Abstract: Disclosed are devices, arrangements and methods for quantifying the concentration of an analyte present in bodily fluid, including: an assay pad having at least one chemical reagent capable of producing a detectable signal in the form of a reaction spot upon reaction with the analyte; a light source; a detector array; a processor; and a memory in communication with the processor, the memory comprising: (a) at least one value indicative of one or more of: (i) the level of hematocrit contained in the sample; (ii) the volume of the sample applied to the assay pad; or (iii) imperfections present in the reaction spot; and (b) at least one algorithm for calculating the concentration of the analyte contained in the sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a strip for measuring blood lipids. The strip for measuring blood lipids, of the present invention, presses, with an optimal pressure or to an optimal height, a contact surface of a protruding part of a measurement layer disposed between an upper cover and a lower substrate, so as to improve the uniform diffusion of a biological sample, thereby having an effect of increasing measurement result accuracy of the biological sample.

Abstract: The microfluidic devices and systems disclosed herein reduce sample loss and help decrease sample processing bottlenecks for applications such as next generation sequencing (NGS). The microfluidic devices include a plurality of reaction modules. Each reaction module may comprise one or more reaction circuits. Each reaction circuit may comprise a single reaction flow channel with each reaction circuit connected by a bridge flow channel. Alternatively, each reaction circuit may comprise two or more reaction flow channels connected by two or more bridge flow channels. The combination of any two bridge flow channels and a portion of the two or more reaction flow channels between the any two bridge flow channels defining may define the reaction circuit. The reaction module may be arranged as nodes connected by bridge flow channels or each reaction module may be arranged in a parallel fashion on the microfluidic device.

Abstract: A transport structure for accommodating a plurality of vials for pharmaceutical, medical or cosmetic use under non-sterile conditions is formed by an accommodation member and by a bearing member releasably connected thereto. The accommodation member comprises a plurality of frustro-conical receptacles in a regular arrangement so that the vials can be accommodated upright and while preventing a direct contact between adjacent vials in the receptacles of the accommodation member. The transport structure comprises latching structures for releasable latching of the accommodation member with the bearing member.

Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis system is disclosed. An example peritoneal dialysis system includes a water treatment device including a water treatment processor and a first memory and a peritoneal dialysis (“PD”) machine including a PD processor and a second memory. The PD machine is configured to mix water treated by the water treatment device with at least one concentrate to produce a peritoneal dialysis fluid for treatment. The example peritoneal dialysis system also includes a data link between the water treatment processor and the PD processor. The water treatment device is configured to prepare an amount of treated water and, upon communication between the water treatment processor and PD processor over the data link, deliver the amount of the treated water to the PD machine for use in mixing the peritoneal dialysis fluid for the treatment. The treated water has a purity corresponding to an injectable quality or a sterile quality.

Abstract: Provided is a method for analyzing a protein-containing sample. The method comprises (1) dissolving a probe capable of non-specifically interacting with a plurality of proteins in a plurality of solvents having different ionic strengths and/or pH levels; (2) adding a protein-containing sample to a plurality of probe solutions prepared in the step (1), thereby the proteins in the sample and the probe are interacted non-specifically; (3) measuring the fluorescence intensities of the plurality of probe solutions to which the protein-containing sample was added in the step (2); and (4) comparing the pattern of fluorescence intensities obtained in the step (3) with the pattern of fluorescence intensities obtained from a reference sample.

Abstract: A sample treatment and molecule analysis cartridge is configured to be mounted in a treatment machine vertically. The cartridge has a sample inlet opening, a fluidic inlet, and a fluidic outlet. The cartridge houses an extraction chamber extending vertically from the sample inlet opening and connected to the fluidic inlet; a waste chamber extending vertically, alongside the extraction chamber; and a collector extending along the extraction chamber and the waste chamber and having a smaller height than the extraction chamber and the waste chamber. A fluidic circuit connects together the extraction chamber, the waste chamber, the collector, the fluidic inlet, and the fluidic outlet, and is configured to connect the fluidic outlet to vent openings of the extraction chamber, the waste chamber, and the collector, and to connect the bottom end of the extraction chamber to the fluidic inlet, the waste chamber, and the collector.

Abstract: The present teaching relates to photo-responsive hydrogels comprising a copolymer comprising N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM), a polymerisable derivative of benzospiropyran, a cross-linking agent and an acid, the acid having a pKa of less than 6, wherein the hydrogel is operably responsive to exposure to water so as to undergo spontaneous protonation and swelling. The photo-responsive hydrogels described can be used in the field of microfluidic platforms.

Abstract: Effects of Oxygen on grease or another organic paste product can be evaluated with a modified version of the ASTM D942 test methodology for oxidation stability of lubricating greases or other organic paste products by employment of an oxidation pressure vessel, in which at least one of (A) a very small sample of the grease or other organic paste product is deployed for testing within the oxidation pressure vessel such that the sample has an enhanced surface area to mass ratio, and (B) a temperature other than about 99° C. is employed during the testing. In general, the testing is carried out under oxidation pressure conditions. The sample may be evaluated with respect to Oxygen uptake. Additional technique(s) directed to oxidation and/or other properties of the sample may be carried out before to after any Oxygen uptake evaluation, for example, FTIR analysis and/or ATR-FTIR analysis.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for the robust passive detection of airborne toxins using a colorimetric sensor coating onto a optically transparent substrate. In certain embodiments, the substrate is affixed to an adhesive material (tape). In certain embodiments, the sensor and substrate are transparent. In various embodiments, multiple sensors are coated onto selected substrate for the simultaneous detection of multiple toxins. In various embodiments, the sensed or detected toxins include a number of chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial chemicals. In various implementations, the tape is affixed to a remote surface, which may be visually monitored by a camera directly by focusing the camera on the tape or may be affixed to a camera lens by an adhesive backing, such that colorimetric sensor changes may be observed through the lens itself.

