Abstract: A well drain system for use with a synthesizer. The well drain system comprises a well plate, a well adapter plate and a drain plate detachably coupled together. The well plate comprises a matrix of wells for receiving one or more vials, wherein the matrix has a plurality of rows. The well adapter plate comprises an arched plate body and a plurality of apertures in communication with one or more of the wells. The drain plate comprises a plurality of channels in communication with one or more of the apertures. As a result, a user is able to selectively drain the vials found within individual rows of the well plate instead of all the vials at once.

Abstract: An analyte testing/observing apparatus includes a microplate mounting stand 10 which supports at least one of microplates 27 having a plurality of wells 27a for accommodating an analyte and microplates 28 each having a plurality of wells 28a for accommodating a reagent, and which includes a retractable shutter 20 for covering a surface of the at least one microplate mounted on the mounting stand 10. When the dispensing work is stopped, the shutter 20 is closed and lowered, so that the shutter 20 comes into contact with the surfaces of the microplates, to thereby prevent evaporation and drying of the analyte and the reagent accommodated within the wells before being dispensed.

Abstract: 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. In one example, current is supplied to a heating element through electric leads, wherein the leads are designed so that the current density in the leads is substantially lower than the current density in the heating element. This maybe accomplished using conductive leads which have a cross-sectional area which is substantially greater than the cross-sectional area of the heating element. In another example, unwanted heat in the microfluidic complex is reduced by thermally isolating the electric leads from the microfluidic complex. This maybe accomplished by running each lead directly away from the microfluidic complex, through a thermally isolating substrate. After the leads pass through the thermally isolating substrate, they are then routed to the current source.

Abstract: An air freshening device is provided for detecting water leaks and protecting surfaces from water damage due to leaks. The device includes: a tray, configured for being placed upon a surface located under a water pipe; a removable and replaceable liner placed upon the tray, the liner comprising a material configured for releasing an air freshening substance into air, and for increasing the release rate of the substance upon contact with water. The increase of the release rate of the substance leads to an intensifying of the scent of the substance in air, and indicates the presence of a leak from the water pipe. The tray prevents water leaking from the water pipe from touching the surface.

Abstract: Assay flow cells used as part of an overall system for biological assays include, in various configurations, a carrier in which an assay substrate may be provided, where a substantial portion of the assay substrate can be used for biochemical analysis, since the carrier component of the flow cell is designed to provide functionalities that in prior art systems were performed by the assay substrate itself The flow cells may be used in automated systems, are flat for imaging and various configurations of the components of the flow cells minimize evaporation, yet allow for precise control of fluid intake and evacuation.

Abstract: An apparatus for penetrating a cover over a multi-well sample plate containing at least one individual sample well includes a cutting head, a cutter extending from the cutting head, and a robot. The cutting head is connected to the robot wherein the robot moves the cutting head and cutter so that the cutter penetrates the cover over the multi-well sample plate providing access to the individual sample well. When the cutting head is moved downward the foil is pierced by the cutter that splits, opens, and folds the foil inward toward the well. The well is then open for sample aspiration but has been protected from cross contamination.

Abstract: A mechanism for positionally restraining a microplate is disclosed. The mechanism is defined by a base having at least one surface with a receptacle for the insertion of a microplate into the base. Supports and/or positioning structures on a surface of the base have point contacts to restrain movement of the microplate in a stable position for repeatable optical detection measurements. The supports and/or positioning structures permit insertion of the microplate for an initial measurement, removal of the microplate for analytical manipulation, and re-insertion of the microplate to an exact position so as to allow analysis of precise comparative measurements by an optical reader.

Abstract: A fluid processing device is provided that includes a substrate, a plurality of fluid retainment regions formed in or on the substrate, and a barrier at least partially separating two or more of the fluid retainment regions. The barrier includes a mixture of a sequestering material and a reaction component. The reaction component can be at least one of a reactant, a reagent, a catalyst, an initiator, a promoter, a cofactor, an enzyme, a salt, or a combination thereof. The sequestering material can be a porous material, a dissolvable material, or both.

Abstract: An immunodiagnostic test card includes a plurality of transparent chambers wherein each chamber includes a quantity of testing material that combines with a patient sample, when mixed, to produce an agglutination reaction. A plurality of indicia are disposed to aid in the manufacture and determining the usability of the cards prior to test and also in objectively grading the agglutination reactions that are formed or lack of agglutination.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a culture insert carrier, a culture insert and a culture system for culturing and testing of different kinds of cells, such as for example skin models. A culture insert carrier for supporting at least one culture insert in a culture tray having at least one well, wherein the culture insert carrier comprises a plane member with at least one opening for insertion of the at least one culture insert in such a way that the culture insert carrier supports the at least one culture insert in a position in the culture tray is provided. Further, a culture insert comprising a plurality of suspension elements including a first set of suspension elements and a second set of suspension elements, the suspension elements being adapted to suspend the culture insert in a plurality of vertical positions, including a first vertical position and a second vertical position, in relation to a frame is provided.

Abstract: Method for providing a substrate with an anti-biofouling coating the method comprising: a. obtaining a coating composition comprising nanoparticles being grafted with reactive groups and hydrophilic polymer chains and a solvent; b. applying the coating composition to the substrate; and c. optionally curing the coating composition herein the surface tension of the coating composition at 25° C. is below 40 mN/m.

