Abstract: The present invention is a method and chamber for exposure of human subjects to non-allergic rhinitis (“NAR”) trigger environments. The method occurs in a NAR chamber and involves tests that expose subjects to environmental triggers known to induce NAR symptoms. The chamber may be an enclosure capable of housing multiple subjects, constructed to facilitate the NAR tests and/or challenges and operable to create one or more NAR environments within the chamber. A different NAR environment may be required for each test. The chamber may facilitate the creation and containment of a specific NAR environment relating to a NAR test and/or challenge within the chamber for a particular period of time and achieve air-flow therein whereby subjects positioned within the chamber may be exposed to a NAR trigger environment in a virtually consistent manner. NAR tests and challenges may be assessed and the results thereof may be stored, compiled and/or reported.

Abstract: A cartridge for holding and ejecting fluid test strips and a test-strip metering device for use with such a cartridge. The cartridge holds the test strips in a sheet-like configuration. The metering device is able to extract test strips from the cartridge in response to an actuation of a single user-interface element. The metering device may test the fluids as each is extracted.

Abstract: A biological fluid sample analysis cartridge is provided that includes a collection port and a body. The body has one or more internal channels in selective fluid communication with the collection port. The collection port includes a collection bowl, and a slide valve assembly operable to be selectively positioned in an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the collection bowl is accessible for sample deposition, and in the closed position the collection bowl is inaccessible for sample deposition.

Abstract: A biosensor is provided, including an identification information recording unit having identification information of the biosensor recorded thereon, where the identification information recording unit is a color tag that is attached on the biosensor and indicates the identification information by color, chroma of color, or arrangement pattern of colors.

Abstract: According to the method of evaluating visceral fat accumulation of the present invention, amino acid concentration data on concentration values of amino acids in blood collected from a subject to be evaluated is measured, and a visceral fat accumulation condition in the subject is evaluated based on the measured amino acid concentration data of the subject.

Abstract: A disposable kit for use in directing fluid through a biological cell separator device (10). The kit generally includes a separator tube (22), a buffer fluid container (34), cell sample container (32), separated cell container (60), and flushing fluid container (62), as well as various conduits (36, 38, 42, 50, 50a, 50b) for connecting the containers (32, 34, 60, 62) and separator tube (22) in fluid communication together. A cell separator system is provided including a separator tube (22), magnet (20), pump (120) and a motorized drive unit (96). The motorized drive unit (96) is operatively connected to the magnet (20) to allow the magnet (20) to be moved a sufficient distance away from the separator tube (22) so as to allow cells adhered to the inside surface thereof to be flushed out of the tube (22).

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: A method and apparatus for managing a zone. Information is obtained about an environment in the zone with a sensor system. A determination is made by an analyzer system as to whether a contagious condition is present in the zone using the information from the sensor system. An action is performed by a management system in response to the contagious condition being present.

Abstract: Embodiments directed to a process for producing a reagent container assembly made of plastic and a reagent container assembly are disclosed. The process may comprise: assembling a group of particular reagent containers, and joining the reagent containers to form the reagent container assembly where at least two of the reagent containers are permanently joined together by at least one welding process.

Abstract: A syringe device having a plunger beneath which is disposed a rupturable capsule containing a nucleic acid wash buffer and a rupturing mechanism for rupturing the capsule, wherein the capsule, syringe, plunger, and rupturing mechanism are so configured as to first apply pneumatic pressure to force a nucleic acid solution through a membrane and to thereafter rupture the capsule and force a first volume of the wash buffer through the membrane.

Abstract: The present invention efficiently and cost-effectively extracts and collects cells from a tissue. The inventors have discovered that the tissue can be effectively fragmented and the resulting cells can be purified using a system or kit with multiple components. An advantage of the present invention is that tissue processing takes place in a closed system such that sterility can be maintained throughout the process, even if certain components are removed during processing, for example through the use of valves, clamps, and heat seals. Furthermore, any or all of the steps can be automated or manually accomplished, according to the specific needs of the application or the user.

