Abstract: Cartridge for the detection of the presence, absence and/or amount of a target nucleotide sequence in a sample. The cartridge includes one or more nucleic acid sequences, wherein the cartridge has a generic part and one or more separate application-specific parts, which are connectable to the generic part.

Abstract: An optical connector system for reversible optical connection between two optical fibers (102, 104) with their end parts inside respective ferrules. A receptacle arrangement has a receiving body (105) for receiving at least one of the ferrules (103). An optical element (106) of the receptacle arrangement serves to provide optical connection between the two optical fibers in a connected state of the optical connector system, and at the same time, the optical element (106) serves as a sterility barrier between the two optical fibers. The optical element (106) can be an optical waveguide, e.g. a piece of optical fiber similar to the two optical fibers (102, 104), and arranged within the receiving body (105). Alternatively, the optical element may be a thin flexible membrane (207, 307) which is optically transparent.

Abstract: Cartridge and method for the detection of the presence, absence and/or amount of a target nucleotide sequence in a sample comprising one or more nucleic acid sequences. The cartridge comprises a one or more nucleic acid sequences, and the cartridge includes a generic part and one or more separate application-specific parts, which are connectable to the generic part.

Abstract: A valve device including a substrate with first and second surfaces positioned on opposing sides, a first groove extending along the first surface with a horseshoe shaped end in a valve area formed on the first surface, a second groove extending along the second surface, a channel fluidically coupled to the second groove and extending from the second surface to the first surface ending at an end in the valve area; a first membrane providing a fluid tight connection with the first surface of the substrate except at the valve area and forming a first channel at the first groove, an area of the end of the first groove is larger than an area of the end of the channel; and a second membrane providing a fluid tight connection with the second surface of the substrate forming a second channel at the second groove.

Abstract: A valve device including a substrate with first and second surfaces positioned on opposing sides, a first groove extending along the first surface with a horseshoe shaped end in a valve area formed on the first surface, a second groove extending along the second surface, a channel fluidically coupled to the second groove and extending from the second surface to the first surface ending at an end in the valve area; a first membrane providing a fluid tight connection with the first surface of the substrate except at the valve area and forming a first channel at the first groove, an area of the end of the first groove is larger than an area of the end of the channel; and a second membrane providing a fluid tight connection with the second surface of the substrate forming a second channel at the second groove.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a valve device (10) comprising a substrate (12) and an elastic membrane (13), the membrane being joined at least around a valve area to the substrate. The substrate comprises a first channel (16) and a second channel (17), both ending in the valve area, the first channel having in the valve area a first channel end surface (19) and the second channel having in the valve area a second channel end surface (21), wherein the area of the first channel end surface is substantially larger than the area of the second channel end surface.

Abstract: An apparatus (100, 100?) is configured such that passage of a fluid (30) through an open port of a distal tip (112, 112?) enables detection of a substance (116) that may be present on a surface (31, 33), e.g., a surface of a tooth, based on measurement of a signal correlating to a substance at least partially obstructing the passage of fluid (30) through the open port. The apparatus (100, 100?) includes a proximal pump portion (124) and at least one distal probe portion (110) configured to be immersed in another fluid (11), e.g., water in toothpaste foam. A corresponding system (3000) includes one or two such apparatuses (3100, 3200). A method of detecting the presence of a substance on a surface includes probing an interaction zone (17) for at least partial obstruction of flow of the second fluid medium (30) through a distal probe tip.