Abstract: A sampling dish, comprising a body defining a cavity and comprising a bottom wall, an open top end and side walls extending from the bottom wall to the open top end; and a removable closure element comprising a ring and a plate, the ring being movable into a mating position with edges of the side walls of the body to secure securing said plate in place over the open top of the body, thereby ensuring hermeticity of the dish in a closed position, and the ring being removable from the mating position to allow removal of the plate from the open top of the body for access to the cavity of the dish in an open position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a micro fluidic system comprising a substrate, and, provided on said substrate, at least one flow path interconnecting with functional means in which liquid samples can be treated by desired procedures. The flow paths are laid out to form a pattern for the transport of liquid samples to and from said functional means. These flow paths comprise a plurality of micro posts protruding upwards from said substrate, the spacing between the micro posts being small enough to induce a capillary action in a liquid sample applied anywhere within any of said flow paths, so as to force said liquid to move from where said liquid sample was applied.

Abstract: A multi-chambered deposition pin wash station is provided. The wash station includes a lower chamber and an upper drain basin connected by a plurality of wash tubes. Cleaning fluid is provided to the lower chamber and passes through the cleaning tubes into the upper drain basin. The cleaning tubes are adapted to clean a single deposition pin with a single tube per wash cycle.

Abstract: A method for forming a structured polymeric film having a plurality of longitudinally spaced structured on both sides of the structured polymeric film is described. The method includes: providing a rotatable tool having an outer circumferential surface, the outer circumferential surface including a plurality of tool projections; providing a nip roll having a smooth conformable outer circumferential surface opposed to the outer circumferential surface of the tool; introducing a polymer layer into a nip between the tool and the nip roll; pressing the polymer layer between the tool and the nip roll to form web recesses into a first side of the polymer layer and web projections extending away from an opposing second side of the polymer layer, with the tool projections on the circumferential surface of the tool and form a structured web; and removing the structured web from the tool. Sample processing articles are also described.

Abstract: A laboratory device design particularly for a multiplate format that includes a manifold wherein the position of the plate is not a function of gasket compression or vacuum rate applied. In one embodiment, the device has a modular design, wherein one or more removable inserts, preferably with different functionalities can be positioned between a base component and a collar component. The particular insert(s) chosen depend on the desired sample preparation or assay to be carried out. The insert(s) are stacked and are positioned between the base and collar as a unit, so that the stack within the manifold does not move during evacuation of the vacuum chamber. The consistent position of the insert(s) facilitates using vacuum sample processing with automated liquid handlers.

Abstract: An M.times.N matrix microfluidic device for performing a matrix of reactions, the device having a plurality of reaction cells in communication with one of either a sample inlet or a reagent inlet through a via formed within an elastomeric block of the device. Methods provided include a method for forming vias in parallel in an elastomeric layer of an elastomeric block of a microfluidic device, the method comprising using patterned photoresist masks and etching reagents to etch away regions or portions of an elastomeric layer of the elastomeric block.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sample container for analyses suitable for medical diagnostics comprising a platform plate having at least one reaction chamber. The reaction chamber has a bottom and a sidewall which form a three-dimensional chamber which is open in the upward direction. The ratio of the numerical value of the surface area of the bottom is relatively large relative to the height of the sidewall. The ratio may be greater than or equal to 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, or 90. The reaction chamber further comprises a binding area on an internal surface of the reaction chamber which may be functionalized for binding at least one chemical entity for use in an assay.

Abstract: A microreactor includes a shell structure (2, 3), having a bottom wall (2) and a peripheral wall (3); a layer (5), accommodated in the shell structure (2, 3) and having cavities (9, 10) formed therein, the cavities being accessible form outside the shell structure (2, 3); reagents (17), arranged between the bottom wall (2) and the layer (5), at locations corresponding to the cavities (9, 10). The layer (5) is made of a meltable material that is solid at room temperature, has a melting point (TMP) lower than a maximum operative temperature (TMAX) required by reactions performable through the microreactor (1) and is not miscible with water. The melting point (TMP) may be between 50° C. and 70° C. In one embodiment, the melting point (TMP) is lower than a minimum operative temperature (TMIN) required by reactions performable through the microreactor (1).

Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a biochip using a droplet discharging device including a droplet discharging head having a cavity and a nozzle hole provided in communication with the cavity, and a liquid housing unit connected to the cavity via a passage, having the steps of filling a retention liquid which separates without getting mixed with the sample liquid into the liquid housing unit, the passage, and the cavity; injecting the sample liquid into the liquid housing unit; moving the sample liquid from the liquid housing unit to the cavity by discharging the retention liquid from the nozzle hole; stopping the discharge of the retention liquid at the moving step upon detecting with a sensor that the sample liquid reached a position adjacent to the nozzle hole; and delivering the sample liquid as droplets onto the object by discharging the sample liquid from the nozzle hole.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and devices for adhering cells in a specific and predetermined position with an adhesive control of internal cell organization, methods for preparing such devices, methods for studying modifications of cell shape and global internal cell organization such as the distribution of cellular compartments, centrosome centering, spindle orientation, internal compartmentalization and internal transports, methods for screening compounds of interest which enhance or inhibit specific cell functions.

Abstract: A sample plate comprising a sample well is disclosed. The sample well can comprise one or more bead retaining chambers. Also provided herein is a method of using the sample plate and kits comprising the sample plate.

Abstract: The invention is a device comprising a substrate and a material provided on at least a portion of the substrate and having an exposed surface. The exposed surface of the material is non bio-adhesive. The invention further includes a non bio-adhesive material composition and a method of making a device having the same non bio-adhesive surface. The invention further provides a device having a coating of a hydrophobic material. In particular, the hydrophobic material coated portion of the device is resistant to bio-adhesion.