Abstract: The present invention divides a section of a biological tissue into fragments in a size of including a sufficient amount of cells with a simple structure and a simple operation. The present invention provides a tissue dividing apparatus including: a substrate dividable into a plurality of small pieces, and having a surface to which a section of a biological tissue can be pasted; and a dividing unit that divides the substrate into a plurality of small pieces, and thereby divide the section pasted on the surface into fragments each having a substantially equivalent shape to a shape of each small piece.

Abstract: This invention relates to a surface coating for capture circulating rare cells, comprising a nonfouling composition to prevent the binding of non-specific cells and adsorption of serum components; a bioactive composition for binding the biological substance, such as circulating tumor cells; with or without a linker composition that binds the nonfouling and bioactive compositions. The invention also provide a surface coating for capture and purification of a biological substance, comprising a releasable composition to release the non-specific cells and other serum components; a bioactive composition for binding the biological substance, such as circulating tumor cells; with or without a linker composition that binds the releasable and bioactive compositions. The present invention also discloses a novel microfluidic chip, with specific patterned microstructures to create a flow disturbance and increase the capture rate of the biological substance.

Abstract: Provided is a cell collection apparatus includes: a supporter that supports a sheet to which a back surface of a substrate is pasted, the substrate being divided in to plural small pieces with a section of a tissue pasted on a front surface thereof; a needle including needle tips; and a holder that is configured to hold the needle with the needle tips facing the sheet on an opposite side to a substrate side of the sheet, and to move the needle in the forward direction of the needle tips, wherein at least two needle tips are arranged within a region narrower than the back surface of the small piece substantially on the identical plane intersecting with the longitudinal direction of the needle.

Abstract: The present invention refers to articles for collecting samples from a surface, articles for microbiological analyses of said samples, and methods of use of said articles. The articles include sample collectors, sample housings with optional barrier layers, and sample-ready reagent strips comprising hydrophilic agents to grow and detect microorganisms. The disclosure includes methods to collect, detect, and quantify microorganisms in a surface sample.

Abstract: The sterilizing effect of particle irradiation on microorganisms for the sterilizing treatment thereof can be evaluated. The evaluation can be done by supplying microorganisms in the space inside a container (8), allowing particles (7) for the sterilizing treatment of microorganisms to irradiate the microorganisms, sampling the microorganisms by a sampling means (6) after the irradiation of the particles (7) and measuring the sampled microorganisms. The microorganisms as the subject for the sterilizing treatment can be a combination of one or more members selected from the group consisting of bacteria, mycete, viruses and allergens. As the particles, for example, positive ions, negative ions, and gases of positive ions and negative ions in mixture, charged particles such as ? rays and ? rays, various plasma gas particles, particles such as ozone and radical particles, and particles of chemical agent can be used.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for separating one or more cells having a diameter and a first surface energy from a bulk fluid having a second surface energy. The microfluidic device has a base portion having a capillary gap with an inlet capillary, an outlet capillary, a bottom surface, a gap height with the ratio of the gap height to the diameter of the one or more cells ranging from 5 to 1 to 100 to 1. The base portion defines a first flow path therethrough, at least one groove formed in the bottom surface of the capillary gap, the at least one groove having a depth, a width, and a third surface energy, and oriented perpendicular relative to the first flow path. The ratio of the groove width to the diameter of the one or more cells ranges from about 5 to 1 to about 100 to 1, and the third surface energy is higher than the first and second surface energies.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems are disclosed for collecting or gathering samples, such as zebrafish or zebrafish eggs or embryos, dispersed in a liquid and transferring the collected or gathered samples into discrete receptacles of a holding fixture (e.g. the wells of a multi-well plate, a Petri dish, or any other suitable fixture having one or more receptacles). A method includes drawing some of the liquid through a plurality of openings in a retention structure so as to draw at least some of the samples into contact with associated openings, retaining the samples in contact with the retention structure adjacent to the associated openings using differential pressure, moving at least one of the retention structure or a holding fixture relative to the other while the samples are retained adjacent the associated openings, and ejecting samples from the retention structure into associated discrete receptacles of the holding fixture.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, compositions and devices for stabilizing the extracellular nucleic acid population in a cell-containing biological sample using an apoptosis inhibitor, preferably a caspase inhibitor, a hypertonic agent and/or a compound according to formula (1) as defined in the claims.

