Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of analysis, for example biological analysis.

Abstract: A method of chemical and/or biological analysis including: providing a container delimited by a wall including an inner surface on which there is deposited an active component intended to make possible a chemical and/or biological reaction with a solution disposed in the container; filling the container with a liquid solution containing an analyte which is to be detected; and in applying to the liquid a succession of movements of aspirating/discharging a volume in the container at a suitable frequency to bring about resonance of the liquid so as to deform the free surface thereof and to result in a preferential distribution of the fluid along the inner surface of the wall of the container.

Abstract: The aim of the present invention is a method of sampling all or part of a sample (11) of biological matter (7), which is crude, enriched or cultured through contact with a culture medium (8), such as agar, for example in a Petri dish, using a probe (3) equipped with a terminal end (4), said sampling method comprising the steps of cooling the terminal end (4) of the probe (3), sticking all or part of the sample (11) of biological matter (7) to be sampled through contact, or by applying a pressure exerted by the terminal end (4) onto the sample (11) of biological matter (7), and sampling of all or part of the sample (11) of biological matter (7) so as to separate the sample (11) of biological matter (7) from the culture medium (8), a method of depositing into a container (9) or onto an analysis plate (14) all or part of a sample (11) of biological matter (7) stuck onto a frosted terminal end (4) of a probe, said depositing method including a step of separating the terminal end (4) of the probe (3) from all or p

Abstract: The present invention is directed to sample test cards having an increased sample well capacity for analyzing biological or other test samples. In one embodiment, the sample test cards of the present invention comprise one or more fluid over-flow reservoirs, wherein the over-flow reservoirs are operatively connected to a distribution channel by a fluid over-flow channel. In another embodiment, the sample test cards may comprise a plurality of flow reservoirs operable to trap air thereby reducing and/or preventing well-to-well contamination. The test card of this invention may comprise from 80 to 140 individual sample wells, for example, in a test card sample test cards of the present invention have a generally rectangular shape sample test card having dimensions of from about 90 to about 95 mm in width, from about 55 to about 60 mm in height and from about 4 to about 5 mm in thickness.

Abstract: An instrument for conducting nucleic acid amplification reactions in a disposable test device. The test device includes a first reaction chamber containing a first nucleic acid amplification reagent (e.g., primers and nucleotides) and a second reaction chamber either containing, or in fluid communication, with a second nucleic acid amplification reagent (e.g., an amplification enzyme such as RT). The instrument includes a support structure receiving the test device. A temperature control system maintains the first reaction chamber at a first elevated temperature but simultaneously maintains the second nucleic acid amplification reagent at a second temperature lower than the first temperature so as to preserve the second nucleic acid amplification reagent. An actuator operates on a fluid conduit in the test device to place the first and second reaction chambers in fluid communication with each other after a reaction has occurred in the first reaction chamber at the first temperature.

Abstract: An instrument for conducting nucleic acid amplification reactions in a disposable test device. The test device includes a first reaction chamber containing a first nucleic acid amplification reagent (e.g., primers and nucleotides) and a second reaction chamber either containing, or in fluid communication, with a second nucleic acid amplification reagent (e.g., an amplification enzyme such as RT). The instrument includes a support structure receiving the test device. A temperature control system maintains the first reaction chamber at a first elevated temperature but simultaneously maintains the second nucleic acid amplification reagent at a second temperature lower than the first temperature so as to preserve the second nucleic acid amplification reagent. An actuator operates on a fluid conduit in the test device to place the first and second reaction chambers in fluid communication with each other after a reaction has occurred in the first reaction chamber at the first temperature.

