Abstract: The present invention provides an innovative means for efficient and secure component assembly and for ensuring secure electrical connections in a small diagnostics device where available space for fasteners is limited. In one embodiment, principles of leverage are employed to produce a force at a location where space is available. The force is transferred to a different location of the assembly where it is used to maintain secure connections between components.

Abstract: A modular microfluidic system includes modules which are arranged next to each other in a row. Every module has a microfluidic part which rests on a contact surface of the module in a locally limited area and is forced against the contact surface by a fastening element. The microfluidic part includes a fluid channel system with fluid connections that are arranged on the top surface of the microfluidic part in edge areas relative to the adjoining microfluidic parts. The fluid connections of adjoining microfluidic parts are interlinked by respective connecting channels in a connecting part bridging the microfluidic parts, wherein the connecting part rests on the microfluidic parts in the edge areas. A clamping part rests against the lower surfaces of the adjoining microfluidic parts and is connected to the connecting part via an additional fastening element in the area between the microfluidic parts.

Abstract: The present invention includes a harvesting and irrigation device, a method and a kit for the collection of viable fat cells and/or adipose tissue with decreased handing and improved yield and viability.

Abstract: An interchangeable preconcentrator assembly comprises an outer housing and an inner housing defining a chamber. A biased urging member is held at least partially within the outer housing and slidably biased toward a surface of the inner housing. When the biased urging member is at least partially retracted, a space is defined between the urging member and the surface of the inner housing for accommodating at least one preconcentrator chip. A continuous fluid flow path is defined through the outer housing and through the space. The interchangeable preconcentrator assembly may further comprise at least one modular preconcentrator carriage.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a modular test tube rack. The rack contains multiple sub-racks that can be coupled together to form the test tube rack. The sub-rack can be designed to fit into a variety of scientific instrumentation including a fixed rotor centrifuge. The assembled test tube rack can be of a format and size that allows use of standard array pipetters. Thus, a system is provided allowing use of standard array pipetters and high g centrifugation.

Abstract: Installation for treating a biological liquid, including a circulation pump (5), a filter element (9), a container for collecting treated liquid, a first circuit section connecting a source of said biological liquid to an inlet orifice of said filter element (9), including a circuit element adapted to cooperate with said circulation pump (5); a second circuit section, connecting an outlet orifice of said filter element (9) to said treated liquid collecting container; characterized in that said treated liquid collecting container, said first circuit section and said second circuit section are disposable and said installation further includes a first cart (1) carrying said pump (5) and a second cart (2) including a housing (14) for said collecting container, separable from the first cart (1) and adapted to be at least partly nested in said first cart (1).

Abstract: Covers for covering an opening in an analyte meter, and meters that include the same are provided.

Abstract: Analyte meter protectors, meters that include the same, and methods.

Abstract: A mounting media device for application of mounting media to a specimen positioned on a slide before placement of a cover slip. The mounting media device includes a housing, a tray component, a mounting media transfer component, a dispenser component, and a control element. The mounting media transfer component provides mounting media to the dispenser component. In an automatic mode, a sensor may provide a signal to the control element to cause mounting media to be transferred from the mounting media transfer component to the dispenser component automatically. The dispenser component may dispense the mounting media to the tray component and onto a specimen positioned on a slide before placement of a cover slip. In a manual mode, a trigger element may be depressed so that the mounting media device may be manually controlled and release mounting media from the dispenser component.

Abstract: Contemplated diagnostic test containers and methods include an adapter configured to sealingly receive and retain a positive displacement pipette tip to so form a fluid-tight seal for the container during at least part of the diagnostic test. Most preferably, the entire container is flexible and the container and adapter are single-use disposable and are usable with known commercially available positive displacement pipette tips.

Abstract: An environment holding apparatus includes: a first chamber that has an opening and holds a sample; a moving stage that is two-dimensionally moved with the first chamber being mounted thereon; and a first plane that includes an introduction port having a function of introducing gas adjusted to predetermined conditions into the first chamber from a pipe, and that is provided so as to cover the opening of the first chamber. The first plane is provided so as to be kept stationary regardless of a movement of the moving stage and the opening of the first chamber is two-dimensionally moved along the first plane by the movement of the moving stage.

Abstract: A quality control device for a blood analyzer using whole blood, which specifically can be used to check the correct operation of the blood analyzer. The device includes a storage for storing control bloods by cooling; a mechanism for bringing the control bloods back to the temperature specified by the control blood manufacturer; a stirring mechanism used for resuspension of the cells; and a mechanism for sampling the blood thus prepared.

Abstract: A disposable apparatus for use in blood testing and being adapted for simultaneous dilution of a blood sample into two different dilution ratios, said apparatus including a block-shaped housing having integrated therein a first and a second receptacle, one of which as a first blood sample receiver being adapted to receive a blood sample; a first and a second container, each containing a defined volume of a diluting agent; a valve including a valve body having three valve body channels extending therethrough and being positionable in three distinct positions, one of which putting the receptacles in simultaneous communication with a respective one of the containers through pairs of the channels; and displacers for displacing the diluting agent and the diluted sample through said channels between said containers and said receptacles.

