Abstract: We describe a user exercise-tolerance measuring pulse oximeter system, for determining the exercise tolerance or capacity of a user undergoing exercise, the system comprising: a wireless fingerband comprising an optical sensor to provide an oxygen saturation signal, a chargeable power supply, and a wireless transmitter/receiver; a motion detector to provide a user motion signal; and a signal processor coupled to said wireless fingerband to data from said optical sensor, and coupled to said motion detector; wherein said signal processor is configured to: process a combination of said oxygen saturation signal and said user motion signal to determine exercise tolerance data, wherein said exercise tolerance data is dependent upon said oxygen saturation signal and a level of exertion of said user determined from said user motion signal; and to time or count a period or quantity of user motion or movements, during said exercise, identified by said motion detector, to determine said level of exertion; to measure a d

Abstract: We describe a user exercise-tolerance measuring pulse oximeter system, for determining the exercise tolerance or capacity of a user undergoing exercise, the system comprising: a wireless fingerband comprising an optical sensor to provide an oxygen saturation signal, a chargeable power supply, and a wireless transmitter/receiver; a motion detector to provide a user motion signal; and a signal processor coupled to said wireless fingerband to data from said optical sensor, and coupled to said motion detector; wherein said signal processor is configured to: process a combination of said oxygen saturation signal and said user motion signal to determine exercise tolerance data, wherein said exercise tolerance data is dependent upon said oxygen saturation signal and a level of exertion of said user determined from said user motion signal; and to time or count a period or quantity of user motion or movements, during said exercise, identified by said motion detector, to determine said level of exertion; to measure a d

Abstract: A mixing vessel (10) for containing a liquid, comprises a chamber having a lower chamber portion and an upper chamber portion wider than the lower portion, gas inlet means (14) for supplying gas to the lower portion and means for redirecting rising gas (24), such that, in use, rising gas in the form of bubbles, initially rises substantially vertically and is redirected in a substantially horizontal direction by the means for redirecting rising gas.

Abstract: A mixing vessel (10) for containing a liquid, comprises a chamber having a lower chamber portion and an upper chamber portion wider than the lower portion, gas inlet means (14) for supplying gas to the lower portion and means for redirecting rising gas (24), such that, in use, rising gas in the form of bubbles, initially rises substantially vertically and is redirected in a substantially horizontal direction by the means for redirecting rising gas.

Abstract: Methods of determining levels of activity of bacteria in the lungs of patients are described, in which levels of a marker of a bacterial iron scavenging processes (for example, siderophores) and levels of a secreted bacterial protein are measured over time. Changes in the measured levels over time allow levels of bacterial activity to be determined, and exacerbations of bacterial infection to be predicted and/or monitored. Additional markers may also be used. The methods of the invention may also be used for monitoring effectiveness of antibiotic treatment of lung infection. The invention is particularly useful for monitoring P. aeruginosa levels in lungs of cystic fibrosis patients. Kits for use in the methods are also described.

Abstract: Methods of determining levels of activity of bacteria in the lungs of patients are described, in which levels of a marker of a bacterial iron scavenging processes (for example, siderophores) and levels of a secreted bacterial protein are measured over time. Changes in the measured levels over time allow levels of bacterial activity to be determined, and exacerbations of bacterial infection to be predicted and/or monitored. Additional markers may also be used. The methods of the invention may also be used for monitoring effectiveness of antibiotic treatment of lung infection. The invention is particularly useful for monitoring P. aeruginosa levels in lungs of cystic fibrosis patients. Kits for use in the methods are also described.

Abstract: We describe a peel and present mechanism (10) for use with labelling apparatus such as a label stock cartridge or cassette, or a label printer. The peel and present mechanism is configured to peel labels (18) from label stock (14) having a backing liner (16). The mechanism comprises a first, label stock carrying face bounded by a label-detachment edge (12,20) wherein, in use, said label stock passes in a longitudinal direction over said label stock carrying face and around said label-detachment edge (20) to peel and present labels (18), and wherein said label stock carrying face has a bent transverse surface profile (24) in a transverse direction perpendicular to said longitudinal direction such that, in use, said label stock is bent in said transverse direction whereby, as said label stock passes over said-label detachment edge, said longitudinal direction of said label stock defines a projected path for a label peeled from said label stock by said label-detachment edge.

Abstract: A mixing vessel (10) for containing a liquid, comprises a chamber having a lower chamber portion and an upper chamber portion wider than the lower portion, gas inlet means (14) for supplying gas to the lower portion and means for redirecting rising gas (24), such that, in use, rising gas in the form of bubbles, initially rises substantially vertically and is redirected in a substantially horizontal direction by the means for redirecting rising gas.

Abstract: An assay device in which to carry out a fluid-phase chemical assay, comprising means for supporting a test substrate, a sample chamber for receiving a fluid sample and at least one fluid control device for controlling the movement of fluid into and/or out of the sample chamber, wherein the fluid control device comprises a fluid outlet chamber in fluid communication with the sample chamber, and a displaceable flexible diaphragm the displacement of which alters the volume of the outlet chamber so as to allow and/or restrict fluid flow between the outlet and sample chambers. The invention also provides assay apparatus incorporating such a device, an assay station for use as part of such apparatus, a fluid control unit for use as part of the assay device and a method of conducting an assay which may involve the use of such apparatus and devices.

Abstract: An assay device in which to carry out a fluid-phase chemical assay, comprising means for supporting a test substrate, a sample chamber for receiving a fluid sample and at least one fluid control device for controlling the movement of fluid into and/or out of the sample chamber, wherein the fluid control device comprises a fluid outlet chamber in fluid communication with the sample chamber, and a displaceable flexible diaphragm the displacement of which alters the volume of the outlet chamber so as to allow and/or restrict fluid flow between the outlet and sample chambers. The invention also provides assay apparatus incorporating such a device, an assay station for use as part of such apparatus, a fluid control unit for use as part of the assay device and a method of conducting an assay which may involve the use of such apparatus and devices.

Abstract: Electrophoretic separation device comprising first and second separation zones for containing first and second separation media, and barrier means, preferably automatically operable, by which fluid communication between the two zones may be reversibly prevented, the barrier means comprising a sealing element which is deformable between two positions to allow or prevent the fluid communication. The sealing element may comprise a flexible sheet carrying the first separation medium. Also provided are apparatus comprising such a separation device, and methods of electrophoretic separation, in one of which a first dimension separation is carried out in a chamber in the absence of any other separation medium, followed by introduction into the same chamber of a second separation medium, adjacent or in contact with the first, the analytes being allowed to migrate from the fist to the second separation medium prior to conducting the second dimension separation.

Abstract: An assay device in which to carry out a fluid-phase chemical assay, comprising means for supporting a test substrate, a sample chamber for receiving a fluid sample and at least one fluid control device for controlling the movement of fluid into and/or out of the sample chamber, wherein the fluid control device comprises a fluid outlet chamber in fluid communication with the sample chamber, and a displaceable flexible diaphragm the displacement of which alters the volume of the outlet chamber so as to allow and/or restrict fluid flow between the outlet and sample chambers. The invention also provides assay apparatus incorporating such a device, an assay station for use as part of such apparatus, a fluid control unit for use as part of the assay device and a method of conducting an assay which may involve the use of such apparatus and devices.