Abstract: A DNA amplification device utilizing a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and silicon substrate coated with spin-on glass (SOG) is provided. This PDMS layer is irreversibly bonded to the SOG layer of the silicon substrate using oxygen plasma. The amplification device is an inexpensive, microfluidic device, which can be utilized as a portable thermo-cycler to perform PCR amplification of DNA in the field.

Abstract: An analytical system comprising a replaceable magazine (12) for providing a plurality of test units that react to an analyte and a measuring device (14) for processing the test units, wherein the magazine (12) is provided with a code (26) that can be registered by the measuring device (14). In order to enable the simplest possible coding, it is proposed that the code (26) comprises an unique magazine identifier (28) for the magazine (12) and that the measuring device (14) has a magazine-independent test counter (16) which registers the processing of a test unit and a counter memory (18) to store the magazine identifier (28) and a corresponding count of the test counter (16).

Abstract: A method for managing treatment of a particular health condition afflicting a patient through the use of a mobile phone device which includes a health management program stored in the mobile phone device that prompts a user for entry of health condition data, including patient physiological data, subjective patient health condition data, and medication delivery data, compiles the health condition data into an accumulated data summary, and transmits the data summary from the mobile phone device to a second processing unit through a communication port. A drop-down list related to subjective symptoms is provided, which includes stress and depression. A touch screen is provided for a graphical user interface. The health management program also provides prompts for the entry of diet data, and further displays drop-down lists related to daily activities and alerts for medication delivery.

Abstract: A method for managing treatment of a particular health condition afflicting a patient through associating subjective patient symptoms with analyte levels, which includes storing a health management program in a nonvolatile memory, which when run, prompts a user for entry of health condition data, including patient physiological data, subjective patient health condition data, and medication delivery data, compiles the health condition data into an accumulated data summary in which analyte levels at specific times are associated with subjective patient symptom data at specific times so that the summary shows an overall view of possible influences of subjective patient symptoms on analyte levels.

Abstract: A method for managing treatment of a particular health condition afflicting a patient through the use of a PDA which includes a health management program stored in the PDA that prompts a user for entry of health condition data, including patient physiological data, subjective patient health condition data, and medication delivery data, compiles the health condition data into an accumulated data summary, and transmits the data summary from the PDA to a second processing unit through a communication port. A drop-down list related to subjective symptoms is provided, which includes stress and depression. A touch screen is provided for a graphical user interface. The health management program also provides prompts for the entry of diet data, and further displays drop-down lists related to daily activities and alerts for medication delivery.

Abstract: A method for managing treatment of a particular health condition afflicting a patient through connection of a patient local processing device with a remote web server system. The patient local processing device receives patient health condition data, such as subjective patient symptoms and analyte levels, compiles the data into summaries to correlate subjective symptoms to analyte levels. The web server automatically provides patient reports to a healthcare provider.

Abstract: A device for holding a medical test strip is provided. The device comprises a receiving casing having an opening for receiving the medical test strip and a first stopping portion protruding from an upper surface of the receiving casing; an ejection base having a cover and a pusher beneath the cover, the cover downwardly extending a second stopping portion for sliding against the upper surface of the receiving casing; and an elastic member located between the receiving casing and the ejection base. When the pusher moves toward the opening by an external force to eject the test strip from the opening, the elastic member is compressed and the second stopping portion slides away from the first stopping portion. When the external force disappears, the second stopping portion slides toward the first stopping portion by a resilient force of the elastic member until the first stopping portion and the second stopping portion are engaged.

Abstract: A leak detection system for a flowing electrolyte battery comprising a containment member associated with at least one of a stack of a flowing electrolyte battery and an electrolyte reservoir of a flowing electrolyte battery and a sensing member for sensing a fluid leak within the containment member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sample arraying/assembling device, its method, and an apparatus using a sample assembly, and has an object of providing a sample arraying/assembling device which is adapted to various microplates, and is capable of efficiently and quickly arraying and assembling various samples; its method; and an apparatus using a sample assembly. The present invention includes: a distributing section which is capable of holding respective solutions containing samples to be distributed, and which has a plurality of holding ends arranged in a predetermined matrix; and a wound body which has a plane surface wound with a slender foundation member on which samples are to be distributed at distribution intervals of column or line of the matrix, which is arranged in parallel at the winding intervals of the line or column on the plane surface, so that the respective holding ends can come into contact therewith.

Abstract: A biological material test strip and adjacently-located reference color chart are affixed to a lid portion of an all-in-one specimen cup to perform color-based reaction testing of collected biological specimens in an uncalibrated environment. After specimen collection, the lid portion is secured to a container portion of the specimen cup. The cup may then be rotated into an upside down position causing the specimen, under the force of gravity, to pass from the container portion and into a volume of the lid portion, such that the test strip is exposed to the specimen as it is received into the volume of the lid portion. An image of the exposed test strip and adjacently-located reference color chart may then be captured and processed to identify any color matches between the individual test pads on the test strip and the corresponding sequences of reference color blocks on the reference chart.

