A container system for receiving a liquid sample has a receptacle including a substantially tubular portion for receiving a predetermined volume of the sample. The substantially tubular portion has a first open end and an at least partially openable second end; and a chamber at least partially surrounding the substantially tubular portion. The chamber has an at least partially open upper portion and a closed bottom.

A reagent dispenser includes a housing. A container of microbial inhibitor is disposed within the housing. A dispensing system is disposed within the housing and operable to dispense the microbial inhibitor from the container. The dispensing system is calibrated to dispense a calibrated weight per water sample of the microbial inhibitor, such that a ratio of the calibrated weight per water sample to inner volume of a sample bottle substantially equals a predetermined concentration of microbial inhibitor per liter of water determined to acidify water to a pH of 4 or less.

The microfluidic chip according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a plate, a bridge channel formed in intaglio on one side of the plate, an inlet formed through the plate to communicate with one end of the bridge channel, an outlet formed through the plate to communicate with the other end of the bridge channel, and at least one well extending in an outward direction of the plate from the bridge channel to provide a space, wherein the bridge channel may be in the form of a curved line, a bent line, an arc, a circle, a spiral, or a polygon.

An apparatus for washing an array plate includes one or more dispensers and one or more aspirators that are distinct from the one or more dispensers. A respective dispenser of the one or more dispensers is configured to dispense a first liquid on the array plate, and a respective aspirator of the one or more aspirators is configured to aspirate liquid on the array plate. A method for washing particles is also disclosed.

An improved biological sample preparation device and method of using the device. The disclosed device provides improved sample volume control, reduces potential contamination in the working environment, increases ease of use, and improves safety for healthcare workers.

Described herein are sample loading systems for loading a sample into a processing and/or analysis system comprising: a sample reservoir for receiving a sample and a metering volume reservoir, the sample reservoir and a first side of the metering volume reservoir being interconnected through a first channel with a first flow resistance to allow filling of the metering volume reservoir with sample; a further reservoir for receiving a second fluid interconnected with the metering volume reservoir at the first side via a second channel having a smaller second flow resistance; a first valve for blocking flow of sample from the metering volume reservoir into the second channel; a second valve connected to a second side of the metering volume reservoir for controlling the blocking and flowing of sample; and a first timing circuitry for timing the opening of the second valve as a function of filling of the further reservoir.

A sensing device includes a sample loading chamber configured to receive a sample, a detection antibody drying or lyophilization chamber configured to receive a first portion of the sample, one or more substrate drying or lyophilization chambers configured to receive a second portion of the sample, and one or more reaction chambers connected to the detection antibody drying or lyophilization chamber and the one or more substrate drying or lyophilization chambers. The detection antibody drying or lyophilization chamber and one or more substrate drying or lyophilization chambers are placed in parallel between the sample loading chamber and the one or more reaction chambers.

A microfluidic device comprising: an inlet section, for receiving a body fluid sample, the inlet section comprising an inlet port arranged to receive a supply of body fluid; a metering function configured to receive body fluid from the inlet section and comprising a first channel; and a sequent section configured to receive the body fluid from the metering function and comprising a second channel, wherein the first channel comprises a capillary stop valve configured to interrupt or reduce flow of the body fluid therethrough, and a means for visual inspection arranged adjacent to the capillary stop valve, wherein a geometry and/or dimension of the inlet port is configured such that when the supply of body fluid to the inlet port is removed, the Laplace pressure of a body fluid meniscus at the inlet port is higher than a threshold pressure of the capillary stop valve.

Systems, methods, and devices for analyzing small volumes of fluidic samples, as a non-limiting example, less than twenty microliters are provided. The devices are configured to make a first sample reading, for example, measure an energy property of the fluid sample, for example, osmolality, make a second sample reading, for example, detecting the presence or concentration of one or more analytes in the fluid sample, or make both the first sample reading and the second sample reading, for example, measuring the energy property of the fluid sample as well as detecting the presence or concentration of one or more analytes in the fluid sample.

[Problem] To ensure that a fluid is prevented from overflowing from a well and exposing the user to a biohazard. [Solution] A cartridge for use in measuring a component to be measured contained in a fluid includes a recessed well, formed for storing the fluid, the well including: a lower barrel portion that defines a lower space having a closed bottom; and an upper barrel portion that is formed above the lower barrel portion and defines an upper space having an opening on the top end, wherein a step portion is formed between the lower barrel portion and the upper barrel portion, the step portion being formed on an inner wall surface of the well and defining a step that continuously connects the inner wall surface of the lower barrel portion and the inner wall surface of the upper barrel portion.