Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems for monitoring chemical reactions. The systems can comprise a lighting device, a camera device for obtaining an image of the chemical reaction mixtures and an analyzer program to process data obtained from the image. Also disclosed are methods of monitoring the progress of chemical reactions using these systems.

Abstract: A reaction cartridge comprises a first liquid reservoir having a first aperture exposed to the atmosphere and a second aperture, a first flow channel connected to the first liquid reservoir, a reaction chamber communicating with the first liquid reservoir by way of the first flow channel, a second flow channel connected to the reaction chamber and a third aperture connected to the second flow channel and exposed to the atmosphere. A probe carrier is arranged in the reaction chamber and externally supplied liquid is stored in the first liquid reservoir. The reaction cartridge is adapted to move liquid between the liquid reservoir and the reaction chamber by increasing or reducing the pressure at the third aperture.

Abstract: The present application provides a channel substrate having a channel provided therein and includes a plurality of detection portions configured to detect a specimen in the channel using an optical device, an introducing portion configured to introduce the specimen into the channel, and a discharging portion configured to discharge the specimen from the channel. The detection portions have, on at least one of the opposite faces of the channel substrate, detection portion surfaces which have distances different from each other to the channel.

Abstract: A microfluidic system comprises a first portion and a second portion. The first portion comprises a material which is able to change its volume when activated by an exciting factor, characterized by the fact that the first portion and the second portion define a zone which, when the first portion is not yet activated by the exciting factor, shows a first topography devoid of any fluidic pathway and which, after activation by the exciting factor, shows a second topography which is adapted to contain at least one fluidic pathway. The microfluidic system further comprises a tight cover surface situated above the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: A storage cartridge for dispensing biosensors used in the determination of an analyte in body fluid comprises a hollow body for housing a stack of biosensors having an open top, a flexible conveying member disposed over the open top of the body, the flexible conveying member having an aperture formed therein for receiving a biosensor from the stack of biosensors, a plate adapted to press the sliding conveying member against the open top to form a substantially moisture-impervious seal around the open top of the body and to permit the conveying member to slide between the plate and the open top, and a biasing mechanism the stack of biosensors towards the open top.

Abstract: A controlled release and self-resealing pressure-maintaining lid for reaction vessels in microwave assisted chemistry is disclosed. The lid includes a rigid perimeter, a rigid center load-bearing portion, and a flexible portion connecting the rigid perimeter to the center load-bearing portion so that the center portion can move when said flexing portion flexes. The lid can be used in conjunction with a vessel assembly. The vessel assembly can include a microwave-transparent, heat expandable reaction vessel having at least two cylindrical portions axially adjacent one another with one of the portions having a diameter larger than the diameter of the other portion, a transition portion between the two cylindrical portions, a vessel mouth in the larger-diameter portion, and a cylindrical retaining sleeve around the vessel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of separating fine particles by measuring the magnetic susceptibilities thereof using isomagnetophoresis. In a system for separating fine particles using isomagnetophoresis according to the present invention, fluids having different magnetic susceptibilities and fine particles to be measured are introduced into a microfluidic channel to form a magnetic susceptibility gradient, a strong magnetic field is applied to the channel to control the behavior of the introduced fine particles, thus moving the fine particles to respective positions at which the fluids having magnetic susceptibilities identical to those thereof is present. According to the present invention, fine particles having a fine difference in magnetic susceptibility can be separated from each other by measuring the magnetic susceptibilities thereof.

Abstract: Provided is a method for measuring motile sperm concentration (MSC) in a semen sample. The method includes placing the sample in a transparent container between a light source and a photodetector thereby generating a waveform analog signal, sampling the signal so as to produce a plurality of signal samples, selecting acceptable signals and calculating the MSC based on the average of the acceptable signal samples.

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 reservoir is supported by a base in a vertical position. A reciprocating member is positioned in the reservoir forming an internal chamber. The chamber receives growth factor starting material through an inlet in the reciprocating member. After the inlet is sealed, the reciprocating member increases the volume of the chamber to apply negative pressure to the growth factor starting material within to produce activated growth factors. The activated growth factors are extracted from the chamber through an outlet in the reciprocating member. Optionally, the growth factor starting material is held in the chamber to separate into fractions.

Abstract: The device comprises a support in the form of a tray or the like, which is at the top and provided inside with first grooves for guiding first cards arranged parallel to each other, forming a single level for the cards and is characterized in that it has sets of grooves interposed between the first grooves, allowing a second level of cards to be placed at a level higher than the first cards.

