Abstract: A specimen container holding apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus is configured to hold a container for receiving liquids from a bronchoscope. The apparatus includes a needle guide with a first and a second opening configured to receive a needle of the bronchoscope. The first and second opening may be disposed on a removable tip of the needle guide. The removable tip may be detachably connected to a removable tip connection point. The apparatus may further include a slide holder configured to hold a slide.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a particle analyzer and a particle test control method and device thereof. A method comprises, acquiring a blood sample in a test location; preparing a diluted sample by the acquired sample; after acquiring a diluted sample, monitoring whether a pore blocking event occurs during a counting process; when the pore blocking event occurs, suspending the test of the sample, and performing an unblocking operation; and after the unblocking operation is completed, re-counting the same diluted sample without re-acquiring and re-diluting the blood sample by the impedance method after the unblocking operation.

Abstract: A microfluidic chip for focussing a stream of particulate containing fluid comprises a sample microfluidic channel configured to receive the stream of particulate containing fluid, a guidance microfluidic channel having a polygonal cross-sectional area and configured to receive a stream of guidance fluid, and a common microfluidic channel having a polygonal cross sectional area formed by the merging of the sample microfluidic channel and the guidance 10 microfluidic channel at an oblique angle along only part of one or more sides of the guidance microfluidic channel, and a detection zone disposed in the common microfluidic channel having one or more sensors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a holding apparatus for holding a pipetting container, in particular a serological pipette, at a pipetting apparatus, comprising a tubular connecting section that is configured to hold a tube-shaped end of a pipetting container in a pipetting position by means of a clamping connection, a clamping connection device that is arranged at the connecting section and that comprises a spring device for the establishment of the clamping connection and an air chamber device for releasing the clamping connection by means of a vacuum. Furthermore, the invention relates to a pipetting apparatus with that holding apparatus.

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 device for supporting a laboratory object is provided. The device may comprise a body extending about and defining an opening. The body may be positioned in a customized orientation selected from a plurality of orientations. The device may include a first support defined by the body and configured to contact a surface when the body is in a first orientation. The device may include a second support coupled to the first support. The second support may be configured to contact the surface when the body is in a second orientation.

Abstract: A method for measuring concentrations of blood cell components is provided. The method comprises: obtaining a blood sample from a subject, the blood sample comprising at least one of red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets (PLTs); mixing the blood sample with a non-lysing aqueous solution to form a sample mixture comprising a predetermined tonicity; passing the sample mixture through a flow cell; emitting light towards the flow cell; measuring at least one of an amount of light absorbed by the RBCs to obtain an RBC absorption value, an amount of light scattered by WBCs to obtain a WBC scatter value, and an amount of light scattered by PLTs to obtain a PLT scatter value; and determining a concentration of at least one of the RBCs, WBCs, and PLTs present in the sample mixture.

Abstract: An electronic smoking article or electronic vaping article includes a reservoir containing a liquid material and having an outlet, a capillary having a capillary inlet and a capillary outlet, the capillary inlet of the capillary in communication with the outlet of the reservoir, a heater operable to heat the capillary to a temperature sufficient to at least initially volatilize liquid material contained within the capillary, and a shuttle valve between the outlet of the reservoir and the capillary inlet. The shuttle valve is operable to prevent release of liquid material from the reservoir when the shuttle valve is in a closed position and is operable to release liquid material from the reservoir when the shuttle valve is in an open position.

Abstract: An analysis method is provided, wherein a measurement sample containing a diamine and an acid dianhydride can be obtained without a separate methyl derivatization process. The analysis method includes pretreating a polyimide film including the polyimide which is a poorly soluble polymer with DMAc after hydrolysis, and determining an amount of monomers contained in the polyimide film.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for measuring head framing and tip straightness in a liquid handler. The present system uses a test plate, having an upper surface formed of clay or other impressionable material. The test plate may be placed at a liquid handling station. Pipette tips may then be loaded onto the head, and the head positioned at the station including the test plate. The head may be actuated in the z-direction so that the tips leave an imprint in the upper surface of the test plate. The imprint of the tips on the test plate may then be analyzed using any of a variety of measurement techniques to determine head framing alignment or misalignment.

Abstract: The use of volatilization reagents is disclosed for improved detection of inorganic oxidizers such as, but not limited to, chlorates and perchlorates. Detection methods are disclosed whereby a reagent can transfer a proton to the anion (i.e., chlorate, perchlorate, etc.) of an inorganic salt analyte, forming an acid (i.e., chloric acid, perchloric acid) that is easier to detect by a mechanism whereby the acidified reagent is more easily vaporized, and hence, more easily detected. Concurrently, the anion of the acid forms a new salt with the cation released from the salt that was acidified. The reagents can also include acidic salts or cation-donators, more generally. In some embodiments, hydrated reagents or co-reagents that can release water can be employed.

