Abstract: A microfluidic device includes chambers for performing chemical, biochemical, or physical processes and a flow path connecting the chambers. A magnetic particle is moved through the chambers which are separated by a valve-like structure that enables passing-through of the magnetic particle from one chamber to another. At least one delaying structure delays movement of the magnetic particle along the flow path.

Abstract: A microchip including a first substrate with a groove formed on a substrate surface or a pass-through hole passing in a thickness direction of the substrate, and one or more second substrates laminated on a surface of the first substrate; the microchip including an optical measurement cuvette consisting of a space configured by the groove or the pass-through hole, and a substrate surface of the second substrate; wherein a side wall surface of the second substrate is positioned on an inner side than a side wall surface of the first substrate in at least one part of a side wall surface of the microchip, and a method of using the same are provided.

Abstract: An analyzer comprising: a specimen container setting portion including a plurality of container holders for holding a plurality of specimen containers of different types; an aspiration section for aspirating the specimen from the specimen container set in the specimen container setting portion; a sensor for detecting the presence of the specimen container set in at least one of the plurality of container holders; and a controller for determining in which of the plurality of container holders the specimen container is set based on the detection result of the sensor, and controlling the operation of the aspiration section, is disclosed. A method for aspirating a specimen is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for purifying an aqueous contaminated fluid from colloidal contaminants using a closed-loop feedback control system are disclosed. Contaminated fluid flows into a mixer and mixed with a purifying agent, such as diatomaceous earth, to facilitate metathesis reaction between the purifying agent and the contaminants. The purifying agent entraps the contaminants, and is subsequently removed in a separator into sediments. An estimation of the amount of the purifying agent to dispense is performed using pre-defined equations or look-up tables stored in the database, including relationship between the concentration of contaminants in the fluid and the concentration of the added purifying agent. An automated feedback control is applied to fine tune the purification process into compliance with regulations. High accuracy of measurements is ensured by selecting the same material for both the purifying agent and the trapping medium of analyzers, and additionally by the design of the analyzers.

Abstract: A centrifuge tube apparatus for centrifuging a sample collected in a syringe, the apparatus comprising: a syringe comprising at one end a narrowed outlet and means for connection to a needle and at the opposing end a partially inserted syringe plunger; and a syringe holder having an interior for accepting the syringe, wherein the interior comprises at least one ledge for resting the syringe in an inverted position within the holder to prevent further insertion of the plunger during centrifugation, further wherein the syringe holder is sized for insertion in a centrifuge rotor.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods useful for the rapid and facile simultaneous detection of malodorous bacterial metabolites in samples of expired breath and other fluids. The invention enables estimation, by simple visual inspection and comparison against standards, of the concentration of polyamines and volatile sulfur compounds in the micromolar to millimolar range.

Abstract: A micro-liter liquid sample, particularly a biological sample, is analyzed in a device employing centrifugal and capillary forces. The sample is moved through one or more sample wells arrayed within a small flat chip via interconnecting capillary passageways. The passageways may be either hydrophobic or hydrophilic and may include hydrophobic or hydrophilic capillary stops.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sensing a substrate in a high temperature environment are provided. The invention includes a support frame having one or more apertures; one or more optical devices positioned in and aligned by the one or more apertures and adapted to detect an edge of a substrate. The invention may also include a controller secured adjacent an end of the support frame, coupled to the one or more optical devices, and adapted to receive information from the optical devices, process the information, and determine a center of a substrate based on the processed information. The support frame may be adapted to thermally shield the one or more optical devices and the controller. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A conveying device, intended for use in conveying a rack, which holds a sample container, to a sample supplying position for supplying a sample in the sample container to a sample processing device for processing the sample, comprising a conveying section for conveying the rack in a conveying direction from a predetermined position on the conveying device to the sample supplying position along a path connecting the predetermined position and the sample supplying position, wherein the conveying section is adapted to convey the rack from the sample supplying position in a direction opposite to the conveying direction, is disclosed. A sample processing method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for removing undesired component(s) from bound desired component(s) in an analysis including: (a) providing a container having a desired component bound thereto and an undesired component; (b) dispensing wash fluid in the container at a first level sufficient to contact a portion of the bound desired component; (c) oscillating wash fluid level in the container; and (d) removing a portion of the wash fluid from the container. A method for removing undesired components from bound desired components in an analysis including steps (a) and (b) above; (c) removing the wash fluid; (d) dispensing a wash fluid at a subsequent level lower than the first level and sufficient to wash the bound desired substrate; and (e) removing wash fluid. Preferably, the desired component is an analyte being measured.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing the number of input/output connections required to connect a microfluidic substrate to an external controller for controlling the substrate. A microfluidic processing device is fabricated on a substrate having a plurality of N independently controllable components, (e.g., a resistive heating elements) each having at least two terminals. The substrate includes a plurality of input/output contacts for connecting the substrate to an external controller, and a plurality of leads for connecting the contacts to the terminals of the components. The leads are arranged to allow the external controller to supply control signals to the terminals of the components via the contacts using substantially fewer contacts than the total number of component terminals. The components are independently controlled by arranging the leads so that each component's terminals are connected to a unique combination of contacts.

