Abstract: A fluid transfer interface is provided. The fluid transfer interface includes one or more of first and second interface portions. The first interface portion includes a first portion of a fluid connector and one or more ferromagnetic surfaces. The second interface portion includes an extendable second portion of the fluid connector and one or more electropermanent magnets, laterally disposed around the second portion of the fluid connector, configured to be magnetized or demagnetized in unison. The one or more electropermanent magnets are further configured to provide attraction force to the one or more ferromagnetic surfaces when magnetized and couple the first interface portion to the second interface portion and provide no attraction force to the one or more ferromagnetic surfaces when demagnetized and allow the first interface portion to be decoupled from the second interface portion.

Abstract: A sample collection apparatus for fluid handling of small amounts of sample fluid and loading of a syringe. The present sample collection apparatus can be utilized as a precise dispense device within an accompanying instrument, such as an input to an analytical instrument, point-of-care device, or automated analyzer. The present apparatus can also be used for preparing whole blood samples and for separating plasma from the cellular components of whole blood without centrifugation, as well as for providing filtered samples of biological materials.

Abstract: A fluid transfer interface is provided. The fluid transfer interface includes one or more of first and second interface portions. The first interface portion includes a first portion of a fluid connector and one or more ferromagnetic surfaces. The second interface portion includes an extendable second portion of the fluid connector and one or more electropermanent magnets, laterally disposed around the second portion of the fluid connector, configured to be magnetized or demagnetized in unison. The one or more electropermanent magnets are further configured to provide attraction force to the one or more ferromagnetic surfaces when magnetized and couple the first interface portion to the second interface portion and provide no attraction force to the one or more ferromagnetic surfaces when demagnetized and allow the first interface portion to be decoupled from the second interface portion.

Abstract: Methods, systems, articles of manufacture, and apparatus are disclosed to map client specifications to standardized characteristics. An example apparatus includes a cluster identifier to cluster client databases into client clusters based on a threshold quantity of overlapping universal product codes (UPCs) between respective ones of the client databases, a characteristic analyzer to identify custom characteristics from the respective ones of the client clusters, ones of the custom characteristics having dissimilar nomenclature, and a graph builder to cluster the ones of the custom characteristics based on a similarity metric, and normalize the ones of the custom characteristics as a proxy characteristic, the proxy characteristic having a common nomenclature to represent the ones of the custom characteristics, the characteristic analyzer to enable improved product marketing analysis by replacing dissimilar nomenclature with the proxy characteristic.

Abstract: A flow assay cartridge for housing and protecting a flow assay membrane or lateral flow test strip which can be vertically stacked and is adapted for high-throughput automated lateral flow assay testing and analysis. The flow assay cartridge comprises a base and lid for receiving the flow assay membrane, and top and bottom engagement features such that two or more flow assay cartridges can be releasably adjoined in a vertical orientation such that they can be easily handled by an automated assay apparatus.

Abstract: Methods, systems, articles of manufacture, and apparatus are disclosed to map client specifications to standardized characteristics. An example apparatus includes a cluster identifier to cluster client databases into client clusters based on a threshold quantity of overlapping universal product codes (UPCs) between respective ones of the client databases, a characteristic analyzer to identify custom characteristics from the respective ones of the client clusters, ones of the custom characteristics having dissimilar nomenclature, and a graph builder to cluster the ones of the custom characteristics based on a similarity metric, and normalize the ones of the custom characteristics as a proxy characteristic, the proxy characteristic having a common nomenclature to represent the ones of the custom characteristics, the characteristic analyzer to enable improved product marketing analysis by replacing dissimilar nomenclature with the proxy characteristic.

Abstract: Methods, systems, articles of manufacture, and apparatus are disclosed to map client specifications to standardized characteristics. An example apparatus includes a cluster identifier to cluster client databases into client clusters based on a threshold quantity of overlapping universal product codes (UPCs) between respective ones of the client databases, a characteristic analyzer to identify custom characteristics from the respective ones of the client clusters, ones of the custom characteristics having dissimilar nomenclature, and a graph builder to cluster the ones of the custom characteristics based on a similarity metric, and normalize the ones of the custom characteristics as a proxy characteristic, the proxy characteristic having a common nomenclature to represent the ones of the custom characteristics, the characteristic analyzer to enable improved product marketing analysis by replacing dissimilar nomenclature with the proxy characteristic.

Abstract: A fluid transfer interface is provided. The fluid transfer interface includes one or more of first and second interface portions. The first interface portion includes a first portion of a fluid connector and one or more ferromagnetic surfaces. The second interface portion includes an extendable second portion of the fluid connector and one or more electropermanent magnets, laterally disposed around the second portion of the fluid connector, configured to be magnetized or demagnetized in unison. The one or more electropermanent magnets are further configured to provide attraction force to the one or more ferromagnetic surfaces when magnetized and couple the first interface portion to the second interface portion and provide no attraction force to the one or more ferromagnetic surfaces when demagnetized and allow the first interface portion to be decoupled from the second interface portion.