Abstract: A test strip ejection mechanism, for use with a test strip receiving port and a test strip, includes a framework, an elongated shape memory alloy (SMA) strip (e.g., a SMA wire), a slider, and a heating module. The SMA strip has first and second ends that are attached to the framework and exhibits a solid state transition temperature. The slider is configured to travel along the framework. The heating module is configured to heat the SMA strip from a temperature below the solid state transition temperature to a temperature above the solid state transition temperature. Moreover, the SMA strip and slider are configured such that the slider travels along the framework under an applied force exerted on the slider by the SMA strip as the shape memory strip is heated from a temperature below the solid state transition temperature to a temperature above the solid state temperature by the heating module.

Abstract: A test strip container with a pop-up design which provides easy removal of test strips, and methods of manufacturing and utilization thereof are disclosed. The test strip container comprises a base, a lid, and an elevating platform which translates in a vertical direction upon opening of the test strip container. The test strips are arranged within the base such that they face radially inward and rest upon the elevating platform. Translation of the elevating platform causes the test strips resting upon the platform to translate upward in a perpendicular manner, such that they may be easily removed by test strip users.

Abstract: A test strip container with an insert comprising a channel and a retaining member and methods of manufacturing and utilization thereof are disclosed. The container includes a housing, an insert, a lid, and at least one retaining member in at least one channel. The at least one retaining member releasably retains a plurality of test strips in the at least one channel.

Abstract: A measurement module for glucose testing includes a glucose testing measurement module housing, a test strip receptacle formed in the housing, and a connector portion formed in the housing and shaped to permit mechanical removable attachment of the housing to a hand-held computer. Electronics determine the amount of glucose present in a sample of body fluid, when the test strip is positioned in the receptacle and the body fluid is placed on a test strip, and communicate the glucose amount to the hand-held computer via the connector portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the automatic opening and closing of reaction vessels. It comprises a holding device for the non-rotatable holding of one or more reaction vessels, a gripper for the gripping of a lid for the reaction vessel, wherein the gripper has gripping jaws to take hold of the lid, and a holding arm with a rotating mechanism for rotatable holding of the gripper. The gripping jaws are arranged in such a way that, when the lid is inserted into the area between the gripping jaws, it is held by the latter through frictional contact, and the gripper has no active operating device for opening and closing the gripping jaws.

Abstract: A method for producing a plastic injection-moulded part having an insert made of a material different from the plastic material is provided, the method comprising the steps of: (a) introducing and positioning the insert in a cavity of an injection mould; (b) setting the clamping force of the injection mould on a clamping mechanism to a maximum force predetermined by the material of the insert; and (c) seamlessly encapsulating the insert with the plastic material of the plastic injection-moulded part inside the injection mould, wherein the encapsulating is seamless or complete.

Abstract: Disclosed is a chemical reaction cartridge including an elastic body with which at least a portion of the chemical reaction cartridge is formed and a plurality of chambers and a flow path to connect the plurality of chambers, which contain solution inside, and the solution is moved or blocked in the chambers and the flow path by applying external force to the elastic body from outside, the elastic body is structured in at least two elastic body layers which are layered vertically and the plurality of chambers and the flow path are provided between an upper elastic body layer and a lower elastic body layer, and the elastic body is attached to a surface of a substrate made of hard material.

Abstract: A reagent cup device 1 includes a plurality of individually sealed reagent cup compartments 7, each holding a reagent cup 8 having an open end and an inner surface, at least part of which is coated with a chemical reagent. Each reagent cup compartment 7 is closed and has a first end covered by a first breakable seal 5 and a second end covered by a second breakable seal 10. Since the reagent cup compartments 7 are individually sealed by the breakable seals 5, 10, it is possible to gain access to the interior of a reagent cup compartment 7, and thereby to the reagent cup 8 held therein, without breaking the sealing of the remaining reagent cup compartments 7. Thereby degradation of the chemical reagent in the reagent cups 8 is reduced, and the expected lifetime of the reagent cups 8 is accordingly increased. The breakable seals 5, 10 may be provided with weakened zones in order to easier break the seals 5, 10 when access is desired.

Abstract: The microfluidic system is constituted of modules that comprise one microfluidic unit and one corresponding electric control unit each and that are retained on a rear panel unit next to each other in a row. To prevent the formation of accumulation of ignitable or toxic gas mixtures a fluid conduit for a rinsing fluid extends through the rear panel unit. Branches lead from said fluid conduit to the modules, and said branches flowing into respective distributor compartments that extend vertically across the module height in the modules. Said distributor compartments are delimited in relation to the interior of the respective module by a distributor panel that is provide with openings. The interior of the respective module comprises, on its lower or rear surface, an exit opening for the rinsing fluid.