Abstract: A laser ablation system includes a sample chamber 102 configured to accommodate a target 104 within an interior 106 thereof, a sample generator 108 configured to remove a portion of the target 104 (which may be subsequently captured as a sample) and an analysis system 110 configured to analyze a composition of the sample. A sample capture cell in the chamber proximate to the target has a capture cavity configured to receive target material, a first inlet configured to transmit a flow of a carrier gas from a first location adjacent to an exterior of the capture cell into a region of the capture cavity; and an outlet configured to receive carrier gas from another region of the capture cavity. The sample chamber 102 includes an injection nozzle 120 configured to introduce, into the interior 106, a fluid such as a carrier gas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an immunoaffinity device for capturing one or more analytes present at high or low concentrations in simple or complex matrices. The device is designed as an integrated modular unit and connected to capillary electrophoresis or liquid chromatography for the isolation, enrichment, separation and identification of polymeric macromolecules, primarily protein biomarkers. The integrated modular unit includes an analyte-concentrator-microreaction device connected to a modified cartridge-cassette.

Abstract: A medical apparatus and method of preparing one or more cell blocks. The medical apparatus comprises at least one elongate tubular body having a proximal end and a distal end and a filter membrane disposed between the proximal end and a distal end of the elongate tubular body. The filter membrane, which can include alignment features and structural features to engage the tubular body, and/or cover, is sectionable. Additionally, in some embodiments a second elongate tubular body is provided which telescopingly receives at least a portion of the first elongate tubular body. In other embodiments, a support member is provided for engaging the filter membrane and positioning the filter membrane at a midpoint of the elongate tubular body during centrifuging.

Abstract: The present application discloses a novel microbiological apparatus and methods of using the same. The apparatus is a rolling pen comprising of a socket and a ball with its unique rolling head to transfer a biological material from a first location to a second location in an aseptic manner. Further, the rolling pen apparatus can be used with a pen holder device or with a holder hand device to transfer the biological material a first location to a second location and further to develop a microbiological colony. The invention also discloses the use of rolling pen apparatus attached to a holder hand device in propagating a single biological colony such as bacterial colony or cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure, among other things, describes cell rolling by 3D flow and adhesive rolling. In some embodiments, a device described herein includes a flow channel dimensioned to permit fluid flow therethrough; at least one 3D structure protruding from at least one surface of the flow channel; and at least one cell adhesion entity coated on at least part of at least one of the 3D structures, which adhesion entity interacts with a target cell brought into contact with the 3D structures by flow of a stream comprising the target cell through the flow channel such that the target cell's trajectory through the flow channel is diverted due to the interaction.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention relate to methods and apparatuses for concentrating and isolating Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) from body fluids. One embodiment of the present invention includes a micro-fabricated or nano-fabricated device having channels configured for separating and excluding. Embodiments in accordance with the present invention utilize features that reduce the hydrodynamic pressure experienced by the cells during the separation, isolation and concentration processes, and therefore reduce the likelihood of cell lysis or other damage to the cells.

Abstract: A device and a method are provided for isolating a fraction in a biological sample. The fraction is bound to solid phase substrate to define a fraction-bound solid phase substrate. The device includes an input zone for receiving the biological sample therein and a second zone for receiving an isolation fluid therein. A force is provided that is generally perpendicular to gravity. The force is movable between a first position adjacent the input zone and a second position adjacent the isolation zone. The force captures the fraction-bound solid phase substrate and the fraction-bound solid phase substrate moves from the input zone to the isolation zone in response to the force moving from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: This invention provides a high molecular weight polysaccharide capable of binding to and inhibiting virus and related pharmaceutical formulations and methods of inhibiting viral infectivity and/or pathogenicity, as well as immunogenic compositions. The invention further includes methods of inhibiting the growth of cancer cells and of ameliorating a symptom of aging. Additionally, the invention provides methods of detecting and/or quantifying and/or isolating viruses.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for processing adipose tissue with a hand-held device. This device may include a processing chamber, a cannula, a vacuum source, a digestion area, and a product cell concentration chamber.

Abstract: The invention is directed to compositions and methods for collecting, transporting, and storing microorganisms obtained from samples of biological, clinical, forensic, and environmental origin. Compositions preserve the viability of the collected organisms, permit long-term storage, and are compatible with subsequent manipulation including propagation and culture of collected microorganisms, or isolation, purification, detection, and characterization of proteins, nucleic acids and macromolecules. When the compositions containing microorganisms and polynucleotides therein are further processed, such as by nucleic acid testing, there is an increased ability to detect, isolate, purify and/or characterize select microbes and their components, when compared to conventional microbial transport media that contain interfering substance(s).

