Abstract: This invention provides methods and systems for flushing, washing, and priming microscale devices for reuse. Washing and priming methods include flowing solutions from a manifold to flush wells and microchannels of a microfluidic chip. Systems include manifolds adapted to seal and flow solutions or gasses into chip wells. Devices include microfluidic devices with data storage modules to track the reprocessing status of the microscale devices.

Abstract: A portable medical analyzer comprising a sampling module with a sample port for receiving body fluid, an assay sensor module for analysis of the body fluid, an analytical detector module with detection of information from the assay, and a communications module for transferring the information to a remote location via a wired or wireless network.

Abstract: A container is provided for shipping and storing a pre-wetted and pre-conditioned microfluidic “sipper” chip. The container contains both dry compartments and wet compartments. A base contains a fluid-filled reservoir configured to house the capillaries. The opening of the reservoir is sealed with an O-ring. The plastic mount of the chip rests on the base in a dry compartment. The upper surface of the chip contains several wells containing fluid. A gasket is provided with plugs configured to be disposed within and seal the wells. Alternatively, the wells are first sealed with a foil film adhered to the well openings with an adhesive and a gasket is disposed between the foil and a cover, which is removably attached to the base. When the cover is closed, the gasket and O-ring seal the wet compartments to prevent leakage and to slow evaporation.

Abstract: The present invention describes the identification of novel non-ribosomal peptide synthetases and associated biosynthetic genes from Streptomyces hygroscopicus. The present invention further provides methods for generating novel compounds, such as antibiotics, from these synthetases and associated genes.

Abstract: A cassette containing cartridges for sampling blood from a patient. The cassette includes a container for storing a plurality of cartridges and at least one cartridge in the container. The cartridge includes a cartridge case and a lancet. The lancet has a tip and is housed in the cartridge case. The lancet can be driven to extend the tip outside the cartridge case for lancing the skin of the patient to yield blood. The container has a compartment that contains at least one cartridge. A cartridge from the compartment can be loaded onto a glucometer that drives the lancet in the cartridge to lance the skin of a patient.

Abstract: A device for puncturing the skin of a patient. The device includes first and second protrusions, each protrusion puncturing the skin when pressed against the skin. The first and second protrusions are arranged such that the first protrusion punctures the skin at a location less than a predetermined distance from the second protrusion. The distance is chosen to be less than the discriminatable distance between distinct pain perception points in the patient, such that the patient perceives a single puncture when the first and second protrusions puncture the skin. In one embodiment of the invention, the device includes a base lip that applies a lateral force to the skin when the base lip is pressed against the skin. In this embodiment, the protrusions are pressed into the skin as the base lip is pressed against the skin.

Abstract: The present invention describes the identification of novel non-ribosomal peptide synthetases and associated biosynthetic genes from Streptomyces hygroscopicus. The present invention further provides methods for generating novel compounds, such as antibiotics, from these synthetases and associated genes.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds of formula 1

Abstract: The invention provides compounds of formula 1

Abstract: A method and miniature analytical device with thermal regulation of reactants using a localized heat source capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation, such as light emitting diodes (“LED”s) and vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (“VCSEL”s), generating internal heat, such as resistive, inductive and Peltier heaters, or external heating. The miniature analytical device comprises of array of temperature-controlled zones to restrict the volume heated and localize the heating by having the localized heat source comprise an array of emitters or heaters.

Abstract: A portable medical analyzer comprising a sampling module with a sample port for receiving body fluid, an assay sensor module for analysis of the body fluid, an analytical detector module with detection of information from the assay, and a communications module for transferring the information to a remote location via a wired or wireless network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus comprising a companion cartridge containing a reagent storage system, a calibration fluid system, an assay element storage system, a carrier fluid system, and a waste retrieval system connected to a sensing cartridge to conduct chemical analysis. The companion cartridge can be adapted for assays related to blood chemistry, hematology, immuno-diagnostics, and DNA testing.

Abstract: A cassette containing cartridges for sampling blood from a patient. The cassette includes a container for storing a plurality of cartridges and at least one cartridge in the container. The cartridge includes a cartridge case and a lancet. The lancet has a tip and is housed in the cartridge case. The lancet can be driven to extend the tip outside the cartridge case for lancing the skin of the patient to yield blood. The container has a compartment that contains at least one cartridge. A cartridge from the compartment can be loaded onto a glucometer that drives the lancet in the cartridge to lance the skin of a patient.

