An automated system for identifying in a biological sample microorganisms and their antimicrobial susceptibility (AST). The system provided an automated platform for preparing, from a single biological sample, inoculates for both ID and AST. The system loads a plate for ID testing as samples are being prepared for AST testing. The system tracks the sample and the inoculates from the samples to link the test results to the sample and the patients from whom the sample was obtained.

A system may comprise a voltage upconverter, a universal serial bus (USB) connector to receive an input voltage from a USB port on a computing device, and a microfluidic diagnostic chip communication link to electrically couple the voltage upconverter to a microfluidic diagnostic chip wherein the voltage upconverter is to convert the input voltage to be received by the USB connector to an output voltage sufficient to drive a pump on the microfluidic diagnostic chip. A diagnostic system may comprise a microfluidic diagnostic chip comprising a pump and a voltage upconverter to receive an input voltage from a universal serial bus (USB) port of a computing device and to convert the input voltage into an output voltage that powers activation of the pump.

The present invention aims at providing a fluidic device that can hold a large amount of solutions in a reservoir without depending on an attitude. The reservoir includes a meandering flow path including: a plurality of first flow paths that extend linearly along a first direction and that are arranged to be spaced in a second direction crossing the first direction; and a second flow path that extends linearly along the second direction such that a connection between first end sides of the adjacent first flow paths and a connection between second end sides of the adjacent first flow paths are alternately switched along the second direction for each first flow path, wherein the meandering flow path meanders along the second direction. When the length of each of the first flow path and the second flow path is L, a surface tension is γ, the density of the solution is ρ, the acceleration which includes a gravity and which is applied to the solution is G, the wetted perimeter length of the first flow path and the second flow path is Wp, a cross-sectional area of the first flow path and the second flow path is A, a receding contact angle is α, and an advancing contact angle is β, a relationship L≤(γ×Wp×(cos α−cos β))/(ρ×A×G) is satisfied.

The present invention provides methods and devices for simple, low power, automated processing of biological samples through multiple sample preparation and assay steps. The methods and devices described facilitate the point-of-care implementation of complex diagnostic assays in equipment-free, non-laboratory settings. The invention includes a microfluidic device comprising a reagent-dispensing unit, a sample extraction device and a specimen processing unit.

The present invention is directed to a cartridge device for a measuring system for measuring viscoelastic characteristics of a sample liquid, in particular a blood sample, comprising a cartridge body having at least one measurement cavity formed therein and having at least one probe element arranged in said at least one measurement cavity for performing a test on said sample liquid; and a cover being attachable on said cartridge body; wherein said cover covers at least partially said at least one measurement cavity and forms a retaining element for retaining said probe element in a predetermined position within said at least one measurement cavity. The invention is directed to a measurement system and a method for measuring viscoelastic characteristics of a sample liquid.

A blood sample collection and/or storage device includes a two-piece housing that encompasses a port at which a fingertip blood sample is collected. After the sample is taken, the two-piece housing is moved to a closed position to protect the sample for storage and optionally process the sample.

A blood sample collection and/or storage device includes a two-piece housing that encompasses a port at which a fingertip blood sample is collected. After the sample is taken, the two-piece housing is moved to a closed position to protect the sample for storage and optionally process the sample within the housing. The housing may also be opened to access the stored sample for further processing.

When the mesh is placed under the bottom of a blade and over the bottom of a vessel in the dissolution test assembly equipped with either a vessel specified in the dissolution test method of the Japanese Pharmacopoeia, the United States Pharmacopoeia or the European Pharmacopoeia or a vessel used for the dissolution test, and a paddle formed from a blade and a shaft, and the suspensions and the solid dosage forms are added to or placed at the said mesh, a drug dissolves from the said dosage forms and the dissolution ratio variation between the said multiple same dosage forms can be small.

A microfluidic device includes a substrate having a first fluid inlet/outlet system, a second fluid inlet/outlet system, and a fluidic network between the first fluid inlet/outlet system and the second fluid inlet/outlet system and in fluid communication with the first fluid inlet/outlet system and the second fluid inlet/outlet system. The fluidic network includes a microfluidic channel network that is in fluid communication with the first fluid inlet/outlet system and spaced from the second fluid inlet/outlet system, a nanofluidic channel network fluidly connecting the microfluidic channel network and the second fluid inlet/outlet system, and a plurality of pores in fluid communication with the microfluidic channel network and the nanofluidic channel network.

A medical device comprising a multilayer printed circuit board (PCB) comprising a heating element on an inner layer of the PCB; a single cell electrical power source to power the heating element; and a chamber adapted to contain a liquid, at least part of said chamber being defined by a thermally conductive material configured to provide a thermal transfer interface between the chamber and the PCB.