Abstract: An improved qualitative or semi-quantitative diagnostic test for low levels of any analyte, such as hCG, in a biological sample, such as urine. The test comprises of a test device containing reagents for the detection of the monitored analyte and an electronic reader that measures color development at a detection area of the device. The color development is converted to an electronic or digital signal. Improvements were made to the detection process to optimize the detection of a valid fluid front, increase the detection limit without compromising the reliability and accuracy of the test system, and improve the determination of test result validity.

Abstract: A method is provided for disposing of a liquid within an automated analytical system for processing a fluid biological sample, wherein a contamination prevention shield including channels for pipets or pipet tips is reversibly docked to a container for liquid waste in order to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. A tip rack assembly is provided for processing a fluid sample, the assembly including a rack for pipet tips and the contamination prevention shield. An analytical system is provided using the tip rack assembly, wherein cross-contamination is avoided.

Abstract: A method of analyzing biological particles for a biological particle analyzer includes outputting a first detection result when at least one particle has arrived at the first detection area, outputting a second detection result to the control module when the particles have arrived at the second detection area, and determining when to turn on or off the light emission source and outputting a control signal to turn on or off the light emission source according to the first detection result, wherein a control module is configured to calculate a turn-on time according to different particle characteristics and an average velocity of the at least one particle, and the light emission source is turned on only when the at least one particle is being tested during the turn-on time.

Abstract: Embodiments of fluid distribution manifolds, cartridges, and microfluidic systems are described herein. Fluid distribution manifolds may include an insert member and a manifold base and may define a substantially closed channel within the manifold when the insert member is press-fit into the base. Cartridges described herein may allow for simultaneous electrical and fluidic interconnection with an electrical multiplex board and may be held in place using magnetic attraction.

Abstract: Disclosed therein is a sampler. The sampler includes: a chamber accommodating a fluid or solid reagent therein and being sealed at both ends with penetrable films; a tube joined with the chamber at one side, the tube having a hollow portion therein; and a movable bar having a tip which is formed at one end and has a specimen extracting portion, the tip being guided and moved through a hollow portion, the tip being adapted for mixing the specimen extracted by the specimen extracting portion with the reagent so as to form a diluted solution while penetrating through one end of the chamber and adapted for quantitatively discharging out the diluted solution while penetrating through the other end of the chamber.

Abstract: System, apparatuses, and methods for performing automated reagent-based analysis are provided. Also provided are methods for automated attachment of a cap to a reaction receptacle, and automated removal of a cap from a capped reaction receptacle.

Abstract: A breath analyzer is described with at least one chemical sensor sensitive to the concentration of a component in a sample of exhaled breath including a compensator for compensating for the effect of variations in the amount of exhaled breath between the user and the sensor location with the chemical sensor being integrated into a portable electronic device, particularly with the sensor being located in an air duct with an opening to the exterior of the housing of the analyzer with the total area of the opening being sufficiently small to restrict effectively mass transport between the exterior and the sensor and/or wherein the compensation includes the compensation for different responses of sensors.

Abstract: A microreactor for use in a microscope, comprising a first and second cove layer (13), which cover layers are both at least partly transparent to an electron beam (14) of an electron microscope, and extend next to each other at a mutual distance from each other and between which a chamber (15) is enclosed, wherein an inlet (4) and an outlet (5) are provided for feeding fluid through the chamber and wherein heating means (8) are provided for heating the chamber and/or elements present therein.

Abstract: Specimen collection slides, methods of fabricating and methods of utilizing such specimen collection slides whereby each specimen collection slide includes a top rigid layer with an opening, a bottom rigid layer with an opening substantially the same size as the top layer opening, a middle rigid section having an opening larger than the openings in both the top and bottom layers, and a filtration media residing within the opening in the middle section. The top, bottom and middle are secured together to provide the resultant slide with thickness and rigidity that lends the slide to be utilized in automated handling processes and instruments. The middle section of the slide encases the filtration media and sandwiches it between the top and bottom layers so that the filtration media is protected from damage. Each slide may have its own unique identifier.

Abstract: An automatic cleaning assembly for an analytical furnace is detachable from the filter chamber above the combustion tube. The cleaning assembly includes a rotating brush which is lowered through the filter chamber and into the combustion tube while a vacuum is drawn through the lower seal of the combustion tube. This results in a higher vacuum pressure differential and improved flow rate for removing dust from the filter of the furnace and the combustion tube.

