Abstract: An independent blood filter device depends on flow geometry to deliver blood serum or plasma free of detrimental levels of hemoglobin. It depends critically on an upstream flow rate or pressure differential limiting control element or device that limits the rate of change of pressure differential across the filter element. Pre-evacuated versions can be used to simultaneously draw blood from a living being and provide pressure differential across the filter element between an evacuated collector and a supply end open to atmosphere. A unit pressurized by hand motion employs the external shape of a partially filled blood collection tube as a piston to produce pressure in advance of the control element or device to create the pressure differential across the filter element to a collector vented to atmosphere. The control element or device is disclosed in numerous forms, including specially sized flow constrictions and compliant arrangements.

Abstract: An independent blood filter device depends on flow geometry to deliver blood serum or plasma free of detrimental levels of hemoglobin. It depends critically on an upstream flow rate or pressure differential limiting control element or device that limits the rate of change of pressure differential across the filter element. Pre-evacuated versions can be used to simultaneously draw blood from a living being and provide pressure differential across the filter element between an evacuated collector and a supply end open to atmosphere. A unit pressurized by hand motion employs the external shape of a partially filled blood collection tube as a piston to produce pressure in advance of the control element or device to create the pressure differential across the filter element to a collector vented to atmosphere. The control element or device is disclosed in numerous forms, including specially sized flow constrictions and compliant arrangements.

Abstract: An independent blood filter device depends on flow geometry to deliver blood serum or plasma free of detrimental levels of hemoglobin. It depends critically on an upstream flow rate or pressure differential limiting control element or device that limits the rate of change of pressure differential across the filter element. Pre-evacuated versions can be used to simultaneously draw blood from a living being and provide pressure differential across the filter element between an evacuated collector and a supply end open to atmosphere. A unit pressurized by hand motion employs the external shape of a partially filled blood collection tube as a piston to produce pressure in advance of the control element or device to create the pressure differential across the filter element to a collector vented to atmosphere. The control element or device is disclosed in numerous forms, including specially sized flow constrictions and compliant arrangements.

Abstract: An independent blood filter device depends on flow geometry to deliver blood serum or plasma free of detrimental levels of hemoglobin. It depends critically on an upstream flow rate or pressure differential limiting control element or device that limits the rate of change of pressure differential across the filter element. Pre-evacuated versions can be used to simultaneously draw blood from a living being and provide pressure differential across the filter element between an evacuated collector and a supply end open to atmosphere. A unit pressurized by hand motion employs the external shape of a partially filled blood collection tube as a piston to produce pressure in advance of the control element or device to create the pressure differential across the filter element to a collector vented to atmosphere. The control element or device is disclosed in numerous forms, including specially sized flow constrictions and compliant arrangements.

Abstract: An independent blood filter device depends on flow geometry to deliver blood serum or plasma free of detrimental levels of hemoglobin. It depends critically on an upstream flow rate or pressure differential limiting control element or device that limits the rate of change of pressure differential across the filter element. Pre-evacuated versions can be used to simultaneously draw blood from a living being and provide pressure differential across the filter element between an evacuated collector and a supply end open to atmosphere. A unit pressurized by hand motion employs the external shape of a partially filled blood collection tube as a piston to produce pressure in advance of the control element or device to create the pressure differential across the filter element to a collector vented to atmosphere. The control element or device is disclosed in numerous forms, including specially sized flow constrictions and compliant arrangements.

Abstract: An independent blood filter device depends on flow geometry to deliver blood serum or plasma free of detrimental levels of hemoglobin. It depends critically on an upstream flow rate or pressure differential limiting control element or device that limits the rate of change of pressure differential across the filter element. Pre-evacuated versions can be used to simultaneously draw blood from a living being and provide pressure differential across the filter element between an evacuated collector and a supply end open to atmosphere. A unit pressurized by hand motion employs the external shape of a partially filled blood collection tube as a piston to produce pressure in advance of the control element or device to create the pressure differential across the filter element to a collector vented to atmosphere. The control element or device is disclosed in numerous forms, including specially sized flow constrictions and compliant arrangements.

Abstract: Cassette (50) performs assays, e.g. multiplexed protein biomarker assays. Wide, bubble-free, slow flows are produced from liquids stored on cassette (50), flowing over wide array (20) of ligand receptors on a capture surface. Flows of Reynolds Number less than about 1, preferably 1×10?1 to 5×10?3, are heated in region (34) preceding and including bubble removal system (128). Analyte is introduced through compressed septum (32). External actuations of displacement pumps (30, 37) and valves (137 A, B, and C) produce flows in response to flow-front optical sensors (150, 152). Elastic sheet provides pump and valve diaphragms and resilient expansion of mixing volume (131). Break-away cover portions are pistons. Heating is by conduction through cassette from external contact heater. Planar cassette body, when tilted from horizontal, enables upward flow from pumped storage (134, 135) to reaction (133) to waste (139), with buoyancy bubble removal before reaction.

