Abstract: There is provided sample analysis cartridges comprising a housing defining a reaction chamber configured to receive a sample, a dry reagent storage chamber, and a fluid reagent storage chamber, and a reagent supply mechanism for selectively supplying reagent from the dry and fluid storage chambers during an analysis, wherein the dry reagent storage chamber comprises a liner formed from a material having a lower fluid permeability than the material from which the housing is formed.

Abstract: A fluidic device (1) configured to drive movement of fluid under centrifugal force comprises a central region about a central rotational axis (X) of the device and a peripheral region extending radially outwards from the central region. A fluid reservoir (4) provided in the central region of the device receives a fluid sample and communicates with at least one fluidic system (6), which extends radially outwards from the fluid reservoir (4) into the peripheral region of the device. Each fluidic system (6) comprises a fluid analysis chamber (12) configured to retain a portion of a fluid sample for analysis. A fluidic channel arrangement (26) is configured to enable fluid communication between the fluid reservoir (4) and the fluid analysis chamber (12), and movement of the fluid sample through the fluidic channel arrangement is driven by the centrifugal force created by rotational motion of the device about the central rotational axis (X).

Abstract: A device (1) comprising an optical apparatus (2) for monitoring bacterial growth of a drug-dosed liquid biological sample. A sample container port for receiving a sample container (6), in use, is provided in the device, the sample container (6) having at least one detection chamber (20) for containing the drug-dosed sample. The optical apparatus (2) comprises a light source (22) configured to emit light along an incident beam axis that, in use, intersects with at least one detection chamber (20) of the sample container (6), and to illuminate the drug-dosed sample contained within the detection chamber (20). The optical apparatus (20) comprises a first photodetector (26) configured to receive light scattered by bacteria in the sample.

Abstract: Mail location apparatus for a postal meter is disclosed in which a required location of a mail piece to receive a postal indicium imprint is defined by guide walls which are engaged by adjacent edges of the mail piece when the mail piece is in the required location. A sensor is provided to provide an indication when the mail piece is in the required location. The sensor includes a sensor element having a face inclined to both guide walls. When a mail piece is inserted, a corner of the mail piece between the two edges of the mail piece engages the face of the sensor element and displaces the sensor element to output an electrical signal when the mail piece is in the required location with the edges thereof engaging the guide walls.

Abstract: A mobile telephone is provided that comprises: a core functional module, which includes one or more of a group of functional components necessary for operation as a mobile telephone, the group including logic circuitry, radio transmitting and receiving circuitry and audio transmitting and receiving circuitry, and a casing module which can be combined with the core functional module, wherein circuitry is associated with the casing module and wherein when the core functional module is combined with the casing module, the circuitry of the core functional module will be connected to circuitry associated with the casing module. The mobile telephone is characterised in that the appearance of the mobile phone is dictated by the appearance of the casing module, and the functionality of the mobile phone is dictated by the circuitry of the core module and the circuitry associated with the casing module.