A method for extracting a low-molecular-weight substance existing in a biological sample, including: 1) an adsorption step of adsorbing the substance on porous carbon by mixing the biological sample with the porous carbon having mesopores of 3.5 nm to 150 nm and micropores of a larger size as a hierarchical structure, and recovering the porous carbon from the obtained mixture, or by bringing the biological sample into contact with a filtration filter on which the porous carbon is disposed or supported; and 2) a releasing step of releasing the low-molecular-weight substance from the porous carbon by mixing the porous carbon obtained after the adsorption step with an aqueous solution containing 0.1 mass % to 1 mass % of spherical silica having an average particle diameter of 10 nm to 100 nm and containing 10% to 12% of acetonitrile, or by causing the filtration filter to contact and pass through the aqueous solution.

The present invention relates to a horizontal-flow-type apparatus for automatically transporting reagent cartridges. The apparatus includes: a magazine (110) in which a plurality of reagent cartridges (1) is stacked; a conveyer belt (120) having a plurality of separating projections (121) arranged in a conveying direction to horizontally separately convey the reagent cartridges (1); a driving motor (130) for driving the conveyer belt (120); a feeding unit (140) for feeding the reagent cartridges (1) stacked in the magazine (110) onto the conveyer belt (120); an examining unit (150) disposed over the front end of the conveyer belt (120) to examine the reagent cartridges (1); and reagent cartridge aligning members (161, 162) disposed in the conveying line of the conveyer belt (120), opposite to the examining unit (150), to align the reagent cartridges (1) in position.

Systems, devices, and methods for detecting contamination (e.g., bacteria) in fluid are provided. The systems, devices, and methods allow for filtering a fluid sample using a filter to capture and concentrate cells (e.g., bacteria) to detect electrochemical properties thereof. The cells can be exposed to a reagent that diffuses into the cells to produce a product of interest that can be used in analysis of the fluid sample. The product of interest can diffuse out of the filter into a fluid storage component for detection and analysis by an analysis component. After the sampling is completed, the filter can be detached and discarded. Other aspects of the present disclosure, including enhancements and various systems and methods for concentrating cells and analyzing the same, are also provided.

Systems, devices, and methods for detecting contamination (e.g., bacteria) in fluid are provided. The systems, devices, and methods allow for filtering a fluid sample using a filter to capture and concentrate cells (e.g., bacteria) to detect electrochemical properties thereof. The cells can be exposed to a reagent that diffuses into the cells to produce a product of interest that can be used in analysis of the fluid sample. The product of interest can diffuse out of the filter into a fluid storage component for detection and analysis by an analysis component. After the sampling is completed, the filter can be detached and discarded. Other aspects of the present disclosure, including enhancements and various systems and methods for concentrating cells and analyzing the same, are also provided.

A catcher, a capture device, and a method for capturing at least one target biological particle are provided. The catcher includes a base and a plurality of capture arms extending from the base and spaced apart from each other. Each of the capture arms has a free end portion configured to capture a target biological particle and a supporting segment connected between the free end portion and the base. The supporting segment of each of the capture arms is arranged in a projection space defined by orthogonally projecting the free end portion along a height direction onto the base. When the target biological particle is captured by two of the capture arms that are bent and arranged adjacent to each other, a part of the target biological particle is trapped by the supporting segments of the two of the capture arms and is held.

A catcher, a capture device, and a method for capturing at least one target biological particle are provided. The catcher includes a base and a plurality of capture arms extending from the base and spaced apart from each other. Each of the capture arms has a free end portion configured to capture a target biological particle and a supporting segment connected between the free end portion and the base. The supporting segment of each of the capture arms is arranged in a projection space defined by orthogonally projecting the free end portion along a height direction onto the base. When the target biological particle is captured by two of the capture arms that are bent and arranged adjacent to each other, a part of the target biological particle is trapped by the supporting segments of the two of the capture arms and is held.

A blood sample collection and/or storage device includes a two-piece housing that encompasses a port at which a fingertip blood sample is collected at a sample port. After the sample is taken, the two-piece housing is moved to a closed position deposit the sample onto a storage membrane Embodiments of the device include a one or more capillaries with movable plungers that dispense fluid from the sample port onto the membrane as the housing is closed. A desiccant, which may be held in place by a backbone structure within the housing, is positioned adjacent the membrane. The housing may also be opened to access the stored sample for further processing.

A blood sample collection and/or storage device includes a two-piece housing that encompasses a port at which a fingertip blood sample is collected at a sample port. After the sample is taken, the two-piece housing is moved to a closed position deposit the sample onto a storage membrane Embodiments of the device include a one or more capillaries with movable plungers that dispense fluid from the sample port onto the membrane as the housing is closed. A desiccant, which may be held in place by a backbone structure within the housing, is positioned adjacent the membrane. The housing may also be opened to access the stored sample for further processing.

A sample of a first aqueous liquid phase is drawn from a first one of a plurality of separation vessels in response to determining that a first separation operation in the first separation vessel has completed. First aqueous liquid phase sample data is obtained by analyzing the first aqueous liquid phase sample with at least one sensor. The first aqueous liquid phase sample data is transmitted to an external multiphase flow meter (MPFM) to calibrate, control, or optimize an operation of the MPFM. A sample of a second aqueous liquid phase is drawn from a second one of the plurality of separation vessels in response to determining that a second separation operation in the second separation vessel has completed. Second aqueous liquid phase sample data is obtained by analyzing the second aqueous liquid phase sample with the at least one sensor. The second aqueous liquid phase sample data is transmitted to the external multiphase flow meter. The first separation operation in the first separation vessel and the second separation operation in the second separation vessel are concurrent.

A sample of a first aqueous liquid phase is drawn from a first one of a plurality of separation vessels in response to determining that a first separation operation in the first separation vessel has completed. First aqueous liquid phase sample data is obtained by analyzing the first aqueous liquid phase sample with at least one sensor. The first aqueous liquid phase sample data is transmitted to an external multiphase flow meter (MPFM) to calibrate, control, or optimize an operation of the MPFM. A sample of a second aqueous liquid phase is drawn from a second one of the plurality of separation vessels in response to determining that a second separation operation in the second separation vessel has completed. Second aqueous liquid phase sample data is obtained by analyzing the second aqueous liquid phase sample with the at least one sensor. The second aqueous liquid phase sample data is transmitted to the external multiphase flow meter. The first separation operation in the first separation vessel and the second separation operation in the second separation vessel are concurrent.