Abstract: Utility vehicles include ground engaging members, a frame supported by the ground engaging members, a motor supported by the frame operably coupled to the ground engaging members, and a battery configured to provide electrical power to the motor. The battery may be removable and configured to be easily charged by outside power sources such as generators and external batteries. A charger may be configured to receive instructions to charge the battery using a specific charger operating characteristic. The vehicle may also include a variety of accessory ports configured to electrically couple to accessories that use AC or DC power.

Abstract: Systems and methods for multiple analyte detection include a system for distribution of a biological sample that includes a substrate, wherein the substrate includes a plurality of sample chambers, a sample introduction channel for each sample chamber, and a venting channel for each sample chamber. The system may further include a preloaded reagent contained in each sample chamber and configured for nucleic acid analysis of a biological sample that enters the substrate and a sealing instrument configured to be placed in contact with the substrate to seal each sample chamber so as to substantially prevent sample contained in each sample chamber from flowing out of each sample chamber. The substrate can be constructed of detection-compatible and assay-compatible materials.

Abstract: A microplate assembly for performing an analytical method on an assay, comprising a microplate base structure having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough, and a plurality of well inserts coupled to the microplate base structure adjacent the apertures. Each of the plurality of well inserts has an open top portion and is adapted to receive an assay. The microplate base structure and the plurality of well inserts can comprise different materials. Methods of manufacturing the microplate assembly are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for multiple analyte detection include a system for distribution of a biological sample that includes a substrate, wherein the substrate includes a plurality of sample chambers, a sample introduction channel for each sample chamber, and a venting channel for each sample chamber. The system may further include a preloaded reagent contained in each sample chamber and configured for nucleic acid analysis of a biological sample that enters the substrate and a sealing instrument configured to be placed in contact with the substrate to seal each sample chamber so as to substantially prevent sample contained in each sample chamber from flowing out of each sample chamber. The substrate can be constructed of detection-compatible and assay-compatible materials.

Abstract: Systems and methods for multiple analyte detection include a system for distribution of a biological sample that includes a substrate, wherein the substrate includes a plurality of sample chambers, a sample introduction channel for each sample chamber, and a venting channel for each sample chamber. The system may further include a preloaded reagent contained in each sample chamber and configured for nucleic acid analysis of a biological sample that enters the substrate and a sealing instrument configured to be placed in contact with the substrate to seal each sample chamber so as to substantially prevent sample contained in each sample chamber from flowing out of each sample chamber. The substrate can be constructed of detection-compatible and assay-compatible materials.

Abstract: Assemblies for and methods of coupling a microtiter plate and receptacle for centrifugation of liquid from the microtiter plate to the receptacle are provided. In some embodiments, a coupling frame can be used. In other embodiments, the microtiter plate couples directly to the receptacle. In some embodiments, relative motion between the receptacle and the microtiter plate is limited in the x-y plane. In some embodiments, relative motion between the receptacle and the microtiter plate is limited in the x-z plane. In some embodiments, relative motion between the receptacle and the microtiter plate is limited in the y-z plane.

Abstract: Systems and methods for multiple analyte detection include a system for distribution of a biological sample that includes a substrate, wherein the substrate includes a plurality of sample chambers, a sample introduction channel for each sample chamber, and a venting channel for each sample chamber. The system may further include a preloaded reagent contained in each sample chamber and configured for nucleic acid analysis of a biological sample that enters the substrate and a sealing instrument configured to be placed in contact with the substrate to seal each sample chamber so as to substantially prevent sample contained in each sample chamber from flowing out of each sample chamber. The substrate can be constructed of detection-compatible and assay-compatible materials.

Abstract: A microplate assembly for performing an analytical method on an assay, comprising a microplate base structure having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough, and a plurality of well inserts coupled to the microplate base structure adjacent the apertures. Each of the plurality of well inserts has an open top portion and is adapted to receive an assay. The microplate base structure and the plurality of well inserts can comprise different materials. Methods of manufacturing the microplate assembly are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for multiple analyte detection include a system for distribution of a biological sample that includes a substrate, wherein the substrate includes a plurality of sample chambers, a sample introduction channel for each sample chamber, and a venting channel for each sample chamber. The system may further include a preloaded reagent contained in each sample chamber and configured for nucleic acid analysis of a biological sample that enters the substrate and a sealing instrument configured to be placed in contact with the substrate to seal each sample chamber so as to substantially prevent sample contained in each sample chamber from flowing out of each sample chamber. The substrate can be constructed of detection-compatible and assay-compatible materials.

Abstract: An assay card and devices and methods for isolating chambers on the assay card are described. The assay card comprises a substrate formed of one or more materials, e.g., plastic, having a softening temperature, the substrate defining channels communicating with respective reaction chambers. The assay card may be heated in a region of the channels to at least the softening temperature. The softened plastic may be deformed, e.g., with a tool which may or may not also provide the heat for softening the substrate. In this manner, the plastic of the substrate may be caused to at least partially obstruct the channels, thereby isolating the reaction chambers. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a tool device that includes pins for heating and deforming an assay card.

Abstract: A microplate assembly for performing an analytical method on an assay, comprising a microplate base structure having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough, and a plurality of well inserts coupled to the microplate base structure adjacent the apertures. Each of the plurality of well inserts has an open top portion and is adapted to receive an assay. The microplate base structure and the plurality of well inserts can comprise different materials. Methods of manufacturing the microplate assembly are also provided.

Abstract: Devices and methods are described for improving the contact of a conductive material, for example, a hydrogel, with a sensor, for example an electrode, by means of using mechanical force to apply the conductive material to the sensor before use of the conductive material and sensor in a sampling device. The device and methods of the present invention improve the sensor response characteristics in transdermal sampling devices placed in operative contact with a skin or mucosal surface of a biological system to obtain a chemical signal associated with an analyte of interest.

Abstract: An automated system for continual transdermal extraction of analytes present in a biological system is described. The system optionally uses reverse iontophoresis to carry out the continual transdermal extraction of the analytes. The present invention describes quality control test kits, and methods of use thereof, for testing the ability of the system to provide reliable, effective, and accurate determination of analyte concentration.

Abstract: A device for detecting the dispensing of drugs from a container in a way which eliminates false detection events due to mishandling of the container is disclosed. The device includes a container which may be opened and closed. It also contains a means for detecting the opening and separately detecting the closing of the container as well as means for measuring the time between these events and comparing this elapsed time to a predetermined standard indicative of drug dispensing event. The times of proper drug dispensing events are stored in the device for use by the health care professional following the patient's drug dosing compliance. Other opening and closing intervals which fall outside this time range give rise to an alternative response. They may be recorded with a notation of their probable error or they may be disregarded.