Abstract: Method and system embodiments of the present invention control the ascorbate concentration in produce treatments and particularly are exemplified in fresh cut fruit and vegetable treatments via measured refractivity and/or electrical conductivity of, and/or calcium ions present in, the treatment solution.

Abstract: A wireless communication device (200) and method (300) adapted to prolong the useful life of an energy storage device is disclosed. In its simplest form, it can include: detecting (310) a first threshold of an energy conversion module comprising at least one of a temperature threshold, oxygen threshold, voltage, a current threshold, a power threshold and moisture threshold; sensing (320) a temperature in proximity to a thermal module comprising at least one of a fuel tank, an electronic computing module, and a housing; and generating (330) an air stream based on the detected first threshold (310) and the sensed temperature (320). The device (200) and method (300) can automatically and dynamically manage, for example, temperature, oxygen and/or moisture of an energy storage module, to maintain the energy storage module within desired specifications and tolerances. This can help to prolong the useful life of the energy storage module and its components and help to maintain a maximum recharging capacity.

Abstract: An apparatus and a system for extracting gaseous specimens to be measured, preferably during the production of polycrystalline silicon, are disclosed. The apparatus according to the invention is a flange-like device (80), which is placed between each of the at least two pipe sections (11a, 11b, 21a, 21b, 41a, 41b) of the outlet pipes (11, 21, 41).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a system for collecting a sample and optionally detecting or analyzing an electrical property thereof, the method comprising: means for obtaining a sample in a sample container; means for directing the sample into a sensing chamber in fluid communication with the sample container, the sensing chamber comprising a plurality of sensing chamber electrodes positioned at the sensing chamber and configured to be in contact with the sample when the sample is directed into the sensing chamber; means for applying an electrical signal to the sample with a read-out analyzer via the plurality of sensing chamber electrodes; the plurality of sensing chamber electrodes in operable communication with the read-out analyzer; and means for detecting the effect of the sample on the electrical signal, thereby determining an electrical property of the sample.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to polymers with lasing characteristics that allow the polymers to be useful in detecting analytes. In one aspect, the polymer, upon an interaction with an analyte, may exhibit a change in a lasing characteristic that can be determined in some fashion. For example, interaction of an analyte with the polymer may affect the ability of the polymer to reach an excited state that allows stimulated emission of photons to occur, which may be determined, thereby determining the analyte. In another aspect, the polymer, upon interaction with an analyte, may exhibit a change in stimulated emission that is at least 10 times greater with respect to a change in the spontaneous emission of the polymer upon interaction with the analyte. The polymer may be a conjugated polymer in some cases. In one set of embodiments, the polymer includes one or more hydrocarbon side chains, which may be parallel to the polymer backbone in some instances.

Abstract: The method of stirring a solution according to the present invention is a method of stirring a solution comprising contacting a selective binding substance immobilized on the surface of a carrier with a solution containing an analyte substance reactive with the selective binding substance, and mixing the fine particles or air bubbles into the solution containing an analyte substance, and moving the fine particles or air bubbles without allowing contact thereof with the selective binding substance-immobilized surface. The present invention provides a stirring method that accelerates the reaction of a carrier-immobilized selective binding substance with an analyte substance and detects a trace amount of analyte at high signal intensity and high S/N ratio. The present invention enables diagnosis and examination in the clinical setting by using a selective binding substance-immobilized carrier such as DNA chip.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention pertains to a method for detecting an adulterant in a biological sample. A combination of a biological sample, an agent for detecting the adulterant and an ionic moiety capable of undergoing reduction by gaining electrons is provided in an assay medium. The combination is incubated under conditions sufficient for the ionic moiety to undergo reduction and for the agent for detecting the adulterant to interact with the adulterant. The reduction of the ionic moiety enhances the detection of the adulterant as a result of increasing the sensitivity of the agent for detecting the adulterant. The extent of interaction between the agent for detecting the adulterant and the adulterant is measured and is related to the presence or absence of the adulterant in the biological sample.

Abstract: The invention provides a device including a chamber wherein the chamber including a rigid enclosure; a rigid lid for the enclosure; a gasket between the lid and the enclosure to allow for an airtight seal between the enclosure and the gasket upon closure of a latch connecting the enclosure and the lid; a port for airtight attachment of a syringe, and a port for airtight insertion of a gas sensor. The device can further include a gas sensor and one or more syringes for attachment to the device by a three-way stopcocks. The device is appropriately sized for use with the subject of interest. The invention also provides methods for use of the device.

Abstract: An upper end 3 of a nozzle tip 2 is adapted to have an inside diameter dimension smaller than an outside diameter of a lower portion of a barrel 4, so that nozzle tips 2 are not piled up. An upper curved surface 11, which is curved in an outer direction of the nozzle tip 2 starting with a boundary portion between the barrel 4 and a leading end opening 5 of the nozzle tip 2 and the leading end opening 5, is formed. A lower curved surface 12 is formed continuously from the upper curved surface 11 to be curved in an inner direction. An angle formed between a line tangent to a boundary portion 13 between the upper curved surface 11 and the lower curved surface 12 and a center axis of the nozzle tip 2 is adapted to fall within a range between 45° and 20°.