A testing system collects a specimen from a subject and measures the collected specimen to test the specimen, and includes a box to allow at least one of specimen collection for collecting and receiving the specimen, preprocessing for processing the collected specimen before measurement, or specimen measurement for measuring the preprocessed specimen to be performed therein.

The present invention provides devices and methods for generating a pulsatile fluid flow in a microchannel by means of external actuation of a thin flexible film. With the devices described herein, cycles of positive and negative actuation can be used to infuse or withdrawal fluid in a microchannel. Fluid can be recirculated over one or more microfluidic feature, such as a chemical or molecular receptor, biosensor, electrode, cell or biological material, chromatography feature, mixer, etc., in a way that would represent an advantage over the single-pass flow techniques common to most microfluidic devices. The devices and methods are particularly useful in vitro diagnostics (IVD), analytical chemistry, chromatography, and mixing applications in a variety of fields.

A biological sample storage container includes a biological sample storage tube and a biological sample storage tube cap. The tube cap is a cap that is to be attached to the tube having a lower closed portion and an upper opening portion, and is for closing the upper opening portion. The tube cap includes a main body portion that enters the upper opening portion of the biological sample storage tube and closes the upper opening portion, an elongated biological sample adhering portion that extends downward from a lower face of the main body portion, and a flange that protrudes laterally outward from the main body portion. The biological sample adhering portion is cuttable and falls into the biological sample storage tube after being cut.

A system is disclosed for measuring head framing and tip straightness in a liquid handler. The present system uses a test plate, having an upper surface formed of clay or other impressionable material. The test plate may be placed at a liquid handling station. Pipette tips may then be loaded onto the head, and the head positioned at the station including the test plate. The head may be actuated in the z-direction so that the tips leave an imprint in the upper surface of the test plate. The imprint of the tips on the test plate may then be analyzed using any of a variety of measurement techniques to determine head framing alignment or misalignment.

A transport unit for a packaging structure for a plurality of containers for substances for pharmaceutical, medical or cosmetic uses includes a tray with a plurality of seats for positioning the containers and a planar inlay part for covering the containers positioned in the seats of the tray. The inlay part is configured to cover the containers positioned in the seats and at the same time to be received completely in the tray, without protruding above an upper edge of the tray. A plurality of depressions corresponding to the seats of the tray are formed in the inlay part, in order to position the containers at their two ends lying opposite each other. A gap is formed at least partially between the inlay part, received in the tray, and side walls of the tray.

A heat pump that includes a thermoelectric device(s) and a heat sink having a raised portion with a top surface for thermally coupling with a planar face of the thermoelectric device(s). The raised portion of the heat sink includes an outer periphery and a raised central region surrounded by a void region to provide more uniform thermal conductivity when clamped within an assembly. The raised central region is shaped in an any shape corresponding to a shape of uneven thermal conductivity due to clamping pressure applied to the heat sink. The void region can be substantially contiguous and entirely circumscribe the central raised region. The device can optionally include discrete supports formed of a less thermally-conductive material within the void region. The supports can be elastomeric, such as O-rings, and disposed within pockets defined within the void region.

An analysis unit for quantitating detection target substances bound to antibodies includes wells and inclination parts. The wells each have a hole-like shape defined by an opening, an inner circumferential surface, and a bottom. The inclination parts each have an inclined surface connected to the inner circumferential surface and inclined downward such that whose height with respect to the bottom decreases as a distance from an outer circumferential side of the well increases.

The invention provides a multi-well plate reader for providing simultaneous transmission of stimulation light to, and detection of emission light from, individual wells of a multi-well plate at a plurality of distinct wavelengths.

A liquid droplet manipulation system has a substrate with at least one electrode array and a central control unit for controlling selection of individual electrodes of the electrode array and for providing the electrodes with individual voltage pulses for manipulating liquid droplets by electrowetting. A working film is placed on top of the electrodes for manipulating samples in liquid droplets with the electrode array. At least one selected individual electrode of the electrode array is configured to be penetrated by light of an optical detection system for the optical inspection or analysis of samples in liquid droplets that are located on the working film. Also disclosed is working film that is to be placed on the electrode array and a cartridge that includes such a working film for manipulating samples in liquid droplets.

A fully integrated miniaturized optical biosensor and methods of making the same are disclosed. The biosensor may include a fluid transport system and an optical system.