loading and packing into, and removing ash from, a smoking device faster, easier, neater, and more convenient.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for making evident, diesel exhaust fuel (DEF) contamination is provided. The system, for use with a diesel exhaust fluid system, includes a container having an opening to receive a diesel exhaust fluid. A reactive device is located near the opening and reactive upon exposure to one or more predetermined components potentially present in a fluid pourable into the container through the opening. The reactive device is not reactive to the diesel exhaust fluid.

Abstract: A device for the processing of a sample comprises a location apparatus, a processing chamber for receiving the sample and a plurality of reagent chambers. The reagent chambers have openings defined in the location apparatus. The processing chamber is movable relative to the reagent chambers to enable sequential communication with each reagent chamber in turn.

Abstract: A method for preparing a hydrogel that reversibly changes color depending on pH includes: (S10) dissolving a carboxyl group-containing polysaccharide in buffer to obtain a polysaccharide solution; (S20) adding a cross-linker solution composed of a mixture of an organic solvent and a cross-linker to the polysaccharide solution; (S30) adding, to the cross-linker-containing polysaccharide solution resulting from step (S20), an organic solution composed of a mixture of an organic solvent and a first organic compound containing an aromatic functional group having at least one hydroxyl group bonded thereto, to form a mixture solution, and allowing the mixture solution to react; (S40) obtaining a polymer complex from the reaction mixture resulting from step (S30); and (S50) mixing the polymer complex from step (S40) with an organic dye comprising a second organic compound containing an aromatic functional group having at least one hydroxyl group bonded thereto.