Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for detecting molecules of interest within a collected sample are described herein. In certain embodiments, self-contained sample analysis systems are disclosed, which include a reusable reader component, a disposable cartridge component, and a disposable sample collection component. The reader component may communicate with a remote computing device for the digital transmission of test protocols and test results. In various disclosed embodiments, the systems, components, and methods are configured to identify the presence, absence, and/or quantity of particular nucleic acids, proteins, or other analytes of interest, for example, in order to test for the presence of one or more pathogens or contaminants in a sample.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and compositions for the pretreatment of biomass within seconds with low inhibitor formation. The pretreatment process is used to convert biomass to a fuel or other useful chemicals by subjecting the feedstock to a rapid retention time under pressure and temperature and/or chemical reactant. The system includes a continuously-operating valve discharge apparatus to discharge pretreated feedstock while maintaining uniform pressure on the pretreatment system.

Abstract: A biological sample collection system can include (i) a sample collection vessel having an opening for receiving a biological sample, (ii) a plug assembly that includes a post with a fluid vent therethrough, a collar disposed about the post, and a plug that initially obstructs the fluid vent, and (iii) a sealing cap coupled to the collar and comprising a reagent chamber for storing a sample preservation reagent. The sealing cap is configured to associate and form a fluid tight connection with the sample collection vessel such that associating the sealing cap with the sample collection vessel causes a physical rearrangement of the plug assembly such that the plug is detached from the post, thereby permitting sample preservation reagent to pass from the regent chamber to the sample collection vessel.

Abstract: The detecting apparatus according to the present disclosure comprises devices each including an artificial cell wall, a test sample inlet provided above the artificial cell wall, and a culture medium layer provided under the artificial cell wall, and an observation part configured to laterally observe at least one of the culture medium layers of the devices, wherein the culture medium layers of the devises respectively contain different technical-grade active ingredients, each of the culture medium layers of the devices includes a plurality of layers that each contain an agricultural chemical in a standard amount or at a diluted concentration with respect to the standard amount and are stacked in a descending order of concentration of the agricultural chemical from bottom to top, and each of the culture medium layers of the devices further includes, as an uppermost layer, a layer containing no agricultural chemical.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the process of biological tissue and/or cellular disruption, and more particularly to an apparatus which can achieve such tissue and/or cellular disruption through the imposition of a time-varying electromagnetic field generated by electrical means and used to direct magnetic beads or other magnetic particles against a tissue sample. Tissue disruption is accomplished through mechanical impact between the magnetic particles and the sample biological tissue.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sorting T cells are disclosed. Autofluorescence data is acquired from individual cells. An activation value is computed using one or more autofluorescence endpoints as an input. The one or more autofluorescence endpoints includes NAD(P)H shortest fluorescence lifetime amplitude component (?1).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for analyzing samples comprising spermatozoa, said method comprising the use of a flow-through counting compartment, wherein the time period between the end of loading and closing is carried out in a controlled and specified time period. The present invention further relates to a counting compartment or chamber suitable for said method and to a counting device comprising said counting compartment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing detection of optical signals indicating the presence of an analyte of interest in a blood sample are described. In one aspect, a blood culture test vial having a sensor is inoculated with the blood sample, light at an excitation frequency of the sensor is transmitted to the test vial, an intensity of a plurality of fluorescence signals emitted from the test vial is measured, and the plurality of measured fluorescence signals are normalized using by a reference signal that is not dependent on a measured intensity of a fluorescence signal emitted from the test vial. In another aspect, a measurement system measures fluorescence signals from one or more reference vials performing in extreme pH conditions. Fluorescence signals emitted from test vials inoculated with samples under test are measured and compared to the signals measured from the one or more reference vials to address or mitigate variability in hardware components of the measurement system.

Abstract: In the present invention, fluorescence properties of quantum dots are used to create or provide a chemical link between biological liquid samples and their associated digital information; thereby, facilitating an easy access and on-demand to all the information associated with the liquid biological sample.

Abstract: Systems, including methods and apparatus, for growing viable monoclonal colonies, identifying them as monoclonal after their viability has been demonstrated, and picking and placing them into a target environment. The methods may include plating cells at low density in a well, capturing at a first time shortly after plating a series of vertically spaced-apart images of the well showing locations of the cells, capturing at a second, later time images of the same well showing locations of candidate cell colonies, determining a likelihood that the candidate colonies are monoclonal based on information in the first set of images, and, based on the likelihood, picking candidate colonies using a picking head for transfer to a target environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for a light-spectroscopic analysis of a sample, wherein said sample is, for example, a liquid sample. Said sample can be detected and/or analyzed photometrically, spectrophotometrically, fluorometrically, spectrofluorometrically and/or with the aid of phosphorescence or luminescence by means of such a device.

