The analyzing method for quantifying urea in a sample solution includes: a pretreatment step of pretreating the sample solution with at least one of a membrane device including a reverse osmosis membrane and an ion exchange device including an ion exchanger; and an analyzing step of analyzing a target substance in the pretreated sample solution. The analyzing step is based on, for example, flow injection analysis (FIA), and includes a step of quantifying the target substance by measuring the absorbance of a liquid containing a substance generated by reacting the target substance with a reagent.

A fluidic sample pretreatment device is described. The device is capable of manipulating fluid samples in several different manners: 1) mixing the sample with other fluids in a large-bore syringe and receptacle, 2) mixing the sample with other fluids in narrow-bore capillary channels, 3) treating the sample or fluid mixture by passage through a solid-phase sorbent cartridge, 4) measuring optical properties in the sample or fluid mixture by means of UV absorbance or fluorescence, 5) subjecting the sample fluid or fluid mixture to a controlled temperature. The device can transfer the treated sample to an analytical instrument (e.g. a chromatograph or a mass spectrometer) for separation and/or analysis.

The device is unique and novel in combining capabilities of fluid mixing both in a large-bore syringe barrel, as well as in narrow-bore tubing. Moreover, in-syringe mixing is promoted by liquid movement between the syringe and the receptacle, rather than by a stir bar located in the syringe. A further unique feature is the use of flow-through ports for feature integration on the selector valve: both a sample introduction point and an optional solid-phase sorbent cartridge are incorporated in this manner.

A fluid delivery system and process for fluid delivery is provided that is useful in in flow-injection based sensing measurements, wherein samples from a sample rack are introduced into a flow cell where sensing measurements are taken. The system and process utilize at least two holding lines where each holding line can retain one of the samples prior to injection of the thus retained sample into a flow cell. The introduction of the samples from the sample racks to the holding lines is alternated and the injection of the samples from the holding lines to the flow cell are alternated so that one holding line is loaded with one of the samples simultaneously with another sample being injected from the another holding line to the flow cell.

A waste liquid chamber, a waste liquid treatment apparatus, and a sample analyzer are provided. The waste liquid chamber includes a body, a receiving cavity provided inside the body, a plurality of liquid inlets, a vent, a liquid outlet, a first plate received in the receiving cavity, and at least one guide tube. The first plate is located between the vent and the liquid outlet. A nozzle at one end of each guide tube is in communication with one liquid inlet to introduce a waste liquid into the guide tube, and a nozzle at the other end is provided below the first plate. The waste liquid chamber can prevent the waste liquid and/or a foam therefrom in the receiving cavity from running into the vent, and thus can effectively solve the reliability problem of waste liquid treatment caused by the increase of testing speed of the sample analyzer.

A system, including method and apparatus, for generating droplets suitable for droplet-based assays. The disclosed systems may include either one-piece or multi-piece droplet generation components configured to form sample-containing droplets by merging aqueous, sample-containing fluid with a background emulsion fluid such as oil, to form an emulsion of sample-containing droplets suspended in the background fluid. In some cases, the disclosed systems may include channels or other suitable mechanisms configured to transport the sample-containing droplets to an outlet region, so that subsequent assay steps may be performed.

A distributor head for a suction pump which includes a housing (12), a pump port (16) configured to apply a negative pressure, and a plurality of hollow needles (18). The hollow needles are fixed to the housing (12), are connected in a liquid-tight manner to the pump port (16), and are arranged parallel to and at a distance from one another. Individual connecting paths (34) of the hollow needles (18) to the pump port (16) include respective, independently operable control valves (36).

The present invention provides microfabricated substrates and methods of conducting reactions within these substrates. The reactions occur in plugs transported in the flow of a carrier-fluid.

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for serial flow emulsion processes. Systems and methods as described herein result in reduced cross-contamination.

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for serial flow emulsion processes. Systems and methods as described herein result in reduced cross-contamination.

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for serial flow emulsion processes. Systems and methods as described herein result in reduced cross-contamination.