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide an improved process for enriching, identifying, searching, separating and/or isolating target cells within a sample cell mixture using iterative enrichment or progression of the target cell, as well as some related methods and apparatuses. Two embodiments are microfluidic devices with multiple chambers into which a populations of cells are iteratively divided until a cell producing a target molecule is identified. Another embodiment is a faster and more broadly applicable process for the isolation of molecule producing cells comprising a series of laboratory methods for iterative enrichment. Some embodiments are directed to the process of directed evolution of cells secreting a target molecule. Another embodiment comprises a process for fast the identification of chemicals with specific properties through testing of combinations of items.

Abstract: A sterile injector comprises a body having a cavity, a hollow needle positionable at a distal end of the injector, a probe holder receivable within the needle, a probe connected to a distal end of the holder, and a driving element axially displaceable within the cavity, for causing relative motion between the probe and the needle upon displacement of the driving element. A sample is injected into a sealed container by displacing the driving element to a first position causing the probe to extend from the needle, applying the extended probe with a sample, displacing the driving element to a second position causing the sample laden probe to be retracted within the needle, piercing a seal of a sealed container with the needle, and displacing the driving element to a third position distally spaced from the first position, after which the probe is injected into the container interior.

Abstract: A microscope apparatus is disclosed. The microscope apparatus comprises a microscope module and an image capture device. The microscope module comprises a housing, a lens element, a sampling assembly, and a light guide element. The lens element is mounted on the housing. The sampling assembly is accommodated in the housing. The light guide element is mounted in the sampling assembly. The sampling assembly is configured to sample a specimen and comprises a cover body and a base body received in the cover body. The cover body has a first top plate and a first anchoring structure connected to the top plate. The base body has a second opt plate and a second anchoring structure connected to the second top plate. The second top plate faces the first top plate to define a holding space for the specimen.

Abstract: A fluid segment sampling device and method wherein a housing includes an input port configured to receive a segment tube, an output port configured for a receptacle, a passageway between the input port and the output port, and a side port leading into the passageway. A blade unit is insertable in the side port to cut a segment tube inserted into the input port.

Abstract: A method and a system for use of treatment liquids in an apparatus for staining of tissue specimens on microscope slides, wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of vessels (4) for receiving different liquids for treatment of the tissue specimens, a plurality of tanks (11) for treatment liquids, connecting lines (15) between the tanks and the vessels, a plurality of pumps (13) connected on the connecting lines, and a control unit for control of the apparatus and the liquid treatment by means of a data program, wherein the control unit is arranged for selective control of the relevant pumps (13), so that vessels (4) to be used in a staining process, are filled with liquid (14) at the start of the staining process, and so that the liquid-filled vessels (4) are emptied automatically when they are no longer to be used in the staining process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for collecting a sample of colorectal mucocellular layer excreted immediately following the natural act of defaecation from the surface of the anal area of a human subject, and preservation and analysis of the collected sample for detecting diagnostically informative disease biomarkers.

Abstract: A sampling apparatus for collection and preservation of live cells comprising a collection tube, a capillary tube extending distally and substantially axially from the collection tube, the capillary tube having a first capillary tube section defining a first capillary tube inside diameter, and a luer hub engaged proximally and substantially axially on the collection tube substantially opposite the capillary tube, the luer hub having a luer passage formed therethrough, whereby installation of the sampling apparatus in a linear actuator assembly capable of providing a vacuum as by engaging the luer hub with a filter coupling of the linear actuator assembly enables selective suctioning through the luer passage, the collection tube, and the capillary tube so as to collect one or more cells within the collection tube of the sampling apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for processing isolated cells, in particular rare cells such as circulating tumor cells, to render them suitable for optical imaging, comprising the steps of (a) depositing filter material comprising captured cells on a phase-change medium; (b) melting said phase-change medium until the medium is spread out below said filter material; and (c) lowering the temperature of said phase-change medium until the medium solidifies, resulting in an optically flat filter comprising said cells at a fixed position. The method may additionally comprise an initial step of capturing a cell on a filter material. The phase-change medium, preferably paraffin wax, may comprise a porous, or mesh-like structure allowing the passage of a fluid through the medium. The phase-change medium may further be mounted on a carrier such as a glass carrier or a polymer material carrier.