Abstract: An apparatus having a shaft that can sense the depth of penetration, for penetrating into an object (the substrate). The substrate being penetrated has impedance that varies according to the depth under a surface of the substrate. The shaft has a tip for penetration and has conductive ends near to the tip of the shaft. A change of impedance of material of the object between the conductive ends can be sensed to provide information on the depth of penetration. A processor can be provided external to the object being penetrated by the shaft to gather and process the impedance information to determine whether the desired depth has been achieved.

Abstract: An apparatus having a shaft that can sense the depth of penetration, for penetrating into an object (the substrate). The substrate being penetrated has impedance that varies according to the depth under a surface of the substrate. The shaft has a tip for penetration and has conductive ends near to the tip of the shaft. A change of impedance of material of the object between the conductive ends can be sensed to provide information on the depth of penetration. A processor can be provided external to the object being penetrated by the shaft to gather and process the impedance information to determine whether the desired depth has been achieved.

Abstract: A device for sampling blood from the skin of a patient by puncture. The device includes one or more lancets for lancing the skin and a fluid-conducting plate unit for transporting blood from the lancing wound. The plate unit has one or more channels for conducting fluid to one or more target locations. Preferably there is a first channel for conducting away a first portion of fluid that contains more of a fluid that is emitted initially (initial fluid) from the puncture wound and a second channel for conducting a second portion of fluid that contains less of the initial fluid from the puncture wound. Blood is drawn into the channels by capillary force. The device can be used to lance the skin and obtain a representative sample of blood with relatively simple procedures.

Abstract: A device for puncturing the skin of a patient. The device includes first and second protrusions, each protrusion puncturing the skin when pressed against the skin. The first and second protrusions are arranged such that the first protrusion punctures the skin at a location less than a predetermined distance from the second protrusion. The distance is chosen to be less than the discriminatable distance between distinct pain perception points in the patient, such that the patient perceives a single puncture when the first and second protrusions puncture the skin. In one embodiment of the invention, the device includes a base lip that applies a lateral force to the skin when the base lip is pressed against the skin. In this embodiment, the protrusions are pressed into the skin as the base lip is pressed against the skin.

Abstract: A sensor for sensing in a gas stream a vapor of a liquid. The sensor includes a micropore and a wet temperature sensor. The micropore has an evaporation end and has a lumen to conduct liquid from a supply of the liquid for evaporation at the evaporation end. The wet temperature sensor has a heat sensitive part in contact with the liquid in the micropore. The heat sensitive part circumscribes the micropore and forms part of the lumen. Heat loss due to evaporation of the liquid when the wet temperature sensor wet with the liquid is placed in the gas stream will result in the temperature sensed by the wet temperature sensor being lower than the non-evaporative temperature of the gas stream. This lowering in temperature can be measured to determine the concentration of the vapor in the gas stream. An example of such a sensor has a thermocouple junction having micropores passing through the thermocouple junction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for minimizing a subject's pain perception during an invasive medical procedure, such as blood sampling and the like. The apparatus can include a receiving surface constructed to contact a portion of the subject's skin and a vibratory mechanism associated with the receiving surface such that the vibratory mechanism transmits vibrations through the receiving surface and to the subject's skin. An invasive sharp can be substantially permanently supported and moveably disposed with respect to the receiving surface such that the invasive sharp reciprocates between a first position in which the sharp is spaced from the receiving surface, away from the subject's skin, and a second position in which at least a portion of the sharp protrudes through an opening in the receiving surface.

Abstract: A sensor for sensing in a gas stream a vapor of a liquid. The sensor includes a micropore and a wet temperature sensor. The micropore has an evaporation end and has a lumen to conduct liquid from a supply of the liquid for evaporation at the evaporation end. The wet temperature sensor has a heat sensitive part in contact with the liquid in the micropore. The heat sensitive part circumscribes the micropore and forms part of the lumen. Heat loss due to evaporation of the liquid when the wet temperature sensor wet with the liquid is placed in the gas stream will result in the temperature sensed by the wet temperature sensor being lower than the non-evaporative temperature of the gas stream. This lowering in temperature can be measured to determine the concentration of the vapor in the gas stream. An example of such a sensor has a thermocouple junction having micropores passing through the thermocouple junction.