Abstract: The invention provides a microfluidic system comprising a cartridge coupled to a motor and adapted to move a fluid sample to a plurality of locations on the cartridge. The cartridge comprises a chevron shaped or substantially V shaped reaction chamber having at least three zones, a first zone positioned near the apex of the V shaped reaction chamber to define a detection zone, a second zone positioned near a first end of the V shaped reaction chamber and a third zone positioned near a second end of the V shaped reaction chamber. The motor and a control module is configured to provide a combination of centrifugal force and gravitational force to move said fluid sample between at least three zones.

Abstract: Described herein are systems relating to a continuous-flow instrument that includes all necessary components for digital droplet quantification without the need to introduce key reagents or collect and transfer droplets between stages of instrument operation. Digital quantification can proceed without any additional fluid or consumable handling and without exposing fluids to risk of external contamination.

Abstract: A method and system for performing biomolecule extraction are provided that use liquid-to-liquid extraction (LLE) in combination with an electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD) device to provide a biomolecule extraction solution that has high extraction efficiency and that is less costly and easier to use than current state of the art methods and systems. The system and method are well suited for, but not limited to, extraction of DNA, RNA and protein molecules.

Abstract: A reagent kit in which a brief measurement result is readily associated with subject information by suppressing erroneous input without using an integrated management system. This reagent kit 100 includes a container 10 used for measuring a sample by the sample measuring apparatus 300, a first identification label 30 including first identification information 31 associated with the measurement result 51 of the sample, and a second identification label 40 including second identification information 41 associated with the first identification information 31.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials involved in extracting chromatin. For example, methods and materials for obtaining chromatin from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues are provided.

Abstract: In order to provide a piston and a syringe with good sliding performance and pressure resistance performance, the piston contained in the syringe that pressurizes or decompresses an internal medium is configured such that a soft portion made of a soft material and a rigid portion made of a material having rigidity higher than rigidity of the soft portion, are connected in series, and arranged such that the soft portion is in contact with the medium and the rigid portion is not in contact with the medium. The soft portion includes a hollow on a surface in contact with the medium. The rigid portion has an end surface facing the soft portion, the end surface including at least an outer peripheral portion in contact with the soft portion. The outer diameter of the soft portion is larger than the outer diameter of the rigid portion, and the outer diameter of the rigid portion is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of an outer cylinder of the syringe.

Abstract: A test element analysis system for analytical examination of a sample. The system comprises a measurement device, which comprises a test element receptacle for receiving at least one test element at least partially, wherein the receptacle comprises at least one first and at least one second part, wherein the first part comprises at least one support surface for placement of the test element, wherein the second part comprises at least one optical detector for detecting at least one detection reaction of at least one test chemical contained in the test element, wherein the second part is movable relative to the first part, wherein the receptacle is configured to position the second part such that a test element may be inserted into the receptacle and to subsequently position the second part in a closed position such that at least one abutment surface of the second part rests on the test element.

Abstract: A microfluidic device in which microfluidic channels are embedded in a culture medium chamber and have open sides. The microfluidic device is patterned with a fluid moved along a hydrophilic surface due to capillary force, and the fluid may be rapidly and uniformly patterned along an inner corner path and a microfluidic channel. In the microfluidic device, the microfluidic channel is connected to facilitate fluid flow with a culture medium through open sides thereof and openings, and thus may provide a cell culture environment in which high gas saturation is maintained. In addition, several microfluidic devices formed on one common substrate are described. Such microfluidic devices may be manufactured of a hydrophilic engineering plastic by injection molding.

Abstract: A microfluidic chip configured to move a microdroplet along a predetermined path, includes a plurality of probe electrode groups spaced apart along the predetermined path. Each of the plurality of probe electrode groups includes a first probe electrode and a second probe electrode spaced apart from each other. The first probe electrode and the second probe electrode among a plurality of first probe electrodes and a plurality of second probe electrodes are configured to form an electrical loop with the microdroplet to thereby facilitate determining a position of the microdroplet.

Abstract: Provided are valveless microfluidic flowchips comprising fluid flow barrier structures or configurations. Further provided are systems and methods having increased fluid transfer control in a valveless microfluidic flowchip. The systems and methods can be used in the present valveless microfluidic flowchips as well as in currently available valveless microfluidic flowchips.

Abstract: A single junction sorter for a microfluidic particle sorter, the single-junction sorter comprising: an input channel, configured to receive a fluid containing particles; an output sort channel and an output waste channel, each connected to the input channel for receiving the fluid therefrom; a bubble generator, operable to selectively displace the fluid around a particle to be sorted and thereby to create a transient flow of the fluid in the input channel; and a vortex element, configured to cause a vortex in the transient flow in order to direct the particle to be sorted into the output sort channel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for extracting DNA, comprising the steps of: providing (400) a lysate (11) in a sample vessel (1), feeding (500) an DNA absorbing substance (15) to the sample vessel (1), closing (700) the sample vessel (1) by means of a wash filter element (3), feeding (600) a wash fluid (12) to the sample vessel (1) through the wash filter element (3), and discharging (700) the wash fluid (12) from the sample vessel (1) through the wash filter element (3). The DNA absorbing substance can be retained from the wash filter element (3).