Abstract: A microfluidic apparatus capable of being mounted on a rotation driving unit. When mounted on the rotation driving unit and rotated, a fluid flow is induced in the apparatus due to a centrifugal force. the microfluidic apparatus includes a sample supplying unit that comprises a sample chamber to house a sample and provides a fluid including a target material in which fine beads are bound to a target cell in the sample; a density-gradient separation unit that houses a density gradient material with a lower density than the target material, and receives the fluid from the sample supplying unit to separate the target material from the fluid based on a density difference; a fluid supplying channel connecting the sample supplying unit to the density-gradient separation unit to form a passage of the fluid; and a fluid supplying valve provided to the fluid supplying channel to selectively allow a flow of the fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for rapid isolation of target molecules from cell lysates and other liquid mixtures comprising particulate material, a method for isolating the target molecules, in particular nucleic acids, using said device and a kit for carrying out said method comprising said device.

Abstract: A fluid treatment apparatus and method. The fluid treatment apparatus includes a chamber containing a first fluid with a first density and a second fluid with a second density, a channel disposed in the chamber to discharge the first fluid from the chamber, and a valve material disposed in the channel, wherein the valve material controls the discharge of the first fluid from the chamber based upon a phase transition characteristic.

Abstract: A system and method thereof for collecting and concentrating a biologic substance of interest is provided. The biologic of interest obtained from a biologic sample present at an initial low concentration (or low number counts) can be captured and released through a collection device of the system to an intermediate second concentration, and further recovered through a concentration device of the system to a third concentration, thereby facilitating subsequent detection, characterization, enumeration, immunostaining, inspection, imaging, culturing, molecular analysis, and/or other assays.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to devices, solutions and methods for collecting and processing samples of bodily fluids containing cells (as well as embodiments for the collection, and processing and/or analysis of other fluids including toxic and/or hazardous substances/fluids). In addition, the disclosure relates generally to function genomic studies and to the isolation and preservation of cells from saliva and other bodily fluids (e.g., urine), for cellular analysis. With respect to devices for collection of bodily fluids, some embodiments include two mating bodies, a cap and a tube (for example), where, in some embodiments, the cap includes a closed interior space for holding a sample preservative solution and mates with the tube to constitute the (closed) sample collection device. Upon mating, the preservation solution flows into the closed interior space to preserve cells in the bodily fluid. The tube is configured to receive a donor sample of bodily fluid (e.g.

Abstract: A method of processing a sample for analysis is disclosed. The method includes providing a sample, a container, and a cap comprising an elastically-deformable slit. The method further includes affixing the cap to the container, depositing the sample into the container, and exposing the sample to a temperature about 85-100° C. to form a cell lysate. The method further can comprise detecting an analyte in the sample. A kit comprising at least one of the containers, at least one of the caps, and a reagent that facilitates cell lysis is also provided. Optionally, the kit can further comprise a detection reagent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic system for controlling a card for the concentration of molecules capable of stimulating a target, for example formed by an assembly of living cells, characterized in that the system comprises a microfluidic device (1) comprising: n?1 microfluidic channel(s) (4, 40), the or each channel being provided with at least one inlet orifice for at least one fluid and with at least one outlet orifice for this fluid; n?2 openings (47, 470) formed in the microfluidic channel or distributed in the various microfluidic channels, said openings being arranged in one and the same plane so that they form a network having at least one dimension in this plane, the numbers n of microfluidic channel(s) and n of openings being linked by the relationship (I) with 1?i?n and n the number of openings for the channel c; at least one microporous membrane (5) covering the network of openings, the target being intended to be positioned on the side of the membrane which is opposite the microfluidic ch

Abstract: A method for transferring a quantity of analytes comprising at least stages of: predisposing a substantially homogeneous mixture of a predetermined initial quantity of at least an analyte and a liquid, obtaining a known concentration value or known amount of the analyte in the mixture; introducing into the mixture at least a collecting portion (3) of a sampling device (1) having a support body (2), the collecting portion (3) comprising a plurality of fibers (6) attached to and arranged on a first portion (2a) of the support body (2) by means of flocking, in order to define a flocked collecting portion (3) or a flocked tampon, such as to collect a part of the mixture on the collecting portion (3); and extracting the collecting portion (3) of the sampling device (1) of the mixture, retaining on the sampling portion (3) a predetermined known quantity of the mixture to be transferred.

