Abstract: A microfluidic device containing an inlet, a microchannel in fluid communication with the inlet, and a plurality of outlets in fluid communication with the microchannel. The microchannel contains a loop; or from about 1 loop to about 50 loops; or from about 2 loops to about 25 loops; or from about 5 loops to about 15 loops. A method for detecting an infected cell may employ the microfluidic device.

Abstract: A power off delay system and method is configured to delay termination of electrical power to a digital pathology device in a power off condition. If the apparatus includes a UPS, the power off delay system and method delays termination of electrical power when a power switch is turned off and when a catastrophic power failure occurs. During the delay of the termination of electrical power, the digital pathology device is configured to control the scanning stage system and the glass slide conveyor system and the slide rack conveyor system to place each of these systems into a known state and position all glass slides into a known position prior to the termination of electrical power to the digital pathology device. This allows the digital pathology device to resume normal operation upon power up.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods and systems for isolating individual sperm from a semen sample using microfluidics. Examples include a microfluidics system for isolating individual sperm from a semen sample, the system including: a first laminar flow channel extending between a first inlet and a first outlet; a second laminar flow channel extending between a second inlet and a second outlet; and a third laminar flow channel extending between the first and second laminar flow channels and having a restriction configured to prevent passage of a single sperm through the third laminar flow channel, wherein flow of a semen sample through the first laminar flow channel at a pressure higher than flow of a liquid medium through the second laminar flow channel results in a single sperm being trapped by the restriction in the third laminar flow channel.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide an automatic analysis apparatus which is capable of both sterilizing a reagent and suppressing property variations in the reagent. Provided is an automatic analysis apparatus including a reagent vessel which holds a reagent; a suction nozzle which sucks the reagent; an analysis unit which executes an analysis operation by adding a reagent sucked from the reagent vessel to a specimen via the suction nozzle; an ultraviolet ray source which sterilizes a reagent by ultraviolet irradiation; and an electrode or a substrate which supplies electric power to the ultraviolet ray source, in which a heat insulation portion is arranged between a reagent in the suction nozzle and the ultraviolet ray source and the electrode or the substrate, or, it is isolated between a reagent in the suction nozzle and the ultraviolet ray source and the electrode or the substrate.

Abstract: Described herein are various embodiments directed to rotor devices, systems, and kits. Embodiments of rotors disclosed herein may be used to characterize one or more analytes of a fluid. An apparatus may include a first layer defining a channel, a set of wells, and a cavity. A second layer may be coupled to the first layer. The second layer may include a protrusion extending towards the first layer. The second layer may define an opening configured to receive a fluid. The channel may establish a fluid communication path between the opening and the set of wells. A container may be slidable within the cavity during use. The protrusion may be configured to penetrate a wall of the container.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are instruments and related methods for measuring oxidative potential (OP) in airborne particulates, particularly PM2.5. The instrument is formed from three main components: a sample injector, a sample incubator and a measurement system. The instrument provides an automatic measure of five OP endpoints in a relatively rapid time frame of less than 3 hours. In this manner, additional parameters beyond the gross particle concentration or mass per unit volume is obtained, including the biologically-relevant OP associated with PM2.5.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method for collecting, preserving and/or transporting biological samples.

Abstract: A system for analysis of biopsy samples includes a tissue sample transport mechanism linking a biopsy sample excision tool to a tissue sample holder disposed in a staging area of an analysis unit. The tissue sample is automatically transported from the excision tool to the specimen holder, where the tissue sample is analyzed in the staging area of the analysis unit. The transport mechanism may include tubing and a vacuum source. The tissue sample holder may be configured to slow or temporarily stop a tissue sample for individual analysis, or collect multiple tissue samples for analysis as a group. A tissue sample sorting mechanism may be employed that allows separation of specimens that can be correlated to the analysis.

Abstract: Systems and methods that enable automated processing of specimens carried on microscope slides are described herein. Aspects of the technology are directed, for example, to an automated staining system including a dispensing instrument that receives a processing module to deliver reagent to a reaction chamber of the slide processing module. The processing module can carry fresh reagents, waste material, and the side.

Abstract: Actuation systems and methods for use with flow cells. An example apparatus includes a flow cell assembly including a flow cell including at least one channel, a flow cell inlet, and a flow cell outlet. The flow cell assembly includes a gasket assembly operatively fluidically coupled to the flow cell and having a flow cell inlet gasket and a flow cell outlet gasket. The flow cell inlet gasket having a through bore and being fluidically coupled to the flow cell inlet. The flow cell outlet gasket having a through bore and being fluidically coupled to the flow cell outlet. The apparatus includes a reagent cartridge adapted to receive the flow cell assembly and including a pair of reagent cartridge ports adapted to be fluidly coupled to the flow cell inlet gasket and the flow cell outlet gasket.

Abstract: Disclosed is a washing method for a staining bath in a smear sample preparing apparatus. The staining bath is able to accommodate a glass slide having a specimen smeared thereon, and stores therein a staining liquid for staining the specimen smeared on the glass slide to perform a staining process. The washing method includes: receiving information related to a washing condition; and executing a washing operation for the staining bath, according to the received information.

