The present invention provides a discrete microenvironment chamber (DIMIC) configured to accurately mimics the microenvironment of poorly perfused tissue. In one embodiment, the DIMIC of the present invention is further designed to allow the extraction of cells and media from different local environments for any type of biochemical analysis.

A microfluidic device includes a first substrate including at least one microfluidic channel and a plurality of microwells, as well as a cooperating second substrate defining multiple split-walled cell trap structures that are registered with and disposed within the plurality of microwells. A method for performing an assay includes flowing cells and a first aqueous medium into a plurality of microwells of a microfluidic device, wherein each microwell includes a cell trap structure configured to trap at least one cell. The method further comprises flowing a nonpolar fluid with low permeability for analytes of interest through a microfluidic channel to flush a portion of the first aqueous medium from the microfluidic channel while retaining another portion of the first aqueous medium and at least one cell within each microwell. Surface tension at a non-polar/polar medium interface prevents molecule exchange between interior and exterior portions of microwells.

Disclosed herein, inter alfa, are systems and methods for contactless evaluation of a biological sample.

In a learning device, method, and program for a discriminator, and a discriminator, it is possible to enable accurate learning of a discriminator that discriminates a state of an object to be observed, such as a cell. An image acquisition unit acquires a first image including an influence of a meniscus and a second image with the influence of the meniscus eliminated for the same object to be observed. Next, a training data generation unit generates training data for learning a discriminator based on the second image. Then, a learning unit learns the discriminator based on the first image and the training data.

Rapid detection of analytes including, for example, systems, kits, and methods for growth, isolation, and/or monitoring of analytes are generally disclosed. In some embodiments, the systems and methods described herein are generally directed to the capture and/or concentrating of a target species (e.g., analyte) to be detected and/or monitored. In some embodiments, the materials, systems, and methods described herein may be used to create luminescent signals in response to the presence of selected analytes such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites. In some cases, the target analyte is a pathogenic bacteria, a pathogenic virus, a pathogenic parasite, or toxin.

A method for detecting the presence of a microorganism in a fluid sample is disclosed. The method includes providing a fluid specimen within a specimen collection container having a sidewall defining an interior therein. The interior includes a mechanical separator adapted for separating the fluid sample into first and second phases within the specimen collection container and a sensing element capable of detecting the presence of a microorganism disposed therein. The method includes subjecting the specimen collection container to applied rotational force to isolate a concentrated microorganism region. The method also includes detecting by a sensing element the presence or absence of a microorganism within the concentrated microorganism region.

Methods of forming an integrated device, and in particular forming one or more sample wells in an integrated device, are described. The methods may involve forming a metal stack over a cladding layer, forming an aperture in the metal stack, forming first spacer material within the aperture, and forming a sample well by removing some of the cladding layer to extend a depth of the aperture into the cladding layer. In the resulting sample well, at least one portion of the first spacer material is in contact with at least one layer of the metal stack.

An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer that can decrease the frequency of cleaning as compared to the past by suppressing breeding of bacteria and the like in a buffer tank as compared to the past and can reduce maintenance work time of an operator. Provided is an automatic analyzer comprising: an analysis module 20 that analyzes a specimen; and a supply system that supplies a liquid to the analysis module 20, wherein the supply system includes: a buffer tank 3 that temporarily stores pure water supplied from a pure water production device 50 outside of the analyzer; a supply channel 7 through which the pure water in the buffer tank 3 is sent to the analysis module 20; a circulation water pump 4 that feeds the pure water in the buffer tank 3; a circulation channel 8 through which the pure water discharged from the circulation water pump 4 is returned to the buffer tank 3; a sterilization mechanism 5 that sterilizes the pure water in the supply system; and a control unit 30 that controls an operation of each device in the supply system.

A sensor for the in situ detection of a target chemical species, comprising a gas permeable membrane having a sampling side and an opposing analytical side, wherein the sampling side of the membrane is capable of receiving a sample and the membrane is permeable to target chemical species present in the sample. A weak acid or a weak base is in contact with the analytical side of the membrane, and a conductivity detector is in contact with the weak acid or weak base. In use, target chemical species present in the sample permeate through the membrane and react with the weak acid or weak base, producing ionic species and changing the conductivity.

A sampling apparatus includes a wand extension coupled with a trace detection head and a bulk detection head. The trace detection head collects a maximum amount of a sample for a trace detection analysis. The bulk detection head collects a minimal amount of a substance for use in bulk sample identification.