Abstract: A magnetic, selectively permeable metabolite transfer disk for the cell-free transfer of metabolites and other molecules produced by microbial colonies is described. The metabolite transfer disk is comprised of at least three layers including: (1) an adhesion layer; (2) a gel layer comprising agar or other cushioning gel matrix; and (3) a bottom surface comprising one or more fluid-permeable filters of variable pore size to enable the diffusion of small molecules into the gel while blocking passage of cells. A diagnostic transfer disk is also described that can be used for biochemical and microbial characterization. The diagnostic transfer disk is similar to the metabolite transfer disk with the added benefit of the top layer being transparent and indicator reagents being added to the disk for microbial characterization.

Abstract: Described herein is a rapid, semi-quantitative sampling device which may rapidly detect histamine in food, beverage and feed samples. The device uses an enzyme (impregnated in a sampling pad) to specifically convert histamine present in samples to a visual colorimetric signal. The color change of the pad is proportional to the amount of histamine present in the sample.

Abstract: A method for preparing a sample by utilizing a shearing force in the presence of a size stabilizer to break apart the sample to obtain nucleic acid molecules in a usable size range. Once nucleic acid molecules are obtained, magnetic nanoparticles are used to concentrate and clean the nucleic acid molecules for further testing.

Abstract: An apparatus for inoculating and streaking a solid growth culture medium in a plate, the streaking using a streaking applicator having a line of resiliently and flexibly supported spaced apart contact surfaces, the apparatus including: (a) an inoculating and streaking station including: a plate work position having a notional action line fixed in two dimensions (x,y) in a predetermined position; and a plate rotation device for rotating a positioned plate to cause streaking; (b) a sensor capable of locating the surface of the medium in a positioned plate to thereby determine for that plate, prior to inoculation and streaking of that plate, the third dimension (z) of the action line; (c) an inoculating device capable of dispensing inoculum, along the action line, on the surface of the medium in the positioned plate; and (d) a streaking device capable of moving the streaking applicator such that its line of spaced apart contact surfaces contacts, along the action line, the surface of the medium in the positioned

Abstract: A sample preparation apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises a first receiving part, a second receiving part, a filter part, a third receiving part, a flow path, a first moving means and a second moving means. The first receiving part is configured to accept a pipette and to receive a sample discharged from a pipette. The second receiving part is disposed at a position removed from the first receiving part in the plane of view. The filter part is configured to retain the cells to be analyzed within the second receiving part. The third receiving part is disposed opposite the second receiving part through the filter part The flow path is configured to connect the first receiving part and the second receiving part The first moving means is for moving a sample that has been received at the first receiving part to the filter part through the flow path and the second receiving part, and moving the components other than the cells to be analyzed to the third receiving part through the filter part.

Abstract: A micro-fluidic device operable to isolate target cells from a biological fluid comprises: an inlet operable to receive the biological fluid, the biological fluid comprising target cells and other components; a waste outlet operable to receive at least the other components of the biological fluid; a plurality of parallel arrays of cell isolation wells coupling the inlet with the waste outlet, each parallel array of cell isolation wells supporting a flow of the biological fluid from the inlet to the waste outlet in response to a pressure differential thereacross, each array of cell isolation wells comprising a plurality isolation wells, each isolation well being dimensioned to mechanically trap the target cells therein whilst permitting flow of other components of the biological fluid; and at least one pressure maintenance structure operable to assist in maintaining a predetermined pressure differential across each of the plurality of parallel arrays of cell isolation wells.

Abstract: A sample can be collected from an enclosed container by opening a sample collection valve and drawing the sample from the enclosed container. After delivery of the sample out of a fluid flow path, a sanitizing fluid can be directed along the fluid flow path to sanitize the fluid flow path.

Abstract: An insert for a centrifuge tube suitable for use in density gradient separation is described. The insert includes a member sized to fit within the tube for dividing the tube into a top portion and a bottom portion. Optionally the insert has a support extending or depending from the member for positioning the member within the tube. At least two openings are located on the member so that a first opening is closer to a bottom end of the tube relative to a second opening when the insert is positioned in the centrifuge tube. Also described are methods for separating a target population of cells from a sample using the insert for a centrifuge tube.

