A system for detecting analytes in a test sample, and a method for processing the same, is provided. The system includes a cartridge reader unit that has a control unit and a pneumatic system, and a cartridge assembly that prepares the samples with mixing material(s) through communication channels. The assembly has a memory chip with parameters for preparing the sample and at least one sensor (GMR sensor) for detecting analytes in the sample. The assembly is pneumatically and electronically mated with the reader unit via a pneumatic interface and an electronic interface such that the parameters may be implemented via the control unit. The pneumatic system is contained within the unit and has pump(s) and valve(s) for selectively applying fluid pressure to the pneumatic interface of the assembly, and thus through the communication channels, to move the sample and mixing material(s) through and to sensor. The control unit activates the pneumatic system to prepare the sample and provide it to the sensor for detecting analytes, and also processes measurements from the sensor to generate test results.

The apparatus for diluting exhaust gas according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a stagnant air forming unit configured to form stagnant air by decelerating a flow velocity of introduced exhaust gas, an ejector unit connected to a front end of the stagnant air forming unit and configured to discharge the exhaust gas to a front, and a dilution unit coupled to a front end of the ejector unit.

A tube for mixing, diluting and preserving a sample includes a hollow first container for receiving and storing a solution, the first container having first and second ends, wherein at least the first end has a through-hole, and a transport-pin located in the through-hole of the first end having a shape closely matching to the through-hole, the transport-pin including a recess with a predetermined size. The recess is suitable to be filled by a sample, wherein the transport-pin is movable between an initial position in which the recess is positioned at least partially on the outer side of the first container, and an end position in which the recess is positioned at least partially on the inner side of the first container.

A diagnostic test system, including: a diagnostic test assembly and a diagnostic test apparatus to perform a test on a biological or environmental sample; the diagnostic test assembly includes: a sample preparation reservoir to receive the sample into a sample preparation fluid, such that a swab carrying the sample can be used to stir the preparation fluid and to wash the swab; a sample dispensing mechanism for insertion into the sample preparation reservoir; a closure to seal the sample preparation reservoir; at least one diagnostic test reservoir coupled to the sample preparation reservoir; and at least one seal between the sample preparation reservoir and the diagnostic test reservoir to prevent fluid movement between the respective reservoirs; wherein the sample dispensing mechanism is operable to disrupt the seal to allow sample fluid to enter the diagnostic test reservoir from the sample preparation reservoir, and to dispense a predetermined amount of fluid.

A field flow fractionator (FFF device) 1 classifies particles in a liquid sample by applying a field to a liquid sample supplied from a sample injection device 5. A detector 6 detects the particles in the liquid sample classified by the FFF device 1. A bypass flow path 8 supplies the liquid sample from the sample injection device 5 to the detector 6 without via the FFF device 1. A rotary valve (flow path switching unit) 4 switches a flow path to guide the liquid sample from the sample injection device 5 to the FFF device 1 or a bypass flow path 8. The bypass flow path 8 is provided with a concentration adjusting device 9 for adjusting the concentration of the liquid sample from the sample injection device 5. In a case where a sample with the same quantity as the sample supplied to the FFF device 1 is supplied to the bypass flow path 8 at the time of analysis, the sample is diluted by the concentration adjusting device 9 such that a detection signal from the detector 6 falls within a dynamic range.

A pressure cell for sum frequency generation spectroscopy includes: a metal pressure chamber; a heating stage that heats a liquid sample; an ultrasonic stage that emulsifies the liquid sample; a chamber pump that pressurizes an interior of the metal pressure chamber; and a controller that controls the chamber pump, the ultrasonic stage, and the heating stage to control a pressure of the interior of the metal pressure chamber, an emulsification of the liquid sample, and a temperature of the liquid sample, respectively. The metal pressure chamber includes: a liquid sample holder that retains the liquid sample; a removable lid that seals against a base; a window in the removable lid; a sample inlet that flows the liquid sample from an exterior of the metal pressure chamber to the liquid sample holder at a predetermined flow rate; and a sample outlet.

A device configured for collection and subsequent testing of a blood sample of less than 10 ml, characterized in that the container includes at least one inhibitor of the enzyme phospholipase D selected from at least one of a salt of vanadium and a salt of tungsten. A method of preparing a sample for analysis of phosphatidylethanol (PEth) comprises providing a blood sample for a patient with a volume of less than 10 ml; contacting the blood sample at least one inhibitor of the enzyme phospholipase D selected from at least one of a salt of vanadium and a salt of tungsten; and admitting inhibition of phospholipase D so formation of PEth is blocked. A method of applying a coating of at least one inhibitor of the enzyme phospholipase D to a test tube and the test tube obtained by this method, wherein the method comprises stabilizing the test in a substantially vertical position; inserting a spray nozzle inside the test tube, the spray nozzle being in fluid connection to a container holding a solution comprising at least one inhibitor of the enzyme phospholipase D; spraying the solution comprising at least one inhibitor of the enzyme phospholipase D inside the test tube; and allowing the solution comprising at least one inhibitor of the enzyme phospholipase D to dry.

A method for mixing fluids in containers may include performing a mixing procedure on a plurality of containers on a container support, at least a portion of the plurality of containers being differently sized. The mixing procedure may include a plurality of mixing phases, wherein in each mixing phase the container support may be subjected to a mixing motion at a single rate for a period of time of about 5 seconds or longer, and wherein the single rate for at least one mixing phase of the plurality of mixing phases may differ from the single rate for at least one other mixing phase of the plurality of mixing phases. The mixing procedure also may include at least one non-mixing phase, wherein the container support may not be subjected to the mixing motion.

Provided are a measurement sample diluent that enables the measurement of the proportion of HbA1c in the total Hb molecules in a measurement sample (HbA1c (%)), with high sensitivity, high accuracy, and high correlation with HPLC without being affected by the length of time required to mix a measurement sample with the measurement sample diluent and to drop the mixture onto an immunochromatographic specimen for measuring HbA1c; and a kit containing the measurement sample diluent. The present invention relates to a measurement sample diluent for immunochromatography for quantifying the proportion of hemoglobin A1c in the total hemoglobin molecules in a measurement sample (hemoglobin A1c (%)); and the measurement sample diluent is an aqueous solution that contains a non-ionic surfactant, an anionic surfactant, and a buffer.

The present invention relates to a detection method for determining chloride ions content in sea sand, which is performed in the steps as follows: drying sea sand to a constant weight, adding the dried sea sand to boiling deionized water, and fully stirring, standing and filtering the deionized water to obtain washed sea sand and a washed filtrate; then grinding the washed sea sand into powder, adding the powder into deionized water, fully stirring and filtering the deionized water to obtain a powder filtrate; next, taking half of the washed filtrate and half of the powder filtrate, mixing and stirring the two to prepare a mixed filtrate; and measuring the chloride ions content in each of the washed filtrate, the powder filtrate and the mixed filtrate by using a silver nitrate titration method; finally, analyzing and correcting detection results to obtain the chloride ions content in the sea sand. The present invention promotes the release of the chloride ions in the tight-wrapping surface films and fissures of the sea sand to a great extent, providing a scientific guarantee for the authenticity of the detection results on the chloride ions content in the sea sand; and realizes the quick dissolution of the chloride ions, thereby greatly reducing the detection time and significantly increasing the accuracy of the detection results.