Abstract: A delivery apparatus for selectively delivering one or more liquid reagents into a reaction or test chamber (2), especially of an assay apparatus, the apparatus comprising: one or more respective storage chambers (5,6) for containing the one or more liquid reagents and arranged generally above the reaction or test chamber (2); and a plunger element (4) arranged and operable for insertion into the mouth of a selected storage chamber so as to displace a selected reagent from therewithin into the reaction or test chamber (2) generally therebelow by gravitational liquid overflow from the mouth of the chamber. The apparatus may conveniently be provided as a discrete delivery unit, with the storage chambers (5,6) pretilled with the selected reagents.

Abstract: A test reagent container includes: a bottom part; a peripheral wall part on the periphery of the bottom part; a storage part which opens upward and with an internal diameter of an inner peripheral wall decreased with depth; a film which seals the opening of the storage part; a discharge channel which penetratingly passes from an inner bottom surface of the storage part to the bottom part of the container body; a projecting part formed downwardly projecting from the bottom part to seal an outlet of the discharge channel; a breakable part including a thick-walled part and a thin-walled part thinner than the thick-walled part formed on the periphery of the projecting part. The breakable part is broken when the projecting part is depressed from outside of the container, the projecting part is inserted into the inside of the discharge channel, and the sealed state of the outlet is released.

Abstract: A system collects data relating to a process performed within an autoclave, and wirelessly transmits the data to a receiver located outside the autoclave for processing. One or more sensors inside the autoclave sense process parameters such as temperature or pressure. The transmitter is housed in a protective container that protects the transmitter against the effects of autoclave heat and pressure.

Abstract: A reaction cassette for biochemical assay, a biochemical assay device including a first space configured to accommodate liquid, having a first opening and rounding edges, a direction of the first opening being directed upward. A second space includes a second opening, a direction of the second opening being perpendicular to the direction of the first opening, wherein the first space and the second space are disposed such that when the reaction cassette is rotated allowing the liquid to drain into the second space. A third space is located below the first space and having a third opening, a direction of the third opening being upward such that when the reaction cassette is reversibly rotated allowing the liquid to drain into the third space, wherein an array of bumps is disposed in the third space to create turbulence of the liquid. An inner partition wall, connected with the second opening and the third opening, acts as a liquid flow channel between the second space and the third space.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing and dispensing a test strip includes a container configured to store a stack of test strips. The container maintains appropriate environmental conditions, such as humidity, for storing the test strips. An engaging member is disposed in the container and is adapted to contact one test strip of the stack of test strips. An actuator actuates the engaging member to dispense the one test strip from the container. Since one test strip is dispensed at a time, the remaining test strips are not handled by the user. Accordingly, the unused test strips remain free of contaminants such as naturally occurring oils on the user's hand.

Abstract: The present invention relates to time capsules, vessels or containers, in particular but not limited to a permanently sealable non-reusable time capsule, vessel or container for storing a biological sample containing DNA for a prolonged period of time. The time capsule comprising a thick-walled vessel or container having a void or chamber with a tapered entry adapted to house glass vials containing the item of interest, a plug having a complementary external tapered configuration corresponding to the tapered entry, the tapered plug and entry having opposed peripheral grooves that are aligned when the plug is positioned in the vessel and a hard setting compound used to seal the plug forms a keyed ring in the opposing grooves to permanently and hermetically seal the plug in the vessel.

Abstract: Provided is a microparticle measurement device that can deliver a liquid that is used in the analysis of microparticles in a stable manner. The microparticle measurement device includes a plurality of first tank units to which a liquid is supplied from the outside, and which are respectively connected in parallel, and a bulb unit that is connected to the plurality of first tank units, and which switches to a state in which it is possible to deliver the liquid to a flow channel through which microparticles flow. According to this microparticle measurement device, in addition to performing liquid delivery from a portion of first tank units, in which the replenishment of liquid has been completed, to a flow channel, it is possible to supply liquid from the outside to first tank units other than the first tank units that are delivering liquid.

Abstract: The present invention is such a plug application and removal device that mist which is generated upon plug removal of a sample container or a reagent container is not peripherally scattered, or is such a sample processing device that mist which is generated upon dispensing of a sample or a reagent into a container is not mixed to another container. A plug application and removal device has a container holding mechanism that holds a container housing liquid inside and applied with a plug, and has a plug application and removal mechanism that removes or applies the plug from/to the container. The plug application and removal device has: a control mechanism for controlling movement of liquid or mist spilled out of the container upon a process of removal or application of the plug by the plug application and removal mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention provides reaction cells capable of maintaining stable analytical performance by preventing bubble adhesion and reducing sample carryover even if the amount of sample liquid for a single test is further reduced in the future. The invention further provides an automatic analyzer that uses the reaction cells and a method for enhancing the hydrophilicity of the inner surfaces of the reaction cells. According to the invention, a reaction cell has a first electrode inserted thereinto and a second electrode disposed on the bottom side of the reaction cell. A voltage is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode to cause electric discharge between the electrodes. This allows for enhancing only the hydrophilicity of the bottom inner surface and the four bottom corners of the reaction cell to which large bubbles adhere easily.

