Abstract: A microfluidic device for the concentration and lysis of cells or viruses and a method of concentrating and lysing cells or viruses using the microfluidic device include: magnetic beads, a reaction chamber in which the magnetic beads are accommodated and a laser source. The reaction chamber includes a plurality of electrodes which cross each other and are separated by a dielectric to generate an electric field and a vibrating part agitating the magnetic beads in the chamber. The laser source radiates a laser onto the magnetic beads in the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A liquid sample is aspirated using an aspirating tube provided with a flow path extending lengthwise in the interior of the tube, and an aspiration orifice for aspirating the liquid sample formed near the tip of the tube. The aspiration of the liquid sample to the aspirating tube is monitored during aspiration. Liquid sample is aspirated by the aspirating tube, and the collected material in the aspirating tube in the region at the tip side from the region containing the liquid sample to be used for measurement is delivered to a detecting part provided externally to the aspirating tube, and whether or not liquid sample is contained in the collected material is detected in the detecting part.

Abstract: An integrated test element (110) is proposed for detecting for detecting at least one analyte in a sample (142), in particular in a liquid sample (142). The integrated test element (110) has a carrier element (112), with an application face (114) on which at least one organic electroluminescent component (126) is applied. Furthermore, at least one indicator substance (136) is applied on the application face (114), which indicator substance (136) alters at least one optical characteristic, in particular an emission characteristic (e.g. a fluorescence characteristic), when it comes into contact with the at least one analyte. Furthermore, the integrated test element (110) has at least one photodetector element (116).

Abstract: Provided is a moisture detection device including: a moisture detection label that has at least a pair of detection terminals and a pattern, the detection terminals being provided on a base material with an insulated front surface, the pattern being provided on the surface of the base material and formed between the detection terminals with water-dispersible and conductive paint; and detection circuit which detects an electrical connection state between the detection terminals.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides test strip carriers for insertion into test strip vials and methods of making the same. Also provided are test strip vials including test strip carriers, and systems including test strip vials, test strip carriers and analytical test strips. The test strip carriers of the present disclosure are capable of engaging with the caps of test strip vials and thereby facilitating the retrieval of one or more test strips from the test strip vials upon opening of the test strip vials.

Abstract: A method of producing a precursor, active-matrix, fluid-assay micro-structure including the steps of (1) utilizing low-temperature TFT and Si technology, establishing preferably on a glass or plastic substrate a matrix array of non-functionalized pixels, and (2) preparing at least one of these pixels for individual, digitally-addressed (a) functionalization, and (b) reading out, ultimately, of completed assay results.

Abstract: A pixel-by-pixel, digitally-addressable, pixelated, precursor, fluid-assay, active-matrix micro-structure including plural pixels formed preferably on a glass or plastic substrate, wherein each pixel, formed utilizing low-temperature TFT and Si technology, includes (a) at least one non-functionalized, digitally-addressable assay sensor, and (b), disposed operatively adjacent this sensor, digitally-addressable and energizable electromagnetic field-creating structure which is selectively energizable to create, in the vicinity of the at least one assay sensor, an ambient electromagnetic field environment which is structured to assist in functionalizing, as a possession on said at least one assay sensor, at least one digitally-addressable assay site which will display an affinity for a selected fluid-assay material.

Abstract: A digitally-addressable, pixelated, DNA fluid-assay, active-matrix micro-structure formed, utilizing low-temperature TFT and Si technology, on a substrate preferably made of glass or plastic, and including at least one pixel which is defined by (a) an addressable pixel site, (b) a sensor home structure disposed within that site for receiving and hosting a functionalized assay site possessing a DNA oligonucleotide probe, and (c) an addressable, pixel-site-specific, energy-field-producing functionalizer (preferably optical) operable to functionalize such a probe on the assay site. Each pixel may also include a pixel-integrated optical detector. Further disclosed are related methodology facets involving (1) the making of such a micro-structure (a) in a precursor form (without a functionalized probe), and thereafter (b) in a finalized/functionalized form (with such a probe), and (2) the ultimate use of a completed micro-structure in the performance of a DNA assay.

Abstract: A pixel-by-pixel digitally-addressable, pixelated, fluid-assay, active-matrix micro-structure including plural pixels formed preferably on a glass or plastic substrate, wherein each pixel, formed utilizing low-temperature TFT and Si technology, includes (a) at least one functionalized, digitally-addressable assay sensor including at least one functionalized, digitally-addressable assay site which has been affinity-functionalized to respond to a selected, specific fluid-assay material, and (b) disposed operatively adjacent that sensor and its associated assay site, digitally-addressable and energizable electromagnetic field-creating structure which is selectively energizable to create, in the vicinity of the sensor and its associated assay site, a selected, ambient, electromagnetic field environment which is structured to assist, selectively and optionally only, in the reading-out of an assay-result response from the assay sensor and assay site.

