Abstract: An optical positioning code disk, device and method for a microfluidic chip are provided. A cross section of an outer contour of the code disk is circular. N light transmissive openings are arranged uniformly around the code disk. The device includes: the code disk, a positioning pin, a rotating shaft, a motor, an internal photoelectric switch and an external photoelectric switch. A positioning surface is provided on the rotating shaft. The motor is fixedly connected with an end of the rotating shaft, and the other end of the rotating shaft passes through a center of the cross section of the code disk. The internal and external photoelectric switches are configured to identify the light transmissive openings on the code disk.

Abstract: A sensing element for a chemiresistor sensor and a method of making such a sensing element is disclosed. The sensing element may include: one or more first type of 3D elements, each comprising a first type of chemiresistor particles; and one or more second type of 3D elements, each comprising a second type of chemiresistor particles. At least one of the one or more first type of 3D elements and at least one of the one or more second type of 3D elements may have one or more joint surface. The first type of chemiresistor particles may differ from the second type of chemiresistor particles by at least one of: a type of nanoparticle core and a type of organic ligands bonded to each nanoparticle core.

Abstract: There is provided a cool box for use in an automatic analyzer. The cool box has a box body and an air circulator. The box body has a receiving space capable of accommodating therein receptacles for analytes or reagents. The circulator has an intake portion, a fan, and an exhaust portion and operates to circulate air in the receiving space by rotation of the fan. The circulator further includes an inhibitor removing agent retaining portion on which a pouch is set. The pouch contains an analysis inhibitor removing agent for removing components (analysis inhibitor) which adversely affect or inhibit analysis of the analytes.

Abstract: A device for use in the detection of binding affinities comprises a substrate, a planar waveguide arranged thereon and having an outer surface. The device further comprises a grating for coupling coherent light of a predetermined wavelength into the planar waveguide such that the coherent light coupled into the planar waveguide propagates through the planar waveguide in a predetermined propagation direction. An evanescent field of the coherent light propagates along the outer surface of the planar waveguide. The outer surface of the planar waveguide has receptor molecules arranged thereon capable of binding target samples to the receptor molecules such that light of the evanescent field is diffracted by the target samples bound to the receptor molecules. The receptor molecules are arranged along a plurality of straight parallel lines such that a portion of the light of the evanescent field is diffracted by the target samples bound to the receptor molecules.

Abstract: A robotic arm of an automated pipetting system has a pipetting tip adapter and a slide switch to detect the presence of pipetting tips on the pipetting tip adapter is disclosed. The slide switch has first support member and second support member configured to slide relative to one another between first and second positions along a movement axis, an electrically conducting contact pad arranged on the first support member, an electrically conducting terminal physically attached to second support member in physical contact with the contact pad when support members are in first position, where the terminal is a first resilient wiping member expanding along the movement axis, first wiping member is not in physical contact with the contact pad when support members are in second position, and an electric current can flow between first wiping member and the contact pad when support members are in first position.

Abstract: The extraction system according to the invention for extracting analytes from a sample comprises an extraction cell for receiving the sample, which has at least one first fluid connector for the supply or discharge of a fluid, and a clamping device for clamping the extraction cell, and a fluid connection device for establishing a fluid connection with the at least one first fluid connector of the extraction cell, wherein an extraction cell holder is provided for receiving the extraction cell, and the clamping device has a guiding and positioning arrangement for linearly inserting the extraction cell holder, together with the extraction cell, in order to position the extraction cell in an insertion position.

Abstract: Provided is an automated analyzer comprising a temperature regulator that can be made more compact in size while maintaining high-precision temperature regulation. In a temperature-regulating unit (20) of the automated analyzer, a first chemical reservoir (1) is constituted by a large-diameter spiral-shaped pipe, and a second chemical reservoir (2) is constituted by a large-diameter chemical reservoir container. The first chemical reservoir (1), which is positioned upstream of the second chemical reservoir (2), has an internal capacity that is set so as to be greater than the volume of a single discharge of each of syringe pumps (29, 30, 31), and the second chemical reservoir (2) also has an internal capacity (volume) that is set so as to be greater than the volume of a single discharge of each of the respective syringe pumps (29, 30, 31).