An apparatus includes a chassis configured to move back and forth along multiple rails. The apparatus also includes electrical contacts configured to form electrical connections to the rails. The apparatus further includes a power converter/conditioner configured to receive power from the rails via the electrical contacts and to convert the power into a different form and/or condition the power. In addition, the apparatus includes one or more sensors configured to measure at least one characteristic of a material, where the one or more sensors are configured to operate using the power from the power converter/conditioner. The electrical contacts could touch the rails and receive the power directly from the rails. The electrical contacts could also touch rail contacts and receive the power indirectly from the rails via the rail contacts.

Provided is microparticle extraction technology capable of stably extracting only a target microparticle at high speed from a sheath flow flowing through a flow path. A particle extraction apparatus includes: a first extraction unit for extracting, from a whole sample containing a target particle, an extraction sample containing the target particle without performing abort processing; and a second extraction unit for subjecting the extraction sample to abort processing and extracting only the target particle.

Provided is microparticle extraction technology capable of stably extracting only a target microparticle at high speed from a sheath flow flowing through a flow path. A particle extraction apparatus includes: a first extraction unit for extracting, from a whole sample containing a target particle, an extraction sample containing the target particle without performing abort processing; and a second extraction unit for subjecting the extraction sample to abort processing and extracting only the target particle.

According to some aspects, a system and method for processing messages in a plurality of successive cycles is provided. One such system may include a plurality of first circuits, each first circuit configured to output a message, the plurality of first circuits configured to operate synchronously, a first plurality of buffers, each buffer associated with a respective first circuit and configured to store a message output by the respective first circuit, a communication path configured to receive the plurality of messages from the buffers and to perform aggregation of the messages, thereby generating an aggregated indication, and one or more second circuits. The one or more second circuits are configured to operate synchronously and to receive the aggregated indication, wherein buffers of the first plurality of buffers are configured to store messages from respective first circuits for different times.

This invention provides a kit or a device for the detection of pancreatic cancer, comprising a nucleic acid(s) capable of specifically binding to a miRNA(s) in a sample from a subject, and a method for detecting pancreatic cancer, comprising measuring the miRNA(s) in vitro.

A sensor is provided for detecting and characterizing particles in a fluid. The sensor has a microfluidic channel for receiving the fluid sample, an acoustic transducer module configured to generate a standing wave for concentrating the particles in a region of the microfluidic channel; an optical detection module configured to detect optical signals scattered by the particles upon illuminating the region of the fluid sample with a light source; and a data processing module configured to characterize the particles of the fluid sample based on the optical signals using a classifier.

Provided are a bubble eliminating structure and a bubble eliminating method which eliminate bubbles in a liquid by agitating the liquid, and an agitating method using the same. A first groove 114, which is an upstream bubble eliminating groove, and a second groove 131, which is a downstream bubble eliminating groove, are branched from a mixing well 13. After starting suction of the liquid from mixing well 13 into the first groove 114, suction of the liquid from the mixing well 13 into the second groove 131 is started, and after completion of discharge of the liquid from the first groove 114 into the mixing well 13, discharge of the liquid from the second groove 131 into the mixing well 13 is completed. This operation is repeated to eliminate bubbles.

A testing method using a micro flow path device configured for a test liquid containing a specimen to be brought into contact with a drug therein and for a test on an action of the drug on the specimen includes: preparing the micro flow path device including: a plurality of micro flow paths, first and second openings which are disposed at both ends of each of the plurality of micro flow paths and communicate with an outside, a storage unit which is provided in each of the plurality of micro flow paths and stores the drug, and a gas-permeable membrane covering the first opening; applying a fluid pressure higher than an external pressure to the test liquid through the second opening from a syringe pump connected to the second opening to pressure-feed the test liquid to the storage unit; and observing a target region set in the micro flow path.

Provided is a method for producing a microchannel including an approximately circular cross section with neither a joined surface nor an inlet in a smaller number of steps than has been conventional. The method for producing a microchannel includes the steps of forming a layer of an uncured curable resin (2) on a substrate (1), inserting into the curable resin a needle body (3) that can inject a liquid (4), injecting a liquid in a tubular shape into the curable resin via the needle body while moving the needle body, extracting the needle body from the curable resin, and curing the curable resin to form a channel (4A) in a tubular region injected with the liquid.

Provided is a method for producing a microchannel including an approximately circular cross section with neither a joined surface nor an inlet in a smaller number of steps than has been conventional. The method for producing a microchannel includes the steps of forming a layer of an uncured curable resin (2) on a substrate (1), inserting into the curable resin a needle body (3) that can inject a liquid (4), injecting a liquid in a tubular shape into the curable resin via the needle body while moving the needle body, extracting the needle body from the curable resin, and curing the curable resin to form a channel (4A) in a tubular region injected with the liquid.