Abstract: A linear guide, in particular for a device for electrochemical metal machining, that guides a linear movement of a quill that is moved periodically in a machine frame in order to periodically modify a working gap between a cathode situated on the quill and a workpiece in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the quill, the quill being connected to the machine frame by a plurality of connecting rods, the connecting rods being situated, in the no-load, non-deflected state, essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the quill, and the connecting rods having at the point of connection to the quill, as well as at the point of connection to the machine frame, a notch hinge in order to enable, via the hinge, the periodic linear movement of the quill, and the flexibilities of these notch hinges being based on elasticities in their structures formed by targeted thinning of the material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a calorimeter device, generally comprising a reaction vessel which may be U-shaped and which may be cantilevered; and a sensor for detecting temperature changes. In various embodiments, the sensor detects heat input into or output from the reaction vessel; changes in the electrical properties of a material coated onto the reaction vessel; changes in the mechanical properties of the reaction vessel; or changes in the resonance properties of the reaction vessel. The present invention further provides arrays of a subject calorimeter device. The present invention further provides a system for detecting a temperature change. The present invention further provides methods of detecting a temperature change that occurs as a result of a chemical, biochemical, biological, light-induced, or physical process. The methods generally involve introducing a sample into a subject device, and detecting a temperature change.

Abstract: A sensor, having a resonant frequency responsive to presence of an analyze, comprising a DC electrostatic excitation component, to produce a static force pulling a moveable element toward a backplate; an AC electrostatic excitation component, to produce an oscillation in the moveable element with respect to the backplate; and a sensor to detect contact between the moveable and the backplate.

Abstract: A diagnostic test reader includes an assay interface, a locking mechanism, and a test unit. The assay interface is configured to receive a diagnostic assay. The locking mechanism is configured to lock the diagnostic assay within the assay interface in response to one of the diagnostic assay and the diagnostic test reader being given a first push in a first direction toward the other of the diagnostic assay and the diagnostic test reader. The locking mechanism is also configured to unlock the diagnostic assay within the assay interface in response to the one of the diagnostic assay and the diagnostic test reader being given a second push in the first direction. The test unit is configured to analyze the diagnostic assay.

Abstract: A substrate for bioassay comprises a substrate and a group of reaction regions serving as a field where interaction between substances proceeds and formed in the substrate, and a group of information pits used to obtain positional information of individual reaction regions and/or substance information used in the reaction regions. The group of reaction regions and the group of information pits are not formed in the same substrate surface. A bioassay apparatus using the substrate and a method for making the substrate are also provided.

Abstract: An analytical combustion furnace has an input port for receiving a holder for an analytical sample. A purge block is coupled to the input port of the combustion furnace and has an input end for receiving the holder and a gas inlet and a gas outlet. A door selectively closes the input end of the purge block, and a pressurized seal is coupled between the purge block and the door. A source of purging gas is coupled to the gas inlet of the purge block for pressurizing the seal. The gas outlet of the purge block communicates with the seal to allow purging gas to escape the area of the seal. In one embodiment, a pressurized seal surrounds a push rod, which seal is pressurized by a purging gas to continuously purge the entry of the push rod into the purge block, thereby eliminating atmospheric contamination.

Abstract: Washing efficacy test apparatus (2) is provided which includes a holder (4) and a test soil device (6) for location with said holder (4). The test soil device (6) is in the form of sheet material with a test soil substance (34) provided thereon. The holder in one example includes two members (8, 10) between which the test soil device (6) is detachably attached so that the device (6) can be easily removed for inspection and maintained in a required orientation in the washing apparatus (2) in use.

Abstract: The evaporator (10) efficiently evaporates solvent and/or introduces gases to multiple samples. The evaporator (10) contains a top plate (20) and a bottom plate (30). The top plate (20) is mated to the bottom plate (30) to define a main chamber (130) for distribution of gas. An input port (80) is defined within the bottom plate (30) of the evaporator (10) is in fluid communication with a gas distribution channel (100). The gas distribution channel (100) has a series of gas distribution ports (110A-C) increasing in diameter, in proportion to a distance from the input port (80), that provide for an even distribution of gas into the main chamber (130). Gas exits the main chamber (130) through exit ports (120A-C) defined within the bottom plate (30). Screws (50) respectively control gas flow to exit ports (120A-C) for delivery to an array of nozzles (90) on the bottom plate (30).

Abstract: A sensing device is configured that a first piezoelectric vibrator and a second piezoelectric vibrator, changing over a connection to an oscillation circuit, have the oscillation circuit in common, that an impedance of a conductive path including a first one-surface-side electrode constituting the first piezoelectric vibrator from the oscillation circuit and an impedance of a conductive path including a second one-surface-side electrode constituting the second piezoelectric vibrator from the oscillation circuit are uniform with each other, and that an impedance of a conductive path including a first other-surface-side electrode constituting the first piezoelectric vibrator from the oscillation circuit and an impedance of a conductive path including a second other-surface-side electrode constituting the second piezoelectric vibrator from the oscillation circuit are uniform with each other.

Abstract: Disclosed is an assay device comprising liquid transport means adapted to take up a liquid sample and conduct the liquid to an analyte detection region operable to provide a test signal indicative of the presence and/or amount of an analyte in the liquid sample; the assay device further comprising a sample presence signal generation means, which is not generated by means of an immunoreaction. This sample presence signal generation means can comprise a colored portion, which is overlaid by a material (e.g. nitrocellulose) that is opaque, when dry, and translucent or transparent, when wet, to allow the colored portion to become visible to the user. In another embodiment the signal generation means comprises a color changing material which under-goes a change in its visible properties upon wetting (eg. pH indication). A third embodiment uses a mobilisable detectable which, when wetted by the sample, is carried along resulting in a streaked line parallel with the flow direction.