Abstract: Saliva sample collection systems are configured with special attention to ease-of-use for the unskilled user and safe transport and delivery by a conventional delivery services such as Federal Express. A sealed cavity is formed by tight coupling of two primary elements: a receiving vessel element and a sealing cap element. The receiving vessel has integrated therewith: a standing means, a fill-line window, a funnel system, a knife, a threadset, and containment tube among others. A complementary cap element includes a cooperating threadset, label receiving surface, gripping surface, seal means and reservoir with piercable thin-film membrane. These two primary elements may be accommodated in an application-specific shipping container which support two shipping modes whereby the system may be shipped safely to and from a donor user each way in a different shipping mode.

Abstract: A specimen collection assembly and method for detecting the same are disclosed. The specimen collection assembly includes a specimen collection container having an open top end, a closed bottom end, and a sidewall extending therebetween defining an interior adapted to receive a biological specimen. The specimen collection container also includes first indicia containing information. The assembly further includes a cap having thereon second indicia, the cap being removably engagable with the open top end of the container. The second indicia contains the same information as the first indicia.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials involved in collecting and processing complex macromolecular mixtures (e.g., stool samples). For example, stool collection devices, buffers for stabilizing nucleic acid and polypeptides present in stool, and kits for using sequence-specific capture probes (e.g., nucleic acid sequences designed to hybridize with particular target nucleic acids) to capture target nucleic acids directly from complex macromolecular mixtures (e.g., stool samples) without the need to perform prior steps to enrich, isolate, or purify the nucleic acid component are provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for closing an opening in a container lid, and to the use of said device (1) in a container lid that is provided for covering reagent vessel containers in automatic analysis apparatus. The closure device comprises a fastening element (2), a closure element (20), two levers (14), and a plurality of bearings (18, 16, 24).

Abstract: A delivery apparatus for selectively delivering one or more liquid reagents into a reaction or test chamber (2), especially of an assay apparatus, the apparatus comprising: one or more respective storage chambers (5,6) for containing the one or more liquid reagents and arranged generally above the reaction or test chamber (2); and a plunger element (4) arranged and operable for insertion into the mouth of a selected storage chamber so as to displace a selected reagent from therewithin into the reaction or test chamber (2) generally therebelow by gravitational liquid overflow from the mouth of the chamber. The apparatus may conveniently be provided as a discrete delivery unit, with the storage chambers (5,6) prefilled with the selected reagents.

Abstract: A compound container has a container main body forming a first accommodation chamber, an auxiliary container forming a second accommodation chamber, a mounting part on which the auxiliary container is mounted in the container main body, a cutting part which cuts a second accommodation chamber partition wall which partitions a part of the second accommodation chamber formed in the auxiliary container, a contents outlet port in the container main body, and an opening pouring element mounted on the contents outlet port and having another cutting part which cuts a first accommodation chamber partition wall which partitions a part of the first accommodation chamber formed in the container main body.

Abstract: The invention concerns an analyzer, typically for analyzing body fluids, which has one or several exchangeable cassettes (consumables) that contain operating liquids, operating materials and/or consumables and can be inserted into corresponding holders of the analyzer, wherein the analyzer has a system for exchanging ambient air which has a filter unit on the inlet side of the analyzer to filter the ambient air that needs to be exchanged. The filter unit is integrated into at least one of the exchangeable cassettes in order to minimize the amount of maintenance for the analyzer.

Abstract: A device is provided by means of which biomolecules in samples in a volume range from <1 ?l to 500 ?l can be received, treated and stored in a quick, reproducible and loss-free manner as easily, effortlessly and practically as possible, and without any risk of damaging the device. The device includes sample vessels that are configured, in terms of size and shape, as dimensionally and positionally stable capillaries that are open at both ends, the longitudinal walls of which are completely or partially made of a semi-permeable membrane.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an apparatus, system and method for retrieving a target material from a suspension. A system includes a processing vessel, such as an Eppendorf tube, a syringe or a test tube, and a collector. The collector is sized and shaped to fit into a primary vessel, such as a test tube. The collector funnels the target material from the suspension through a cannula and into the processing vessel. The collector includes a funnel at a second end in fluid communication with the cannula. The cannula extends into a chamber at a first end of the collector that holds the processing vessel. In one implementation, the processing vessel is empty. In another implementation, the processing vessel includes at least one displacement fluid. In yet another implementation, the processing vessel may include at least one displacement fluid and at least one processing solution.

