Disclosed here are kits comprising pre-packed stabilizing solutions for stabilizing combinations of biomarkers at room temperature. Such kits can be better adapted for sample collection at a subject's dwelling, thus easing the burdensome requirement of sample collection.

The present invention relates to improved methods for processing fluids and to a fluid processing device (1) for use in a centrifuge comprising: (a) a first holder (14) form-fit to the shape of a first tube (18) for holding said first tube (18) whereby said first tube (18) has a first cross section (A1); and (b) a second holder (22) form-fit to the shape of a second tube (26) for holding said second tube (26) whereby said second tube (26) has a second cross section (A2) that is different from said first cross section (A1). With the fluid processing devices and the methods according to the invention, it is possible to simplify the centrifugal processing steps for a given fluid processing sequence and to automate them.

Disclosed here are kits comprising pre-packed stabilizing solutions for stabilizing combinations of biomarkers at room temperature. Such kits can be better adapted for sample collection at a subject's dwelling, thus easing the burdensome requirement of sample collection.

A fluid handling system for applying a plurality of pulses of fluid shear stress to a fluid sample may comprise a first sample chamber; a second sample chamber; a plurality of conduits mounted between and in fluid communication with the first sample chamber and the second sample chamber; and a force delivery system mounted to the first sample chamber and configured to apply a force sufficient to push the fluid sample from the first sample chamber through each of the conduits at a substantially constant flow rate to the second sample chamber. The plurality of conduits may be arranged in series and separated by additional sample chambers or arranged such that the conduits are substantially parallel to one another. The force delivery system may be a gas delivery system or a linear drive assembly.

A self-filling graduated cylinder system for efficiently filling a graduated cylinder with a chemical solution. The self-filling graduated cylinder system generally includes a graduated cylinder having an interior, an upper end, an upper opening in the upper end a lower end opposite of the upper end, and a check valve attached to the graduated cylinder near the lower end of the graduated cylinder. The check valve is adapted to allow a liquid chemical to flow upwardly through the check valve into the graduated cylinder and to prevent the liquid chemical within the interior of the graduated cylinder from flowing downwardly through the check valve.

Devices, systems, and methods for charging fluids are disclosed. The charging of fluids improves the mixing of fluids in microfluidic systems. The charging is performed by producing an ion field between an ionizing electrode and an opposed ground electrode. A fluid-containing vessel is positioned between the opposed electrodes and the ion field charges the fluid in the vessel.

Disclosed is a liquid patterning device and liquid patterning method. The liquid patterning device includes: a substrate having a flat bottom and a surface; at least one microstructure formed to vertically protrude from the surface of the substrate and including a plurality of unit microposts so as to have a desired shape; and a liquid mover for moving a liquid to be patterned on the surface of the substrate in another direction from one direction of the microstructure.

The present invention relates to an apparatus (1) and method (2) for automatically preparing liquid-based cytology (LBC) slides (107) by means of filtration comprising of at least one substrate (101) for holding a vial (103) containing specimen, a filter (105) and a slide (107) wherein said substrate (101) is located at a first station (FS); at least one working station (WS) comprises of a working platform (109) connected to said first station (FS) wherein said first station (FS) includes a vertical rotary conveyor system (121) which is flexible, user friendly and capable of providing uniformity of the cell distribution in the homogenous thin-layer LBC slides (107) as well as increase system throughput.

Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatus and methods method for filtering water fluid by screening ionic minerals including sodium chloride from the water fluid. In one embodiment, the water fluid is passed into a work zone defined at least in part by oppositely-arranged first and second porous structures, each of which have a plurality of gated channels. The water fluid is processed in the work zone by applying respective electric voltages to electrically bias the first porous structure and the second porous structure. The respective electric voltages deplete sodium chloride ions in the water fluid in the work zone due to ion-flux continuity. In response to processing of the water fluid, ion-filtered water is collected from the work zone.

Apparatus for processing liquids or liquid-based substances includes a plurality of volumes at least two of which are defined at least in part by one or more phaseguides inside the volume and/or in a conduit connected thereto for controlling aliquoting of one or more liquids or liquid-based substances inside the volume. Each volume has an upstream and downstream side with respect to meniscus advancement direction via which it may be filled with or emptied of one or more liquids or liquid-based substances. The apparatus also includes at least one common upstream-side conduit connected to supply a liquid or liquid-based substance via a plurality of the inlet or extraction conduits, a plurality of the phaseguides exhibiting a predetermined level of stability and one or more of the phaseguides exhibiting a predetermined different stability compared with the stability of at least one of the other phaseguides whereby to control the preference order in which the volumes fill and/or empty. The stability is determined by the value and radius of an acute angle along a said phaseguide at the downstream side of the phaseguide.