Abstract: Disclosed is an analyzing method, for analyzing a blood specimen, which includes: mixing a blood specimen and a thrombin-containing reagent to coagulate the blood specimen, and obtaining a coagulation waveform; obtaining a value of a parameter concerning differentiation of the coagulation waveform, based on the coagulation waveform; and obtaining information concerning an amount of antigen of fibrinogen based on the obtained value of the parameter.

Abstract: Processes, compositions, and sensors for sensing a variety of toxic chemicals based on colorimetric changes. Exemplary process for sensing a toxic chemical includes contacting a toxic chemical, or byproduct thereof, with a sorbent that includes a porous metal hydroxide or a porous mixed-metal oxide/hydroxide and a transition metal reactant suitable to react with a toxic chemical or byproduct thereof. The sorbent is contacted with the toxic chemical or byproduct thereof for a sampling time. A difference between a post-exposure colorimetric state of the sorbent and a pre-exposure colorimetric state of the sorbent is determined to thereby detect exposure to, or the presence of, the toxic chemical or byproduct thereof.

Abstract: Methods and corresponding apparatus and systems for assessing cellular metabolic activity are disclosed. In one aspect, a cell can be illuminated with optical radiation in order to cause multi-photon excitation of at least one endogenous metabolic cofactor in that cell and cause the excited metabolic cofactor to emit fluorescent radiation. A detector can be used to detect the fluorescent radiation emitted by the excited endogenous metabolic cofactor. A computer processor can analyze the fluorescent radiation to derive the following parameters: (1) using a computer processor to analyze the intensity of the fluorescent radiation, (2) a fluorescence lifetime of at least one of the excited metabolic cofactor, (3) a parameter indicative of mitochondrial clustering in the cell. These parameters can be used to assess at least one metabolic process of the cell.

Abstract: An analysis system and a method for testing a biological sample according to which, before the start of testing, the amount of energy remaining in an energy storage of the analysis device is compared with an energy requirement for the test, and the test is only started if the amount of energy meets the energy requirement, and/or a temperature-control apparatus designed for temperature-controlling the cartridge is controlled depending on an interior space temperature of the analysis device.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for harvesting target biological substances. The system includes a substrate and a first and second channel formed in the substrate. The channels longitudinally extending substantially parallel to each other. A series of gaps extend from the first channel to the second channel to create a fluid communication path passing between a series of columns with the columns being longitudinally separated by a predetermined separation distance. The system also includes a first source configured to selectively introduce into the first channel a first biological composition at a first channel flow rate and a second source configured to selectively introduce into the second channel a second biological composition at a second channel flow rate. The sources are configured to create a differential between the first and second channel flow rates to generate physiological shear rates along the second channel that are bounded within a predetermined range.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for grafting, in a covalent manner, a coloured indicator having at least one aromatic primary amine function onto the surface of a solid substrate, including the steps that consist of: (a) preparing, from the coloured indicator having at least one aromatic primary amine function, the corresponding diazonium salt; (b) placing the solid substrate in contact with a solution containing the diazonium salt prepared in step (a) and subjecting the solution to non-electrochemical conditions for an optimal grafting time whereby organic chains in which the units are derivatives of the diazonium salt are grafted, in a covalent manner, onto the surface of the solid substrate; (c) washing the solid substrate thus grafted; (d) repeating steps (b) and (c) or possibly steps (a) to (c) at least once. The present invention also relates to a kit for implementing such a method.

Abstract: A coagulation test device for measuring clotting time and clot characteristics of a whole blood sample under different hemostatic conditions. Results of the test are used as an aid in management of patients with coagulopathy of unknown etiology in order to help the physician determine appropriate clinical action to arrest bleeding in a patient.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining lubrication contamination or deterioration in an engine or a lubricant system of an engine can include at least one sensor provided in the lubricant system. The sensor can sense an aroma of a lubricant or the air around the lubricant to measure a chemical composition or an aromatic. The sensed chemical composition or aromatic can be compared to a baseline or threshold to determine a particular contamination type or deterioration level of the lubricant.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to substance detecting assemblies that include: (1) a sample medium (e.g., filter paper); and (2) a solid test chemical (e.g., zinc) impregnated with the sample medium. In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of making an assembly for detecting a substance by: (1) providing a sample medium; (2) providing a solid test chemical; and (3) impregnating the sample medium with the solid test chemical. In further embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods for detecting a substance by: (1) collecting the substance on a sample medium that is impregnated with a solid test chemical; and (2) initiating a reaction of the substance with the solid test chemical on the sample medium to generate a color that corresponds to the substance. In some embodiments, the sample medium is then inserted into a chemical detection unit for the detection of the substance.