Abstract: An immunodiagnostic test method includes holding a selection of immunological test elements or consumables in one or more containers attached to or positioned in the analyzer and providing random access to any test element therein. The container can hold multiple types of test elements in compartments or slots. Through sensing of a test element position in its slot, the detection mechanism of the invention provides for random access to multiple types of test elements in any sleeve and within a single sleeve, and provides efficient inventory control. The method increases the number of test element types that may be loaded onto an analyzer and maintains fast determination of inventory.

Abstract: An immunodiagnostic test method includes holding a selection of immunological test elements or consumables in one or more containers attached to or positioned in the analyzer and providing random access to any test element therein. The container can hold multiple types of test elements in compartments or slots. Through sensing of a test element position in its slot, the detection mechanism of the invention provides for random access to multiple types of test elements in any sleeve and within a single sleeve, and provides efficient inventory control. The method increases the number of test element types that may be loaded onto an analyzer and maintains fast determination of inventory.

Abstract: An apparatus for synthesizing polymer chains includes a controller, a plurality of precision fit vials circularly arranged in multiple banks on a cartridge, a drain corresponding to each bank of vials, a chamber bowl, a plurality of valves for delivering reagents to selective vials, and a waste tube system for purging material from the vials. A purging operation can be selectively performed on one or more of the banks of vials. The plurality of vials are stored in the cartridge and are divided among individual banks wherein each bank of vials has a corresponding drain. There is at least one waste tube system for expelling the reagent solution from vials within a particular bank of vials when the waste tube system is coupled to the corresponding drain. The cartridge holding the plurality of vials rotates relative to the stationary banks of valves and the waste tube system.

Abstract: The present relates to a system and method for preventing or reducing unwanted heat in a microfluidic of the device while generating heat in selected regions of the device. Current can be supplied to a heating element through electric leads that are designed so that the current density in the leads is substantially lower than the current density in the heating element. Unwanted heat in the microfluidic complex can be reduced by thermally isolating the electric leads from the microfluidic complex by, for example, running each lead directly away from the microfluidic complex. Unwanted heat can be removed from selected regions of the microfluidic complex using one or more cooling devices.

Abstract: A closure for a container has a closure body having a first cylindrical portion and a second cylindrical portion opposite the first portion. The closure also has a connector disposed in at least one of the first and second portions. The connector is adapted to connect one of a sample collection device and an applicator to the closure. A containing apparatus including the closure, a container, and optionally one of a sample collection device and an applicator is also disclosed. A method of using the containing apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A reagent container pack for storing, preserving, and automatically unsealing and resealing a plurality of reagent containers in a reagent container pack on-board an automated clinical sample analyzer for analyzing analytes in a body fluid.

Abstract: This invention concerns a sampling procedure for an aqueous hydrosoluble polymer solution flowing in a main circuit, enabling a sample to be collected to undergo at least one analysis under ambient air giving at least one property of the hydrosoluble polymer characterised in that a stabilizing solution is added to the aqueous hydrosoluble polymer solution, according to a discontinuous addition method, before or after sampling from the main circuit, so as to obtain a sample comprising a mixture of aqueous hydrosoluble polymer solution and stabilizing solution in which the hydrosoluble polymer is protected against attacks it may undergo in an atmosphere containing at least 10% by volume of oxygen.

Abstract: Laboratory spatula having stalk regions with a hollow first end and a hollow second end and at manipulating regions may be used for collecting, transporting or storing a material. A manipulating region may be configured as a shovel region, a scoop region, a whisk region, a punch region, a sieve region, a loop region, a cutting edge, a spreading region, a grinding region, a hook region, a scraper region, a tweezer region, a grasper region, or a pick region. The spatula may be lightweight and disposable, and may be any appropriate size including micro size, a regular size, or a macro size. The spatula may also have an anti-stick surface. The spatula may be calibrated, and may include calibration marks or additional features.

