Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a test strip container which provides easy access to test strips. The test strip container includes a lower housing, an upper housing, and a retaining member configured to releasably retain the test strips in a nested configuration. The nested configuration of the test strip container provides easy access to test strips by arranging the test strips so that they extend radially outward from the retaining member. The radial arrangement of the test strips operates to separate the test strips so that test strip users may easily select a single test strip from a plurality of test strips. Alternatively, the test strip container includes a lower housing, an upper housing, and a retaining member configured to releasably retain the test strips in a longitudinal configuration.

Abstract: Provided is a panel (3) for analysis having a chamber inside for transferring a sample liquid dispensed as a drop on an injection port (14). The injection port (14) is formed to protrude in a direction away from the chamber, a recessed section (12) is formed around the injection port (14), and the injection port (14) is arranged on the side of a rotating axis center (11) of a holding member (101) for the panel for analysis in an analyzer. Thus, even when a sample liquid is adhered around the injection port, contamination and shortage of the sample liquid can be prevented.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the determination of the concentration of a non-volatile analyte in an aqueous sample medium, with the use of an optical sensor which contains a luminescent dye and is calibrated at the user site by means of a single-point-calibration. To enable the user to completely dispense with all calibration media a luminescence measurement value is obtained at the user site with the sensor in contact with the aqueous or bloodlike sample medium, which value is referenced to the relative characteristic obtained at the factory site and to a measured dry calibration value obtained at the user site, the concentration of the non-volatile analyte being deduced from these data.

Abstract: A disposable cartridge adapted to be used with a sensor-dispensing instrument comprises a housing, test sensors, a mechanical mechanism and moveable seals. The housing forms at least one opening therethrough. The test sensors are stacked in the housing. The test sensors are adapted to assist in testing at least one analyte. The mechanical mechanism is adapted to urge the test sensors in a first direction. One of the test sensors is positioned for ejection from the cartridge. The moveable seals is adapted to be in a closed position that seals the at least one opening so as to provide a substantially moisture-proof and a substantially air-tight cartridge, and one of the moveable seals is adapted to be in an open position that allows one of the test sensors to be moved therethrough.

Abstract: Electrochemical devices, methods, and systems for detecting and quantifying analytes are disclosed. A chemical detection reagent is locally generated in a test solution by electrochemical reaction of a precursor compound caused to migrate into the test solution from a precursor solution separated from the test solution by a cell separator. This approach provides precise metering of the reagent, via the charge passed, and avoids the need to store a reagent solution that may be chemically unstable. In one embodiment, the starch concentration in a colloidal solution can be measured via spectroscopic detection of a blue complex formed by the interaction of starch with iodine produced, on demand, by electrochemical oxidation of iodide ion. The approach may also be used to characterize certain types of analytes. The invention is amenable to automation and is particularly useful for on-line monitoring of production processes, including the inclusion of feed back loop mechanisms for process control.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly is adapted to be used in a sensor-dispensing device. The cartridge assembly comprises an end cap, a disposable cartridge and a sealing mechanism. The end cap includes one opening. The disposable cartridge comprises an outer and inner cartridge. The inner cartridge contains sensors arranged in a stack therein. Each of the sensors carries a reagent sufficient to produce a signal in response to the analyte concentration in a fluid. The outer cartridge forms an opening of sufficient dimensions to permit a sensor to pass through the opening. The outer cartridge includes a holding mechanism that holds at least one of the sensors in place during movement of the inner cartridge. The sealing mechanism is adapted to form a substantially moisture-tight seal.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing an aqueous solution, as may be implemented with a hand-held portable electronic device (10) and test element (16). A test pad (32) of the test element responsive in color to a characteristic of an aqueous solution is interrogated by the device by measuring intensity values of an interrogating test light as reflected off of the test pad. The test pad may be supported on an opaque and non-reflective substrate (28) that cooperates with an opaque edge portion (14E) of a test element placement member (14B) and associated side walls (14W) of the device to minimize the impingement of ambient light onto the test pad during interrogation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thin film heater (2) including a thin film heat-producing resistor, and a first and a second thin film electrodes (22, 24) electrically connected to the thin film heat-producing resistor to apply voltage to the thin film heat-producing resistor. In the thin film heater (2), at least part of the thin film heat-producing resistor is light transmissive. Preferably, the first thin film electrode (22), the thin film heat-producing resistor and the second thin film electrode (24) are laminated in the film thickness direction in the mentioned order. The present invention further provides an analytical instrument (X) provided with the thin film heater (2).

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products for the multi-modal detection of particles are described herein. An embodiment of the present invention is a particle detector that includes a first chamber wherein analyte particles are subjected to a first particle detection mechanism, and a second chamber coupled to the first chamber, wherein the analyte particles are subjected to a second particle detection mechanism, and wherein the detection characteristics of second particle detection mechanism are orthogonal to detection characteristics of the first particle detection mechanism.