Abstract: The ability to form and maintain gradients is essential for the study of response of cells to various stimuli. The invention includes devices and methods for the high-throughput, reproducible formation of gradients for the study of living cells. The invention includes microfluidics device with a test chamber having a depth flanked by flow-through channels having a deeper depth. Flow of two different fluids through the flow-through channels results in the creation of a gradient by diffusion across the test chamber having essentially no flow.

Abstract: A method of determining beryllium or a beryllium compound thereof in a sample is disclosed by measuring fluorescence. This method discloses improved sample preparation methods, particularly for refractory beryllium materials. The method also discloses methods to improve the detection limit of beryllium including use of optical filters with specific characteristics for selecting the emission wavelengths of the fluorescence signal.

Abstract: A method of random-access storage and retrieval of any particular compartmentalized samples from a integral array of storage compartments with an apparatus to wholly excise intact sample-containing compartments and then convey the liberated samples intact in their respective compartments to designated locations of an adapted receiving tray, where they are releaseably locked in place.

Abstract: Provided are a microfluidic device and a microfluidic analysis equipment. The microfluidic device includes guides disposed along both edges, a lower plate including a flow path defined between the guides, and a movable upper plate moved along the guides on the lower plate and having a length less than that the flow path. A fluid flow can be simply accurately controlled by adjusting a position of the movable upper plate. As a result, the fluid can sufficiently react in the detection part and the reaction part. Therefore, effective reaction and detection can be realized using only a small amount of fluid, thereby improving sensitivity. In addition, due to the improved sensitivity, a washing process for removing materials that are not consumed in the reaction can be omitted. Also, the movable upper plate can be manually moved using a user's finger.

Abstract: Cells and methods of producing hydrogen and oxygen from an aqueous solution at about 90% of the Faraday Limit are provided. An exemplary method includes the steps of placing a graphite electrode and a nickel electrode in an alkaline solution comprising colloidal silver, colloidal magnesium and a powdered metal such as aluminum, and applying a constant positive voltage to the nickel electrode. Further, the example includes cyclically applying a negative voltage potential to the graphite electrode by turning on the negative applied voltage for a first time period and switching off the negative voltage for a second time period. The second time period should be sufficient to permit removal of substantially all or at least some of any aluminum or zinc deposited on the graphite electrode. Graphite-containing electrodes may be pretreated to infuse with a precious metal.

Abstract: A pipetting aid device includes a support comprising a face, a plurality of light elements mounted in the support forming a two-dimensional array in the plane of the face, and first and second centering structures. The first and second centering structures are mounted to extend from the face of the support. The first centering structure includes a first and second pair of stop walls, wherein a pair of stop walls forms a corner. The second centering structure includes a third and fourth pair of stop walls. The first and third pairs of stop walls form corners of a first positioning zone of a first type of plate. The second and fourth pairs of stop walls form corners of a second positioning zone of a second type of plate. The first centering structure and the second centering structure are positioned outside both the first positioning zone and the second positioning zone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a test strip for determining and/or quantifying a property of a sample, such as the concentration of an analyte, the pH, the viscosity, or the specific gravity of a fluid specimen. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved test strip and scale for determining and/or quantifying a property of a sample, such as the concentration of an analyte, the pH, the viscosity, or the specific gravity of a fluid specimen.

Abstract: The catalytic combustion type gas sensor includes a sensing element, a heat conducting layer of which includes boron nitride. The boron nitride content is from 30 wt % to 100 wt % of a material (such as alumina) that would be a base material having the highest proportion in a conventional heat conducting layer without boron nitride. A catalyst layer of the sensing element also includes boron nitride. The boron nitride content is from 10 wt % to 80 wt % of a material (such as tin oxide) that would be a base material having the highest proportion in a conventional catalyst layer without boron nitride.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a holder for biological sample containers such as well plates. The holder comprises a flat vacuum bed surrounded by a seal. A container is placed within the seal and a vacuum is applied, pressing and flattening the lower surface of the sample container against the flat vacuum bed. Samples in all portions of the container may then be imaged without the need to refocus on each portion of the container. For imaging, a sample in a well can be illuminated by a beam of light arranged so that a part or all of the sample is illuminated by direct rays that have not passed through the well plate. The beam is redirected to other parts of the well if a single illumination does not cover the whole well, so that the sample is imaged using a series of partial images.