Abstract: An automated system for preparing a plurality of cytological specimens from a plurality of fluid samples in vials includes an apparatus for collecting a monolayer of cells from each sample and transferring the cells to a microscope slide for fixing, staining, and inspection. The system includes a first loading station for receiving the sample vials, a second loading station for receiving consumables such as filter membranes, a slide dispenser, and an unloading area for removing completed specimen slides. To maintain one-to-one correlation between the samples and specimens produced therefrom, the system includes a subsystem for identifying each sample and permanently marking each slide with corresponding indicia prior to transferring the specimen thereto.

Abstract: Techniques, systems, devices and materials are disclosed for capturing, isolating and transporting target biomolecules and living organisms. In one aspect, a device includes a tube structured to include a large opening and a small opening that are on opposite ends of the tube, and a tube body connecting the openings and having a cross section spatially reducing in size from the large opening to the small opening, in which the tube includes a layered wall including an inner layer having a catalyst material that is reactive with a fuel fluid to produce bubbles exiting the tube from the large opening to propel the tube to move in the fuel fluid and an external layer formed of a material capable of being functionalized, and a molecular layer functionalized onto the external layer of the tube and structured to attach to a targeted molecule in the fuel fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device, system, and methods of use comprising an absorbent hydrophobic polyolefin matrix, and methods of use thereof, for storage, preserving, and recovering liquid suspension of biological specimens containing analytes of interest in a dry state. The dried biological specimens containing analytes of interest absorbed on the polyolefin matrix are reconstituted such as with molecular-grade water and released by compressing the polyolefin matrix. The reconstituted biological analytes are qualified for subsequent analysis, such as for qualitative and quantitative analysis of viral nucleic acids, such a viral load testing, genotyping, and sequencing. Also provided are kits with instructions, and methods of use thereof, for storage, preserving, and recovering biological specimens containing analytes of interest using the compression device of the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed are collection devices for collecting and stabilizing whole blood or a component thereof, which include a first end and a second end and at least one interior wall defining a reservoir, wherein the reservoir contains a stabilization agent that includes a lysophospholipase (LysoPLA) inhibitor. Also disclosed are methods for making and using the devices.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device and a method for concentrating pathogenic germs potentially present in blood products or derivatives and for detecting said germs comprising the following steps: (a) subjecting a sample of said blood product to a blood cell aggregating treatment, (b) eliminating the aggregates formed at step (a) by passing the treated sample over a first filter allowing through the contaminating germs but not the cell aggregates, (c) selectively lyzing the residual cells of the filtrate obtained at step (b), (d) recuperating the contaminating germs by passing the lysate of step (c) over a second filter to detect the contaminating germs possibly trapped.

Abstract: A method for transferring a filter membrane (130) bearing a retentate to a reagent pad (310), in which the membrane is mounted in a support frame (120) having a shoulder (121) and a skirt (122) projecting from the shoulder, the pad being mounted on a cassette (300) of complementary form to said skirt, the skirt being adapted to slide sealingly on the cassette until it comes into abutment formed by the shoulder, the method comprising the steps of sealingly engaging the skirt of the membrane support frame on the cassette, establishing a pressure difference between the cassette and the membrane support frame such that the membrane adopts the shape of a dome pointing towards the pad, while maintaining the pressure difference, applying a force on the frame so as to make the skirt slide on the cassette until contact is established between the end of the dome and the pad, maintaining a force on the frame so as to move it downward until it comes into abutment formed by the shoulder while maintaining the pressure diff

Abstract: Methods and systems for isolating gastrointestinal microflora from stool collected from a donor are provided. Stool is collected from a donor in a container as the donor is defecating. A solvent is introduced into the container and the container sealed to place its contents in a sealed environment. Various agents can be added to achieve dissolving, colorizing, deodorizing, or for further therapies. The solvent and collected stool is homogenized into a mixture which is then filtered by a multi-stage filter system to create a solution containing microflora in the desired consistency. This solution can be dispensed via an enema tube or other delivery apparatus for infusion into a patient's gastrointestinal tract.

Abstract: Methods for automated extraction of nucleic acids are disclosed. Also disclosed are method and kits for isolating fetal nucleic acids from a plasma sample of a pregnant woman. The method includes flowing the plasma sample through a first filter under conditions that allow binding of the fetal and maternal nucleic acids to the first filter; eluting the fetal and maternal nucleic acids bound to the first filter to produce a concentrated nucleic acid sample; flowing the concentrated nucleic acid sample through a second filter under conditions that allow preferential binding of the maternal nucleic acids to the second filter; and recovering the fetal nucleic acid from the concentrated nucleic acid sample that flow through the second filter.