Abstract: A biosafety cabinet includes an operation, an operation space, a front plate, an operation opening, a vibration damping mechanism and an exhaust. The vibration damping mechanism is a mechanism that floats an operation object, which is disposed in the operation space, from the operation stage. The vibration damping mechanism includes a table which supports the operation object, and a magnet which is disposed in the operation stage. The vibration damping mechanism is a mechanism that floats the operation object from the operation stage by using a magnetic force.

Abstract: A modular stand apparatus offers safe and effective setup of laboratory experiments. The apparatus allows a user to couple vertical rods to a first plate. A second plate, parallel to the first plate and vertically translating up and down the vertical rods, permits the user of any height to utilize the apparatus and the placement of an extraneous rigging such as jack, scale, etc. A plurality of horizontal rods including hypotenuse and adjacent rods detachably couples with the vertical rods and permits the placement of extraneous rigging. The horizontal rods replace monkey bars in conventional systems so that the user does not have to lean or stretch hands/arms inside a fume hood, thus eliminating potential unsafe operations and/or physical injuries. Due to the use of a larger and more stable surface of the second plate over the extraneous rigging, the apparatus eliminates possible toppling over and/or system collapsing.

Abstract: A system and method for receiving and delivering a fluid, the system comprising: a body configured to interface with an opening of a reservoir and defining: a protrusion defining a set position of the body relative to the reservoir; a wall extending from the protrusion; a receiving surface coupled to the wall and sloping from an apex to a nadir along a first direction, the receiving surface comprising a vent; and an outlet positioned closer to the nadir than the apex of the receiving surface and displaced from the vent, the outlet comprising an extension from the body, the extension configured to contact an interior wall of the reservoir, wherein the body comprises: a bubble-mitigating operation mode in which the receiving surface receives and transmits the fluid along the receiving surface, and a fluid-transmitting operation mode in which the body directs the fluid along the interior wall of the reservoir.

Abstract: A blood sample collection and/or storage device includes a two-piece housing that encompasses a port at which a fingertip blood sample is collected at a sample port. After the sample is taken, the two-piece housing is moved to a closed position deposit the sample onto a storage membrane Embodiments of the device include a one or more capillaries with movable plungers that dispense fluid from the sample port onto the membrane as the housing is closed. A desiccant, which may be held in place by a backbone structure within the housing, is positioned adjacent the membrane. The housing may also be opened to access the stored sample for further processing.

Abstract: System and associated method for capturing, preserving, and transporting a bodily fluid, including a collection jar having a base body, a lid body, and a plunger, the plunger housing a preservative when in a first plunger position and permitting a release of the preservative into an internal cavity of the collection jar when in a second plunger position, where the plunger moves from the first plunger position to the second plunger position by pushing the plunger into the internal cavity, and a transportation packaging having an outer container, at least one vacuum insulated panel, at least one phase change material bottle, and at least one collection jar holding tray, where the phase change material bottle has an indented portion corresponding to an indented portion of the collection jar holding tray, where the collection jar is configured for placement in the at least one collection jar holding tray during transportation.

Abstract: Microfluidic chips that can comprise thin substrates and/or a high density of vias are described herein. An apparatus comprises: a silicon device layer comprising a plurality of vias, the plurality of vias comprising greater than or equal to about 100 vias per square centimeter of a surface of the silicon device layer and less than or equal to about 100,000 vias per square centimeter of the surface of the silicon device layer, and the plurality of vias extending through the silicon device layer; and a sealing layer bonded to the silicon device layer, wherein the sealing layer has greater rigidity than the silicon device layer. In some embodiments, the silicon device layer has a thickness between about 7 micrometers and about 500 micrometers while a via of the plurality of vias has a diameter between about 5 micrometers and about 5 millimeters.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods to generate an inhalable vapor in an electronic vaporization device. The vaporization device may generate a vapor with one or more defined characteristics. In some cases, the vapor may have a predetermined aerosol number density and/or a predetermined average aerosol diameter. The vaporization device may generate a vapor from a vaporizable material. In some cases, the vaporizable material may be a liquid material housed in a cartridge. The vaporization device may comprise a rechargeable power storage device.

Abstract: Described are exemplary embodiments of a grasping mechanism for a powered, handheld positive displacement pipette, the grasping mechanism configured to grasp and releasably retain the piston head of a syringe that is usable with the pipette.

Abstract: Provided is a medical test slide unit including a frame main body including: a marker part which has a thin plate shape and in which a plurality of position indicating markers are formed longitudinally and transversely; and a border part arranged to surround the marker part, wherein a step is formed between the border part and the marker part to form a seating recess, and wherein a slide, on which a specimen to be examined using a microscope is placed, is selectively seated in the seating recess.