Abstract: A container holder for a multiplicity of tubular sample containers with a frame made of a rigid plastic material, comprising a panel with a multiplicity of holes, and a coating of the frame which is made of an elastic plastic material or of rubber, and which partially closes off the cross section of the holes.

Abstract: Corrosion inhibiting hydraulic fluid additives, kits, and methods are disclosed. The hydraulic fluid additive may be adapted for use with brake fluid in vehicular brake systems. The kits may include an additive, a hydraulic fluid tester, and/or correlated information on test results and hydraulic fluid service actions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are apparatus and methods for detecting and quantifying contaminants in aqueous solutions. In one embodiment, an apparatus for the detection of contaminants within a liquid comprises a sensor and a controller. The sensor comprises a film and a transducer configured such that, during use, a first surface of the transducer is in fluid communication with a liquid, and the film is disposed between the first surface and the liquid. The film can be a polymeric material capable of hindering the transport of a non-desired species therethrough. The controller is in operational communication to the transducer, and is configured to determine the concentration of contaminants within the liquid.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for simultaneous detection of amines and thiols.

Abstract: Microfluidic structures and methods for manipulating fluids, fluid components, and reactions are provided. In one aspect, such structures and methods can allow production of droplets of a precise volume, which can be stored/maintained at precise regions of the device. In another aspect, microfluidic structures and methods described herein are designed for containing and positioning components in an arrangement such that the components can be manipulated and then tracked even after manipulation. For example, cells may be constrained in an arrangement in microfluidic structures described herein to facilitate tracking during their growth and/or after they multiply.

Abstract: A biological fluid collection cup for use with a centrifuge bucket to separate a biological fluid into its component parts is disclosed. It includes an hourglass shape with a large upper and lower portion and a narrow middle portion. A piston is to slide into and slideably be received in the lower portion and a side port is provided for withdrawal of a fluid from the narrow portion.

Abstract: Flow cytometer systems that include a sample manipulation chamber having an access hole that is adjustably sealed by a slider tape sealing cartridge are provided. Also provided are methods of using such systems, as well as components for use in such systems.

Abstract: An analytical system for examining a body fluid and a method of operation of an analytical system, typically for blood sugar tests, including an exchangeable magazine (18) as a consumable, which includes a plurality of magazine units (24) that are each provided with at least one analytical aid (32, 34) and with a transport element (28), a hand-held device (12) having a magazine guide (16) for receiving the magazine (18), a transport mechanism (48) that engages on the transport elements so as to transport the magazine in steps in the magazine guide, including a positioning mechanism (50) for positioning an active magazine unit in a predefined functional position, wherein retaining means (52, 54) of the positioning mechanism can be brought into engagement with transport elements of the magazine.

Abstract: A sample tube holder assembly may include a base comprising a base cavity defined therein. The sample tube holder assembly may include at least one first engagement member disposed within the base cavity and a plurality of sample tube holder racks configured to be received within the base cavity, at least one of the sample tube holder racks comprising at least one second engagement member, wherein each of the plurality of sample tube holder racks further comprises at least one sample tube cavity configured to receive a respective sample tube therein. The first and second engagement members may be configured to engage with one another when the plurality of sample tube holder racks are positioned within the base cavity such that the sample tube holder racks are offset at a different depth from one another within the base cavity.

Abstract: A reducing power analysis method for minimizing peak wavelength shift in a sample, comprising a reduction step of reducing a dye reagent containing a ferric compound and a cyanide at pH conditions of 2.4 or lower in the presence of a sample; and an optical measurement step of optically measuring a peak wavelength of a reduced form of the dye reagent obtained in the reduction step.

Abstract: The present application is directed to devices for a latching system. The latching system may comprise first and second interlocking latching mechanisms. The first latching mechanism may be coupled to a front surface of a container and the second latching mechanism may be coupled to a lid for the container. The second latching mechanism may be biased into an interlocking position with the first latching mechanism when the lid is moved to a closed position on the container.

