Abstract: A method of processing a SOI substrate to form a groove in the SOI substrate in which a silicon layer is stacked on both sides of an oxide layer is disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the method includes dividing a portion of the silicon layer, in which the groove is to be processed, into a plurality of unit portions, performing dry etching on certain portions of the plurality of divided unit portions such that the oxide layer is exposed and removing remaining portions of the plurality of divided unit portions by removing the oxide layer.

Abstract: A corpuscle separation chip is presented, which is capable of separating plasma from blood using capillary forces without causing leakage of the blood in undesired directions. The corpuscle separation chip may include an upper board for securing a membrane such that one or more edges maintain non-contact, where a portion of a channel is formed in the upper board to provide a path causing plasma components separated by the membrane from blood to move in one direction; and a lower board in which another portion of the channel is formed, where the lower board is configured to join with the upper board to form the channel, and the lower board is configured to cause the plasma components to move along the channel due to capillary forces at a position corresponding to one side of a lower surface of the membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (1) for automated exploitation of cells from a sample, comprising a plurality of dispensing containers (2) for the separated storage of fluid media, each dispensing container comprising an outlet (21) wherein a media delivery arrangement (3) is associated to each of the dispensing containers (2) and a first valve (22) is connected to each of the outlets (21), a plurality of collecting containers (4) for the collection of fluid media, each collecting container (4) comprising an inlet (41) wherein a second valve (42) is connected to the inlet (41) of each collecting container, and a mounting device (5) for mounting the sample, the mounting device comprising an inlet (51) being connected to the first valve (22), and an outlet (52), wherein the outlet (52) of the mounting device is connected to the second valve (42). Further, the present invention enables a method for automated cell exploitation from a sample by the use of the apparatus (1).

Abstract: A device may be configured to allow manipulation of the cell(s), such as test or drug applications, independent of the operation and/or structure of the device. The device may be configured to separate, hold and release at least one cell suspended in a fluid. The device may include a region configured to receive the fluid including at least one cell; a cell holding device that is in open communication with the region and includes at least one cell isolation region configured to releasably separate and hold each cell; and a passage that is configured to receive and supply pressure to the cell holding device. The device may further include a second region that includes the cell holding device and is in fluid communication with the region.

Abstract: Swabs, and materials of the present disclosure, and methods of making same, include randomly arranged sea-island bicomponent fibers which have randomly splayed terminal ends.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed here for rare target cell enrichment and isolation, where the captured target cells can be individually picked up and used for downstream analysis. This method and apparatus utilize antibodies conjugated microbeads to isolate target cells, use ON/OFF controls for the target cell capturing magnet and the release magnet, such that there is no need to change the cap of the capturing magnet and thus enabling automatic multiple rounds of capturing, washing and releasing cycles to increase the target cell detection sensitivity and reproducibility. A special filter is utilized to effectively remove more than 95% of free unbound microbeads, thus significantly improving the purity of the collected target cells and increasing the data quality of downstream analysis of the single target cells. Lastly, RNA expression patterns are proposed for identifying of certain target cells (e.g. circulating tumor cells and white blood cells).

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to devices and methods for processing, cultivating or otherwise manipulating cell cultures which may be disposed on a flat or substantially flat surface such as cell culture substrate material. Devices and methods are disclosed for dividing a cell culture layer into divided portions, including isolated divided portions, that may then be transferred from the cell culture to a new location. For some embodiments, the divided portions may be transferred to a new cell culture support substrate in order to continue to grow and cultivate the cell line.

Abstract: A hand-held implement for removing microbiological matter from a surface to which the matter is adhered, and storing the matter for subsequent examination, includes a sonic wave generator for producing sonic waves for breaking up a film of the microbiological matter on the surface, a swab for contact with the surface and collecting the microbiological matter, a suction producing device for drawing the microbiological matter from the swab and into the implement, and a trap in the implement for receiving and retaining the drawn biological matter for subsequent examination thereof.

Abstract: Provided is a chip or the like having a particulate concentrating mechanism such as a mechanism that can selectively concentrate nucleated red blood cells contained in maternal blood and derived from a fetus and can collect the concentrated liquid rich in nucleated red blood cells, and also provided is a nucleated red blood cell concentrating/collecting method. A micro-channel chip for concentrating nucleated red blood cells has an inlet-side channel, an outlet-side channel, and a separation narrow channel provided between the inlet-side channel and the outlet-side channel. The separation narrow channel has an inner wall having a dimension through which non-nucleated red blood cells easily pass and nucleated red blood cells hardly pass, and has a means for deforming or moving part of the inner wall of the channel to have a dimension through which nucleated red blood cells easily pass.

