Abstract: The invention concerns an analyte meter (10) for medical tests having a meter housing (12), a strip port (14) mounted in an opening of the meter housing (12) and configured to receive a measuring part of a test strip (18), and a sealing insert (16) which is arranged within the strip port (14) and provides an insertion path for the test strip (18). For improved screening against contamination, it is proposed that the sealing insert (16) comprises a plurality of sealing elements (42) which are arranged consecutively along the insertion path, wherein each of the sealing elements (42) has a slit (46) that forms a sealed aperture for the test strip (18) to pass through.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for assessing the state of an 82Rb elution system. In certain embodiments, a system begins an assessment that comprises an elution, and a metric may be measured. This metric may be a concentration of 82Rb, 82Sr, or 85Sr in a fluid that is eluted from the generator, the volume of the fluid that is eluted from the generator, or the pressure of the fluid flowing through at least one portion of the system. If the assessment is completed, an output may be generated on a user interface that recommends a course of action, or no course of action, based on a result of the assessment. Should the assessment not complete successfully because it is interrupted, a 82Sr/82Rb generator of the system may be halted so as to prevent a user from performing an end-run around these quality control mechanisms of the 82Rb elution system.

Abstract: Systems and methods include an optimization-based load planning module for laboratory analyzers of bio-fluid samples. The optimization-based load planning module is executable on a computer server and is configured to optimize assay (lab test) assignments across a large number of laboratory analyzers based on one or more of the following user selected and weighted objectives: reduced turn-around-time, load balancing, efficient reagent usage, lower quality assurance costs, and/or improved system robustness. The optimization-based load planning module outputs a load plan comprising computer executable instructions configured to cause a system controller of a laboratory analyzer system to schedule and direct each requested test to be performed at one or more selected laboratory analyzers of the laboratory analyzer system in accordance with the user selected and weighted objectives. Other aspects are also described.

Abstract: A chip for polymerase chain reaction, a method of operating a chip for polymerase chain reaction, and a reaction device are provided. The chip includes: a sample adding region, a mixing region, a temperature cycling region in a sequential arrangement, and at least one driving unit group. The at least one driving unit group includes a plurality of driving units and is configured to drive a liquid drop to move and sequentially pass through the sample adding region, the mixing region, and the temperature cycling region.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a scalable experimental workflow that uses a culture system to maintain a steady state in a biological system, and techniques for identifying values for parameters in a in silico model based on experimental data obtained from the biological system. Particularly, aspects of the present disclosure are directed to obtaining measurement data for one or more characteristics of a biological system developed in a culture system, where the measurement data is indicative of each of the one or more characteristics at a physiological steady state where growth of the biological system is occurring at a substantially constant growth rate, determining a value for a parameter of a model of the biological system based on an growth formula, the measurement data, and the substantially constant growth rate, and parametrizing the model with at least the value determined for the parameter.

Abstract: An electronic smoke apparatus comprising an inhale sensor, a smoke source containing vapor-able smoke flavored substances, an electric heater for heating up the smoke flavored substances, and a power management controller to control power supply to operate the heater; wherein the power management controller is to adaptively supply operating power to the heater according to characteristics of a smoking inhaling event detected at said inhale sensor.

Abstract: Combined dissolution rate and permeation rate testing apparatus includes temperature-controllable testing cell units arranged on a housing frame. Each testing cell unit includes a donor chamber receivable of dissolution media, a receptor chamber receivable of bodily fluid, gaskets that retain a membrane between the two chambers, and controllable mixers that mix the fluid in the receptor chamber. A flow control arrangement operatively circulates dissolution media through the donor chamber and enables sampling of the dissolution media. Another flow control arrangement operatively circulates bodily fluid through the receptor chamber. An analysis unit analyzes dissolution media removed from the donor chamber and bodily fluid removed from the receptor chamber to provide data about dissolution of a pharmaceutical product dissolved in the dissolution media and permeation of the pharmaceutical product through the membrane into the bodily fluid.

Abstract: An analytic device comprising a device housing, a dock to receive a camera enabled mobile electronic device, such as a smartphone and other smart devices, and a processing device to communicate with the mobile electronic device and to control a condition of the assay tube, such as temperature. In another example, the analytic device comprises a device housing and a circuit board. A processing device, a heating block defining a recess to support assay tube, and a resistive heater are surface mounted to the circuit board. A light source and a fan are also provided. A dock may be provided to support a mobile electronic device. The mobile electronic device communicates with the processing device to cause the application of reaction conditions to the assay tube, to perform a PCR procedure, for example. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A switch control circuit and method for an electronic cigarette and the electronic cigarette are disclosed, the circuit includes a sensing circuit including a first sensor, a second sensor and a heating part disposed between the first sensor and the second sensor for conveying heat to the first sensor and the second sensor; the first sensor is for detecting a first voltage generated by change of temperatures when an air flow is flowing over the first sensor; the second sensor is configured for detecting a second voltage generated by change of temperatures when the air flow is flowing over the second sensor; and a controller coupled with a sensing circuit and stores a preset voltage threshold for receiving the first voltage and the second voltage, comparing a voltage differential of the first voltage and the second voltage with the preset voltage threshold, and outputting corresponding action signals based on comparison.

