A specimen processing system includes a plate for supporting a specimen system, wherein the specimen system includes a container and a specimen contained therein. The specimen processing system further includes a camera disposed above the plate and configured to generate images of the specimen system, a light source disposed beneath the plate for radiating light towards the plate, a light stop for blocking a portion of the light from reaching the specimen system to produce darkfield illumination of the specimen at the camera, and one or more processors electronically coupled to the camera and configured to track a position of the specimen within the specimen container during a specimen processing protocol based on the images.

A method for processing particles contained in a liquid biological sample is presented. The method uses a rotatable vessel for processing particles contained in a liquid biological sample. The rotatable vessel has a longitudinal axis about which the vessel is rotatable, an upper portion comprising a top opening for receiving the liquid comprising the particles, a lower portion for holding the liquid while the rotatable vessel is resting, the lower portion comprising a bottom, and an intermediate portion located between the upper portion and the lower portion, the intermediate portion comprising a lateral collection chamber for holding the liquid while the rotatable vessel is rotating. The method employs dedicated acceleration and deceleration profiles for sedimentation and re-suspension of the particles of interest.

An apparatus and method for isolating bacterial particles in a sample using a container with material in temporary fluid blocking position to lower orifice in the container, a separation medium having an electrical conductivity lower than and physical density greater than that of the sample above the material that supports a sample concentrate after passing through the separation medium when exposed to centrifugal force, a heating element for liquefying the material to permit flow into a chamber past an electrode array that attracts and holds subject particles. The system allows rapid detection and isolation of particles from samples from animal, human, environmental sites, a bio-industrial reactor or a food or beverage production facility requiring relatively small volumes, short incubation times resulting in structurally intact particles for further analysis. Testing may be completed in a single unit that requires decreased technician manipulation, fewer steps and a decrease in cross-contamination.

The present invention relates to vitro method for analysing a liquid sample as to the presence, identity and properties of microbes comprising: a) isolating microbes from the liquid sample; b) analysing said microbes spectroscopically by means of spontaneous Raman spectroscopy; and c) determining antibiotic susceptibility of said microbes spectroscopically by means of spontaneous Raman spectroscopy. The present invention also refers to device for analysing a liquid sample as to the presence, identity and properties of microbes, wherein the device comprises as a first unit (i) a chip comprising a filtering unit and an antibiotics exposure unit capable of determining the susceptibility of microbes to an antibiotic; as a second unit (ii) a Raman spectroscopy system; and as a third unit (iii) an evaluation module which is coupled to the Raman spectroscopy system.

The purpose of the present invention is to collect a plurality of microscopic objects dispersed in a liquid by light irradiation, and also trap them. A collecting device for bacteria collects a plurality of bacteria dispersed in a sample liquid. The collecting device is provided with a laser beam source that emits laser beam and a honeycomb polymer film constituted so as to be able to hold the liquid. Walls prescribing pores for trapping the plurality of bacteria dispersed in the liquid are formed on the honeycomb polymer film, and also a thin film that includes a material for converting light from the laser beam source to heat is formed on the honeycomb polymer film. The thin film heats the liquid of the sample through the conversion of the laser beam from the laser beam source to heat, thereby causing a convection in the liquid.

The present disclosure provides for acoustofluidic centrifuge systems that can enrich and separate nanoparticles disposed in a fluid, such as liquid droplets, in a fast and efficient manner. Exemplary systems include a sound wave generator, such as a pair of slanted interdigitated transducers, and a containment boundary, such as a PDMS ring. The sound wave generator can produce surface acoustic waves that are capable of driving droplets to spin in a manner that can separate different sized particles into groups. In some embodiments, the acoustofluidic centrifuge system can include a plurality of containment boundaries in fluid communication with each other, allowing particles to separate between the containment boundaries. Methods of operating such systems, including methods of isolating different exosome subpopulations, are also disclosed.

A precipitate and/or an inclusion in a metal material are extracted by electrolysis using an electrolyte solution. The electrolyte solution contains an adsorbent physically adsorbed and/or chemically adsorbed to any metal other than a matrix metal of the metal material. The extracted precipitate and/or inclusion can be quantitatively analyzed with high accuracy.

A biological material measuring instrument is described. The biological material measuring instrument includes a rotating body and a main body. The rotating body includes one or more cartridge holders having cuvettes in which a reagent and an analyte in a sample react. The main body includes a pair of light-emitting parts and light-receiving parts to optically measure the analyte in the sample. The rotating body further includes a light-emitting optical waveguide for guiding the light of the light-emitting parts to the cuvette and a light-receiving optical waveguide for guiding.

Apparatus and methods for processing blood are disclosed in which one variation generally comprises a tube defining a channel and an access tube extending into the channel. An open cell matrix configured to entrap red blood cells may be positioned within at least a portion of the channel. Another variation generally comprises a cylindrical tube and a plunger slidably positioned within the channel. The plunger also has a funnel positioned upon the plunger and is movable therewith. Both the plunger and funnel define a fluid channel through and in communication with the cylindrical tube.

Disclosed are methods, materials and devices for approximation of blood volume in a fluid, and/or blood loss from fluid collected during a surgical procedure. Methods of detecting blood in a sample, such as a fluid sample, and kits for performing the methods, are also provided. Methods for approximating a volume of blood in a fluid using a computer are also provided. The method may be performed using a computer device having a graphical user interface (GUI), a processor configured to receive information input by a user at the user interface (type of canister, red blood cell packing ratio of the canister, subject specific identifying information, blood hematocrit (Hct), etc.), and a means for the computing device to transmit to the user interface via an electronic network, a value of a volume of blood in a fluid and/or an approximate volume measure of blood loss. The processor determines a volume of blood in a fluid, and transmits the determined volume measure of blood to the user.