Abstract: Liquid level detectors are described. An example liquid level detector includes a housing and an arm extending through the housing. A lever assembly is coupled to the arm and the housing, and movement of the arm causes the lever assembly to open or close a switch via a magnetic field when a liquid reaches a predetermined level.

Abstract: Liquid level detectors are described. An example liquid level detector includes a housing and an arm extending through the housing. A lever assembly is coupled to the arm and the housing, and movement of the arm causes the lever assembly to open or close a switch via a magnetic field when a liquid reaches a predetermined level.

Abstract: A capture and purification apparatus is configured as a stand-alone apparatus or as part of a larger system. The capture and purification apparatus can be configured as a microfluidic cartridge that includes microfluidic circuitry and individually controlled valves. The microfluidic cartridge can be configured to function independently, or can be configured to be coupled to a separate instrument that provides the actuation to perform the capture and purification process. The capture and purification apparatus is configured as a volume-driven system that applies single-direction valves, a single fluid driving device, and fluid lines to control and discretely direct fluid flow within a full-loaded fluidic system. Such control enables various fluid sample processing techniques to be performed including, but not limited to, lysis, thermal cycling, and/or target analyte capture and purification, for example using a combination of ion-exchange chromatography and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC).

Abstract: A handheld and portable extraction device is directed to a microfluidic-based system to be used in the field to extract and purify an analyte, preferably a nucleic acid, from a fluid-based sample. Preferably, the fluid-based sample is water-based. The fluid-based sample can also be a biological fluid sample. The handheld and portable extraction device includes a syringe-like device coupled to a purification chip. The purification chip is preferably included within a chip block which is removable from the remaining portion of the handheld and portable extraction device. The analyte collected within the purification chip can be later removed and collected for analysis.

Abstract: A thermal transfer device applies a uniform heat to a plurality of samples. The thermal transfer device takes advantage of the natural thermal gradient pattern of a heat exchanging device and arranges the samples along isothermal lines of the heat exchanger. By arranging the samples in this manner, at least two problems are specifically addressed. First, the temperature applied within each sample is uniform. Second, the symmetrical arrangement of the samples guarantees that each sample is exposed to exactly the same conditions as the neighboring samples.

Abstract: An integrated collection and detection system is configured to monitor the ambient air for specific particles, such as toxins and pathogens. An air collector captures airborne particles and outputs a fluid sample including the captured particles in a fluid solution. The collection and detection system includes a control module configured to control the processing of the fluid sample such that detection of one or more types of particles is fully automated within the integrated system. The types of particles to be processed and detected include, but are not limited to, cells, bacteria, viruses, nucleic acids, toxins, and other pathogens. If one or more specific types of particles are detected, a system alarm is triggered. The system alarm triggers a local audio/visual alarm and/or is transmitted over a communications network to either a local or central monitoring location. More than one collection and detection system can be coupled to the network and monitored by the central monitoring location.

Abstract: Fan blades within a fan assembly are rotated in a first rotational direction, thereby generating airflow from above the fan blades downward past the fan blades. Airborne particles adhere to the surface of the fan blades as the air flows past. The fan direction is then reversed maintained at a relatively low rotational rate. A fluid is dispensed onto the hub of the fan blades. Due to the centripetal force of the spinning fan blades, the fluid is spread thin across the top surface of the fan blades and the liquid film washes the blade of the fan, removing particulates from the fan blade. The solution is pushed outward against the inner wall of the fan housing forming a fluid meniscus. The fan speed is increased to push the fluid meniscus into an annular reservoir. The collected fluid is then vacuumed and consolidated into the collection vessel.

Abstract: A standalone bench top laboratory instrument designed to disrupt, or lyse, cells, spores and tissue samples using ultrasonic energy. The lysing device is programmable, allowing the user control over the sample volume, sonication power level, and lysing duration in order to optimize lysing protocols for specific targets. Once a lysing protocol is entered, the device automatically lyses the sample according to the entered lysing protocol. The lysing device also provides a cooling feature, enabled by a heat exchanging sub-assembly, to prevent the sample from exceeding a maximum set temperature.

Abstract: A sonication apparatus is directed to a microfluidic-based system to automate differential extraction of specific cell types within a mixed sample. The microfluidic-based system includes a sonication module for selective cell lysis, separating means to eliminate centrifugation, high surface area pillar chip modules to purify DNA from a cell lysate, and microfluidic circuitry to integrate the steps in an automated platform.

Abstract: A valve mechanism includes a rigid body structure through which various channel structures are configured. A valve actuation mechanism is coupled to the rigid body structure. The valve mechanism is actuated to move a plunger within a fluid pathway, thereby opening the fluid pathway through the valve mechanism. An actuation element is actuated by the valve actuation mechanism and either directly or indirectly releases a retaining force holding the plunger in closed position. The pressure from the input fluid flow is sufficient to move the plunger once the retaining force is removed, thereby opening the valve mechanism. The valve mechanism can be configured as a single-use device, where the valve mechanism is initially closed and when actuated, is open. Once open, the valve mechanism remains open, even when the valve actuation mechanism is disengaged.