Abstract: An independent blood filter device depends on flow geometry to deliver blood serum or plasma free of detrimental levels of hemoglobin. It depends critically on an upstream flow rate or pressure differential limiting control element or device that limits the rate of change of pressure differential across the filter element. Pre-evacuated versions can be used to simultaneously draw blood from a living being and provide pressure differential across the filter element between an evacuated collector and a supply end open to atmosphere. A unit pressurized by hand motion employs the external shape of a partially filled blood collection tube as a piston to produce pressure in advance of the control element or device to create the pressure differential across the filter element to a collector vented to atmosphere. The control element or device is disclosed in numerous forms, including specially sized flow constrictions and compliant arrangements.

Abstract: An immobilizing device for biological material comprises a rigid support (12) carrying a substrate layer (20, 20?) of polymer having biological immobilizing properties, e.g. for amino and nucleic acids. Substantially solid ultra-thin substrate layers (20?) having a thickness less than about 5 micron, preferably between about 0.1 and 0.5 micron, and micro-porous, ultra-thin substrate layers (20?) having a thickness less than about 5 micron, preferably less than 3 micron, 2 or 1 micron are shown, which may be segmented by isolating moats M. The substrate layer is on a microscope slide (302), round disc (122), bio-cassette, at the bottom of a well of a multiwell plate, and as a coating inside a tube.

Abstract: Cassette (50) performs assays, e.g. multiplexed protein biomarker assays. Wide, bubble-free, slow flows are produced from liquids stored on cassette (50), flowing over wide array (20) of ligand receptors on a capture surface. Flows of Reynolds Number less than about 1, preferably 1×10?1 to 5×10?3, are heated in region (34) preceding and including bubble removal system (128). Analyte is introduced through compressed septum (32). External actuations of displacement pumps (30, 37) and valves (137 A, B, and C) produce flows in response to flow-front optical sensors (150, 152). Elastic sheet provides pump and valve diaphragms and resilient expansion of mixing volume (131). Break-away cover portions are pistons. Heating is by conduction through cassette from external contact heater. Planar cassette body, when tilted from horizontal, enables upward flow from pumped storage (134, 135) to reaction (133) to waste (139), with buoyancy bubble removal before reaction.

Abstract: Flow-through assay reaction chamber (6) of cassette has back and forth liquid mixing in narrow gap (G) over array of capture agent (S), with net flow advance to waste confinement (19), produced by reversible pumps (3 or 12), operable with rolling diaphragm action with at least limited elastic recovery that advance sample or buffer liquids through conditioning paths (4A, 8, 8?, 9, 14, 15, 15?) before reaching the reaction chamber (6). A single pump produces accurate flow control, liquid conditioning, e.g., liquefying dry reagent from internal surfaces of flow-dividing material (14a, 15A, 15A?, e.g. open cell foam or frit), heating (4A), and air bubble removal (8, 8?, 9), as well as replenishment of reagent while accomplishing mixing within the flow-through reaction chamber (6). Lower viscosity buffer liquid is arranged to propel higher viscosity reagent, the flow-dividing storage material preserving reagent concentration.

Abstract: An immobilizing device for biological material comprises a rigid support (12) carrying a substrate layer (20, 20?) of polymer having biological immobilizing properties, e.g. for amino and nucleic acids. Substantially solid ultra-thin substrate layers (20?) having a thickness less than about 5 micron, preferably between about 0.1 and 0.5 micron, and microporous, ultra-thin substrate layers (20?) having a thickness less than about 5 micron, preferably less than 3 micron, 2 or 1 micron are shown, which may be segmented by isolating moats M. The substrate layer is on a microscope slide (302), round disc (122), bio-cassette, at the bottom of a well of a multiwell plate, and as a coating inside a tube. Fluorescence or luminescence intensity and geometric calibration spots (420) are shown. Reading is enhanced by the intensity calibration spots (420) to enable normalization of readings under uneven illumination conditions, as when reading by dark field, side illumination mode.

Abstract: A mechanically simple, small, hand held device is provided based on filtering and pressure equilibration techniques involving a unique hand-operating sequence that produces air pressure within the collection tube and the device, to enable simple and rapid extraction of blood serum or plasma or other filtrate in milliliter quantities from a collected sample. The device can also provide dilution of the serum, plasma or filtrate, capture of unwanted molecular constituents or dispensing of desired reagents. Pipette extraction of diluted or undiluted blood plasma, serum or filtrate from the device can also be achieved via a septum. The device permits all functions to be performed rapidly and with minimum danger of exposure of the operator or contamination of the sample while enabling standard evacuated collection tubes to be used.

