Abstract: A point-of-care diagnostic system that includes a cartridge and a reader. The cartridge can contain a patient sample, such as a blood sample. The cartridge is inserted into the reader and the patient sample is analyzed. The reader contains various analysis systems, such as an electrophoresis detection system that uses electrophoresis testing to identify and quantify various components of the blood sample. The reader can process data from the various patient sample analysis to provide interpretative results indicative of a disorder, condition, disease and/or infection of the patient.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus for determining at least one measurand of a measuring medium includes a first measuring device including a first measuring sensor structured to contact the measuring medium and configured to detect measured values of the at least one measurand, the first measuring device embodied to determine a first measured value that is dependent on the at least one measurand of the measuring medium, a sampling device structured to remove a sample from the measuring medium, a second measuring device including a second measuring sensor and embodied to determine a second measured value that is dependent on the least one measurand of the sample, and an electronic control apparatus configured to receive and process the first and second measured value and to perform a verification, calibration and/or adjustment of the first measuring device using the second measured value.

Abstract: A dispensing device which has a dispensing channel extending between a supply opening and an output opening into the course of which a pump, a selection valve and a dispensing valve are connected. The selection valve is also connected to a pressurised air source. The dispensing device allows a dispensed output of a fluid, wherein a buffer channel portion is filled by the pump in a pump dispensing phase, to which buffer channel portion pressure is applied from the pressurised air source during a pressurised air dispensing phase such that a precise fluid output is subsequently possible by clocked actuation of the dispensing valve until the target fluid amount has been reached.

Abstract: A method and optode for determining a concentration of an analyte in a sample liquid is provided. The method comprises a radiation source, where excitation radiation is directed onto a carrier unit which is in contact with the sample liquid and has immobilized molecules of a sensor dye that is sensitive to the analyte. The excitation radiation induces luminescence radiation of the sensor dye. This radiation is detected by a radiation detector, which generates an output signal. The analyte concentration is ascertained from the detector output signal using an evaluation routine. This uses a property of the luminescence radiation on the interaction of the concentration of the analyte in the sample liquid used. The dependence of the examined property of the luminescence radiation on an indirect exchange interaction between the individual molecules of the sensor dye, which interact with each other over particles of the analyte.

Abstract: Embodiments of a platelet testing system include an analyzer console device and a blood testing cartridge configured to releasably install into the console device. The cartridge device is configured with one or more measuring chambers and one or more mixing chambers that are fluidically connected within the cartridge device that enable the mixing of saline and a blood sample to a desired dilution. Additionally, the cartridge device is further configured with a cartridge slider that provides a reagent bead to the saline and blood mixture at a desired time. As such, one or more platelet activation assays can be conducted by measuring, through cartridge electrodes of the cartridge device, the detectable changes in platelet activity within the blood and saline mixture.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automated liquid-phase immunoassay apparatus used with a cuvette having a plurality of chambers containing a reagent necessary for detection of an analyte in a biological specimen. The apparatus includes a movable cuvette module equipped with the cuvette, an optical reading module for optical assaying of a material resulting from a reaction between the specimen and the reagent, and a dispenser module which is positioned on the cuvette module and which dispenses the specimen and the reagent to the plurality of chambers of the cuvette and washes the specimen and the reagent therefrom.

Abstract: The invention relates to a testing system and related methods for detecting peritonitis or infection in peritoneal dialysate removed from a patient. The testing system can include a fluid sensor apparatus in a fluid line of a peritoneal dialysis cycler through which spent peritoneal dialysate can be pumped. The fluid sensor apparatus can detect one or more markers associated with peritonitis or infection.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a new phagocytosis assay to test the function of RPE cells and photoreceptor progenitors using a pH sensitive fluorescent label.

Abstract: A sensing system for characterizing analytes of interest in a sample comprises a photonic integrated circuit with an integrated interferometer. The integrated interferometer is configured for spectroscopic operation. The integrated interferometer comprises at least a sensing arm and a reference arm, both the sensing arm and the reference arm having an exposable segment available for interaction with the sample, whereby the exposable segment of the reference arm has an optical path length which is smaller than twice the optical path length of the exposable segment of the sensing arm. The exposable section of the sensing arm is selective to the analyte of interest, whereas the exposable section of the reference arm is not selective to the analyte of interest.

Abstract: A method of performing an optical measurement of an analyte in a processed biological sample using a cartridge is provided. The cartridge is operable for being spun around a rotational axis. The method comprises: placing the biological sample into a sample inlet; controlling the rotational rate of the cartridge to process a biological sample into the processed biological sample using a fluidic structure; controlling the rotational rate of the cartridge to allow the processed biological sample to flow from the measurement structure inlet to an absorbent structure via a chromatographic membrane, and performing an optical measurement of a detection zone on the chromatographic membrane with an optical instrument. An inlet air baffle reduces evaporation of the processed biological sample from the chromatographic membrane during rotation of the cartridge.