Abstract: A thermally controlled device includes a flow-through expandable pouch with a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a first side surface, and a second side surface. A first thermoelectric cooler (TEC) is coupled to the first side surface and a second TEC is coupled to the second side surface. The first and second TECs are each tension-loaded to provide a compression force to the first and second side surfaces. When the fluid outlet is closed and a first fluid volume is input to the fluid chamber via the fluid inlet, the pouch expands from an initial state of zero volume to an expanded state of a second volume as the first side surface expands against the compression force of the first TEC to form a first thermal contact between the first side surface and the first TEC, and the second side surface expands against the compression force of the second TEC to form a second thermal contact between the second side surface and the second TEC.

Abstract: A collection and detection system is directed to a combined system in which a detect to warn system is integrated with a detect to treat system. Such a combined system provides multi-levels of detection to determine the presence and identity of one or more different types of specific particles. In some applications, the combined system is configured to detect and identify one or more different types of specific biological particles such as toxins and pathogens. The combined system includes a first level detection device, in which the presence of one or more toxins and/or pathogens are detected, and a second level detection device. Upon detection by the first level detection device, the second level detection device performs a second level of detection in which the one or more toxins and/or pathogens are identified.

Abstract: The present invention relates to switched-mode power supply module and discloses a ferrite mosaic and a magnetic core structure for passive substrate for switched-mode power supply module. The ferrite mosaic includes a supporting plate and numbers of ferrite units stuck on the supporting plate, with each ferrite unit being rectangular. Wherein the ferrite mosaic comprises air-gaps defined between the ferrite units and ferrite glue polymer composites cured in air-gaps, and the magnetic core structure is finished after cutting, laminating and assembling said ferrite mosaics.

Abstract: A capture and purification apparatus is configured as a stand-alone apparatus or as part of a larger system. The capture and purification apparatus can be configured as a microfluidic cartridge that includes microfluidic circuitry and individually controlled valves. The microfluidic cartridge can be configured to function independently, or can be configured to be coupled to a separate instrument that provides the actuation to perform the capture and purification process. The capture and purification apparatus is configured as a volume-driven system that applies single-direction valves, a single fluid driving device, and fluid lines to control and discretely direct fluid flow within a full-loaded fluidic system. Such control enables various fluid sample processing techniques to be performed including, but not limited to, lysis, thermal cycling, and/or target analyte capture and purification, for example using a combination of ion-exchange chromatography and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC).

Abstract: A collection and detection system is directed to a combined system in which a detect to warn system is integrated with a detect to treat system. Such a combined system provides multi-levels of detection to determine the presence and identity of one or more different types of specific particles. In some applications, the combined system is configured to detect and identify one or more different types of specific biological particles such as toxins and pathogens. The combined system includes a first level detection device, in which the presence of one or more toxins and/or pathogens are detected, and a second level detection device. Upon detection by the first level detection device, the second level detection device performs a second level of detection in which the one or more toxins and/or pathogens are identified.

Abstract: A collection and detection system is configured as a detect to warn system in which the presence of specific types of particles are detected, and may or may not be identified. An air collection module intakes ambient air, detect the presence of one or more different types of airborne particles within the ambient air, and collect the airborne particles, such as within a fluid. A triggering mechanism is positioned to continuously monitor the airflow, to determine one or more characteristics of the airborne particles. If those measured characteristics match specific known characteristics, a trigger signal is generated. In response, a confirmation device performs a detection method on a fluid solution including the airflow particles to determine the presence of one or more different types of specific biological particles.

Abstract: An integrate device includes a heater thermally coupled to a plurality of flow-through tubes to perform thermally-driven chemical reactions. A wire mesh heater is wrapped around each of multiple flow-through tubes, thereby creating a thermal interface between the mesh and the tubes. Each end of the wire mesh is coupled to an electrical contact. The electrical contacts are preferable positioned at an exterior portion of the integrated device to be easily placed in electrical contact with a voltage source. As current passes through the mesh, heat is produced. The heat passes from the mesh to each of the flow-through tubes via the thermal interface. The flow-through tubes can be fluidically coupled to a sample preparation module. The sample preparation module, the flow-through tubes, and the heater can be integrated within a single integrated device that provides automated sample preparation and thermally-driven chemical reactions for a variety of applications.

Abstract: One or more diaphragm valves are integrated as part of a cover of a microfluidic cassette cartridge. A rigid body portion includes one or more recessed valve areas and a plurality of fluid channels. A recessed valve area is disposed along either a bottom surface or a top surface of the rigid body portion. An inlet fluid channel and an outlet fluid channel are formed within the rigid body portion of each recessed valve area. A flexible membrane cover is sealed over the bottom surface of the body portion, and another flexible membrane cover is sealed over the top surface. A portion of the membrane cover that covers a recessed valve area functions as a valve membrane of the diaphragm valve. The flexible membrane functions as both a cover of the cartridge, thereby sealing and enclosing the appropriate channels, and a valve membrane of the diaphragm valve.

Abstract: A differential extraction system is directed to a microfluidic-based integrated cartridge to automate differential extraction of specific cell types within a mixed sample. The integrated cartridge includes a sonication module for selective cell lysis, separating means to eliminate centrifugation, high surface area pillar chip modules to purify DNA from a cell lysate, and microfluidic circuitry to integrate the steps in an automated platform.

Abstract: A sonication apparatus is directed to a microfluidic-based system to automate differential extraction of specific cell types within a mixed sample. The microfluidic-based system includes a sonication module for selective cell lysis, separating means to eliminate centrifugation, high surface area pillar chip modules to purify DNA from a cell lysate, and microfluidic circuitry to integrate the steps in an automated platform.