Abstract: An integrated microelectronic sensor is provided in a disposable flow membrane sensing device. The integrated sensors detect electromagnetic effect labels in flow detection zones above the sensor in the membrane. The labels are small particles that give off a detectable electromagnetic signal. They are commonly used for isolating and quantifying biochemical targets of interest. The sensors are fabricated using planar integrated circuit technologies. Sensors can detect labels of several types including magnetic, electric, and photonic. These types all have in common the fact that the sensor detects the label at a distance. Magnetoresistive sensors for detecting magnetic labels, and photodiodes for detecting photonic labels are described. A system for using the sensors is described. There are disposable cartridges with a backing that supports the sensors and membrane is described. The integrated sensor in the cartridge is designed to be discarded after use. Also, label excitation sources are provided.

Abstract: There is provided a method of producing a microfluidic device including a substrate having a depressed portion and a cover member, whereby to reduce the dispersion of a geometric individual difference and the possibility that a non-joint area can occur in a joint portion between the substrate and the cover member. At the time of producing the microfluidic device, the depressed portion serving as a channel, a chamber and a reservoir is formed in advance in the substrate and a liquid-state energy ray curable resin is applied to the surface of the substrate in which the depressed portion is formed. The energy ray curable resin is cured by an energy ray irradiation unit and caused to serve as the cover on the depressed portion of the substrate, thereby to form the channel, chamber and reservoir.

Abstract: A gas sensor is disclosed. The gas sensor includes a gas sensing layer, at least one electrode, an adhesion layer, and a response modification layer adjacent to said gas sensing layer and said layer of adhesion. A system having an exhaust system and a gas sensor is also disclosed. A method of fabricating the gas sensor is also disclosed.

Abstract: A microtitration plate for use for automated polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is provided. The microtitration plate includes a frame which has a plate with a multiplicity of holes molded of a polypropylene or a polycarbonate. The microtitration plate further includes a multiplicity of receptacles made of the same polypropylene or polycarbonate. The receptacles are fixedly connected to the plate at the holes by fusing the same polypropylene or polycarbonate thereby directly molding the receptacles to the plate Each receptacle has a receiving portion protruding from the underside of the plate, and is accessible from the upper surface of the plate through apertures.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor assembly comprising a first electronic wiring substrate having a first and a second surface and at least one analyte sensor formed on the first surface thereof, the at least one analyte sensor being connected with one or more electrical contact points, a second electronic wiring substrate having a first and a second surface and at least one analyte sensor formed on the first surface part thereof, the at least one analyte sensor being connected with one or more electrical contact points, and a spacer having a through-going recess with a first and a second opening, wherein the first substrate, the second substrate and the spacer are arranged in a layered structure, where the first surface of the first substrate closes the first opening of the spacer and the first surface of the second substrate closes the second opening of the spacer, thereby forming a measuring cell which is faced by at least one sensor from each of the substrates.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for facilitating extraction of a fraction from a biological sample. The biological sample includes non-desired material and a fraction-bound solid phase substrate. The device includes an input zone for receiving the biological sample therein and a phase-gate zone for receiving an isolation buffer therein. An output zone receives a reagent therein. A force is movable between a first position adjacent the input zone and a second position adjacent the output zone. The force urges the fraction-bound solid phase substrate from the input zone, through the phase-gate zone and into the output zone.

Abstract: A fluid path system includes a vial containing a pharmaceutical product therein. A dissolution fluid path is also included in the fluid path system, the dissolution fluid path having an output end in fluid communication with the vial and an input end attached to a pressure vessel containing a dissolution medium. A delivery fluid path is also included in the system having a first end hermetically attached to the vial to transport therefrom a mixture of dissolved pharmaceutical product and dissolution medium and a second end connected to a receiving vessel to receive the mixture. A dissolution fluid path valve is positioned between the pressure vessel and the dissolution fluid path to control flow of the dissolution medium, and a delivery fluid path valve is also included in the fluid path system to control flow of the mixture from the delivery fluid path to the receiving vessel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of controlling a chemical process, the method comprising the steps of: (i) providing a laminar flow of a first fluid, the first fluid providing a first reagent or one or more precursor thereof), a laminar flow of a second fluid, the second fluid providing a second reagent (or one or more precursor thereof) and a laminar flow of barrier fluid; and (ii) causing the first and barrier fluids to contact one another so that the barrier fluid forms a barrier between the first reagent (or one or more precursor thereof) and the second reagent (or one or more precursor thereof) wherein step (ii) comprises forming segments of first fluid encased or sandwiched by barrier fluid, the segments being surrounded by the second fluid, and the barrier fluid is permeable to one or both of the first and second reagents. Devices for performing the method of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: The fluidic system 10 of the preferred embodiment includes a sheath pump 12 to pump sheath fluid 14 from a sheath container 16 through a sample port 34 into an interrogation zone 18 and a waste pump 20 to pump the sheath fluid 14 and a sample fluid 26 as waste fluid 22 from the interrogation zone 18 into a waste container 24, and a processor 30 to calculate a time window based on the flow rate of the sample fluid 26. Preferably the processor 30 also calculates a time window for the sample fluid to reach the interrogation zone 18 from the sample port 34 based on the flow rate of the sample fluid 26. The interrogation zone 18 functions to provide a location for the fluidic system 10 and an optical analysis system 32 of the flow cytometer to cooperatively facilitate the analysis of the sample fluid 26.

