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.

A test device having a micro flow channel including a reaction part where a reactant that is reactive to a tested chemical dispersed in a tested fluid is fixed, and at least one actuator for actuating the tested fluid to move in at least one of two opposite sides of the micro flow channel so as to homogenize a density distribution of the tested chemical in the tested fluid. The tested fluid is sent in the micro flow channel a plurality of times.

A system for delivering to a patient a slurry which includes a fluid and a material that is non-dissolvable or immiscible in the fluid. The system includes a container adapted to contain the slurry and a supernate of the slurry, a syringe adapted to contain the slurry after dilation with the supermate, a fluid path between the syringe and the contents of the container, the fluid path including a needle at least partially disposed within the contents of the container, a plunger disposed in the syringe and adapted to create pressure in the syringe to cause a dilated slurry to flow into the syringe through the fluid path, and a fluidizing systen associated with the container and comprising a holder adapted to move the needle within the container to affect dilation of the slurry with a portion of the supernate.

The invention is to devices and method for rapid determination of analytes in liquid samples by various assays including immunoassays incorporating a sample dilution feature for forming a diluted sample for analysis. The devices and methods also include a dilution verification feature for verifying the degree of dilution of the diluted sample. The devices preferably are capable of being used in the point-of-care diagnostic field is provided.

Devices and methods for preparing a slurry for coating onto a substrate. The devices and methods of the present disclosure relate to providing a slurry in a closed volume with at least one passage. The slurry includes a solvent, a powder, and a binder. The slurry can also include a dispersion agent. The slurry is forced repeatedly under high pressure through the at least one passage in a first flow direction and then back through the at least one passage in a second flow direction, opposite the first flow direction. The forcing homogenously disperses the powder and the binder within the solvent. Both sides of the substrate are then coated simultaneously with the slurry extruded from the closed volume after the forcing. Curing of the coated slurry includes freeze drying to preserve the porosity of the slurry on the substrate.

This invention provides a water-in-oil (w/o) emulsion formulation that stably contains 3 types of peptides having 4 linked CTL epitopes. This invention also provides a method for efficiently preparing the w/o emulsion formulation containing 3 types of peptides having 4 linked CTL epitopes. This invention provides a w/o emulsion formulation that stably contains 3 types of peptides having 4 linked CTL epitopes and a method for efficiently preparing such w/o emulsion formulation. In addition, this invention provides an improved method and an apparatus to prepare such emulsion formulation.

A device for preparing a solution from a sample and a reagent, the device includes a microfluidic array having a sample supply inlet, a reagent supply inlet, a discharge outlet, a solution collection outlet, a sampling zone to which the inlets are connected, first and second preparation chambers connected to the sampling zone, arranged to either side of the sampling zone such that the liquid flowing from one preparation chamber to the other flows through the first sampling zone, the first preparation chamber having a volume that is variable between a minimum volume and a calibrated volume. The device includes valves interrupting the flow of the fluid at least at the two inlets and the collection and discharge outlets.

Apparatus and methods for designing a system that measures deflection at multiple points and in various axes and how it relates to flow measurement are described. A system for continuously measuring the mass flow of a media includes one or more cartridges, one or more displacement sensing devices, and a processor. The one or more cartridges are connected serially between an inflow and outflow media pipe. The one or more displacement-sensing devices is configured to detect displacement changes of the one or more cartridges at two or more separate points on the cartridge(s) when the media flows through the cartridge(s). The processor is configured to calculate the flow of the media based on the detected displacement changes of the one or more cartridges at the one or more separate points.

Apparatus and methods for designing a system that measures deflection at multiple points and in various axes and how it relates to flow measurement are described. A system for continuously measuring the mass flow of a media includes one or more cartridges, one or more displacement sensing devices, and a processor. The one or more cartridges are connected serially between an inflow and outflow media pipe. The one or more displacement-sensing devices is configured to detect displacement changes of the one or more cartridges at two or more separate points on the cartridge(s) when the media flows through the cartridge(s). The processor is configured to calculate the flow of the media based on the detected displacement changes of the one or more cartridges at the one or more separate points.

Systems for a plastic pump/actuator capable of containing and pumping organic solvents and lubricants and having a more desirable lubricity within the system. The system has at least two cylinders, with plungers therein, oppositely disposed from each other and configured to operably connect to a pump.