Abstract: Systems for testing for a target virus include an analysis device and a sample cartridge. A system for detecting a target virus includes a cartridge and an analysis device. A biological sample is inserted into the cartridge. The cartridge includes reagents and other liquids for processing the biological sample. The cartridge is inserted into the analysis device. The analysis device interacts with the cartridge to complete testing of the biological sample for the presence of the target virus.

Abstract: Nephelometric measuring devices are described. The nephelometric measuring devices can be configured such that an amount of scattered light having different pathlengths impingent upon one or more scattered-light detectors from a beam propagating through a suspension can result in substantially equivalent sensitivity and in correlation between the scattered-light detectors' response and a turbidity value of the suspension. The response of the scattered-light detector(s) receiving scattered light at a nephelometric angle of 85-110° from a beam of light propagating through the suspension can be in accordance to an equation selected from a group of non-linear equations where: x/y=anxn+an?1xn?1+ . . . +a2x2+a1x+a0; where “n” is an integer greater than 0; “x” is equal to the turbidity value of the suspension; “y” is equal to the response of the scattered-light detector; and “an” are calibration coefficients.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes controlling an instrument to measure a fluorescence emission spectrum of a sample including a first peak emission wavelength and at least a second peak emission wavelength, emitted in response to an excitation wavelength and controlling the instrument to measure an absorbance obtained at the excitation wavelength of the sample. The method may include determining, using the computer, a ratio of the measurements at either the second peak emission wavelength, or a sum of measurements at a plurality of peak emission wavelengths including at least the first peak emission wavelength and the second peak emission wavelength, to the first peak emission wavelength, and calculating, using the computer, a value for a quality parameter based on a combination of at least the ratio and the absorbance measurement. The method may include controlling an associated process based on the quality parameter.

Abstract: The invention provides analyzers that improve tests for detecting specific cellular, viral, and molecular targets in clinical, industrial, or environmental samples. The invention permits efficient and specific selection and sensitive imaging detection of individual microscopic targets at low magnification. Automated embodiments allow efficient walk-away, on-demand, random-access high-throughput testing. The analyzers perform tests without requiring wash steps thus streamlining engineering and lowering costs. Thus, the invention provides analyzers that can deliver rapid, accurate, and quantitative, easy-to-use, and cost-effective tests for analytes.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for employing nanobubbles for theranostic purposes are provided. In one embodiment, a method comprising introducing a photothermal nanobubble into a malaria-infected red blood cell is provided.

Abstract: An integrated detection, flow cell and photonics (DFP) device is provided that comprises a substrate having an array of pixel elements that sense photons during active periods. The substrate and pixel elements form an IC photon detection layer. At least one wave guide is formed on the IC photo detection layer as a photonics layer. An optical isolation layer is formed over at least a portion of the wave guide. A collection of photo resist (PR) walls patterned to define at least one flow cell channel that is configured to direct fluid along a fluid flow path. The wave guides align to extend along the fluid flow path. The flow cell channel is configured to receive samples at sample sites that align with the array of pixel elements.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device and method for changing the conditions of a solution flowing in a serial path. In particular, disclosed herein is a device that includes a chemical reactor, a first system, and a second system that are each serial to one another. Each of the first system and the second system include a mixing chamber, a solvent reservoir, a solvent pump, and one or more detectors. Also disclosed herein is a method for changing the condition of a solution that includes flowing a liquid sample in a path, serially mixing the sample with at least two discrete solvents while it flows through the path, and detecting the condition of the sample after it is mixed with each solvent.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system for analyzing biological samples. The system includes an optical waveguide. The optical waveguide includes a first end and a second end. The optical waveguide is configured to receive an excitation light at the first end. The optical waveguide further includes a first light-guiding layer disposed between the first end and the second end. The first light-guiding layer is configured to direct, at least in part, the received excitation light toward the second end of the optical waveguide along a longitudinal direction of the optical waveguide. The optical waveguide further includes a fluidic reaction channel bounded in part by the first light-guiding layer of the optical waveguide, which delivers the excitation light to biological samples disposed in the fluidic reaction channel. The system further includes a backside illumination based image sensor.

Abstract: A plurality of color sensing sections are attached to a toilet seat so as to test a health state or a fecal occult blood portion every time by capturing the feces surface color during defecation. Before feces which have been excreted from a body sink into a water-seal portion, the circumference of the feces is optically captured to detect the color of the surface of the feces. By monitoring changes in color, the health state of the defecator is monitored. In particular, by checking the presence/absence of an occult blood portion, the present invention assists in early detection of colorectal cancer and allows a fecal occult blood test to be performed in a hygienic manner without burdening the user.