Abstract: The present claimed invention shortens cleaning time of a container of a sample dispersing device and reduces variation of a cleaning state. The present claimed invention is a sample dispersing device 100 that disperses a powder sample (W) on an upper surface of an analytical member 10 and that comprises a container 2 that has a placing surface 2x on which the analytical member 10 is placed, an introducing mechanism 3 that introduces the powder sample (W) into inside of the container 2, and a covering member 4 that covers an inner surface of the container 2 and that can be attached to and removed from the container 2.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a device configured to wet a biological material with at least one liquid, and a disclosed method relates to wetting biological material with at least one liquid using the disclosed device. A disclosed device includes a moving arrangement and a platform configured to receive at least one, substantially triangular or substantially rectangular slide comprising a biological material. The slide is configured to be movable by the moving arrangement from a parallel incubating position, relative to said platform, into a non-parallel collecting position, relative to said platform. Only a single corner section of slide is positioned such that said liquid is collected in the single corner section. Introducing reagents into a mixing zone of said device and repeatedly moving the slide from the collecting position into a mixing position causes mixing of the reagents to thereby generate the liquid that is configured to wet the biological material.

Abstract: A sectioning apparatus (1) for sectioning frozen tissue specimens, the apparatus (1) comprising: a frame (2) comprising two opposing side walls (3a, 3b) extending in a longitudinal direction (L) of the apparatus (1); a blade unit (6) mounted between the side walls (3a, 3b) of the frame (2) in a transverse direction (T) of the apparatus (1); a clamping unit (7) integral with or fixed to each side wall (3a, 3b) of the frame (2) that is adapted to clamp one end of the blade unit (6); a specimen stage (8) for mounting a tissue specimen; a drive mechanism for providing relative movement between the specimen stage (8) and the blade unit (6) in use of the apparatus (1); wherein the clamping unit (7) has a dimension in the transverse direction (T) that is greater than a dimension of the side wall (3a,3b) of the frame (2) in the transverse direction (T).

Abstract: Assay systems including assay apparatus and handheld assay devices for use therewith for obtaining diagnostic information of a bodily specimen. Assay devices include a cartridge housing snugly accommodating a specimen slide intended for elevation from an initial lowermost specimen introduction position to a final uppermost specimen examination position in which a bodily specimen is compressed between a cartridge housing top face and a specimen slide. Assay devices preferably include a liquid reagent dispensing arrangement for dispensing liquid reagent on a specimen slide for reacting with a bodily specimen.

Abstract: Automated cell staining systems and methods are disclosed herein. In particular, the staining systems disclosed herein provide low-volume, automated bench top staining systems for staining biological samples contained on a cytological slide.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for producing a wax block containing a tissue sample (1), comprising: a container (4) into which the tissue sample (1) is placed; and a dispensing apparatus (10) for dispensing different substances (8) into the container (4). The apparatus (1) according to the present invention is notable for the fact that it comprises an emptying device (23) for emptying the container (4); and a control unit (22) is provided, which is designed to apply control to the dispensing apparatus (10) and to the emptying device (23) in such a way that in several successive cycles, at least one of the substances is respectively dispensed into the container (4) and the container (4) is emptied again after a specific time period.

Abstract: A lysis device including a sample vessel, at least one piezo element, and a controller is disclosed. The sample vessel has a microchannel formed therein. The sample vessel has at least one port extending through a surface to the microchannel. The piezo element is attached to the surface of the sample vessel. The controller has logic to cause the controller to emit a first signal including a series of frequencies to the at least one piezo element to cause the at least one piezo element to generate ultrasonic acoustic standing waves in the sample vessel, to receive a second signal indicative of measured vibration signals from the sample vessel detected by the at least one piezo element, and to determine a resonant frequency of the sample vessel using the measured vibration signals.

Abstract: A system includes a fluidic device, a flow control valve, a first reagent fluid reservoir fluidly connectable to the fluidic device by the flow control valve, a first fluid buffer reservoir fluidly connectable to the fluidic device by the flow control valve, and a common fluid buffer source fluidly connectable to the fluidic device by the flow control valve. The flow control valve permits flow comprising: (i) flow from the first reagent fluid reservoir to the fluidic device, (ii) flow from the common fluid buffer source to the fluidic device, (iii) flow from the fluidic device to the first fluid buffer reservoir, (iv) flow from the first reagent fluid reservoir to the fluidic device, and (v) flow from the first fluid buffer reservoir to the fluidic device.

Abstract: A tissue processing system for processing a laboratory slide includes a slide holder for holding the slide, an outlet port positioned to direct a fluid stream onto the slide, and a device for moving the slide holder relative to the outlet port, or vice versa, to adjust a point on the slide at which the fluid stream is delivered onto the laboratory slide. The slide holder includes an absorbent pad configured to be positioned between one wall of the plurality of walls and a free edge of the slide for absorbing fluid travelling along the slide. A manifold of the system includes a first outlet port that directs a first fluid stream from a first fluid passageway onto the slide, and a second outlet port that directs a second fluid stream from a second fluid passageway onto a location of the slide that differs from the first fluid stream.