Abstract: A magnetic separation system configured to separate with high qualitative and quantitative yield magnetized cells from cell mixtures, comprising at least one electromagnet structured to generate a magnetic field flux about a plurality of separation zones and sufficient to attract a majority of the magnetized cells in the mixture, and a pump to drive the cell mixture at a controlled flow rate through a tube disposed within the zones thereby separating a majority of the magnetized cells from the mixture. The system is particularly useful to retrieve rare cells from a fluid mixture of cells having low abundance of the rare cells relative to the rest of the cells while sustaining viability of the cells.

Abstract: The invention includes a bioreactor system for growing a photosynthetic culture in an aqueous liquid and harvesting the photosynthetic culture. The present invention further relates to a method for growing a photosynthetic culture in an aqueous liquid and harvesting the photosynthetic culture. The present invention further relates to a use of a harvester system arranged to collect at least part of the scooped photosynthetic culture in a photo bioreactor system.

Abstract: An automated system for sampling seeds includes a seed loading station for separating individual seeds from a plurality of seeds held in a seed hopper, an imaging station configured to receive the separated seeds from the seed loading station and collect image data of the received seeds, and a seed sampling subsystem configured to remove tissue samples from the seeds after the image data of the seeds is collected. And, an automated method for sampling seeds includes separating individual seeds from a plurality of seeds, imaging the separated seeds, and removing tissue samples from the imaged seeds.

Abstract: A microorganism counting cell of the present invention includes bottomed cylindrical vessel that includes upper surface opening and cylindrical retaining body disposed vertically on a bottom surface in vessel, a collecting element provided on a lower end portion of a rod-shaped cotton swab being inserted in retaining body from upper surface opening. In the microorganism counting cell, elution protrusion is provided on an interior side surface of retaining body, and elution groove that pierces retaining body from an inside to an outside is provided on a side surface of retaining body.

Abstract: A disposable microsyringe, whose tubular body is attached by its rear end into the front starting point of a longitudinal void of an intermediate housing, has located in the longitudinal void a moving head movable upon an axis and, which is connected to the rear end of the syringe plunger. The moving head is also connected, by a longitudinal rod, to a moving carriage movable upon an axis along the same direction as the moving head, and being said moving carriage guided within an elongated tube connected to at the rear end of the intermediate housing, as a continuation thereof, incorporating to said elongated tube a motor element, whose actuation drives the plunger via a moving head, a longitudinal rod and a moving carriage.

Abstract: A device for sample purification and enrichment comprising a filtration unit having a filter and an agitator, wherein suction draws a sample across the filter and a back wash flushes materials collected in the filter. The amount of collected material in the filter is determined by a pressure measurer controlling the suction and back wash.

Abstract: Animal cell colonies are picked up automatically by an apparatus having a picking head with a plurality of hollow pins and an integrated imager for capturing an image of adherent or non-adherent animal cell colonies held in liquid or semi-solid medium. Image processing identifies the locations of the animal cell colonies to be picked. Picking an animal cell colony is performed by aligning each of the hollow pins in turn with a target animal cell colony location, introducing the hollow pin into the medium, and aspirating the animal cell colony into the hollow pin. In the case of an adherent colony, the distal end of the pin is forced into oscillation to detach the animal cell colony prior to aspiration. The animal cell colony is dispensed into a well plate by increasing pressure in the fluid conduit.

Abstract: Animal cell colonies are picked up automatically by an apparatus having a picking head with a plurality of hollow pins and an integrated imager for capturing an image of adherent or non-adherent animal cell colonies held in liquid or semi-solid medium. Image processing identifies the locations of the animal cell colonies to be picked. Picking an animal cell colony is performed by aligning each of the hollow pins in turn with a target animal cell colony location, introducing the hollow pin into the medium, and aspirating the animal cell colony into the hollow pin. In the case of an adherent colony, the distal end of the pin is forced into oscillation to detach the animal cell colony prior to aspiration. The animal cell colony is dispensed into a well plate by increasing pressure in the fluid conduit.