Abstract: Methods are provided for end users of diagnostic measurement procedures to prepare quality controls having desired analyte recoveries, estimate recoveries of quality controls already prepared, and compare estimated and measured recoveries. To prepare a quality control containing a particular analyte, a desired recovery of a measurement procedure for the analyte can be scaled by a correlation factor to obtain a target nominal concentration of the analyte in the quality control. Alternatively, the nominal concentration of an analyte in a quality control can be scaled by a correlation factor to obtain a predicted recovery of a measurement procedure for the analyte. The correlation factors can be based on recovery data previously obtained using the measurement procedure and optionally one or more reference procedures, and can be calculated using regression analysis of these data.

Abstract: A cartridge, an analysis system and a method for analyzing, in particular, a biological sample, wherein a first group having one or more valves and a second group having one or more valves can be or are actuated from different sides of the cartridge.

Abstract: A method and system for automatic in-vitro diagnostic analysis are described. The method includes adding a first reagent type and a second reagent type to a first test liquid during a first and second cycle times respectively. The addition of the first reagent type to the first test liquid includes parallel addition of a second reagent type to a second test liquid during the first cycle time. The addition of the second reagent type to the first test liquid includes parallel addition of a first reagent type to a third test liquid during the second cycle time, respectively.

Abstract: A high-throughput corrosion testing mechanism was developed for metals in a variety of environments in controlled, multiplexed microenvironments. Many parallel experiments can be conducted with microbial and environmental variables independently manipulated to identify the key determinants of corrosion progression. The synthetic assay design enables subsequent surface characterization of select samples within the array. In as little as one day, diverse corrosive environments can be compared quantitatively.

Abstract: Electronic test devices and methods include data transfer capabilities. In one implementation, an assay device includes wireless communication capabilities to send assay result decisions and/or values to a separate processing and display device such as a smartphone. In another implementation, light sources are modulated both for performing an assay and encoding and transmitting a result of an assay.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are directed to devices, systems and methods that enable the quick and reliable detection of hemolysis in a sample such that a sample which exhibits an unacceptable level of hemolysis can be flagged or disregarded in an associated diagnostic test.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of measuring free water, also known as undissolved water, in hydrocarbon fuel. A housing defines a chamber and is adapted to receive a fluorescein impregnated filter pad in the chamber between a UV light source and a light sensor. The filter pad is exposed to the fuel causing the free water to react with the fluorescein and is then placed within the chamber between the light source and sensor. The UV light strikes one side surface of the filter pad and excites the reacted fluorescein thereby causing light emitted from the UV light reacted fluorescein filter pad opposite side surface to strike the light sensor. An output from the light sensor is proportional to the fluorescein on the filter pad which reacted with free water and is used for providing an output value representative of the free water present in the hydrocarbon fuel.

Abstract: Methods of optically marking and sorting adherent cells are provided. The methods include providing a plurality of adherent cells attached to a substrate, each adherent cell of the plurality of adherent cells having an optical marker. The methods also include selectively applying light energy to a subset of the plurality of adherent cells, and detaching the plurality of adherent cells from the substrate. These methods also provide the sorting of the plurality of adherent cells.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods for rare event detection using mass tags. In certain embodiments, the invention provides methods for detecting a target analyte in a sample that involve conducting an assay that specifically associates a mass tag with a target analyte in a sample, generating ions of the mass tag, and analyzing the generated ions of the mass tag, thereby detecting the target analyte from the sample.

Abstract: A method of quantitatively determining the concentration of at least one analyte in a sample by: (i) adding a portion of the sample to a first analyte assay formulation and to an analyte assay reference formulation to generate a first analyte sample and analyte reference sample and determining the concentration of the at least one analyte in the sample; and/or (ii) adding a portion of the sample to a second analyte assay formulation and determining the concentration of the at least one analyte in the sample, as well as formulations, kits of parts, systems and computer implemented methods associated with the method.

Abstract: In one aspect, methods of sensing are described herein. In some embodiments, a method of sensing includes disposing a fluorophore in a biological environment, wherein the fluorophore includes a dioxo-pyridine ring (DPR) or a thiazolopyridine acid (TPA). The method further includes exposing the biological environment to electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength corresponding to an excitation wavelength of the fluorophore, detecting light emitted by the fluorophore, and correlating the light emitted by the fluorophore to a presence or absence of an analyte within the biological environment in an amount above a minimum detection threshold. The presence of the analyte can increase or decrease the amount of light emitted by the fluorophore. The presence of the analyte may also shift the peak emission wavelength or alter the fluorescence lifetime of the fluorophore. The analyte, in some embodiments, includes hydrogen ions, halide ions, and/or halogens.