A substrate is described having a treated contact surface comprising a carbon or silicon compound comprising from 1 to 30 atomic percent oxygen, from 0.1 to 30 atomic percent nitrogen, or both, each as measured by XPS. A method is also provided for treating a surface of a substrate. The method includes treating the surface with plasma comprising one or more non-polymerizing compounds. The treated contact surface has a biomolecule recovery percentage greater than the biomolecule recovery percentage of the surface prior to treatment according to the method.

A tube frame apparatus is disclosed. In one aspect, the tube frame apparatus has a body having a top surface and a plurality of apertures formed in rows therein, the apertures configured to receive strips of tubes, and locking tabs projecting from the top surface that are configured to engage with the strips of tubes. Flanges of the tubes, or optionally connector strips between the tubes, can be engaged by the locking tabs. Tube frame assemblies and methods of holding strips of tubes in tube frame apparatus are provided, as are other aspects.

A reactive cartridge carrying system convenient for use with laboratory devices providing application of various measurement and analysis operation for chemical or biological content fluid materials and having a carrying chamber of structure convenient for carrying pipes containing chemical or biological content fluid material or fluid material, of equal or different shape or volume, placed in sequence side by side, a carrying cartridge containing a raise-connected to edges of carrying chambers far to the floor and facing each other, extending in a manner parallel to floor and departing from each other, an intermediate carrying part providing carrying of carrying cartridge and containing a gap convenient for placement into carrying cartridge, an upper surface extending in a manner horizontal to the floor, foot connected to upper surface edge, a cartridge holder part providing carrying of carrying cartridge and intermediate carrying part and of structure convenient for placement into laboratory device.

An apparatus for separating an interlocked cap and receptacle comprises a top wall and a cap removal station. The cap removal station comprises an opening, a raised collar for engaging and releasing interlocking elements of the cap and receptacle, and tabs on a side of the top wall opposite the raised collar for retaining the receptacle within the opening when the cap is separated from the receptacle. A method for separating an interlocked cap and receptacle comprises moving the cap and receptacle in a first direction into a cap removal station, contacting interlocking elements of the cap and receptacle with a raised collar to thereby release the interlocking elements, retaining the receptacle within the cap removal station; and with the interlocking elements released and the receptacle retained within the cap removal station, moving the cap in a second direction opposite the first direction to separate the cap from the receptacle.

Automated liquid handling system for processing a plurality of samples in at least one microscope sample carrier, wherein the microscope sample carrier comprises a plurality of sample deposition wells, wherein each sample deposition well is defined on its lateral sides by one or more lateral walls and on its bottom side by a sample deposition surface, the automated liquid handling system comprising: a centrifuge adapted to centrifuge the microscope sample carrier; an automated transportation device adapted to transfer the plurality of samples and/or a plurality of liquids into and/or out of each of the plurality of sample deposition wells of the microscope sample carrier, and adapted for transporting the microscope sample carrier across the automated liquid handling system, wherein the automated transportation device is configured to couple with a coupling section of the microscope sample carrier; one or more storage containers for receiving and/or storing the plurality of samples and/or the plurality of liquids.

A reagent container lid opening and closing mechanism capable of opening and closing a reagent container lid, and an automated analysis device. A reagent container lid opening and closing mechanism includes an opening and closing operation body being movable, and including an opening and closing engagement portion to engage engagement portions provided in upper surfaces of container lids of reagent containers. The opening and closing operation body is movable along a longitudinal axis direction of the opening and closing operation body between a retreated position where the opening and closing operation body is separated from the reagent containers, and an engaged position where an opening and closing engagement portion of the opening and closing operation body engages the engagement portions of the container lids. The opening and closing operation body is movable along a predetermined circular arc trajectory between the engaged position and a lid opening position.

A system, method, and platform for target detection, the system including: a base substrate; a set of sample processing regions defined at a broad surface of the substrate, wherein each of the set of sample processing regions includes: a set of microwell subarrays arranged in a gradient between an upstream end and a downstream end of each respective sample processing region, and a boundary separating each respective sample processing region from adjacent sample processing regions; and a cover substrate configured to mate with the base substrate in a coupled mode, the cover substrate comprising a network of venting channels aligned with the set of sample processing regions upon mating the base substrate with the cover substrate in the coupled mode, the network of venting channels providing gas exchange between the base substrate and an environment surrounding the microwell assembly. The invention(s) can be used for MPN assays.

A sampling device having a lower portion with a sample container. A cap is moveably attached with the lower portion and includes a cutting edge configured for cutting a leaf. When the cap is attached to the lower portion with a leaf there between, a leaf sample is deposited into the sample container of the lower portion. The cap includes a vent in fluid communication with the sample container such that the leaf sample is dried. A detachable label can extend from the lower portion.

The object of the present invention is to provide a container holding member that is capable of simply, surely, and stably holding a plurality of medical containers, and that is usable efficiently for medical containers. The present invention is a container holding member capable of holding a plurality of bottomed tubular medical containers. The container holding member is provided with a flat plate-like substrate section having a plurality of through holes penetrating one surface and the other surface and a plurality of tubular housing sections each having an upper side opening end on a side of the one surface of the substrate section and a lower side opening end on a side of the other surface and each protruding upward or downward from a hole edge of each of the through holes. The tubular housing sections are each configured to be capable of holding each of the medical containers in a state where an outer bottom surface of each of the medical containers protrudes downward from the lower side opening end when the medical containers are housed in the tubular housing sections.