Abstract: A hexagonal flow cell is configured with a CMOS sensor array to be integrated therein. Via use of the flow cell, improved DNA sequencing results may be achieved.

Abstract: Methods, systems, articles of manufacture, and apparatus are disclosed to map client specifications to standardized characteristics. An example apparatus includes a cluster identifier to cluster client databases into client clusters based on a threshold quantity of overlapping universal product codes (UPCs) between respective ones of the client databases, a characteristic analyzer to identify custom characteristics from the respective ones of the client clusters, ones of the custom characteristics having dissimilar nomenclature, and a graph builder to cluster the ones of the custom characteristics based on a similarity metric, and normalize the ones of the custom characteristics as a proxy characteristic, the proxy characteristic having a common nomenclature to represent the ones of the custom characteristics, the characteristic analyzer to enable improved product marketing analysis by replacing dissimilar nomenclature with the proxy characteristic.

Abstract: A method and system for user-friendly point of care assay is described. The cartridge utilizes a lateral flow assay, buffer chambers and capillary sample collection. The sample is first collected by the capillary tube attached to the cartridge. The cartridge is then actuated, drawing the sample into the lateral flow strip and introducing a buffer liquid into the system thereby automatically performing the assay. An electronic reader may be used to measure the results of the assay.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a modular plug-in accessory including a connector for making pluggable electrical connection to a cascading electrical output port for providing cascading connection from an elongate light curtain, the accessory comprising an omni-directional light indicator to illuminate a light signal indicative of a status of the light curtain, wherein the accessory is configured to releasably make or break operative connection to the end cap containing the output port while the end cap is sealably connected to an end of the light curtain. In an illustrative example, the accessory may plug in directly to the terminal end of a light curtain. The receiving light curtain may be connected at the distal end of a string of light curtains. In some examples, the accessory may provide high visibility status indication information about any of the light curtain segments in the string of light curtains.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a quick-connector conversion system having a front cover and a rear module. In an illustrative example, the front cover includes apertures from which a plurality of connector ports extend through. Each connector port of the plurality of connector ports is in electrical communication with a first communication module. A rear module includes a second communication module electrically connected to a plurality of input/output (I/O) terminals such that when the front cover aligns with the rear module, the first communication module pluggably connects to the second communication module. When the first communication module and the second communication module are pluggably connected, the plurality of connector ports electrically connects to the plurality of the I/O terminals.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a modular plug-in accessory including a connector for making pluggable electrical connection to a cascading electrical output port for providing cascading connection from an elongate light curtain, the accessory comprising an omni-directional light indicator to illuminate a light signal indicative of a status of the light curtain, wherein the accessory is configured to releasably make or break operative connection to the end cap containing the output port while the end cap is sealably connected to an end of the light curtain. In an illustrative example, the accessory may plug in directly to the terminal end of a light curtain. The receiving light curtain may be connected at the distal end of a string of light curtains. In some examples, the accessory may provide high visibility status indication information about any of the light curtain segments in the string of light curtains.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a modular plug-in accessory including a connector for making pluggable electrical connection to a cascading electrical output port for providing cascading connection from an elongate light curtain, the accessory comprising an omni-directional light indicator to illuminate a light signal indicative of a status of the light curtain, wherein the accessory is configured to releasably make or break operative connection to the end cap containing the output port while the end cap is sealably connected to an end of the light curtain. In an illustrative example, the accessory may plug in directly to the terminal end of a light curtain. The receiving light curtain may be connected at the distal end of a string of light curtains. In some examples, the accessory may provide high visibility status indication information about any of the light curtain segments in the string of light curtains.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a modular plug-in accessory including a connector for making pluggable electrical connection to a cascading electrical output port for providing cascading connection from an elongate light curtain, the accessory comprising an omni-directional light indicator to illuminate a light signal indicative of a status of the light curtain, wherein the accessory is configured to releasably make or break operative connection to the end cap containing the output port while the end cap is sealably connected to an end of the light curtain. In an illustrative example, the accessory may plug in directly to the terminal end of a light curtain. The receiving light curtain may be connected at the distal end of a string of light curtains. In some examples, the accessory may provide high visibility status indication information about any of the light curtain segments in the string of light curtains.

Abstract: A bowling game table featuring a lane surface having a bilaterally symmetrical trough on each side of the flat top surface. A ramp that swivels from side to side from which a ball is rolled will allow a person to “aim” a ball as he or she tries to strike a set of pins on the opposite end of the bowling game surface. In order to level the playing field among the players a handicap pin system has been provided. In order to improve the function of the game surface the top surface is reversible to display other games that may be played.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel polymer with pendant groups. The invention further provides for a lubricating composition containing said polymer. The invention further provides a method and use of controlling viscosity index by supplying to an oil of lubricating viscosity the polymer with pendant groups.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel polymer with pendant groups. The invention further provides for a lubricating composition containing said polymer. The invention further provides a method and use of controlling viscosity index by supplying to an oil of lubricating viscosity the polymer with pendant groups.