Abstract: A method of forming microdroplets is provided that includes forming a well plate, using lithography, where the well plate includes a microchannel and a microwell in a surface of the fluid channel, flowing a first fluid into the microchannel, where the microchannel and the microwell are filled with the first fluid, and flowing a second fluid into the microchannel, where the first fluid is displaced from the microchannel, where the first fluid remains in the microwell, where a microdroplet of the first fluid is formed.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a plurality of first flow channels and a plurality of second flow channels, each such second flow channel intersecting multiple of the first flow channels to define intersecting volumes and a plurality of looped flow channels that each include segments of the flow channels between the intersecting volumes to define a closed loop. The microfluidic device also includes a plurality of control valves each such control valve having a control channel and a deformable segment disposed to restrict flow through a respective one of the first and second flow channels in response to an actuation force applied to the control channel to deflect the deformable segment. The microfluidic device further includes a pump operatively disposed to regulate flow through one of the looped flow channels to regulate flow by the recirculating pump.

Abstract: The present invention includes microfluidic systems having a microfabricated cavity that may be covered with a removable cover, where the removable cover allows at least part of the opening of the microfabricated cavity to be exposed or directly accessed by an operator. The microfluidic systems comprise chambers, flow and control channels formed in elastomeric layers that may comprise PDMS. The removable cover comprises a thermoplastic base film bonded to an elastomer layer by an adhesive layer. When the removable cover is peeled off, the chamber is at least partially open to allow sample extraction from the chamber. The chamber may have macromolecular crystals formed inside or resulting contents from a PCR reaction. The invention also includes a method for making vias in elastomeric layers by using the removable cover. The invention further includes methods and devices for peeling the peelable cover or a removable component such as Integrated Heater Spreader.

Abstract: A sample-containing device configured to be placed into a sample processing instrument for performing a process on a sample contained in the device includes redundant identification features, such as machine-readable tags. A first machine-readable information tag is read before the device is placed in the instrument, and a second machine-readable information tag is read after the device is in the instrument. Information read from the two tags is compared to determine if there is proper correspondence between the information read from the tags to ensure that the correct sample processing device was placed in the instrument.

Abstract: Method for determining concentration of a chlorinated solvent in a non-turbid aqueous solution sample containing the chlorinated solvent is disclosed. The method includes developing a calibration profile relating intensities of Raman returns at a predetermined Raman shift associated with O—H stretching region of water for non-turbid aqueous chlorinated solvent calibration solutions of known concentrations. Intensity of Raman return at the predetermined Raman shift associated with O—H stretching region of the non-turbid aqueous solution sample is measured and compared to the calibration profile to determine the concentration of the chlorinated solvent in the non-turbid aqueous solution sample. For turbid solution samples, a method using turbidity-corrected intensity for the solution sample is disclosed. Alternatively, for turbid solution samples, a method employing a calibration profile utilizing turbid calibration solutions is disclosed.

Abstract: A microfluidic system, device, and method are disclosed. The microfluidic system may include a first microfluidic channel and a second microfluidic channel, each of which are carrying one or more objects. There is an intersection between the first and second microfluidic channels where one or more objects from the first microfluidic channel impact one or more objects from the second microfluidic channel under hydrodynamic forces. The impact causes the objects to deform and the deformation of objects can be analyzed to determine properties of the object.

Abstract: A composition, which relates to the field of the clinical analysis of blood, comprises human plasma, buffered isotonic solution and ferulic acid. The composition can be used as an abnormal coagulation control in haemostasis, coagulation and fibrinolysis assays. Ferulic acid can be used in the preparation of abnormal control plasma in haemostasis assays.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the use of a microporous organogel for trapping fluids by adsorption and/for the controlled release of fluids after solubilization. The fluids are particularly air or water polluting agents or volatile substances. The invention also concerns the use of a microporous organogel in a method for analyzing the trapped fluids. The invention also concerns any fluid trap obtained by molding a microporous organogel.

Abstract: A blood-sampling tube with a first fluid-receiving chamber for receiving a fluid is described, where the first fluid-receiving chamber may be connected to at least one fluid channel that has a sensor device for measuring at least one biochemical function of the fluid passed through the fluid channel, where the measured biochemical function of the fluid may be read out from the sensor device via a data interface of the blood-sampling tube.