A multiple-antenna positioning system with a single drive element, providing reduced weight and complexity over systems that have a drive element for each antenna. In certain examples, each antenna can be coupled with a rotating spindle, with each antenna spindle being coupled with a pair of link arms. By driving a single drive spindle, each of the antenna spindles in the system can be rotated by the associated pair of link arms. The link arms can have an adjustable length, such as through a turnbuckle mechanism, to reduce backlash in the system, and in some examples can apply a preload to the system. By reducing backlash, the multiple antenna positioning system can have improved responsiveness to a rotation of the single drive element, as well as improved stability of the positioning of each antenna when the drive element is held in a fixed position.

Test strips for determining the activity of a coagulation factor in a blood sample are provided. The strip comprises a support, a sample inlet port for deposition of a blood sample, and a reaction area comprising a blood coagulation reagent. The sample inlet port is connected to the reaction area, and the coagulation reagent comprises blood plasma deficient in the coagulation factor for which activity is to be measured, an ionic citrate source an ionic calcium source, and either one or more coagulation contact phase activator reagents and phospholipids or a mixture of tissue factor and phospholipids. The disclosure further relates to in vitro methods for measuring an activity of a coagulation factor.

A “smart ” instrument for mixing (100), a microfluidic chip (50), and a system wherein they are used to prepare formulations is provided. The microfluidic chip comprises microchannels and a programmable data component. The system achieves optimal formulations for RNA, antisense, peptides and small molecules in the hands of even novice users.

A microcapillary sensor array includes a sensor body that is elongated along a longitudinal axis. The sensor body has a first end, a second end spaced from the first end along the longitudinal axis, an outer surface, and an inner surface. The inner surface defines a hollow capillary that extends from the first end toward the second end along the longitudinal axis. The microcapillary sensor array includes a sensing element that extends through the sensor body from the outer surface to the hollow capillary and a conductive element in contact with the sensing element. The conductive element detects a response signal generated by a reaction between the sensing element and a fluid as the fluid flows through the hollow capillary contacting the sensing element.

A system for performing a molecular analysis workflow includes a reaction holder or a reaction substrate, such as a multi-well reaction plate, with a reaction holder/substrate RFID tag, and/or a reagent container with a reagent container RFID tag, and an instrument and/or device that includes an RFID reader/writer operable to read and/or write information to and from the reaction holder/substrate RFID tag and/or the reagent container RFID tag. The reaction holder/substrate RFID tag and the reagent container RFID tag can be utilized separately or together to send and receive and store information, for example, for a workflow of a molecular analysis, such as a polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

A tissue sample that has been removed from a subject can be properly fixed for evaluation using the disclosed transporter assembly for carrying a tissue sample and method for fixing an unfixed tissue sample. In one embodiment, the disclosed assembly includes a transport container, a fixative in the transport container, and a cooling device that reduces and/or maintains the temperature of the fixative to perform a pre-soaking process at a temperature of less than about 7° C. The pre-soaking process can, for example, be performed during sample transport or during extended periods of storage, such as over a weekend.

A device includes a microfluidic channel structure on a substrate with a first fluid actuator and a second fluid actuator within the microfluidic channel structure. One of the fluid actuators is selectively employable to at least partially reverse fluid flow within at least a portion of the microfluidic channel structure in response to a blockage or to prevent a blockage.

Systems and methods are described for quantifying a target nucleic acid. A sample comprising a target nucleic acid is segregated into a first plurality of the reaction volumes containing at least one target nucleic acid molecule and a second plurality of the reaction volumes containing no target nucleic acid molecules. The reaction volumes are subjected to an amplification assay, wherein the amplification assay is configured to amplify the target nucleic acid. An indicator of amplification is detected or measured in at least some of the plurality of reaction volumes. The target nucleic acid is quantified based on the detection or measurement. After discontinuing the amplification assay, the plurality of reaction volumes may be heated and changes in the indicators of amplification of two or more of the at least some of the reaction volumes may be detected or measured.

A method of collecting test data from use of a disposable test kit, the method comprising the steps of: a code reader scanning a unique test identifier provided on the disposable test kit; an identification module identifying from the scanned unique test identifier a type of test performed by the disposable test kit; the code reader scanning a patient identifier; the identification module identifying from the scanned patient identifier a patient who has used the disposable test kit; a display and selection module automatically displaying on a display screen each of all possible distinct outcomes associated with the identified test as a selectable option; a user selecting one of the displayed all possible distinct outcomes for collection as test data; an association module automatically associating the test data with the patient; and the user activating storage of the test data to a data storer.

The invention relates to a method, a computer program and a system for operating a hand-held, computer-controlled piston-stroke pipette as well as a corresponding piston-stroke pipette as well a data processing device cooperating with that, wherein a precise pipetting of liquid with a vapor pressure higher than that of water is rendered possible by means of a sequence of prewettings of the pipette tip.