Abstract: Eight containers (1) containing substances (602, 702) are held in holes (71) in a support (70). The eight containers (1) containing different substances or the same substances in different amounts graduated in mole equivalents form a set (69) of containers containing substances, which set can be used for carrying out a chemical reaction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nanoscale or microscale particle for encapsulation and delivery of materials or substances, including, but not limited to, cells, drugs, tissue, gels and polymers contained within the particle, with subsequent release of the therapeutic materials in situ, methods of fabricating the particle by folding a 2D precursor into the 3D particle, and the use of the particle in in-vivo or in-vitro applications The particle can be in any polyhedral shape and its surfaces can have either no perforations or nano/microscale perforations The particle is coated with a biocompatible metal, e g gold, or polymer e g parvlene, layer and the surfaces and hinges of the particle are made of any metal or polymer combinations.

Abstract: A cartridge for conducting a chemical reaction includes a body having at least one flow path formed therein. The cartridge also includes a reaction vessel extending from the body for holding a reaction mixture for chemical reaction and optical detection. The vessel comprises a rigid frame defining the side walls of a reaction chamber. The frame includes at least one channel connecting the flow path to the chamber. The vessel also includes flexible films or sheets attached to opposite sides of the rigid frame to form opposing major walls of the chamber. In addition, at least two of the side walls are optically transmissive and angularly offset from each to permit real-time optical detection of analyte in the reaction chamber.

Abstract: There is provided a cell chip including: a first substrate provided with a culture region receiving a bio-material and a humidity control space storing water for maintenance of humidity; a second substrate coupled to the first substrate; and a first wall member surrounding the culture region.

Abstract: A container assembly for containing a biological graft can include a housing member sized to be able to contain the biological graft while keeping the size of an original shape of the biological graft. An aqueous fluid can fill the housing member such that the biological graft is contained in a suspended state in the aqueous fluid.

Abstract: A lithographically structured device has an actuation layer and a control layer operatively connected to the actuation layer. The actuation layer includes a stress layer and a neutral layer that is constructed of materials and with a structure such that it stores torsional energy upon being constructed. The control layer is constructed to maintain the actuation layer substantially in a first configuration in a local environmental condition and is responsive to a change in the local environmental condition such that it permits a release of stored torsional energy to cause a change in a structural configuration of the lithographically structured device to a second configuration, the control layer thereby providing a trigger mechanism. The lithographically structured device has a maximum dimension that is less than about 10 mm when it is in the second configuration.

Abstract: An automated or semi-automated module-based cartilage cell processing device (20) for preparing a cell seeded carrier (27a) from a biological material, comprising at least a cartilage preparation module (21), a cell isolation module (22), a cell mixing module (29) and a carrier cell seeding module (29a). The invention further relates to the individual modules of the module-based cartilage cell processing device (20).

Abstract: An aliquot container includes an opening and a main body section. The main body section communicates with an outside through the opening and includes a peripheral portion defining an inner space. The inner space is tapered in a direction opposite to the opening.

Abstract: To provide a specimen transporter that can be suitably used by being connected to a specimen imaging apparatus that does not have a function of collecting an imaged specimen plate.

Abstract: A cap having a core structure dimensioned to receive a pipette therethrough. The cap includes two axially aligned frangible seals that are affixed to the core structure in a spaced-apart relationship. The frangible seals include a foil layer and are constructed so that air passageways are formed between the frangible seals and a pipette tip when the pipette tip penetrates the frangible seals. The cap optionally includes a filter interposed between the first and second frangible seals.

Abstract: A reagent container set is disclosed which comprises: a first reagent container for accommodating a first reagent to be used in a sample analyzer, the top part of the first reagent container having a first aspiration opening for inserting a first reagent aspirating tube to aspirate the first reagent; a waste fluid container for accommodating the first reagent used in the sample analyzer as a waste fluid, the top of the waste fluid container having a discharge opening for inserting a waste fluid discharging tube to discharge the waste fluid into the waste fluid container; a box for accommodating the first reagent container and the waste fluid container; and a container holding member for holding the first reagent container and the waste fluid container so that the first aspiration opening and the discharge opening are disposed at predetermined positions, the container holding member being maintained at a predetermined position within the box.

Abstract: A biotip according to an embodiment of the invention moves a reaction mixture along a longitudinal direction under the force of gravity. The biotip includes a chamber formed of a transparent material and filled with a liquid having a smaller specific gravity than the reaction mixture and immiscible with the reaction mixture, and a seal that seals the chamber. The liquid has a volume resistivity of greater than 0 ?·cm and 5×1013 ?·cm or less.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for fixing and/or stabilizing a sample, in which the sample is put into a permeable container with a maximum overall height of 10 mm, preferably of 5 mm, and the container filled with the sample is immersed in fixing and/or stabilizing agents and the sample is fixed and/or stabilized.

