A mask for underwater use includes a frame, a transparent part supported by the frame, and a gasket part mounted on the frame and configured to be positioned on the face of a user. The gasket part has a perimeter edge adapted to rest on the perimeter of the user's face, and the perimeter edge includes a discharge opening, which is located at the region configured to be arranged near the user's mouth and which is the seat of a valve non-return mechanism, which enables the expulsion of breathed gases simultaneously with any water present in the lower chamber through the opening.

A flow control device including a first channel, a second channel, and a diaphragm positioned between the first channel and the second channel, wherein the diaphragm includes a first side and a second side that faces an opposite direction as the first side. The diaphragm is configured and arranged to alternatively operate in both: a closed condition in which flow from the first channel to the second channel is impeded, and an open condition in which flow from the first channel to the second channel occurs. The diaphragm is also configured and arranged to change from the closed condition to the open condition when a force of a positive fluid flow through the first channel towards the first side of the diaphragm exceeds a combination of a gravitational force and a force of atmospheric pressure upon the second side of the diaphragm.

A flow control device including a first channel, a second channel, and a diaphragm positioned between the first channel and the second channel, wherein the diaphragm includes a first side and a second side that faces an opposite direction as the first side. The diaphragm is configured and arranged to alternatively operate in both: a closed condition in which flow from the first channel to the second channel is impeded, and an open condition in which flow from the first channel to the second channel occurs. The diaphragm is also configured and arranged to change from the closed condition to the open condition when a force of a positive fluid flow through the first channel towards the first side of the diaphragm exceeds a combination of a gravitational force and a force of atmospheric pressure upon the second side of the diaphragm.

An encapsulated valve system includes a first housing portion having a first facing surface, the first facing surface comprising a plurality of branch pathways formed as a recess within the first facing surface. The valve system further includes a second housing portion having a second facing surface, the second facing surface comprising a plurality of branch pathways formed as a recess within the second facing surface. A disposable conduit is configured to be interposed between the first and second housing portions and disposed within the recess of the first facing surface and the recess of the second facing surface. The disposable conduit is thus sandwiched between the first and second facing surfaces. A plurality of pinch valve actuators are mounted on one or both of the first housing portion and the second housing portion, the plurality of pinch valve actuators configured to pinch the disposable conduit at selective branch pathways.

Systems, methods and devices are provided for the automated centrifugal processing of samples. In some embodiments, an integrated fluidic processing cartridge is provided, in which a centrifugation chamber is fluidically interfaced, through a lateral surface thereof, with a microfluidic device, and wherein the integrated fluidic processing cartridge is configured to be inserted into a centrifuge for centrifugation. A cartridge interfacing assembly may be employed to interface with the integrated fluidic processing cartridge for performing various fluidic processing steps, such as controlling the flow of fluids into and out of the centrifugation chamber, and controlling the flow of fluids into the microfluidic device, and optionally for the further fluidic processing of fluids extracted to the micro-fluidic device. The integrated fluidic processing cartridge may include a supernatant chamber the extraction of a supernatant thereto, and a dilutent chamber for diluting a suspension collected in the centrifugation chamber.

Systems, methods and devices are provided for the automated centrifugal processing of samples. In some embodiments, an integrated fluidic processing cartridge is provided, in which a centrifugation chamber is fluidically interfaced, through a lateral surface thereof, with a microfluidic device, and wherein the integrated fluidic processing cartridge is configured to be inserted into a centrifuge for centrifugation. A cartridge interfacing assembly may be employed to interface with the integrated fluidic processing cartridge for performing various fluidic processing steps, such as controlling the flow of fluids into and out of the centrifugation chamber, and controlling the flow of fluids into the microfluidic device, and optionally for the further fluidic processing of fluids extracted to the micro-fluidic device. The integrated fluidic processing cartridge may include a supernatant chamber the extraction of a supernatant thereto, and a dilutent chamber for diluting a suspension collected in the centrifugation chamber.

A diaphragmatic elbow damper joining two angularly oriented channels and configured to seal the channels in the absence of fluid flow overcoming gravity and atmospheric pressure.

A diaphragmatic elbow damper joining two angularly oriented channels and configured to seal the channels in the absence of fluid flow overcoming gravity and atmospheric pressure.

A valve arrangement for controlling gas flow. A gas block includes a gas inlet, a gas outlet, and a gas cavity fluidly connecting the gas inlet to the gas outlet. A diaphragm is configured for controlling gas flow between the gas inlet and the gas outlet. An actuator is configured to vary the position of the diaphragm so as to control the gas flow. The actuator comprises a tubular housing; a plunger positioned inside the housing and having an actuating extension extending outside of the housing and coupled to the diaphragm, the plunger configured to be slidable inside the housing; a piezoelectric body positioned inside the plunger; and a pre-loader applying force to the plunger so as to press the plunger against the piezoelectric body.

A valve arrangement for controlling gas flow. A gas block includes a gas inlet, a gas outlet, and a gas cavity fluidly connecting the gas inlet to the gas outlet. A diaphragm is configured for controlling gas flow between the gas inlet and the gas outlet. An actuator is configured to vary the position of the diaphragm so as to control the gas flow. The actuator comprises a tubular housing; a plunger positioned inside the housing and having an actuating extension extending outside of the housing and coupled to the diaphragm, the plunger configured to be slidable inside the housing; a piezoelectric body positioned inside the plunger; and a pre-loader applying force to the plunger so as to press the plunger against the piezoelectric body.