Abstract: A microfluidic synthesis platform includes a microfluidic chip holder that has a computer controlled heating element and cooling element therein. A microfluidic chip is mountable in the microfluidic chip holder. The microfluidic chip is formed by a hydrophobic substrate having patterned thereon a hydrophilic reaction site and a plurality of hydrophilic channels or pathways extending outward from the hydrophilic reaction site and terminating at respective loading sites on the substrate, wherein the hydrophilic channels or pathways are tapered with an increasing width in an inward direction toward the hydrophilic reaction site.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus comprising: a probe carrier comprising: a first substrate comprising a first plurality of through holes in the first substrate, a transparent window attached to the first substrate and across an opening of each of the first plurality of through holes, wherein the transparent window closes the opening; and probes attached to one or more locations on the transparent window, wherein interaction between the probes and an analyte generates a signal; a second substrate comprising a second plurality of through holes in the second substrate, wherein the second plurality of through holes are configured as a plurality of collimators; a sensor comprising a plurality of pixels configured to detect the signal.

Abstract: A multi-layer plasma separation card comprising (a) a first layer including a sample receiving member comprising (i) a top planar surface for applying or receiving a blood sample, said sample receiving portion being adapted to permit contact of said blood sample with a separating member; and (ii) a bottom planar surface being adapted to contact said separating member, (b) a second layer including at least three separating members, each separating member being adapted to permit the passage of plasma to an absorptive member and comprising (i) a top planar surface for receiving said blood sample; and (ii) a bottom planar shield-shaped surface being adapted to contact said absorptive member, and (c) a third layer including at least two absorptive members for absorbing plasma from the bottom planar surface of each corresponding separating member and a backing member arranged in a manner to support said absorptive members, each absorptive member comprising a removable absorptive element having a top planar surface

Abstract: Disclosed is a centrifugable syringe and syringe components for use in blood fractionation. Also disclosed is a method of blood fractionation using the syringe. The syringe comprises a substantially transparent barrel, a substantially transparent, elongated delineation neck, a plunger for drawing blood into and expelling blood from the barrel, and an adapter attached to the neck for enabling releasable connection of a selected device over an inlet/outlet opening in the neck. The delineation neck extends away from a distal end of the barrel. The barrel and the neck have respective axial bores in fluid flow communication with each other, the cross sectional area of the bore in the delineation neck being substantially less than the cross sectional area of the bore in the barrel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pillar structure for a biochip, the pillar structure including: a substrate portion which has a plate-shaped structure; multiple pillar portions which protrude from one surface of the substrate portion and each of which has an end portion on which a sample is disposed; and smooth surface forming portions which are formed on the other surface of the substrate portion that defines the plate-shaped structure together with the one surface of the substrate portion, the smooth surface forming portions forming smooth surfaces each having a relatively concave groove shape at a portion corresponding to a circumferential surface of each of the pillar portions.

Abstract: A method for inserting and retaining a reagent within a disposable cartridge of a diagnostic assay system. The method includes the steps of: (i) drying a reagent in combination with a carrier, and (ii) inserting the carrier, with the dried reagent, into an open end of one of the assay chambers, wherein the carrier facilitates insertion of the pellet into a chamber without contact by an operator.

Abstract: A low-profile, vibration-damped tabletop for supporting sensitive scientific equipment is described. The tabletop may include a laminated structure having a lower metal plate that is sized to achieve a desired weight for the tabletop, a manufactured, homogenous filler and a “clean top” metal upper skin having a plurality of holes backed by liquid impermeable barriers. The damping characteristics are improved at low frequencies compared to a comparable structure with a honeycomb filler.

Abstract: Disclosed is an assay device comprising a high density of wells aligned thereon.

Abstract: A cap closes a sample vessel for the microwave treatment of samples. The cap contains a closure body for closing the sample vessel. The closure body is fitted to the sample vessel and closes the sample vessel at a sealing surface. A spring-loaded pressure relief valve and a vent duct are provided. The vent duct, the pressure relief valve and the closure body are configured in such a manner that the vent duct connects the closure body via the pressure relief valve to the surrounding area such that when a defined first pressure level is exceeded at the closure body excess pressure can escape through the vent duct into the area surrounding the cap. A reservoir is provided. The reservoir and the vent duct are configured such that condensate precipitating in the vent duct accumulates in the reservoir when the cap is in the state fitted to the sample vessel.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided for evacuating and for filling an array at the point of use.

