Abstract: The present invention provides a device and method for heating a whole blood sample for use in an assay, comprising irradiating said whole blood sample with monochromatic visible light of between 380 nm and 740 nm to raise the temperature of said whole blood sample to a target temperature between about 35° C. and 40 ° C. An apparatus for heating whole blood samples stored in a cartridge is further described comprising a housing assembly disposed to receive the cartridge one or more visible light optical emitters disposed in the housing apparatus and configured to selectively illuminate a staging area of the cartridge a temperature sensor disposed in the housing apparatus and configured to sense a temperature of the cartridge and a control circuit coupled to the temperature sensor and the array of visible light optical emitters so as to control a heating profile of the whole blood sample.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring the flow of a liquid along a conduit are disclosed. A heat source applies thermal energy to a portion of a liquid flowing along a conduit thereby elevating its temperature. An optical sensing means comprising a light source illuminating the liquid in the conduit downstream from the position of application of the thermal energy and an optical detector receiving a portion of this illumination senses the heated portion of liquid by measures a change in an optical property of the illumination caused by a change in the index of refraction of the heated portion of liquid. The time required for the heated portion of the liquid to move from the point of application of thermal energy to the point of optical sensing is measured. This measured time, along with the distance of separation of the heat source and the optical sensing means permits calculation of the velocity of the liquid in the conduit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring the flow of a liquid along a conduit are disclosed. A heat source applies thermal energy to a portion of a liquid flowing along a conduit thereby elevating its temperature. An optical sensing means comprising a light source illuminating the liquid in the conduit downstream from the position of application of the thermal energy and an optical detector receiving a portion of this illumination senses the heated portion of liquid by measures a change in an optical property of the illumination caused by a change in the index of refraction of the heated portion of liquid. The time required for the heated portion of the liquid to move from the point of application of thermal energy to the point of optical sensing is measured. This measured time, along with the distance of separation of the heat source and the optical sensing means permits calculation of the velocity of the liquid in the conduit.