Abstract: A detection apparatus (1000) enables detection of a substance (116) that may be present on the surface (31, 33) based on measurement of a stream probe signal correlating a substance (116) at least partially obstructing the passage of fluid (30, 35) through a stream probe (500) includes a distal optical gum detector transmission portion (620) and a distal optical gum detector reception portion (720) in a position to transmit and to receive, respectively, an optical signal controlled by a controller (2251), enables the controller (2251) to determine if an open port (526) of a distal tip (522) of the stream probe (500) is in contact with a substance (116) at least partially obstructing the passage of fluid (30, 35) through the open port (526) and not in contact with the gums of a subject or of a user of the detection apparatus (1000) to override false positive signals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coupling system that can particularly be applied for interfacing a consumable component with a sample chamber to a laboratory instrument for processing a sample fluid. The coupling system comprises a female interface module (10) integrated into the consumable component that has an elastic sealing component (12) with a preformed channel (12a). Moreover, it comprises a male interface module (20) integrated into the instrument and comprising a hollow needle (23) fixed in a first section (22a) of a bush (22), wherein the flexible free end of said needle (23) is partially surrounded by a second section (22b) of the bush that limits the lateral movement of the needle. The diameter of the channel in the sealing component (12) is preferably smaller than the diameter (d) of the needle (23), thus providing an airtight connection and a self-cleaning effect.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cartridge for the detection of the presence, absence and/or amount of a target nucleotide sequence in a sample comprising one or more nucleic acid sequences. The cartridge comprises a first component and a second component being connectable to each other, the first component comprising at least a first fluid opening and a first sealing surface and the second component comprising at least a second fluid opening and a second sealing surface. Upon connection of the first and second component the first and second fluid opening are placeable in fluid communication and the first and second sealing surfaces are placeable against each other to seal the fluid communication between the first and second fluid opening. The invention is characterized in that the cartridge comprises biasing means for biasing the second sealing surface in the direction of the first sealing surface.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for mixing a liquid medium, an apparatus for mixing a liquid medium, a system comprising a device and an apparatus and a method for mixing a liquid medium. The device comprises a flexible membrane (12) and a structural part (16), which device further comprises an actuation part (14) located on a first side of the membrane, which device further comprises a mixing chamber (20) located on a second side of the membrane, wherein at least a partial inclination of the membrane results from an inclination of the actuation part relative to the structural part.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coupling system that can particularly be applied for interfacing a consumable component with a sample chamber to a laboratory instrument for processing a sample fluid. The coupling system comprises a female interface module (10) integrated into the consumable component that has an elastic sealing component (12) with a preformed channel (12a). Moreover, it comprises a male interface module (20) integrated into the instrument and comprising a hollow needle (23) fixed in a first section (22a) of a bush (22), wherein the flexible free end of said needle (23) is partially surrounded by a second section (22b) of the bush that limits the lateral movement of the needle. The diameter of the channel in the sealing component (12) is preferably smaller than the diameter (d) of the needle (23), thus providing an airtight connection and a self-cleaning effect.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for moving magnetic particles in a liquid medium, a system comprising an apparatus, a method for moving magnetic particles and a method for moving and for fixing the magnetic particles. The apparatus comprises a first magnetic means generating a first magnetic field, the apparatus further comprising a second magnetic means generating a second magnetic field, the first magnetic field having a first main axis, the second magnetic field having a second main axis, wherein the first and second main axes are inclined relative to each other by an acute angle of inclination.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cartridge for the detection of the presence, absence and/or amount of a target nucleotide sequence in a sample comprising one or more nucleic acid sequences. The cartridge comprises a first component and a second component being connectable to each other, the first component comprising at least a first fluid opening and a first sealing surface and the second component comprising at least a second fluid opening and a second sealing surface. Upon connection of the first and second component the first and second fluid opening are placeable in fluid communication and the first and second sealing surfaces are placeable against each other to seal the fluid communication between the first and second fluid opening. The invention is characterized in that the cartridge comprises biasing means for biasing the second sealing surface in the direction of the first sealing surface.

Abstract: The invention provides an analysis device (1) and method, that enables repeatedly pumping a sample fluid (50) with one or more analytes through a substrate (10) with one or more binding materials, even when the wetted substrate has a relatively low bubble pressure. Thereto, the device (1) comprises a first volume (16) and a second volume (18), and a return channel (22) with a valve (24) as well as a pump (20). The pump (20) can establish a pressure difference between the first volume (16) and the second volume (18), to pump the sample fluid (50) through the substrate (10), thereby allowing analyte to bind to the substrate. By opening the valve (24) and establishing a reversed pressure difference, sample fluid (50) bypasses the substrate (10) through the return channel (22). After closing the valve, the device is ready for a subsequent cycle, if desired.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a valve device (10) comprising a substrate (12) and an elastic membrane (13), the membrane being joined at least around a valve area to the substrate. The substrate comprises a first channel (16) and a second channel (17), both ending in the valve area, the first channel having in the valve area a first channel end surface (19) and the second channel having in the valve area a second channel end surface (21), wherein the area of the first channel end surface is substantially larger than the area of the second channel end surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cartridge for the detection of the presence, absence and/or amount of a target nucleotide sequence in a sample comprising one or more nucleic acid sequences. The cartridge comprises a generic part and one or more separate application-specific parts, which are connectable to the generic part. Also disclosed is a system for the detection of the presence, absence and/or amount of a target nucleotide sequence in a sample comprising one or more nucleic acid sequences. This system comprising a reusable apparatus, wherein said apparatus is configured to receive a cartridge and to control a process for the detection of the presence, absence and/or amount of a target nucleotide sequence in the sample, being present in said cartridge.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for mixing a liquid medium, an apparatus for mixing a liquid medium, a system comprising a device and an apparatus and a method for mixing a liquid medium. The device comprises a flexible membrane (12) and a structural part (16), which device further comprises an actuation part (14) located on a first side of the membrane, which device further comprises a mixing chamber (20) located on a second side of the membrane, wherein at least a partial inclination of the membrane results from an inclination of the actuation part relative to the structural part.