Disclosed here are kits comprising pre-packed stabilizing solutions for stabilizing combinations of biomarkers at room temperature. Such kits can be better adapted for sample collection at a subject's dwelling, thus easing the burdensome requirement of sample collection.

The present inventive concept relates to a method for measuring analyte concentration in a sample fluid, comprising: receiving dilution fluid or sample fluid comprising analyte in a microfluidic channel, wherein the dilution fluid or sample fluid further comprises a molecule which is different from the analyte; performing a first affinity-based assay in a first detection zone of the microfluidic channel to measure a signal indicative of the concentration of the molecule in the dilution fluid or sample fluid; mixing the dilution fluid or sample fluid in the microfluidic channel with another of the dilution fluid or sample fluid to obtain a diluted sample fluid; performing a second affinity-based assay in a second detection zone of the microfluidic channel to measure a signal indicative of the concentration of the molecule in the diluted sample fluid; performing a third assay in the second detection zone to measure a signal indicative of the concentration of the analyte in the diluted sample fluid; determining a concentration of the molecule in the received dilution fluid or sample fluid, based on the measured signal of the first affinity-based assay; determining a concentration of the molecule in the diluted sample fluid, based on the measured signal of the second affinity-based assay; and determining the analyte concentration in the sample fluid on basis of the measured signal indicative of the concentration of analyte in the diluted sample fluid and a ratio between the determined concentration of the molecule in the received dilution fluid or sample fluid and the determined concentration of the molecule in the diluted sample fluid. The present inventive concept further relates to a microfluidic arrangement for facilitating measurement of analyte concentration in a sample fluid, and to a system for measuring analyte concentration in a sample fluid, comprising the microfluidic arrangement, and to a diagnostic system comprising the microfluidic arrangement.

The present invention provides fluidic (both air and liquid) exchange systems configured to retrofit standard cell/tissue culture well plates (6, 12, 24, 48, 96, 384, 1536 wells, and the like) and petri dishes by plugging into the openings of each well or dish.

An adapter for connecting an array of pipette tips having through bores with conical upper ends to a multichannel air displacement pipettor having a plurality of ports with compliant internal sealing surfaces. The adapter comprises a planar base with an array of openings extending between its top and bottom surfaces. Sealing tubes project upwardly from the top surface, and tip mounting tubes project downwardly from the bottom surface, with pairs of sealing tubes and tip mounting tubes being arranged coaxially and in communication with respective ones of the openings in the base. The tip mounting tubes are externally dimensioned and configured for insertion into the conical upper ends of the pipette tips, and the sealing tubes are externally configured and dimensioned for insertion into the ports of the pipettor and into sealing interengagement with their compliant internal sealing surfaces.

Automation compatible removable lids are provided. The removable lids include a top surface surrounded by a peripheral rim. The removable lids further include septal portions configured to receive an extractor, such as a pipette tip, inserted therethrough. The septal portions are further configured to grip the extractor to facilitate lid removal.

Devices that can transport biological materials are described. The devices incorporate capillary channeled fibers that can effectively transport living cells as well as other biological materials such as nutrients, growth factors, waste materials, etc. The devices can include a sorptive material at one end of the fibers that can improve transport of materials through the devices. The devices can differentially transport different cell types, particularly when the fibers are held in a vertical orientation. Diagnostic devices that incorporate the capillary channeled fibers are described that can be utilized to separate cell types from one another. Tissue engineering scaffolds that incorporate the capillary channeled fibers are described that can more efficiently transport materials into and out of the scaffolds.

A container for storing a biological sample is disclosed. The container includes a housing having a closed end, an open end, and a sidewall extending therebetween defining a container interior. The container has a removable closure for enclosing the open end of the housing and a sample holder for housing a biological sample detachably connected to the closure and insertable within the container interior. A port is disposed within the closure adjacent the sample holder to allow fluid to pass therethrough into the container interior. An injection device for engaging the port may also be provided. A first fluid may be initially provided within the container interior and a second fluid may be subsequently injected by the injection device through the port into the container interior.

A method for determining a numerical score representative of a patient's health, is characterized by the following steps. At an initial calibration step, a database is established from a series of indicators relating to the state of health of the patient, each indicator being assigned a numerical value, and afterwards a statistical analysis of this database is performed so as to establish for each of said indicators a score depending on a measured value of the indicators of the state of health with respect to reference values, and to establish at least four groups constituted by said indicators, each of said groups representing information corresponding respectively to oxidative stress, hereinafter Group 1; to functions of the digestive brain, hereinafter Group 2; to functions of the reptilian brain, hereinafter Group 3; and to physical abilities of the patient coupled to his information on his general state of health, hereinafter Group 4. Furthermore, a value is assigned to each group, then a health score S specific to the patient is calculated using the formula:

S=(Value Group 1+(2* Value Group 2)+(2* Value Group 3)+(3* Value Group 4))/(2* Number of groups)

Methods of transferring material from a first device having an array of microwells to a second device is provided. In some examples, the first device and the second device are moved together toward a stopper plate and impinge on the stopper plate. In other examples, the first device and the second device are kept stationary and an impinging device is impacted on a mounting structure enclosing the first and second devices, causing material transfer from the microwells of the first device to the second device. Apparatus for carrying out the transfer of material is also disclosed.

Pipette assembly comprising a pipette device, a pipette tip, and an expanding mandrel collet coupling device coupling the tip to the pipette device, the coupling device comprising: circumferentially spaced apart segments, an annular base disposed below the segments and comprising a distal portion, an elastomeric element circumscribing the distal portion, and upwardly extending circumferentially spaced apart arms attached at first ends to the annular base and having upper free ends each supporting a different one of the segments configured to expand between a first and a second greater circumference for engaging a first interior working surface of the tip in concurrence with the elastomeric element sealing against a second interior working surface below the first surface and in concurrence with an abutment between a disk exteriorly disposed about a medial portion of the arms and a stepped interior shoulder of the tip disposed between the first and second working surfaces.