Methods and devices for monitoring the viability of a biofilm comprising Pseudomonas Aeruginosa bacteria are provided by detecting pyocyanin. The invention relates to electrochemical methods and devices that offer a simple and inexpensive alternative for immediate identification of bacterial infection due to the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In some embodiments, an inexpensive, disposable electrochemical sensor can be used to rapidly screen for the presence of P. aeruginosa in clinical wound effluent samples.

A sample loading cartridge (1) for a microfluidic device comprises a cartridge body (10) with a sample reservoir (20) configured to house a volume of a liquid sample (3) and a sample port (30) in connection with the sample reservoir (20). The cartridge (1) also comprises an output channel (40) extending from the sample reservoir (20) and a feedback channel (50) connected to the sample reservoir (20) and to the sample port (30). The cartridge body (10) comprises a detection portion (60) aligned with the feedback channel (50) to enable detection of any sample (3) in the feedback channel (50). The flow resistance of the feedback channel (50) is lower than the flow resistance of the output channel (40) to cause liquid sample (3) received in the sample port (30) to enter the feedback channel (50) with substantially no liquid sample (3) entering the output channel (40).

A filter sampling bag for use in a mixer for the preparation of samples for carrying out analyses and/or microbiological tests, the sampling bag formed from a plastic and having a bottom, side walls, and a mouth opening. The sampling bag is compartmentalized by a filtering partition delimiting a receiving chamber for a sample and a sampling chamber to permit a taking of samples. The sampling bag is marked with a visual indicator of a correct, predetermined closing position of the sampling bag after mixing. A sampling set or kit comprising a mixer and a filter sampling bag as disclosed, and a method of manufacturing such a filter sampling bag for use in a mixer for the preparation of samples to permit analyses and/or microbiological tests.

A sample processing apparatus comprises a transporting section configured to transport a sample rack that is capable of holding a sample container at a plurality of holding positions, a detecting section that is configured to detect presence or absence of a rack distinction member at a holding position of the sample rack, an aspirating section that is configured to aspirate a sample in the sample container, and a control section that is configured to control an aspirating operation of the aspirating section. The control section changes an aspirating operation with respect to the sample container held in the sample rack based on the presence/absence of the rack distinction member at the holding position of the sample rack.

The invention relates to a manually-operated mono-channel or multi-channel pipette for the sampling and dispensing of a liquid sample in accordance with a given protocol, comprising a control button equipped with an autonomous control device which can supply a user with information relating to a pipetting operation in real time during the pipetting operation.

Provided herein are apparatus for independently manipulating the temperature of a plurality of reaction vessels, e.g., for automated processing of nucleic acids present in the vessels. Printed circuit boards (PCBs) comprising a mount area arranged to have mounted thereon a through-hole thermoelectric device (TED) to facilitate independent temperature control of reaction vessels are also provided, as well as methods relating to the same.

Various apparatus, systems, and methods for measuring a solution characteristic of a sample comprising microorganisms are disclosed. The measured solution characteristic can be used to generate a standardized inoculum. In one embodiment, a sensor apparatus is disclosed comprising a sample container having a chamber lateral wall surrounding a chamber cavity configured receive the sample, a reference sensor fabricated as a container cap and comprising a reference electrode material and, and an active sensor made of a substrate covered in part by an active electrode layer. The active sensor can be coupled to at least part of the chamber lateral wall at a window opening defined along the chamber lateral wall. The solution characteristic can be measured using a reader configured to electrically couple to the sensor apparatus and measure the solution characteristic based on a potential difference between the active sensor and the active sensor.

A test strip and analytical apparatus have pin connections permitting the definition of geographic regions or of particular customers. A test strip made for use in a particular region or for a particular customer will have pin connections matching features of the apparatus made for use in that region or by that customer. Insertion of the strip into the apparatus does not merely turn on the apparatus, but provides the regional or customer coding. Analog switches within the apparatus allow coding of a larger number of distinct regions or customers than would otherwise be possible, all without degrading the quality of the measurements made of the fluid being tested. Conductive paths in the strips permit testing the strips during manufacture so as to detect quality lapses regarding the printing or deposition of the paths.

An apparatus comprising a magnetic assembly and methods for operating the apparatus are provided. The magnetic assembly may be used to manipulate molecules in a liquid preparation, for example to isolate or separate the molecules from the liquid. The magnetic assembly may be used to wash and/or isolate nucleic acid molecules of interest from a liquid preparation.

Provided is a nucleic acid analysis device with which artifact components are reduced. The nucleic acid analysis device includes a distribution unit, a labeling unit, an information acquisition unit, and an information processing unit. The information processing unit includes an information extraction unit, an artifact component determination unit, a correction unit, and an identifying unit. The artifact component determination unit determines an artifact component from extracted information corresponding to a portion other than a plurality of individual separated compartments. The correction unit uses the artifact component to correct extracted information corresponding to the plurality of individual separated compartments.