Abstract: A method of performing a fluid-material assay employing a device including at least one active pixel having a sensor with an assay site functionalized for selected fluid-assay material. The method includes exposing the pixel's sensor assay site to such material, and in conjunction with such exposing, and employing the active nature of the pixel, remotely requesting from the pixel's sensor assay site an assay-result output report. The method further includes, in relation to the employing step, creating, relative to the sensor's assay site in the at least one pixel, a predetermined, pixel-specific electromagnetic field environment.

Abstract: A method for producing an active-matrix, fluid-assay micro-structure including, utilizing low-temperature TFT and Si technology, establishing preferably on a glass or plastic substrate a matrix array of digitally-addressable, assay-material-specific-functionalizable pixels, and employing pixel-specific digital addressing for selected, array-established pixels, individually functionalizing these pixels.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for performing assays involving binding material elements with a plurality of bonds over a substantial area of a surface of a resonant device establishing a normalized exposure. The methods and apparatuses also involve controlling an external influence applied to the material elements over a first period of time and measuring a signal during a second period of time that is indicative of the change in the amount of material elements bound to the surface relative to the normalized exposure. In some cases, the measured signals are integrated with respect to time to determine the time averaged amount of material elements bound to the surface.

Abstract: Formats for optical analysis of fluid samples are provided with platforms and wells for contacting fluid samples and bringing reagents in contact with fluid samples. Formats may be made in opposing platform-and-well constructions, allowing a platform protruding from one format member to enter a well contained within an opposing format member. A sample fill nose accepts sample fluid from a sample collection opening and transports the sample fluid through the format.

Abstract: A system for detecting at least one contamination species in an interior space of a lithographic apparatus, including: at least one monitoring surface configured to be in contact with the interior space, a thermal controller configured to control the temperature of the monitoring surface to at least one detection temperature, and at least one detector configured to detect condensation of the at least one contamination species onto the monitoring surface.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a biological analysis device including: means for circulating a fluid to be analyzed, comprising a fluidic chamber, optical detection means based on a semiconductor, including a detection front face, a rear face and pads of electrical contacts located on this rear face.

Abstract: A consumer food testing device for testing for the presence of harmful contaminants in a food sample, includes a system for producing a visual cue upon detection of a harmful chemical, biological, and/or ionizing radiation contaminant; and a processing system responsive to the detection of a harmful contaminant, for transmitting the global position of the consumer testing device, the identity of the harmful contaminant, and the time and date to a remote monitoring facility.

Abstract: A device for measuring the sedimentation rate in biological fluids, and particularly the erythrocyte sedimentation rate in blood samples. The device comprises: holders (3) for test tubes (P) containing samples of biological fluid; agitator devices (25) for agitating the test tubes; at least one detector (17, 19) for reading the levels inside the test tubes. The holders together form a continuous flexible member (1) defining a closed path along which the agitator devices and the detector are arranged.

Abstract: A system for analyzing the concentration of an analyte in a fluid sample comprises a test strip and a meter. The test strip is capable of being inoculated by the fluid sample. The test strip includes a test element, which contains at least one reagent adapted to cause a reaction when brought into contact with the analyte. The meter includes a read-head, a repositioning device, and a display. The read-head is capable of producing a signal indicative of the reaction between the analyte and the at least one reagent. The display being capable of displaying the analyte concentration. The repositioning device is adapted to move the test strip from a loading position to a testing position. The testing position positions the test element proximate to the read-head.

Abstract: The invention provides a reagent reservoir system and disposable reaction cassettes using the same. In one aspect, such system comprises a chamber in which dried reagent, particularly lyophilized reagent, is constrained to remain in a defined region of the chamber by a retaining member that obstructs passage of such reagents to other regions of the chamber where they may escape hydration or activation.

Abstract: A sample processing apparatus prevents samples and reagents from being degraded due to a prolonged waiting time other than for reaction and improves the operation efficiency of the apparatus. The apparatus includes a plurality of processing sections for causing at least two samples to react independently, an input/output terminal 15 for inputting the upper limit of the waiting time and the reaction time for each of the samples, a schedule management section for determining at least the clock time of introducing each of the samples, the processing section to be used for processing the sample and/or the waiting time for the sample, and a general control section for controlling the processing of the samples at the plurality of processing sections according to the determination by the schedule management section.