Abstract: A sensor array comprising a series connection of parallel GMR sensor stripes provides a sensitive mechanism for detecting the presence of magnetized particles bonded to biological molecules that are affixed to a substrate. The adverse effect of hysteresis on the maintenance of a stable bias point for the magnetic moment of the sensor free layer is eliminated by a combination of biasing the sensor along its longitudinal direction rather than the usual transverse direction and by using the overcoat stress and magnetostriction of magnetic layers to create a compensatory transverse magnetic anisotropy. By making the spaces between the stripes narrower than the dimension of the magnetized particle and by making the width of the stripes equal to the dimension of the particle, the sensitivity of the sensor array is enhanced.

Abstract: A biological material fixed region enclosing tip, a biological material fixed region treatment apparatus, and a treatment method thereof. An object is to enable processing to be performed while a fixing region is enclosed in an immovable state with respect to the tip form vessel, and to execute processing of high reliability with a simple apparatus.

Abstract: A microreactor capable of reaction between a sample and a mixed reagent containing a mixture of multiple reagents, which microreactor avoids the interposition of air between driving solution and reagents and realizes high-precision controlling of the timing of mixing of reagents and other liquids, the mixing ratio of liquids, the pressure for liquid feeding, etc. Further, there is provided a method of liquid feeding making use of the same. Accordingly, a flow path branched at the position of an inlet from a flow path through which an opening communicating with an external pump communicates with the inlet is provided with an air evacuation flow path with its terminal open outward. Further, the flow path resistance of the air evacuation flow path for a liquid is made greater than the flow path resistance, for the liquid, of a flow channel from the reagent storage chamber to a reagent feed-out flow path.

Abstract: Total analysis systems and methods for simultaneously monitoring a suite of biological and/or chemical species in water and/or other process systems are disclosed. The system provides a sample-volume controlled sensor array comprising a fluid delivery device and a plurality of optical sensor elements for determining the presence and total concentrations of multiple analytes in the process system simultaneously. Delivery means are provided to deliver a metered quantity of sample fluid to the sensor array. Image identification algorithms are provided for identifying the analytes based on image intensity, color pattern, positional arrangement, and the like. The methods incorporate multivariate optimization algorithms to analyze multiple sensor responses. This produces analytical results that are typically difficult to obtain without full system or variable compensation.

Abstract: A highly sensitive fluid composition analyzer where a fluid may be placed in contact with a very small area on a material sensitized to change color in the presence of a specific type of compound, to be impinged with light. The light reflected, transmitted and/or scattered by the material may serve as input for the analyzer electronics. The fluid may be pre-concentrated prior to being brought in contact with the material. The area on the material may be a spot having an outside dimension of less than one millimeter.

Abstract: A method to measure the concentration of a constituent element in a gas sample contained in an analyzer. A sample cell of a detector has an inlet and an outlet. The outlet of the sample cell is sealed. A predetermined mass of a gas sample is received through the inlet into the sample cell over a predetermined pressurization period until substantially the entire mass of the gas sample contained in the analyzer is contained within the sample cell. The gas sample is pressurized to a predetermined pressure over the pressurization period. A concentration of a constituent element in the pressurized gas sample is determined.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for detection of excitation (110) using a multiple spot arrangement (60), in which a multiple spot generator (50) is matched to the multiple spot arrangement (60) in such a way that light (100) entering the multiple spot generator (50) will be guided to defined areas on the multiple spot arrangement (60).

Abstract: Chemical sensors whose active element exhibits both a visual change in color and a measurable change in electrical resistance when exposed to an analyte to which it selectively reacts are provided. These sensor have several unique features including vastly improved stability measured in years, irreversible visual changes and surprisingly reversible electrical changes. The combined unique features enable a new generation of ultra low power alerting, alarming and readout devices for hydrazines and other strongly reducing chemicals.

Abstract: This invention relates to a test sensor cartridge assembly that dispenses test sensors individually while shortening the distance of the lateral movement required to eject the sensor. A stationary gear rack is affixed to a surface with a moveable gear rack positioned parallel to the stationary gear rack. The moveable gear rack is adapted to engage the test sensor. A gear is positioned between and contacts the stationary gear rack and the moveable gear rack. The lateral movement of the gear in a first direction generates rotational movement by the gear. Both the lateral and rotational movement move the moveable gear rack laterally in the first direction. The lateral movement of the gear rack in the first direction ejects a test sensor from a test sensor cartridge.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products for the multi-modal detection of particles are described herein. An embodiment of the present invention is a particle detector that includes a first chamber wherein analyte particles are subjected to a first particle detection mechanism, and a second chamber coupled to the first chamber, wherein the analyte particles are subjected to a second particle detection mechanism, and wherein the detection characteristics of second particle detection mechanism are orthogonal to detection characteristics of the first particle detection mechanism.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a test strip container which provides easy access to test strips. The test strip container includes a lower housing, an upper housing, and a retaining member configured to releasably retain the test strips in a nested configuration. The nested configuration of the test strip container provides easy access to test strips by arranging the test strips so that they extend radially outward from the retaining member. The radial arrangement of the test strips operates to separate the test strips so that test strip users may easily select a single test strip from a plurality of test strips. Alternatively, the test strip container includes a lower housing, an upper housing, and a retaining member configured to releasably retain the test strips in a longitudinal configuration.