Abstract: Animal cell colonies are picked up automatically by an apparatus having a picking head with a plurality of hollow pins and an integrated imager for capturing an image of adherent or non-adherent animal cell colonies held in liquid or semi-solid medium. Image processing identifies the locations of the animal cell colonies to be picked. Picking an animal cell colony is performed by aligning each of the hollow pins in turn with a target animal cell colony location, introducing the hollow pin into the medium, and aspirating the animal cell colony into the hollow pin. In the case of an adherent colony, the distal end of the pin is forced into oscillation to detach the animal cell colony prior to aspiration. The animal cell colony is dispensed into a well plate by increasing pressure in the fluid conduit.

Abstract: Animal cell colonies are picked up automatically by an apparatus having a picking head with a plurality of hollow pins and an integrated imager for capturing an image of adherent or non-adherent animal cell colonies held in liquid or semi-solid medium. Image processing identifies the locations of the animal cell colonies to be picked. Picking an animal cell colony is performed by aligning each of the hollow pins in turn with a target animal cell colony location, introducing the hollow pin into the medium, and aspirating the animal cell colony into the hollow pin. In the case of an adherent colony, the distal end of the pin is forced into oscillation to detach the animal cell colony prior to aspiration. The animal cell colony is dispensed into a well plate by increasing pressure in the fluid conduit.

Abstract: A handheld apparatus for preparing a specimen slide includes a handle, a filter holder assembly coupled to and extending from the handle; and a slide holder assembly coupled to and extending from the handle spaced apart from the filter holder assembly, wherein the slide holder assembly comprises a plurality of positioning members movably coupled to one another, and a slide holder movably coupled to one of the positioning members to allow a slide mounted on the slide holder to make rolling contact with an outward facing surface of a filter mounted on the filter holder assembly.

Abstract: Biohazard specimen collection containers are provided with an external disposable skin, that is stripped away and discarded after the biohazardous specimen is collected, thus reducing or eliminating objectionable or dangerous residues on the outside surfaces of the container. Further, we teach that the sample collection container with external disposable skin may also serve as an integrated microfluidic biosample processing and analytical device, thereby providing a single entry, disposable assay unit, kit and system for “world-to-result” clinical diagnostic testing. These integrated assay devices are provided with synergic, multiple safe-handling features for protecting healthcare workers who handle them. The modified collection containers and analytical devices find application, for example, in PCR detection of infectious organisms or pathogenic markers collected on a swab.

Abstract: A tissue culture microscope apparatus includes a culture unit that includes a chamber in which a specimen is put, and maintains the chamber at a predetermined temperature to culture the specimen; an observation unit that forms an observation image of the specimen put in the chamber; and a liquid supply unit that stores a liquid in a protrusion portion penetrating into a wall of the chamber and protruding to an inside of the chamber, matches a temperature of the liquid with the temperature of the chamber, and injects the liquid from the protrusion portion to the specimen.

Abstract: A system for preparing a cytological suspension is based on a fixing solution. The system containing a cytological sample-taking brush and a flask having an opening for receiving the cytological sample-taking brush are detachably fastened to a handle including a brush-receiving filter basket that is at least partially immersed in the a suspension.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is described for seeding cells on a sample or specimen. The cells may be selectively and locally seeded on an upper and lower surface of a planar sample or specimen or on either or both of an interior luminal surface and exterior surface of a hollow sample or specimen. The apparatus includes a chamber suitable for cell seeding, cell growth, and cell conditioning.

Abstract: A tampering device may comprise a tamper, an elongated handle, and an insulator rod. The elongated handle may have a first end and a second end. The insulator rod may be adapted to connect to the tamper and the first end of the elongated handle. The elongated handle may have a gripping ridge and a plurality of valleys. The valleys may include a plurality of dimples to increase the surface of interface between the user's fingers and the handle.

Abstract: A disposable inoculation loop assembly comprising a test tube and a tube stopper adapted to fit into a free end of the test tube. A first end of the stopper faces into the interior of the test tube substantially hermetically sealing the interior of the test tube. The assembly further includes an inoculation loop fixed to the tube stopper and extending into the interior of the test tube to a predetermined distance when the stopper is positioned in the free end of the test tube. The assembly when assembled is sterilized and pre-evacuated to a predetermined vacuum which is sufficient to draw a volume of a bodily liquid to be sampled into the test tube. The volume is of such an amount so that the liquid level in the test tube substantially just covers a predetermined portion of the inoculation loop.