Abstract: There is provided an automatic analysis device that can easily realize introduction and replacement of additional reagents in operation even in a small-scale configuration. The automatic analysis device includes a reagent dispensing mechanism 107 that dispenses a reagent from a reagent container 113 containing a reagent, and a normal reagent storage portion 130 that stores a reagent container and an additional reagent storage portion 111. The normal reagent storage portion 130 is positioned in a normal movable area 132, which is a portion of a movable area 131 of the reagent dispensing mechanism 107 and the additional reagent storage portion 111 is positioned in an area excluding the normal movable area 132 in the movable area 131 of the reagent dispensing mechanism 107.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a networked cell culture incubator and to methods for operating such an incubator. In one aspect, the cell culture incubator includes a network interface for communicating with a source of parameter data utilized successfully by other incubators. The incubator receives appropriate parameter data and conducts the incubation process as prescribed by the parameter data so as to provide an improved environment for cell culture growth. The incubator may share its own parameter data with the data source for use by other incubators. The incubator and data source may share other forms of data as well.

Abstract: A method of improving agricultural treatment includes identifying a mineralogical feature based on a collected soil sample, generating a soil clay characterization based on the mineralogical feature, and generating an agricultural prescription. A system includes a processor and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to identify a mineralogical feature based on a collected soil sample, generate a soil clay characterization based on the mineralogical feature, and generate an agricultural prescription. A non-transitory computer readable medium containing program instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to identify a mineralogical feature based on a soil sample, generate a soil clay characterization based on the mineralogical feature, and generate an agricultural prescription.

Abstract: A system for detecting analytes in a test sample, and a method for processing the same, is provided. The system includes a cartridge reader unit that has a control unit and a pneumatic system, and a cartridge assembly that prepares the samples with mixing material(s) through communication channels. The assembly has a memory chip with parameters for preparing the sample and at least one sensor (GMR sensor) for detecting analytes in the sample. The assembly is pneumatically and electronically mated with the reader unit via a pneumatic interface and an electronic interface such that the parameters may be implemented via the control unit. The pneumatic system is contained within the unit and has pump(s) and valve(s) for selectively applying fluid pressure to the pneumatic interface of the assembly, and thus through the communication channels, to move the sample and mixing material(s) through and to sensor.

Abstract: The automatic analyzer includes a light source 4a to perform measurement, a spectrophotometer 4, a reagent disk 9 to store a reagent bottle 10 in which the reagent is stored, a carriage device to carry the reagent bottle 10 to the reagent disk 9, a reagent preparation unit to perform preparatory operations required before the regent bottle 10 is used, and a control unit 21 to schedule the preparatory operations by the reagent preparation unit and the carriage operation by the carriage device such that the reagent bottle 10 is carried to the reagent disk 9 immediately after an operation accompanied with analysis by the light source 4a and the spectrophotometer 4 is suspended or ends.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods and devices for reducing or otherwise mitigating accumulated reagent material and/or fluids within a dispense nozzle of a dispenser.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isotopic identification method making it possible, where appropriate, to link a livestock animal or animal product to a specific farm, or a plant or a plant product to a farm, by analyzing the concentration of ratios or stable isotopes, and comparing with isotopic codes previously generated in a unique fashion for a set of frames. The invention also relates to a method which makes it possible to impose a unique code on the animals of a farm or on the plants of a farm, a computer making it possible to store the unique codes generated in memory, to generate unique codes for new farms and to perform comparisons.

Abstract: To provide a high-throughput automatic analysis apparatus at a lower cost. The automatic analysis apparatus includes an incubator which accommodates a plurality of reaction vessels; a specimen dispensing mechanism which dispenses a specimen into each of the plurality of reaction vessels; a mounting unit which mounts a dispensing tip on the specimen dispensing mechanism; a suction unit which sucks a specimen from a specimen vessel containing the specimen by means of the specimen dispensing mechanism having the dispensing mounted thereon; a discharging unit which is provided in the incubator and discharges the specimen from the specimen dispensing mechanism to the reaction vessel; a disposal unit which discards the dispensing tip; a sensor which detects whether the dispensing tip is mounted to the specimen dispensing mechanism; and a control unit which controls the specimen dispensing mechanism.

Abstract: The present development is a method and device to monitor the salt level in a patient's blood without the need of laboratory facilities or intervention by medical personnel. The basic device is designed to measure the concentration of analytes, specifically sodium ion and potassium ion, in the patient's blood and to communicate the analyte level to the patient essentially instantaneously through a mobile monitor or display screen. In a variation, the device combines the analyte-concentration measuring function with a means for measuring the concentration of glucose in blood, and the blood analyte level and glucose level are displayed to the patient essentially instantaneously. Both the salt level device and the salt level+glucose level device may be further adapted to allow for the salt and glucose level data to be stored in a data storage base so the patient has an historical record of the concentration levels.

Abstract: In a scenario where a laboratory is required to perform a plurality of tests on biological samples from a plurality of tubes in a manner that satisfies certain constraints, it is possible that the laboratory could handle the samples and assign them to machines in a manner which ensures that the relevant constraints are met. This could include using matrices and optimization functions to represent tubes, tests, machines and prescriptions, and could also include dynamically determining whether and how to aliquot the samples so as to meet the constraints given the conditions under which the samples would be processed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for maintaining an equilibrium of a physico-chemical parameter of a medium, and for recovering the equilibrium in case of loss of the latter. More precisely the method makes it possible to estimate the relevance of a corrective action on the medium in order to recover an equilibrium. The method is implemented by the processing unit of a system for regulating the medium. The invention applies in a non-limiting manner to the regulation of the equilibrium of the bathing water of a swimming pool.