Abstract: An over-torque resistant vial and closure assembly includes a vial having an outwardly projecting rib that cooperates with a stop surface provided on a closure. When the closure is threadably coupled to the vial, the stop surface of the closure engages the outwardly projecting rib of the vial so as to prevent over-torquing of the closure onto the vial.

Abstract: A sample and a reagent are disposed separately. The reagent is taken into a liquid at a leading end of a needle, and a voltage is applied thereto to turn the liquid into fine liquid droplets. The sample is irradiated with laser light to cause the sample to be emitted into a space in the form of fine particles. The fine liquid droplets and the fine particles are brought into contact in the space to obtain ionized fine particles.

Abstract: The invention relates to hyperbaric devices for inactivating microorganisms and viruses while retaining their immunogenicity and for making and producing the soluble, disaggregated, refolded or active immunogenic or therapeutic proteins from inclusion bodies produced from prokaryotes or eukaryotes. The invention encompasses hyperbaric methods for inactivating pathogenic organisms, and methods for producing vaccine compositions using the inactivated pathogens. The hyperbarically inactivated microorganisms are safer and more immunogenic than chemically inactivated microorganisms. Similarly, the solubilized proteins have superior properties compared to more heavily aggregated proteins, including reduced non-specific immune reactions.

Abstract: Provided is a case for specimen analyzing kit. The case includes a cover unit comprising a put-in part through which a specimen is putted and a result exposing part exposing a reaction result between the specimen and a reaction pad to the outside, a support unit coupled to the cover unit to define a predetermined inner space, and a plurality of put-in holes passing through the put-in part to introduce the specimen into the inner space.

Abstract: An analyzer comprises a container supplying unit which supplies a container, an agitating unit which agitates liquid in the container, and a measurement unit which performs a measurement using the liquid agitated by the agitating unit. The agitating unit comprises a base which is configured to move relative to the container supplying unit, a driving source which is mounted on the base, a container catcher which is configured to catch the container at one side, a transmitting member which transmits the power of the driving source to the other end side of the container catcher, and a supporting member which supports the container catcher at a position between one end and the other end of the container catcher.

Abstract: A device and method for headspace sampling is disclosed herein. The headspace sampling device comprises a sample holding device configured to be sealed in a vial. The sample holding device has a pair of electrodes gap spaced from one another and a basket extending between the electrodes configured to hold a sample. The basket is configured to heat a sample held therewith and volatize at least a portion of the sample upon an electrical current being passed through the electrodes and the basket.

Abstract: A cap having a core structure dimensioned to receive a pipette therethrough. The cap includes two axially aligned frangible seals that are affixed to the core structure in a spaced-apart relationship. The frangible seals include a foil layer and are constructed so that air passageways are formed between the frangible seals and a pipette tip when the pipette tip penetrates the frangible seals. The cap optionally includes a filter interposed between the first and second frangible seals.

Abstract: A test reagent container including a discharge port, formed by depressing a projecting part formed on a container bottom part, through which content can be easily and reliably discharged. The test reagent container includes: a bottom part; a peripheral wall raised approximately perpendicularly from a periphery of the bottom part; and a storage part defined by the bottom part and peripheral wall. A projecting part is formed on the bottom part in a projecting manner toward outside the container. A proximal end of the projecting part is formed in a bendable manner relative to the bottom part, and an easily breakable part is formed on a periphery of the projecting part except for the proximal end of the projecting part. The easily breakable part is broken when the projecting part is depressed from outside the container to be pushed into the inside of the container to form a discharge port.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for marketing and using products such as liquid materials, especially liquid reagents for use in microbiological and cellular biological laboratory settings include the use of unique color and simple numeric or alphanumeric identifiers to quickly and easily identify any product from a catalog list of products. Methods of marketing, advertising and producing such products are also disclosed. Particular embodiments include products, product packaging and product labeling. The invention also relates to collars and sleeves for containers, as well as related methods of use.

Abstract: A vial and closure assembly including a vial and a closure configured to be threadably coupled to the vial. The vial has an opening end that is defined by a vial rim and at least one thread located proximate to the open end of the vial. The closure includes a top wall with a skirt wall depending from the top wall. A septum pocket is provided in the top wall and is configured to receive a septum positioned therein. A protrusion depends from the top wall, extends into the septum pocket, and is configured to engage the septum so that the septum creates an essentially vapor-tight seal with the vial rim when the closure is threadably coupled to the vial.

Abstract: This reagent container comprises a container body for storing a liquid reagent employed for an analyzer and a band-like grasp portion mounted on the container body so that the user grasps the container body in a suspended state, and the grasp portion includes a band-like member whose first and second end sides are mounted on the container body and a protective member provided on the band-like member to project from an edge portion of the band-like member.