Abstract: An embodiment of the present disclosure is a sample vessel for a holding a sample for analysis by a sample analyzer. The sample vessel includes a body that includes a bottom, an open top spaced from the bottom along a first axis, a side wall that extends from the open top to the bottom, and an interior chamber for holding a sample and that extends from the open top toward the bottom along the first axis. The body includes an opaque portion, a first translucent portion, and a second translucent portion spaced from the first translucent portion a distance that extends along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. The first and second translucent portions are each disposed along the bottom of the body.

Abstract: A sample, which is a mixture of glycans, is fluorescently labeled (S2). The sample is subsequently separated by microchip electrophoresis under a buffer solution with no lectin added as well as under multiple kinds of buffer solutions with different lectins respectively added, and the separated components are fluorescently detected (S3). A high-concentration gel which can produce a molecular-sieving effect is used as the buffer solution. Multiple electropherograms are created from the detection results (S4). A glycan having a lectin specifically attached is delayed during its migration in the buffer solution, so that a peak corresponding to this glycan will effectively disappear. Accordingly, based on the kinds of lectins and the presence/absence of a peak on each of the electropherograms, the structure of each glycan in the sample is estimated and the glycan is identified (S5).

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for simple, low power, automated processing of biological samples through multiple sample preparation and assay steps. The methods and devices described facilitate the point-of-care implementation of complex diagnostic assays in equipment-free, non-laboratory settings. The invention includes a microfluidic device comprising a reagent-dispensing unit, a sample extraction device and a specimen processing unit.

Abstract: A system for determining ozone concentration in ice includes at least one emitter and first and second detectors. The emitter can be a light source including visible and UV light components, or the emitter can be a first emitter for emitting UV light and a second emitter for emitting visible light. The UV and visible light components can be directed through a sample of ice. The transmitted UV and visible light components can be detected by UV and visible light detectors. The amount of UV and visible light received by the detectors can be compared to levels of UV and visible light emitted by the emitter(s) can be used to determine the concentration of a dissolved gas (e.g., ozone) in the sample of ice.

Abstract: A micro-fluidic device is provided to sort out objects from a liquid stream. The device comprises a first channel comprising a first liquid and a second channel comprising a second liquid and the first liquid, and a third channel. The second channel is connected to the first channel and the channels are positioned such that a jet flow coming from the second channel can deflect objects in the first liquid into the third channel. The first liquid is a liquid which has a higher viscosity than water and the second liquid may be the same as or different from the first liquid. The micro-fluidic device is adapted for generating the jet flow in the second liquid.

Abstract: Methods and Raman detection agents for detecting an analyte in a sample are provided. Methods described herein may comprise steps of providing a 3D diagnostic substrate presenting a capture agent for the analyte or an analyte complex; exposing the sample to the substrate and to a Raman detection agent, allowing analyte in the sample to bind to the capture agent of the diagnostic substrate and an affinity component of the Raman detection agent; and detecting the Raman detection agent bound to the 3D diagnostic substrate by Raman spectroscopy, thereby detecting the presence of the analyte in the sample. Raman detection agents described herein may comprise a Raman signal-enhancing metal nanoparticle carrying both a Raman reporter and an affinity component for binding to the analyte or the complex formed between the analyte and the capture agent on the 3D diagnostic substrate.

Abstract: Provided is a technique related to an automatic analyzer and capable of ensuring cleaning performance of a reaction container by a cleaning process including a tip suction step, and preventing decrease in analysis accuracy or improving the analysis accuracy. The automatic analyzer includes a control apparatus, a block suction mechanism that moves a suction nozzle and a suction block for suctioning a liquid in the reaction container up and down and suctions the liquid, and a block cleaning mechanism for cleaning the suction block.

Abstract: The method of confirming consumption of a tagged pharmaceutical or nutritional product includes the step of providing a subject with a pharmaceutical or nutritional product which has been tagged with a safe, for example, a plant-based, compound. These compounds may include asparagusic acid or a derivative thereof which is found in asparagus, garlic or an extract of garlic, or 1,8-cineole. Alternatively, the taggant may be dimethylsulfoxide. A subject may be provided with and instructed to consume the tagged product according to a defined protocol. A sample of bodily waste or other biological sample may be collected from the subject and analyzed for the presence of the tag or a metabolite thereof. This method may be used to confirm compliance with the protocol in clinical drug trials or nutritional studies.