Abstract: A resistor-assembly includes a substrate, a heater, a resistor-element, and conductive-leads. The substrate is formed of a ceramic-material. The heater heats the resistor-assembly. The resistor-element is formed of an ion-conducting material that overlies the substrate. The conductive-leads are formed of a catalytic-metal that are in communication with a gas and in electrical contact with the resistor-element. The resistor-element is characterized by a resistance-value influenced by an oxygen-presence in the gas when the resistor-element is heated by the heater such that a resistor-temperature is greater than a temperature-threshold.

Abstract: Modified surfaces of the present disclosure include a surface or substrate material, a magnetic field, which may be generated through the use of a magnet placed at a distance beneath the surface or substrate, or placed above the surface or substrate, or through the use of a magnetic surface or substrate, and a magnetic fluid, such as ferrofluid or ferrogel, deposited in a layer on the top of the surface or substrate. The modified surfaces may be icephobic. In addition, a droplet of liquid placed on the modified surface can be manipulated through placement of a local heat source in proximity to the droplet, without contacting the droplet.

Abstract: Systems and methods for light based heating of light absorbing sources for modification of nucleic acids through fast thermal cycling of polymerase chain reaction are described.

Abstract: A microtiter plate mixing control system is disclosed. The system includes a frame, a suspension system attached to the frame, and a magnetically responsive horizontal platform supported on the frame by the suspension system. A solenoid is adjacent the platform for moving the platform on the suspension system. A proximity sensor is adjacent the platform for determining the position of the platform with respect to the frame. A controller is in communication with the proximity sensor and the solenoid for driving the solenoid and moving the platform in response to the proximity sensor.

Abstract: A device and method for fluorescent labelling a component is provided. The device comprising a first user-replaceable reservoir comprising a strongly buffered alkaline solution of aromatic ortho-dialdehyde dye, a second user-replaceable reservoir comprising a weakly buffered acidic solution of a reducing agent, one or more fluid pathways comprising the component, and a network of connection channels linking the reservoirs and the fluid pathway to enable the alkaline solution and the acidic solution to combine with the component in order to label the component by reacting the component with the alkaline solution and the acidic solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a substrate for enhancing the fluorescence of a fluorescent molecule, wherein the substrate comprises a solid polymer carrier having a plurality of recesses separated from each other and wherein the solid carrier is coated at least in part by a metal.

Abstract: A multiwell plate cover is provided, wherein the cover comprises a frame configured for attachment to a multiwell plate; a first movable guide member having two elongated side members that extend across the width of the plate, wherein a gap between the side members is substantially equal to a diameter of a single well in the multiwell plate and wherein the first movable guide member is slidable along the length of the frame; and a second movable guide member having two elongated side members that extend across the length of the plate, wherein a gap between the side members is substantially equal to a diameter of a single well in the multiwell plate and wherein the second movable guide member is slidable along the width of the frame, wherein the first and second movable guide member are configured to move independently from each other.

Abstract: A device and method for collecting, analyzing, and identifying chemical and biological samples in solid or liquid form is disclosed. The analysis compares the color change of Colorimetric Sensor Arrays (CSAs) over time with images for known materials/compounds contained in a library. The device can be used as a handheld or standalone device and integrates the sampling and detecting functions of the prior art into a single device that analyzes and identifies the sample without destroying it. The inventive volatile organic compound (VOC) technology device is also unique in that it relies on a comparison to a proprietary compound library that is supported by lab data. This compound library identifies the unique dye signature combinations that provide very accurate classification of a wide variety of chemical and biological agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to controls which may be used to secure the results of multiplex analysis methods. The present invention thus relates to solid supports comprising one or several controls and their use in multiplex analysis methods to detect several analytes potentially present in a sample.

Abstract: A device and method for collecting, analyzing, and identifying chemical and biological samples in solid or liquid form is disclosed. The analysis compares the color change of Colorimetric Sensor Arrays (CSAs) over time with images for known materials/compounds contained in a library. The device can be used as a handheld or standalone device and integrates the sampling and detecting functions of the prior art into a single device that analyzes and identifies the sample without destroying it. The inventive volatile organic compound (VOC) technology device is also unique in that it relies on a comparison to a proprietary compound library that is supported by lab data. This compound library identifies the unique dye signature combinations that provide very accurate classification of a wide variety of chemical and biological agents.