Abstract: A cancer analysis system includes, so as to perform an efficient image analysis in a cancer screening test using nematodes: a light source unit that irradiates a plate on which nematodes and a urine sample are plotted, from below; a photographing unit that takes an image of the plate irradiated by the light source unit; and an analyzer that analyzes the image taken by the photographing unit. The analyzer: couples a prescribed number of pixels in the image into a larger number of pixels thereof; and performs a chemotaxis assay of the nematodes based on a time variation of information on a luminous center of gravity of the image.

Abstract: To provide a biomarker which is a metabolite included in a biological sample, and which can be collected in a noninvasive method and detected in a convenient analysis method, and which varies according to progression of pathological conditions of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Furthermore, such biomarkers are useful for determination of the presence or absence of morbidity of IBS, determination of severity of IBS, determination of types of IBS, determination of necessity of treatment of IBS, and confirmation of drug efficacy of an IBS therapeutic agent.

Abstract: Reagents and methods for using automated laboratory equipment to determine whether the specific gravity of a urine sample is out of normal range as an indication of adulteration. The sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) normally found in a urine sample can be used as markers. A sodium-potassium dependent ?-galactosidase can be utilized with o-nitrophenylgalactoside (o-NPG) which is cleaved into o-nitrophenol, which turns the sample yellow. The sample can be analyzed by spectrophotometry methods utilized in most clinical analyzers at a pre-determined primary wavelength to obtain a Specific gravity Index (SGI). Measurements of the SGI that are outside a known normal range can indicate that the sample integrity has been compromised.

Abstract: An unmanned vehicle operated autonomously or by remotely piloting incorporates an onboard camera which is affixed with clear tape coated with a chemical colorimetric sensor dye sensitive to chemical warfare agents. Chemical warfare agents are detected by visual review or autonomous measurement of sensor color changes while the unmanned vehicle travels through a region suspected of having chemical warfare agents present. In various implementations, the sensor output color changes may be visually monitored by a vehicle operator viewing the camera image from a remote location. In various embodiments, the detection of chemical warfare agents may be confirmed by processing the coated tape with a calibrated opto-electronic reader.

Abstract: A reagent composition for releasing vitamin D compounds bound to vitamin D-binding protein and an in vitro method for the detection of a vitamin D compound in which the vitamin D compound is released from vitamin D-binding protein by the use of this reagent composition as well as the reagent mixture obtained in this manner. Also disclosed is the use of the reagent compositions to release vitamin D compounds as well as a kit for detecting a vitamin D compound.

Abstract: A laboratory module for storing and providing access to a plurality of samples, the laboratory module comprising a plurality of bays comprising a plurality of guiding rails and a plurality of rack tray bays for accommodating a plurality of rack trays, and a transport chamber for transporting at least one sample rack to a storage location and for delivering at least one sample rack at predetermined times to a processing system. The transport chamber is adapted to align with any one of the plurality of guiding rails, comprised in the bays and in the rack trays, for placing and moving on the guiding rails the at least one sample rack, and a sensor for sensing the presence and location of a sample rack on any one of the guiding rails, and a barcode scanner that identifies the sample rack and a storage device for storing data.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a system includes a plurality of sensor devices contained in a plurality of wells contained in a well-plate assembly. The sensor devices are used in a plurality of oscillators. Each oscillator generates a frequency and a resistance based on a quality of living biological cells contained in a corresponding well. The quality may include, for example, surface coupled mass, density, viscosity, and/or viscoelasticity of the living biological cells. The system also includes logic for measuring a resonant frequency and motional resistance associated with each sensor device and logic for processing the measured resonant frequency and motional resistance. Moreover, the system includes logic for displaying one or more graphs showing one or more characteristics of the living biological cells contained in the wells.

Abstract: Methods for obtaining a sample from a subject include providing a sample collection room within a retail store; and obtaining a sample from a subject at a retail location. Sample collection rooms may house a sample analysis device or system. Samples may be small, e.g., a finger-stick capillary blood sample.

Abstract: There is provided a microfluidic device comprising: a plurality of wells, each well comprising one opening to function as an inlet and an outlet for the well, wherein each opening is in fluid communication with a common fluidic channel, and wherein each opening is connected to the common fluidic channel via an isolation channel, and wherein the plurality of wells is arranged on the device in a radially symmetrical pattern. There is also provided a system and method comprising the device.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the invention provides methods for detecting an aberrant fibrinolysis condition in a patient. The method includes subjecting a blood sample from the patient to a viscoelastic analysis in the presence of a known amount of a thrombolytic agent, to obtain a coagulation characteristic value of the patient; and comparing the coagulation characteristic value of the patient to a coagulation characteristic value of a healthy individual, the coagulation characteristic value of the healthy individual obtained by subjecting a blood sample from a healthy individual to the viscoelastic analysis in the presence of the known amount of the thrombolytic agent, wherein a difference in the coagulation characteristic value of the patient as compared to the coagulation characteristic value of the healthy individual identifies the patent as having aberrant fibrinolysis.