A method of pretreating a sample including biological particles, the method including a step of acquiring a fraction (1b) which passes through a sieve (A) having meshes of 250 to 1000 m and does not pass through a sieve (B) having meshes of 32 to 63 m by sieving a sample including biological particles as a detection target, and a step of adding a colloidal solution having a density of 1.10 to 2.45 g/cm.sup.3 to the fraction (1b), subjecting the resultant solution to centrifugation, and acquiring a supernatant fraction (S0) after the centrifugation.

This invention pertains to a method of preparing biological material from a biological sample selected from the group consisting of blood and sputum samples. The method includes the step of altering at least one constitutive characteristic of the biological sample in the presence of a capturing scaffold by adding a lysis buffer containing a solubilising agent and a detergent to the biological sample, for simultaneously inhibiting coagulation of the biological sample; lysing the biological sample to release the biological material from the biological sample, thus making the biological material available; and capturing at least one fraction of the biological material on the capturing scaffold.

Novel organoselenium selective ligands are presented and designed to determine metal ions in a sample. These ligands are used as complexing agents in a dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction procedure of copper and zinc ions. The procedure has a shortened extraction time, minimal organic solvent types, and lower amounts of solvents, as well as easy operation and high enrichment efficiency.

Kits, microfluidics devices, and assays for use in methods of spectroscopically determining a ratio of glycated hemoglobin to total hemoglobin in a whole blood sample are disclosed.

Sampling devices for mercury speciation protocols are described. Devices can be utilized to separate mercury species from one another as a sample diffuses through a sampling device. Methods can determine the presence or quantity of targeted mercury species in a fluid sample. The devices are passive sampling devices based upon diffusion gradient in thin film (DGT) passive sampling devices. Devices include a reactant component and a sequesterant component that selectively react with a targeted species and retain a species (or a reaction product of a species) of a sample flow. Remaining mercury species can optionally be captured downgradient, for instance at an ion exchange resin.

A receptacle comprises opposed members, a plurality of chambers having perimeter walls defined by seals formed between the opposed members and portals interconnecting the chambers, and a rigid frame supporting the opposed members at their peripheral edges. The frame comprises a front frame portion and a rear frame portion, and the peripheral edges of the opposed members are retained between the front and rear frame portions. An inlet port extends between the front and rear frame portions and is in fluid communication with one of the chambers.

A method of processing a sample in a receptacle comprising a plurality of chambers. Each of the chambers is connected to at least one other chamber by a portal and at least a first one of the chambers is formed of a flexible material. The method includes the steps of causing gas bubbles contained in the first chamber to accumulate in a portion of the first chamber, applying a compressive external force to the first chamber to cause some or all of the liquid contents of the first chamber to flow into an interconnected second chamber through a portal connecting the first and second chambers; and preventing the gas bubbles accumulated in a portion of the first chamber from flowing through the portal into the second chamber

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to methods, systems and devices, for analyzing the molecules. For example, in some embodiments, a system is provided which includes a first volume of conducting fluid, a second volume of conducting fluid, an orifice in communication with the first and second volumes of fluid, and means for applying an electric potential difference between the first and second volumes of fluid. In some such embodiments, a conjugate product is provided which includes charged polymers each having attached thereto at least one first molecule for analysis, where the product carries a predetermined charge greater than the charge on the first molecule, and upon dissolving the product in the first volume of fluid, the product is directed into the orifice.

The invention generally relates to systems and methods for quantifying an analyte extracted from a sample. In certain embodiments, the invention provides methods that involve introducing a solvent into a capillary, introducing the capillary into a vessel including a sample such that a portion of the sample is introduced into the capillary, moving the sample and the solvent within the capillary to induce circulation within the sample and the solvent, thereby causing the analyte to be extracted from the sample and into the solvent, analyzing the analyte that has been extracted from the sample, and quantifying the analyte. In certain embodiments, the quantifying step is performed without knowledge of a volume of the sample and/or solvent.

A method of preparing a sample for cytometry detection of viable biological contaminants includes obtaining a non-aqueous sample, obtaining a suitable solvent, and filtering the suitable solvent creating a filtered solvent. The non-aqueous sample is combined with the filtered solvent creating a mixture for cytometry testing.