An embodiment of a channel device (1) according to the present disclosure includes a channel (2) and a first space (3) and a second space (4) located in the channel (2). The channel (2) includes a side surface along a direction in which a liquid flows. The second space (4) is connected to the first space (3). An upper end of the second space (4) is located at a different height from an upper end of the first space (3). At least a part of the first space (3) is located between the side surface of the channel (2) and at least a part of an outer periphery of the second space (4).

A reaction processor includes: a reaction processing vessel including a channel in which a sample moves and a pair of air communication ports, a first air communication port and a second air communication port, provided at respective ends of the channel; a temperature control system that provides a medium temperature region and a high temperature region between the first air communication port and the second air communication port in the channel; and a liquid feeding system that discharges and sucks air in order to move and stop the sample inside the channel. One of the pair of air communication ports of the reaction processing vessel that is farther away from the high temperature region communicates with the liquid feeding system via a tube. One of the pair of air communication ports of the reaction processing vessel that is closer to the high temperature region is opened to atmospheric pressure.

Systems and methods are provided for sample processing. A device may be provided, capable of receiving the sample, and performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing multiple assays. The device may comprise one or more modules that may be capable of performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing the steps using a small volume of sample.

Devices for detecting microorganism strains or target cellular analytes are provided. The device includes a filter holder, the filter holder comprising a tip portion; a nonwoven article disposed on the tip portion of the filter holder; and an adaptor attacked to the filter holder, the adaptor defining an aperture. Methods of detecting microorganisms and/or cellular analytes in a fluid sample using the devices are also provided. The method includes obtaining the device; placing a lumened or cannulated device in fluid communication with the device; and passing a fluid sample suspected of containing at least one microorganism strain or target cellular analyte from the lumened or cannulated device through the device and contacting the nonwoven article. The method further includes contacting the nonwoven article with at least one detection reagent and detecting the presence of the at least one microorganism strain or target cellular analyte concentrated by the nonwoven article. Kits and systems including the devices are also provided.

A method for the contact metering of liquids having the following steps: a first liquid is introduced into at least one elongate hollow body, some of the first liquid contained in the elongate hollow body is pressed out of the lower end of the elongate hollow body as a contacting volume such that the contacting volume forms a drop suspended from the lower end of the elongate hollow body, at least some of the drop is immersed in a second liquid in a target vessel and the defined metering volume consisting of the contacting volume and a residual volume contained in the elongate hollow body is dispensed into the second liquid.

A device for blood (1) is provided with a column (50) and a micro flow path (20) located downstream of the column (50). The column (50) includes a porous material as a solid phase, and blood that has contacted with the porous material flows through the micro flow path (20). In the device for blood (1), the column (50) and the micro flow path (20) are provided as separated bodies. The column (50) has a connecting part (55), the micro flow path (20) has an inlet (21a), the connecting part (55) and the inlet (21a) are connected to each other to integrate the column (50) with the micro flow path (20), and blood (BL) is allowed to pass from the column (50).

A specimen holder includes a stick and an RFID tag. The stick is elongate along a longitudinal direction, and has a distal end and a proximal end opposite the distal end with respect to the longitudinal direction. The stick includes an outer surface and a distal portion of the outer surface that is closer to the distal end than the proximal end. The stick further includes an internal cavity that extends from a first terminal end to a second terminal end. The stick includes a midplane that is normal to the longitudinal direction, and the midplane is located equidistant between the distal end and the proximal end. The first terminal end, the second terminal end and an entirety of the internal cavity are all located between the midplane and the proximal end. The RFID tag is positioned within the internal cavity.

A test strip (12) includes a flow path (26) formed in a main body portion (20); a reagent portion (22b) provided in the flow path (26); and an intake portion (24) which is provided at a starting end of the flow path (26) and through which a sample is introduced into the flow path (26). The main body portion (20) is provided with a buffer space (28) communicating with a terminal end of the flow path (26), and a vent hole (30) opened at an outer surface of the main body portion (20) and communicating with the buffer space (28), and in a region where the buffer space (28) and the flow path (26) are connected, a cross-sectional area (Sb) of the buffer space (28) is larger than a cross-sectional area (S) of the flow path (26).

Systems and methods define adjustment of the level of a flowable medium in a hollow body. The systems and methods have a tank that is suitable for filling with a flowable medium, a hollow body with one or more openings, and one or more channels that each with a channel inlet and a channel outlet. The channels are disposable such that after placing the hollow body in the filled tank, in those regions of the hollow body in which imprisoned volumes of gas are situated between the wall of the hollow body and the flowable medium, at least one respective channel inlet is situated and is connected through the one channel to a channel outlet that is situated outside the hollow body and outside the flowable medium.

A microfluidic device comprises upper and lower spaced apart substrates defining a fluid chamber therebetween; an aperture for introducing fluid into the fluid chamber; a plurality of independently addressable array elements, each array element defining a respective region of the fluid chamber; and control means for addressing the array elements. The control means are configured to: determine that a working fluid has been introduced into a first region of the fluid chamber; and provide an output to a user to indicate that the working fluid is present in the first region. Once the working fluid is in the first region, the fluid applicator used to dispense the fluid can be removed without any risk of accidentally withdrawing dispensed working fluid from the microfluidic device. In the case of manual loading of the working fluid the output may inform a user that it is safe to remove the applicator, or in the case of automatic or robotic loading the output signal may be provided to the system controlling the automatic or robotic loading of fluid so that the system can remove the fluid applicator.