Abstract: Methods of forming at least one nanochannel include: (a) providing a substrate having a thick single or a thick multi-layer overlayer; (b) milling at least one channel through the overlayer into the substrate; then (c) removing the overlayer; and (d) forming at least one nanochannel in the substrate having an average width and depth dimension that is less than about 10 nm in response to the milling and removing steps.

Abstract: A fluid sensor comprises a formed plastic body and a reagent. The body has a top face with an integral first surface. The body also has a bottom face opposed to the first surface and a sidewall that extends from the periphery of the top face. The first surface is adapted to accept a fluid sample. The reagent is disposed on the integral first surface and causes a color change detectable on the bottom face when the reagent reacts with an analyte in the fluid sample.

Abstract: System, including methods, apparatus, and kits, for forming emulsions. The system may include an instrument and a microfluidic chip received by the instrument. The instrument may apply pressure to prospective emulsion phases held by the chip, to drive formation and collection of emulsions in the chip. In some embodiments, the instrument may stop applying pressure to the chip when a change in pressure meeting a predefined condition is detected by the instrument. The change may indicate that an endpoint of droplet generation has been reached.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reagent slot, a sample tray and a combination kit used in biochemical test; this reagent slot is used to be mounted in the sample tray. Specifically, the reagent slot has a main frame which has plural holding holes, and the sample tray includes a plate portion, which is equipped with plural inserting holes and plural inserting slots, and a support portion which is used to support the plate portion.

Abstract: The micro-solid phase extraction of haloacetic acids is a procedure that extracts haloacetic acids from aqueous solution using iron-modified rice husk silica as the stationary phase or sorbent. Rice husks provide an excellent source of silica. The sorbent is prepared by incinerating the husks to produce a powder that is treated with 1.0 M nitric acid for 24 hours to produce rice husk silica. The silica is washed with base, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide is added, and then titrated with a 10% Fe3+ solution to pH 5, which forms a gel. The gel is aged, filtered, dried, and calcined to produce a nitrate-free iron-modified rice husk sorbent. The sorbent is then packaged in porous, heat-sealed polypropylene membrane envelopes and used for extraction of HAAs from water. The HAA analytes are desorbed by ultrasonication in methanol for analysis and quantification.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for blocking nucleic acids by means of photoactivating intercalating agents, comprising: a housing (1) with an upper wall (1a) with one or more through holes (2), intended for inserting therethrough one or more test or microcentrifuge tubes (3), each of which contains a respective sample (M) including nucleic acids and photosensitive intercalating agents mixed in liquid form, and one or more LEDs (L1, L2, L3, L10, L20, L30) mounted inside the housing (1) such that they emit light, according to one or more determined directions, towards respective parts (3a, 3b and 3c) of said of tubes (3), to photoactivate the intercalating agents in order to covalently bond them to free or accessible nucleic acids.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an analysis device for use with an external testing apparatus to detect the presence of an analyte in a test sample. The device comprises a transducer formed of a layer of pyroelectric or piezoelectric material sandwiched between first and second electrode layers, the transducer being arranged to produce an electrical voltage across the electrode layers in response to heating or straining of the pyroelectric or piezoelectric material layer. The device also comprises first and second stiffening elements for the transducer, the transducer being sandwiched between the stiffening elements. Each of the stiffening elements defines a planar surface for maintaining the transducer in a flat condition. Each of the stiffening elements exposes a portion of a respective electrode layer of the transducer for electrically connecting the transducer to the external text apparatus.

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: An apparatus for reading identification information of a biosensor is provided, including a biosensor sensing unit detecting the biosensor, a light-emitting unit emitting light on an identification information recording unit when the biosensor sensing unit detects the biosensor, the identification information recording unit having the identification information of the biosensor recorded thereon, a light-receiving unit that receives the light emitted from the light-emitting unit, and reflected or refracted by or passing through the identification information recording section, and an identification information reading unit analyzing the light received by the light-receiving unit and reading the identification information of the biosensor.