Abstract: A method for measuring the thermal stability of succinic acid includes the following steps: 1) preparing a succinic acid crystal powder having less than 1% residual water content; 2) placing 10 g of the crystal powder in an oven at 220° C. for 2 hours; 3) pulverizing and sieving the crystal powder processed in this way, such that the particle size distribution thereof is between 0 and 10%, and preferably between 4 and 6% for particles larger than 500 ?m in size, between 20 and 40%, and preferably between 25 and 35% for particles between 200 and 500 ?m in size, between 50 and 75% and preferably between 55 and 70% for particles smaller than 200 ?m in size; and 4) measuring the color, in a spectrocolorimeter, of the pulverized and sieved powder and determining the average value of the yellow (index “b”).

Abstract: System, apparatuses, and methods for performing automated reagent-based analysis are provided. Also provided are methods for automated attachment of a cap to a reaction receptacle, and automated removal of a cap from a capped reaction receptacle.

Abstract: In order to completely decompose remaining urea contained in exhaust gas emitted from an internal combustion engine to make it possible to accurately measure an amount of the remaining urea, as well as preventing measurement accuracy and reliability from being damaged by some cause such as the attachment of powdery urea on a sensor, a gas analysis apparatus is provided with a filter part that is provided between a sampling port and a produced substance measuring mechanism in a mixed gas sampling pipe to collect urea in a solid state or in a state of being dissolved in water in mixed gas.

Abstract: Methods, devices, systems, and apparatuses are provided for the image analysis of measurement of biological samples.

Abstract: A method for determining a shape correction value F for a laboratory liquid-analysis cuvette comprising a cuvette body with a circular cross-section for a photometric liquid analysis includes optically measuring an inside diameter d1 or an outside diameter d0 of the cuvette body to obtain a measured cuvette body diameter d1;d0. A shape correction value F is calculated from the measured cuvette body diameter d1;d0. The shape correction value F for the cuvette body is stored.

Abstract: Provided is technology for blood clotting reactions capable of analyzing a blood clotting reaction with a high degree of precision, by precisely detecting and removing noise, regardless of the location where the noise is generated in the light intensity data. This automated analyzer approximates, with an approximation curve, time series data for transmitted light intensity or scattered light intensity of light emitted onto a sample, and, in this process, removes abnormal data points that deviate from the approximation curve (see FIG. 2).

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for control of an integrated thin-film device with a plurality of microfluidic channels. In one embodiment, the microfluidic device includes a microfluidic chip comprising a first zone having a plurality of microfluidic channels and a second zone having a plurality of microfluidic channels, wherein the microfluidic channels in the first and second zones are in fluid communication. The microfluidic device further comprising a thin-film heater in thermal communication with each of the microfluidic channels in the first and second zones. The microfluidic device also includes a control system configured to independently control the temperature of each of the thin-film heaters using pulse width modulation (PWM) control signals that are optimized for each of the thin-film heaters.

Abstract: A biosensor system can comprise a sensor chip and a measurement device. The sensor chip comprises a capillary and electrodes disposed within the capillary. The height of the capillary is set to be less than the maximum value of the sum of the diffusion distance of an electron-transfer mediator and the diffusion distance of an analyte at the upper limit of the measurement guaranteed temperature of the biosensor system. The measurement device applies an open circuit voltage, a voltage that is lower than during concentration measurement, or the like to the electrodes of the sensor chip.

Abstract: Hydrogen sensor including a substrate on which there is deposited an active layer of material comprising a first element selected from the rare earth family, a second element selected from the platinum group metals and a third element selected from the alkaline earth metal family.

Abstract: Sensors for sensing/measuring one or more analytes in a chemical environment. Each sensor is based on a semiconductor structure having an interfacial region containing a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG). A catalyst reactive to the analyte(s) is in contact with the semiconductor structure. Particles stripped from the analyte(s) by the catalyst passivate the surface of the semiconductor structure at the interface between the catalyst and the structure, thereby causing the charge density in the 2DEG proximate the catalyst to change. When this basic structure is incorporated into an electronic device, such as a high-electron-mobility transistor (HEMT) or a Schottky diode, the change in charge density manifests into a change in an electrical response of the device. For example, in an HEMT, the change in charge density manifests as a change in current through the transistor, and, in a Schottky diode, the change in charge density manifests as a change in capacitance.