Systems, methods, and apparatuses are provided for self-contained nucleic acid preparation, amplification, and analysis.

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.

A blood clotting time measurement cartridge includes: an inlet on one end of a measurement flow channel and through which blood is introduced; a communication opening on the other end of the measurement flow channel and through which air suction or air pressure application or the blood introduced from the inlet is performed; a moving body arranged in the measurement flow channel moves; a clotting accelerator applied on at least one of a flow channel wall surface, which defines the measurement flow channel, and the moving body; and a detection area through which light is transmitted to a predetermined part in the measurement flow channel, and where it is possible to detect with light whether there is the moving body or the blood making a reciprocating motion in the measurement flow channel in association with air suction or air pressure application or the blood from the communication opening.

A test container includes a container main body including a first-accommodation-portion, a second-accommodation-portion, and a third-accommodation-portion each accommodating a liquid and internally provided, a first flow path connecting the first-accommodation-portion and the second-accommodation-portion to each other at respective upper end positions thereof and internally provided, and a second flow path connecting the second-accommodation-portion and the third-accommodation-portion to each other at respective upper end positions thereof and internally provided, in which at least a portion forming an upper wall surface of the second-accommodation-portion has flexibility to be deformable inwards of the second-accommodation-portion; and a liquid return prevention structure which prevents a backflow of the liquid to the first-accommodation-portion, when the liquid accommodated in the second-accommodation-portion is fed to the third-accommodation-portion via the second flow path due to deformation of the portion forming the upper wall surface of the second-accommodation-portion inwards of the second-accommodation-portion.

A blood collection tube for physically separating the plasma and red blood cell fractions of a centrifuged sample is described. The blood collection tube has an elastomeric sleeve with rigid tube segments at both ends. Following blood collection and centrifugation, the elastomeric sleeve may be twisted to constrict its inner diameter and physically separate the two fractions. The blood collection tube may be secured in this position with a pin and a clamp, and further with an adhesive tape with pH paper. This enables blood samples to be transferred over long distances to a central lab facility without spoiling.

A perfusion manifold assembly is described that allows for perfusion of a microfluidic device, such as an organ on a chip microfluidic device comprising cells that mimic cells in an organ in the body, that is detachably linked with said assembly so that fluid enters ports of the microfluidic device from a fluid reservoir, optionally without tubing, at a controllable flow rate.

A culture module is contemplated that allows the perfusion and optionally mechanical actuation of one or more microfluidic devices, such as organ-on-a-chip microfluidic devices comprising cells that mimic at least one function of an organ in the body.

Vial assemblies comprising a tubular body and a flexible bottom or flexible liner are described herein, wherein the flexible bottom or liner is configured to compress at least partially upon the application of force. Methods for storing and removing frozen samples from such vial assemblies are also described herein.

The present invention relates to a biosensor, including: a blood cell separation membrane which separates blood cells from blood and allows plasma components to pass through; a microfluid channel through which the plasma components that have passed through the blood cell separation membrane flow; a lower substrate which allows the plasma components that have passed through the blood cell separation membrane to flow along the microfluid channel; and a pillar which connects the blood cell separation membrane and the lower substrate, in which an electrode is disposed in the pillar, and the pillar pushes and lifts the blood cell separation membrane by a predetermined distance. The biosensor of the present invention allows plasma, which is difficult to pass through the blood cell separation membrane due to surface tension, to easily pass through.

Embodiments of the current disclosure are directed to systems, methods and apparatus for evaluating single cell secretion profiles. In some embodiments, the apparatus may be configured to analyze substances expressed by a biological cell and may include a first compressible substrate, and a second substrate configured for removable sealing attachment with the first substrate. In some embodiments, upon attachment of the second substrate with the first substrate, an assembly is formed such that the open side of the plurality of chambers are covered by the second substrate, and a portion of each of the plurality of capture areas are exposed in each of the chambers.

Device (145) for dispensing drops of liquid, characterised in that it comprises: —at least one container (100) for a liquid, comprising at least one internal chamber and an upper opening, each chamber having a lower aperture and a seal sealing the upper opening, the seal having a substantially planar resiliently deformabie flexible portion, —at least one mechanical actuation means (146) configured to deform a flexible portion of a seal of at least one container, —a means (147) for selecting the volume of a drop to be dispensed from a plurality of drop volumes, a means (148) for determining the volume of liquid present in at least one container, and—a means (149) for controlling the actuation means, which means controls the movement from at least one point of the flexible portion of a container seal, as a non-constant function of the drop volume to be dispensed and the volume of liquid present in the container.