Abstract: A system for collecting a biological sample includes a collection device comprising a cylindrical body having a bore extending there through and a filter membrane disposed at one end thereof; a filter plug having an insert configured for insertion into the bore; a collar concentrically mounted about the exterior surface of the insert and configured for insertion into the bore; and a gasket disposed about the exterior surface of the insert, wherein an outer dimension of the gasket is variable in response to relative movement between the collar and the insert, and wherein the gasket has a cross section with two end portions and a mid portion that is located radially further away from the insert than the two end portions.

Abstract: A reconfigurable sample preparation device includes a rotary plunger device having a hollow body and a coupling device, provided above one end of the rotary plunger, and accommodating a sample. The device also includes at least one sealed reagent module. When the rotary plunger is rotated on the coupling device, a film of the reagent module is pierced, mixing the sample with a substance from the reagent module.

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: A seed sampling system includes a seed transport configured to hold multiple individual seeds together as a group and transport the multiple individual seeds together as the group, and to allow the multiple individual seeds to be oriented, substantially simultaneously, while the multiple individual seeds are being held in the seed transport. The seed sampling system also includes a seed sampling subsystem configured to remove tissue from the oriented multiple individual seeds. And, a method for removing tissue from the multiple individual seeds includes loading the multiple individual seeds in the seed transport, orienting the multiple individual seeds in the seed transport substantially simultaneously, and removing tissue from the oriented multiple individual seeds.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods for concentrating microorganisms with concentration agents in a sampling device and the sampling device described herein. More specifically, methods for concentrating microorganisms from large volume samples with concentration agents in a sampling device can provide for rapid, low cost, simple (involving no complex equipment or procedures), and/or effective processes under a variety of conditions.

Abstract: An automated in situ heat induced antigen recovery and staining method and apparatus for treating a plurality of microscope slides. The process of heat induced antigen recovery and the process of staining the biological sample on the microscope slide are conducted in the same apparatus, wherein the microscope slides do not need to be physically removed from one apparatus to another. Each treatment step occurs within the same reaction compartment. The reaction conditions of each reaction compartment for treating a slide can preferably be controlled independently, including the individualized application of reagents to each slide and the individualized treatment of each slide. The reagents are preferably held in a reagent dispensing strip similar to a “blister pack”.

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: An analysis apparatus includes a first analysis unit which collects samples by utilizing a first nozzle to analyze the sample, a second analysis unit which collects samples by utilizing a second nozzle to analyze the sample, and a transport apparatus which transports a plurality of sample vessels along a predetermined transport route. When a predetermined waiting state is provided such that the transport of the plurality of sample vessels is interrupted or stopped, then the sample collecting position is changed for at least one of the first and second nozzles, and the samples are collected from the plurality of sample vessels by means of the nozzle having the changed position. Accordingly, it is possible to enhance the efficiency of the analysis process performed by the analysis apparatus, while suppressing the transport apparatus from being large-sized and suppressing the structure from being complicated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems, devices, and methods for performing biological reactions. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of lipophilic, water immiscible, or hydrophobic barriers in sample separation, purification, modification, and analysis processes.

Abstract: A container for storing a biological sample for molecular diagnostic testing and/or histological testing is provided. The container includes a first chamber for receiving a sample holder therein, a second chamber, and a closure for enclosing the container. A breakable membrane, such as a piercable foil, extends within the container and separates the two chambers. When the breakable membrane is broken, fluid can pass between the first and second chambers. The membrane may be broken through an activator on the closure, such as a depressible member or a rotatable carrier, causing the sample holder to break through the membrane.

Abstract: Swabs, and materials of the present disclosure, and methods of making same, include randomly arranged sea-island bicomponent fibers which have randomly splayed terminal ends.

Abstract: Swabs, and materials of the present disclosure, and methods of making same, include randomly arranged sea-island bicomponent fibers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automated picking of animal cell colonies. A picking head comprising a plurality of hollow pins is provided. The apparatus has an integrated imager for capturing an image of adherent or non-adherent animal cell colonies held in liquid or semi-solid medium. Image processing identifies the locations of the animal cell colonies to be picked. Picking an animal cell colony is performed by aligning each of the hollow pins in turn with a target animal cell colony location, introducing the hollow pin into the medium, and aspirating the animal cell colony into the hollow pin. In the case of an adherent colony, the distal end of the pin is forced into oscillation to detach the animal cell colony prior to aspiration. The animal cell colony is dispensed into a well plate by increasing pressure in the fluid conduit.