Abstract: A reaction card (1) having a body, a front surface (62) and a rear surface (63) defined by an edge (68), at least one inlet (2, 3, 4 and/or 5) and at least one outlet (7and/or 8), connected by a network of channels (64) constituting at least one reaction path for at least one fluid which is directed via valves (11to 36 and/or 61); each valve includes a flexible film (67) which can be deformed to allow fluid passage, the film being fixed on the card's rear surface at a peripheral indentation of an assembly of channels associated with the valve; the card includes channels flush with at least one of its surfaces, the channels being of two different cross-sections, a small cross-section serving as a reaction compartment; each front or rear surface is delimited by at least one film (48, 49, 65, 66 and/or 67).

Abstract: A device for implementing a test card inside which sequential reactions and fluid transfer operations are performed under the effect of a control integrated into the card; the card includes at least two sequential reaction systems arranged in parallel, each reaction system having at least two fluid transfer systems arranged in series. A test card and the method for implementing the device and the card are also disclosed. The device contains at least one actuator per reaction line, and all the actuators are at a regular distance from one another, with the actuators preferably being equidistant. The invention is particularly applicable for the micromanipulation of fluids in biological applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of analysis, for example biological analysis.

Abstract: An instrument for conducting nucleic acid amplification reactions in a disposable test device. The test device includes a first reaction chamber containing a first nucleic acid amplification reagent (e.g., primers and nucleotides) and a second reaction chamber either containing, or in fluid communication, with a second nucleic acid amplification reagent (e.g., an amplification enzyme such as RT). The instrument includes a support structure receiving the test device. A temperature control system maintains the first reaction chamber at a first elevated temperature but simultaneously maintains the second nucleic acid amplification reagent at a second temperature lower than the first temperature so as to preserve the second nucleic acid amplification reagent. An actuator operates on a fluid conduit in the test device to place the first and second reaction chambers in fluid communication with each other after a reaction has occurred in the first reaction chamber at the first temperature.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for implementing a test card inside which sequential reactions and fluid transfer operations are performed under the effect of a control means integrated into the card; said card includes at least two sequential reaction systems arranged in parallel, each reaction system consisting of at least two fluid transfer systems arranged in series. The invention also concerns a test card and the method for implementing the device and the card. The device is characterized in that it contains at least one actuator per reaction line, and all the actuators are at a regular distance from one another, with the actuators preferably being equidistant. The invention is particularly applicable for the micromanipulation of fluids in biological applications.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for performing a reaction or at least two reactions in parallel or in series, and for transferring a fluid flow, consisting of. an upper surface (2) and a lower surface (3) mutually linked by an edge (4); at least a duct (5) wherein a fluid flow (F1) can be generated by means transferring at least one sample (6) to be treated and/or analysed, and at least a valve (8) incorporated in each duct (4) for directing each sample (6) thereby controlling the transfers, reactions and analyses in the device. Each valve (8) consists of two means (9 and 10) integral with the device, the first means (9) being mobile between an inoperative position wherein the fluid transfer (6) is possible and an active position wherein said transfer cannot take place, and the second means (10) being mobile between a position wherein it is not in contact with said first means (9) and an active position wherein it deforms the first means (9) and it is activated by an actuator external to the device.

Abstract: A method and system (100) for conveying a video message is disclosed. Video data comprising at least image data and associated audio data is captured and a video message structure (401) is created. A link is established between the structure (401) and the video data to create a structured video message. The structured video message is characterized by a video message structure (401) that provides an originator (103), of the message, enhanced manipulation capabilities for the video data by manipulating the structure (401). The structured video message can be conveyed to a recipient for viewing and/or for providing the recipient substantially the same enhanced manipulation capabilities.

Abstract: A method and system (100) for conveying a video message is disclosed. Video data comprising at least image data and associated audio data is captured and a video message structure (401) is created. A link is established between the structure (401) and the video data to create a structured video message. The structured video message is characterized by a video message structure (401) that provides an originator (103), of the message, enhanced manipulation capabilities for the video data by manipulating the structure (401). The structured video message can be conveyed to a recipient for viewing and/or for providing the recipient substantially the same enhanced manipulation capabilities.

