A system for performing a gas-liquid mass transfer includes a container bounding a compartment and having a top wall, a bottom wall, and an encircling sidewall extending therebetween. A tube has a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of the tube being disposed within the compartment of the container. A nozzle is disposed within the compartment of the container and has at least one outlet, the nozzle being coupled with the tube so that a gas can be passed through the tube and out the at least one outlet of the nozzle. The nozzle is sufficiently buoyant so that when a fluid is disposed within the compartment of the container, the nozzle floats on the fluid.

The present disclosure relates to a sample preparation device and a related method. The sample preparation device includes a sample preparation module having a holder configured to hold the sample container, and an actuator coupled to the holder. The actuator is configured to cause the holder to repeatedly change a position of the sample container a set number of times in order when the sample container is held by the holder. The sample preparation device also includes a staging module configured to hold the sample container for a set period of time. The staging module includes a rack that holds the sample container when the sample container is released from the holder. The set period of time is sufficient to allow the blood in the sample container to further clot.

A printer includes a first cartridge holder including a first insertion port in which a first ink cartridge housing a first ink pack charged with a sedimentation ink is inserted and which is open horizontally, the first cartridge holder housing the inserted first ink cartridge, a first shaft pivotably supporting the first cartridge holder, a first driving mechanism that causes the first cartridge holder to pivot about the first shaft, and a controller that controls the first driving mechanism. The controller includes a first controller that controls the first driving mechanism to cause the first cartridge holder to pivot and agitate the sedimentation ink contained in the first ink pack.

The disclosure describes methods and devices with which to process and analyze difficult chemical, biological, environmental samples including but not limited to those containing bulk solids or particulates. The disclosure includes a cartridge which contains a separation tube as well as one or more valves and cavities for receiving raw sample materials and for directing and containing various fluids or samples. The cartridge may contain a separation fluid or density medium of defined density, and structures which direct particulates toward defined regions of the cartridge. Embodiments can include a rotational device for rotating the cartridge at defined rotational rates for defined time intervals. Embodiments allowing multiple assays from a single sample are also disclosed. In some embodiments, this device is used for direct processing and chemical analysis of food, soil, blood, stool, motor oil, semen, and other samples of interest.

Devices and methods for handling liquids are provided. The devices and methods make use of centrifugal forces to drive liquid flow and facilitate one or more of the mixing, metering and sequencing of liquids, for example on a microfluidic device.

Apparatuses and methods based thereon are provided for mixing utilizing mixer inserts. A mixer insert may comprise an enclosing component adapted for application to an opening in a container to which the mixer insert is applied, to enclose a space in the container. The mixer insert may further comprise one or more mixing components, adapted to fit within the enclosed space when the enclosing component is applied to the opening in the container, with the one or more mixing components being configured to mix material placed within the enclosed space when the combination of the container and the mixer insert is subject to particular force or movement.

In one embodiment, a mixing device includes a sleeve that forms an inner space configured to receive a sample container, a housing associated with the sleeve, a mixing element contained within the housing that is configured to mix liquid contained within the sample container, and an activation element configured to activate the mixing element when the activation element is triggered.

A mixer system comprising a sealed tube (2) provided with inlets and outlets (4,5) for a process fluid which is rotatable in arcs around the longitudinal axis of the tube (3) and contains one or more blades (11) mounted at each end on a blade carrier (10) supported within the tube (3) in a manner that allows the one or more blades (11) to rotate in the same direction and angular velocity (in degrees per second) as the tube (3) rotates in arcs and the use of such a system as a reactor and/or for mixing.

The disclosure describes methods and devices with which to process and analyze difficult chemical, biological, environmental samples including but not limited to those containing bulk solids or particulates. The disclosure includes a cartridge which contains a separation tube as well as one or more valves and cavities for receiving raw sample materials and for directing and containing various fluids or samples. The cartridge may contain a separation fluid or density medium of defined density, and structures which direct particulates toward defined regions of the cartridge. Embodiments can include a rotational device for rotating the cartridge at defined rotational rates for defined time intervals. Embodiments allowing multiple assays from a single sample are also disclosed. In some embodiments, this device is used for direct processing and chemical analysis of food, soil, blood, stool, motor oil, semen, and other samples of interest.