Abstract: Disclosed are: a biosensor kit in which a bionsensor utilizing a field effect transistor is not deteriorated during storage or transport; and a system for detecting a substance of interest, which is equipped with the biosensor chip. The biosensor kit comprises a biosensor chip which can measure a substance of interest quantitatively and a package which can hermetically seal the biosensor chip and is composed of a packaging material comprising a metal film. The biosensor chip can measure the substance quantitatively based on the value of a current generated in a field effect transistor when the substance is reacted with a molecule that can recognize the substance and is immobilized on a reaction field connected to the field effect transistor. The biosensor chip comprises the field effect transistor and a mounting substrate on which the field effect transistor is mounted.

Abstract: Disclosed are: a biosensor kit in which a biosensor utilizing a field effect transistor is not deteriorated during storage or transport; and a system for detecting a substance of interest, which is equipped with the biosensor chip. The biosensor kit comprises a biosensor chip which can measure a substance of interest quantitatively and a package which can hermetically seal the biosensor chip and is composed of a packaging material comprising a metal film. The biosensor chip can measure the substance quantitatively based on the value of a current generated in a field effect transistor when the substance is reacted with a molecule that can recognize the substance and is immobilized on a reaction field connected to the field effect transistor. The biosensor chip comprises the field effect transistor and a mounting substrate on which the field effect transistor is mounted.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices and methods including porous polymer monoliths are described. Polymerization techniques may be used to generate porous polymer monoliths having pores defined by a liquid component of a fluid mixture. The fluid mixture may contain iniferters and the resulting porous polymer monolith may include surfaces terminated with iniferter species. Capture molecules may then be grafted to the monolith pores.

Abstract: A meniscus reducing member for use in a vessel for containing a liquid including a surface feature overlying at least a portion of an interior surface of the vessel. The surface feature includes at least two surfaces for contacting the liquid that cooperate to reduce a width of a meniscus formed at an interface between the liquid and the surface feature by physically altering a contact angle between the liquid and the surface feature.

Abstract: A specimen rack can be used for specimen containers irrespective of kinds thereof and irrespective of whether or not the specimen containers are rotated. An adapter is used for an automatic analyzer and a specimen pre-processing device and is adapted for a specimen rack capable of holding specimen containers. The adapter is provided with a specimen rack mounting section inserted and fixed to an adapter insertion section of a specimen rack body, a specimen container positioning section for holding the specimen containers, and a sleeve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an analyzing apparatus (1) for analyzing a sample using a container (2) accommodating reagents sealed therein, while raising the temperature of the reagents up to a predetermined temperature. The analyzing apparatus (1) comprises a first temperature measuring means (31) for measuring temperature of the container (2), a second temperature measuring means (32) for measuring temperature around the container (2), a heater (4) for supplying heat energy to the container (2), and a controller for controlling the heater (4) based on a measurement result at the first and second measuring means (31, 32).

Abstract: A dispensing device for reducing the dead volume of a liquid sample includes a main channel connected to a sample inlet and sample outlet, and branch channels connected to the main channel. Each branch channel is connected to a different liquid reservoir. High inflow-withstanding pressure sections are provided in the main channel between the branch channels and between the branch channel and the sample outlet. Each high inflow-withstanding pressure section has a channel inner wall forming a contact angle of 90° or larger with a liquid sample. A liquid sample enters the main channel through the sample inlet, reaches a branch point between the first branch channel and the main channel flows into the first branch channel and the liquid reservoir, and then passes through the high inflow-withstanding pressure section to a branch point between the next branch channel and the main channel.

Abstract: A fluorescence reader for an optical assay arrangement includes a polymeric sample substrate having a reaction site-surface and a substrate surface. A light source is arranged to illuminate the reaction site-surface through the substrate surface, and a detector device is arranged to detect fluorescent light emitted from the reaction site-surface and transmitted through the substrate surface, the substrate surface provided, for example, as a light-collecting body to allow fluorescent light rays exceeding a critical emission angle for total internal reflection to escape the substrate and enter the body.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for analyzing a body fluid. The device includes a test tape having a carrier tape and test fields for the detection of an analyte in the body fluid, the test fields being distributed along the carrier tape and raised above the carrier tape and a container for the test tape. The container has a seal for passage of the test tape, wherein the test fields have a leading edge which runs against a sealing edge of the seal when the test field passes through the seal. The leading edge of the test fields or/and the sealing edge of the seal at least in parts are angled or curved relative to the transverse direction of the tape.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus useful in conducting detection of compounds on blotting membranes. The device is comprised of several layers including a porous support layer below the blotting membrane(s), a flow distributor above the blotting membrane(s) and optionally a well on the flow distributor to contain the liquid to the desired area and to allow for lower starting volumes of such liquid. Preferably, the flow distributor is a non-binding or low binding hydrophilic porous membrane such as a 0.22 micron membrane and the support layer is a grid or sintered porous material. The distributor and support are held together to form an envelope around the membrane(s). The use of a hinge, clips and other such devices is preferred in doing so.

Abstract: A system and a method for cleaving water by means of hyperpolarization, the system has a first electrode and at least one additional electrode; at least one porous ferroelectric layer arranged between the first and the additional electrode; as well as an AC voltage or pulsed DC voltage source. With this method it is possible to cleave the water economically into hydrogen and oxygen and obtain gases for technical purposes.