Abstract: The invention concerns a lysis method for a biological sample comprising at least one micro-organism of the bacteria type, for releasing a nucleic material of interest belonging to said micro-organism, which consists in: providing in a container a biological sample in liquid medium; providing in said container at least one particulate material, relatively hard, and substantially inert with respect to the nucleic material; submitting the biological sample and particulate material mixture to a movement. The invention is characterised in that in combination, the selected movement is of the vortex type, and satisfies the following conditions: the particulate material consists of beads with diameter between 90 and 150 &mgr;m; and the apparent volume of the beads (Vb) and the volume of the liquid sample (Ve) are linked by the relationship Ve=&agr;. Vb, with &agr; ranging between 1.4 and 10 when the container is tubular in shape, and &agr; is not more than 2.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for lysis (1) of micro-organism to release at least one intracellular biological constituent, comprising a container (2) wherein are present a biological sample, in liquid medium, containing the micro-organism to be lyzed, and a material in the form of particles, relatively hard and inert with respect to the sample. The invention also concerns a grinding method. The material in the form of particles comprises at least two types of grinding means into different dimensions: at least large dimension magnetic means (3) automatically controlled by a magnetic field; and at least small dimension means (4) actuated by the large dimension grinding means (3). The invention is useful for separating biological constituents.

Abstract: The invention concerns a reaction card (1) consisting of a body, having a front surface (62) and a rear surface (63) defined by an edge (68), at least one input (2, 3, 4 and/or 5) and at least one output (7 and/or 8), connected one (2, 3, 4 and/or 5) to the other (7 and/or 8) through a network of channels (64) constituting at least one reaction path for at least one fluid, the fluid or fluids being directed inside the card (1) via valves (11 to 36 and/or 61); each valve (11 to 35 or 61) consists of a flexible film (67), which can be deformed to allow a fluid to pass through, the film (67) being fixed on the rear surface (63) of said card (1) at the peripheral indentation of the assembly of channels associated with the valve (11 to 35 or 61); the card (1) features channels (64) flush with at least one of its surfaces (62 and/or 63), the channels (64) being of two different cross-sections, a small cross-section serving as a reaction compartment; each front (62) or rear (63) is delimited by at least one film (48

Abstract: The invention concerns an analysis card as well as a method for filing such a card and the use of said card. Said card comprises a body consisting of: a zone for injecting into the card a biological fluid to be analyzed; a main duct supplying the biological fluid coming from the injection zone; at least two secondary ducts located in the extension of the main duct; and at least one well corresponding to each secondary duct. The invention is characterized in that each well constitutes a means for dispensing a specific volume of said biological fluid into at least two terminal analysis ducts, via a terminal duct for each analysis cavity and the volume to be analyzed is less than the total volume of all the analysis ducts. Although this concerns a particular embodiment wherein a biological fluid is transferred in parallel, in another embodiment the transfer may be carried out in series. The invention is particularly applicable in microbiology.

Abstract: An instrument for conducting nucleic acid amplification reactions in a disposable test device. The test device includes a first reaction chamber containing a first nucleic acid amplification reagent (e.g., primers and nucleotides) and a second reaction chamber either containing, or in fluid communication, with a second nucleic acid amplification reagent (e.g., an amplification enzyme such as RT). The instrument includes a support structure receiving the test device. A temperature control system maintains the first reaction chamber at a first elevated temperature but simultaneously maintains the second nucleic acid amplification reagent at a second temperature lower than the first temperature so as to preserve the second nucleic acid amplification reagent. An actuator operates on a fluid conduit in the test device to place the first and second reaction chambers in fluid communication with each other after a reaction has occurred in the first reaction chamber at the first temperature.

Abstract: A unit dose test device for a nucleic acid amplification reaction has the form of a elongate disposable test strip. The test strip includes a dual-chamber reaction vessel pre-loaded with nucleic acid amplification reaction reagents, and a plurality of wells for processing a reaction occurring in the reaction vessel.