Abstract: In situ-generated microfluidic isolation structures incorporating a solidified polymer network, methods of preparation and use, compositions and kits therefor are described. The ability to introduce in real time, a variety of isolating structures including pens and barriers offers improved methods of micro-object manipulation in microfluidic devices. The in situ-generated isolation structures may be permanently or temporarily installed.

Abstract: An air sampling system is disclosed. The air sampling system includes: an air inflow channel having an air inlet portion at a top end, the air inflow channel being oriented substantially vertically; a fan configured to cause air in a sampling environment to flow into the air inflow channel via the inlet portion; a cooling unit for cooling air in the air inflow channel, the cooling unit disposed downstream of the inlet portion; a collection chamber for collecting liquid water condensed from air in the air inflow channel, the collection chamber being fluidly connected to the air inflow channel; and a sensing unit for determining a volume of liquid in the collection chamber, wherein the cooling unit is controlled in response to signals generated by the sensing unit.

Abstract: A point-of-care diagnostic system that includes a cartridge and a reader. The cartridge can contain a patient sample, such as a blood sample. The cartridge is inserted into the reader and the patient sample is analyzed. The reader contains various analysis systems, such as a magneto-optical system that measures a light transmission differential through the patient sample in varying magnetic fields. The reader can process data from the various patient sample analysis to provide interpretative results indicative of a disease, infection and/or condition of the patient.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a microfluidic device, a driving method thereof and a microfluidic system. The microfluidic device includes a first substrate and a second substrate disposed opposite to each other, and a microcavity provided between the first and second substrates for accommodating droplets. The microfluidic device further includes at least one ultrasonic layer provided between the first and second substrates. The at least one ultrasonic layer includes a plurality of ultrasonic sensors configured to perform at least one of detection operation and driving operation to the droplets accommodated in the microcavity.

Abstract: A flow cell having at least one storage zone connected to a duct for conducting fluid out of, into or/and through the storage zone. The duct includes a duct section which is delimited by a substrate and a film joined to the substrate and in which the duct is sealed and can be opened at a predetermined breaking point by deflecting the film. The film covers a recess in the substrate which forms the duct section. A sealing wall that seals the duct and is integrally joined to the substrate is placed in the recess. The predetermined breaking point is formed by a breakable joining region between the film and an edge portion of the sealing wall facing the film. The dimensions of a peripheral area of the sealing wall which is formed in the edge portion and runs parallel to the film determine the surface area of the joining region.

Abstract: A method of inseminating an animal including flowing a stream of a population of sperm cells through a channel, differentiating the sperm cells into two subpopulations of X-chromosome containing sperm cells and Y-chromosome containing sperm cells, selecting a desired subpopulation, ablating an undesired subpopulation, and collecting both the subpopulations of sperm cells including the desired subpopulation and the ablated undesired subpopulation together, wherein the collected population of sperm cells is used to fertilize an egg.

Abstract: Non-enzymatic method and milling device for preparing therapeutic cells from adipose tissue comprising: continuously feeding the adipose tissue to the milling device (2); mechanically separating the cells or cell aggregates from adipose tissue moving through the milling device (2) by means of a multiplicity of blades (19) of a rotor (10), wherein the blades (19) are arranged in a spaced arrangement with respect to the overall direction of flow and the blades (19) are moving about an axis of rotation (18), wherein the axis of rotation (18) is provided essentially parallel to said overall direction of flow; continuously withdrawing the processed tissue comprising the separated cells from the milling device (2).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for conserving energy of a power source of an analyte monitoring device, including entering a power saving mode based on at least one of a temperature level of a power source, a level of power of a power source, or an amount of power needed by at least one component. Also disclosed herein are methods and systems for reducing noise during data transmissions to and from the analyte monitoring device.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a blood coagulation testing system include an analyzer console device and a single-use cartridge component configured to releasably install into the console device. In some embodiments, the blood coagulation testing system can operate as an automated thromboelastometry system that is particularly useful, for example, at a point-of-care site.

Abstract: A method for measuring process parameters in liquid cultures in a plurality of microreactors of at least one microtiter plate includes continuously agitating the liquid cultures using an orbital agitator at least until the reaction is completed in all the microreactors. In order to allow process parameters also of such substances which themselves do not have any fluorescence activity to be measured with relatively low complexity and within a short time, 2D fluorescence spectra are recorded in a plurality of in particular different liquid cultures in the microreactors of agitated microplates. A device for carrying out the method is also disclosed.