Abstract: An immobilizing device for biological material comprises a rigid support (12) carrying a substrate layer (20, 20?) of polymer having biological immobilizing properties, e.g. for amino and nucleic acids. Substantially solid ultra-thin substrate layers (20?) having a thickness less than about 5 micron, preferably between about 0.1 and 0.5 micron, and micro-porous, ultra-thin substrate layers (20?) having a thickness less than about 5 micron, preferably less than 3 micron, 2 or 1 micron are shown, which may be segmented by isolating moats M. The substrate layer is on a microscope slide (302), round disc (122), bio-cassette, at the bottom of a well of a multiwell plate, and as a coating inside a tube. Fluorescence or luminescence intensity and geometric calibration spots (420) are shown. Reading is enhanced by the intensity calibration spots (420) to enable normalization of readings under uneven illumination conditions, as when reading by dark field, side illumination mode.

Abstract: An immobilizing device for biological material comprises a rigid support (12) carrying a substrate layer (20, 20?) of polymer having biological immobilizing properties, e.g. for amino and nucleic acids. Substantially solid ultra-thin substrate layers (20?) having a thickness less than about 5 micron, preferably between about 0.1 and 0.5 micron, and micro-porous, ultra-thin substrate layers (20?) having a thickness less than about 5 micron, preferably less than 3 micron, 2 or 1 micron are shown, which may be segmented by isolating moats M. The substrate layer is on a microscope slide (302), round disc (122), bio-cassette, at the bottom of a well of a multiwell plate, and as a coating inside a tube. Fluorescence or luminescence intensity and geometric calibration spots (420) are shown. Reading is enhanced by the intensity calibration spots (420) to enable normalization of readings under uneven illumination conditions, as when reading by dark field, side illumination mode.

Abstract: An immobilizing device for biological material comprises a rigid support (12) carrying a substrate layer (20, 20?) of polymer having biological immobilizing properties, e.g. for amino and nucleic acids. Substantially solid ultra-thin substrate layers (20?) having a thickness less than about 5 micron, preferably between about 0.1 and 0.5 micron, and micro-porous, ultra-thin substrate layers (20?) having a thickness less than about 5 micron, preferably less than 3 micron, 2 or 1 micron are shown, which may be segmented by isolating moats M. The substrate layer is on a microscope slide (302), round disc (122), bio-cassette, at the bottom of a well of a multiwell plate, and as a coating inside a tube. Fluorescence or luminescence intensity and geometric calibration spots (420) are shown. Reading is enhanced by the intensity calibration spots. (420) to enable normalization of readings under uneven illumination conditions, as when reading by dark field, side illumination mode.

Abstract: A device for optical examination of biological materials using radiation of a selected wavelength includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The first surface includes a dense array of micro-optical elements arranged to provide increased intensity radiation or evanescent radiation. The first surface is in close proximity to the biological material being examined.

Abstract: A support for an array of fluorescently labeled samples comprises a transparent body defining: (a) an array-support surface and (b) under the support surface, in spaced apart relationship thereto, a field of embedded optical features exposed to be illuminated by a broad light beam of excitation radiation addressed to the support from a predetermined general direction selected to produce a surface wave effect at the support surface, the field of embedded optical features and the support being so constructed that light of the beam incident on the features is launched through the support at an angle to the support surface that produces the surface wave effect of radiation in the manner that it can produce fluorescence from the labeled samples to be imaged beyond the support from a direction different from the direction of the illumination.

Abstract: Microscopes, including viewing and other microscopic systems, employ a hinged, tiltable plate to adjust focus on a flat object such as a microscope slide or biochip by motion, achieved by tilting, which is substantially normal to the focus point on the plane of the object. By employing two such tiltable arrangements, relatively long scan lines of e.g., flying objective, single pixel on-axis scanning can be accommodated. The tilting support plate is specifically constructed to provide tailored locations for different objects in series along the Y axis of the plate. The plate can accommodate beaters and cooled plates and/or the flat object being examined. In a fluorescence scanning microscope, locations are specifically adapted to receive microscope slides and biochip cartridges such as Affymetrix's “Gene Chip®”. A scanning microscope under computer control, employing such a focusing action, enables unattended scanning of biochips with a simple and economical instrument.

Abstract: The present invention relates to calibration apparatuses, methods or tools used in microscopy. A calibration tool for fluorescent microscopy includes a support, a solid surface layer including a fluorescent material, and a thin opaque mask of non-fluorescent material defining reference feature openings having selected dimensions exposing portions of the surface layer. A first type of the calibration tool may include an adhesion promoter facilitating contact between the surface of the support and the solid surface layer including the fluorescent material, which is in contact with the thin opaque mask. A second type of the calibration tool may include the thin opaque mask fabricated (with or without an adhesion promoter) onto the support, and the solid surface layer including the fluorescent material located on the thin opaque mask.