Apparatus and methods for separating blood components are disclosed in which an apparatus for separating blood generally includes a tube defining a channel and configured for receiving a quantity of blood and a float contained within the tube and having a density which is predefined so that the float is maintained at equilibrium between a first layer formed from a first fractional component of the blood and a second layer formed from a second fractional component of the blood. Upon completion of the centrifugation, the first layer may be removed from the tube while the float isolates the second layer from the first layer.

In one configuration, a handheld compound tester to process and detect presence of a compound in a tablet is disclosed. The handheld compound tester may include a sampling chamber configured to receive a tablet and a lid couplable with the sampling chamber. The coupling of the lid with the sampling chamber may cause cutting of the tablet. A liquid may be added inside the sampling chamber to create a mixture with segments of the tablet. The mixture may be then received by a housing adjoining the sampling chamber. A test strip disposed within the housing, upon contacting the mixture, may be configured to indicate a presence of the compound in the mixture.

The invention provides devices that improve tests for detecting specific cellular, viral, and molecular targets in clinical, industrial, or environmental samples. The invention permits efficient detection of individual microscopic targets at low magnification for highly sensitive testing. The invention does not require washing steps and thus allows sensitive and specific detection while simplifying manual operation and lowering costs and complexity in automated operation. In short, the invention provides devices that can deliver rapid, accurate, and quantitative, easy-to-use, and cost-effective tests.

There is provided a sample processing cartridge comprising a. a sample entry location; b. a closed sample processing chamber; c. a sample analysis location comprising a sample analysis well; d. a first channel fluidly connecting the sample entry location and the sample processing chamber; e. a second channel connecting the sample analysis location and the sample processing chamber, the second channel comprising a closed or closable second channel valve;
wherein the sample processing chamber comprises a second channel port providing fluid connection between the second channel and the sample processing chamber, the second channel port being positioned in a sample accumulating region of the sample processing chamber.

There is also provided a sample processing system comprising the cartridge, and methods of use of the cartridge and processing system in a sample processing assay.

A gas detection module includes: a fixed seat, a gas sensor including a detection chamber, and a micro pump. The micro pump includes a pump chamber, a first communication port, and a second communication port. The first and second communication ports are in communication with the pump chamber. The gas sensor and the micro pump are arranged side by side on the fixed seat, the fixed seat is provided with a first and a second fluid port that are both in communication with the outside of the fixed seat, the first fluid port is in communication with the detection chamber, the second fluid port is in communication with the second communication port, a flow channel is further formed on the fixed seat. One end of the flow channel is in communication with the first fluid port, and the other end is in communication with the first communication port.

A fluidic device (1) configured to drive movement of fluid under centrifugal force comprises a central region about a central rotational axis (X) of the device and a peripheral region extending radially outwards from the central region. A fluid reservoir (4) provided in the central region of the device receives a fluid sample and communicates with at least one fluidic system (6), which extends radially outwards from the fluid reservoir (4) into the peripheral region of the device. Each fluidic system (6) comprises a fluid analysis chamber (12) configured to retain a portion of a fluid sample for analysis. A fluidic channel arrangement (26) is configured to enable fluid communication between the fluid reservoir (4) and the fluid analysis chamber (12), and movement of the fluid sample through the fluidic channel arrangement is driven by the centrifugal force created by rotational motion of the device about the central rotational axis (X). A valve mechanism (8) is arranged between the fluid reservoir (4) and the analysis chamber (12) and is configured to prevent fluid flow through that portion of the fluidic channel arrangement (26) when the speed of rotation of the device is less than a predetermined value. A cut-out portion of the device (24) may help to correctly locate the fluidic device (1) within an assay apparatus. An apparatus for driving rotational motion of the fluidic device and a method for moving a fluid sample within the fluidic device are also described.

The invention relates to a device for analyzing solid biological elements and to a device for implementing same. The device comprises a plate (1) of tubes, the lower ends (2) of which are perforated and the upper ends (4) of which are open on the tube plate (1) to allow the introduction of an element to be analyzed (5), a deep-well plate (6) into which the tube plate (1) is inserted and a lifter (7) for raising the tube plate (1) from the deep-well plate (6). Each tube (3) in the tube plate (1) comprises at least one opening (9) toward its upper end (4) to allow air to pass through and each tube (3) can be closed at its upper end (4) with a stopper (8). The invention is applicable particularly in the medical, agri-food and forensic science fields.

A system and method for diagnosing infectious disease using integrated surface acoustic wave sensor technology includes an efficient, low-cost integrated surface acoustic wave (SAW) biosensor based system for point-of-care diagnostics. The SAW biosensor, sample receiving portions and interface portions of the system are configured on a disposable cartridge.

The invention concerns a filtration assembly (1) for microbiological testing and a method of using the filtration assembly for that purpose. The filtration assembly (1) comprises a ring-like membrane support (10) holding a filtration membrane (11), a cylindrical reservoir (20) of which opposite axial ends have openings and one axial opening is removably and fluid-tightly attachable to the membrane support (10) to define a sample volume adjacent to the filtration membrane (11) on one axial side of the membrane support (10); and a drain member (30) removably and fluid tightly attachable to the membrane support (10) to define a drain channel space adjacent to the filtration membrane (11) on an opposite axial side of the membrane support (10).

A safety cap for containers that facilitates user handling and transport of the containers. The cap is configured with a bottom end that is engageable with a neck of the container for retention of the cap with the container. A handle extends from a top end of the cap and is configured to allow a user to lift and transport the container with their finger(s), rather than grasping the body of the bottle or the cap.