Abstract: This invention describes a method for cultivating micro-organisms on solid growth medium in a solid state fermenting reactor by utilising external vibration for transportation and even inoculation of the solid growth medium. The reactor to be used is realized by attaching an external vibrator and at least one inoculation feed inlet to its outer wall.

Abstract: The invention provides a protein separation device comprising a chaperone protein immobilized on a substrate. In one embodiment, the chaperone protein is an Hsp60 chaperone, preferably a group one chaperone, preferably GroEL. The invention also provides a method for isolating a protein from a biological sample using a protein separation device of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a collection device for a substance, and methods related to collecting thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is test device and method for detection of sample analytes in which after sampling has occurred a closure is provided. Such a test device and method can be usefully employed to detect a variety of analytes including microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device, to a system, and to a method for the preparation and fractioned dispensing of samples of a fluid. The device of the invention comprises a body having formed therein guide means suitable for receiving a sample-taker member and for guiding it in translation through the device, and at least one preparation chamber enabling an aliquot of a fluid sample dispensed into the chamber by a said sample-taker member to be prepared in a stream of a suitable reagent. The guide means pass through the preparation chamber and communicate therewith to enable an aliquot of fluid to be dispensed into the chamber in a determined position of the sample-taker member in the guide means. The preparation chamber has an introduction orifice for introducing at least one reagent into the chamber for mixing the reagent with an aliquot, and at least one dispensing orifice for dispensing the mixture formed by said aliquot and said reagent to recovery and/or analysis means.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and kits for the isolation, processing and cryopreservation of mesenchymal cells from the Wharton's Jelly and vascular progenitor cells from umbilical cord tissue. Also provided are isolated mesenchymal cells or vascular progenitor cells obtained by the invention methods, and compositions thereof.

Abstract: A method to detect local antibodies such as antigen-specific IgE via a brush biopsy specimen of a mucosal surface of a subject is disclosed. The method is easily performed in an office setting on both adult and pediatric patients. Also disclosed is a brush device specially designed for harvesting materials from a mucosal surface such as the medial surface of the inferior turbinate.

Abstract: A quantitative sampler of pathogens in exhaled air is provided. The quantitative sampler includes an air inputting pipe for a sampled individual to blow exhaled air; a check valve unit for preventing the exhaled air from reversely flowing; an aerosol filtering unit having an aerosol filtering material for collecting aerosol particles in the exhaled air; and an air flow meter for measuring if total accumulated volume of the exhaled air reaches a predetermined sampling volume defined as a concentration denominator of exhaled pathogens. The quantitative sampler can be used to collect the aerosol particles, and then moves the aerosol filtering material out of the aerosol filtering unit followed by separating genetic substances in the aerosol particles from the aerosol filter, so that a real-time qPCR can be reacted by using the genetic substances for obtaining a quantitative concentration of the exhaled pathogens.

Abstract: This invention provides novel tools for surgery on single cells. In certain embodiments the tools comprise a microcapillary having at and/or near the tip a metal coating or a plurality of nanoparticles that can be heated by application of electromagnetic energy. In certain embodiments substrates are provided that facilitate the introduction of agents into cells. The substrates typically comprise a surface bearing a film or particles or nanoparticles that can be heated by application of electromagnetic energy.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems for high throughput, useful sampling of seed, wherein viability is optionally maintained, are disclosed. Seed from one generation in a plant advancement experiment is individually sampled by removal and collection of tissue from the seed. The tissue is then processed to derive one or more biochemical, genetic, or phenotypic characteristic of the seed before a decision is made whether to utilize that seed further in a plant advancement experiment or other plant research and development. In some embodiments of the method, the sampling is controlled to remove a useful amount of tissue for analytical purposes without significant effect on viability potential of the sampled seed. In some embodiments, the sampling is controlled to deter contamination of the sample. In some embodiments, the seed is automatically positioned and oriented to facilitate efficient and accurate sampling.

Abstract: A method for processing biomass including: conveying biomass to a pile of biomass on a platform; maintaining the biomass in the pile in a wetted condition, such that the biomass has a pH level in a predetermined pH range and a temperature in a predetermined temperature range; applying an enzyme to the biomass in the pile, wherein the enzyme extracts hemicelluloses from cellulosic fibrous material in the biomass; draining liquid from the pile of the biomass; removing the extracted hemicelluloses from the drained liquid, and returning to the pile at least a portion of the drained liquid after removal of the extracted hemicelluloses.