47 results about "Assay Unit" patented technology

Biohazard specimen collection containers are provided with an external disposable skin, that is stripped away and discarded after the biohazardous specimen is collected, thus reducing or eliminating objectionable or dangerous residues on the outside surfaces of the container. Further, we teach that the sample collection container with external disposable skin may also serve as an integrated microfluidic biosample processing and analytical device, thereby providing a single entry, disposable assay unit, kit and system for “world-to-result” clinical diagnostic testing. These integrated assay devices are provided with synergic, multiple safe-handling features for protecting healthcare workers who handle them. The modified collection containers and analytical devices find application, for example, in PCR detection of infectious organisms or pathogenic markers collected on a swab.

Biohazard specimen collection containers are provided with an external disposable skin, that is stripped away and discarded after the biohazardous specimen is collected, thus reducing or eliminating objectionable or dangerous residues on the outside surfaces of the container. Further, we teach that the sample collection container with external disposable skin may also serve as an integrated microfluidic biosample processing and analytical device, thereby providing a single entry, disposable assay unit, kit and system for “world-to-result” clinical diagnostic testing. These integrated assay devices are provided with synergic, multiple safe-handling features for protecting healthcare workers who handle them. The modified collection containers and analytical devices find application, for example, in PCR detection of infectious organisms or pathogenic markers collected on a swab.

The present invention provides a bio memory disc where a lab-on-a-chip process system including an assay-diagnosis unit, a nucleic acid hybridization assay unit, or an immuno-assay unit and a semiconductor memory is disposed, a bio memory disc drive apparatus including a controller for controlling and driving an optical disc including CD or DVD and the bio memory disc and an assay method using the same.

A biochemical analyzer includes an optical assay unit for light measurement by use of an analysis slide and an LED light source. A fluid sample is positioned on an assay surface of the analysis slide. The light source is oriented to tilt with respect to the assay surface, for applying illuminating light thereto. The optical assay unit includes a photo diode, positioned vertically under the assay surface, for measuring scattered reflected light of diffuse reflection from the assay surface. A light absorber is positioned in a light path of the light emitted by the LED light source and reflected in regular reflection by the assay surface, for absorbing the light. Furthermore, the light absorber is black with a low gloss. The photo diode responds to turning on of the light source, to output a signal of the scattered reflected light.

An assay apparatus of a surface plasmon resonance biosensor system includes a flow channel block loadable with a sensor unit of the chip type removably. A metal film has a sensing surface and a metal / dielectric interface being defined on a dielectric glass substrate. An optical assay unit applies illumination through the glass substrate to the metal / dielectric interface as conditioned for total reflection, detects the illumination reflected by the metal / dielectric interface during the interaction of the ligand and the analyte on the sensing surface. The assay apparatus includes a sensor storage for storing the sensor unit in an unused state. A used sensor receptacle receives the sensor unit in a used state after use in the assay. A transfer assembly retrieves the sensor unit for the assay from the sensor storage, sets the sensor unit on the flow channel block, and discharges the sensor unit toward the used sensor receptacle.

The present invention provides a novel system for efficiently and accurately analyzing targets in samples and for preparing samples for analysis with various analytical methods. A version of the present invention comprises a multi-function probe, configured for pipetting liquids directly, with a pipet tip, or with an assay unit described herein. Another version of the present invention includes an apparatus for conducting an immunoassay or selective adsorption separation comprising an assay unit and a multi-function probe. Another version of the present invention includes a multi-function probe and assay unit for use with an automated Cartesian robot. Other versions include one- or two-dimensional arrays comprising multi-function probes connected to syringe barrels for use with assay units.

Sample collection apparatus and methods of sample collection are provided, for example saliva collection apparatus and methods of saliva collection. Said apparatus conveniently comprises a filter assembly and an interface for delivering material from the apparatus to an assay unit.

A surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assay apparatus has at least one sensor unit. A sensing surface of the sensor unit is adapted to causing interaction between ligand and analyte. An optical assay unit applies illuminating light through the dielectric medium to the light entrance surface in such a form as to satisfy a condition of total reflection, and detects the illuminating light reflected by the light entrance surface during the interaction of the ligand and the analyte. There is an immobilizing stage for introducing the ligand to the sensor unit to be immobilized on the sensing surface. An assay stage causes the analyte to contact the sensing surface, and assays the interaction by detecting attenuation of the illuminating light. A stacking stage storing the sensor unit after introduction of the ligand before assay in the assay stage.

A surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assay apparatus is provided, in which a flow channel, a sensing surface and an optical assay unit are used. The sensing surface is associated with the flow channel, and contacted by a sample in the flow channel. The optical assay unit applies illuminating light to the sensing surface in contact with the sample, and measures reaction of the sample according to the illuminating light being reflected. A fluid dispenser, after measuring the reaction of the binding, introduces washing fluid on the sensing surface to wash the sensing surface. A cleanliness evaluator, according to the assay signal in the washing, checks whether a regenerated state of the sensing surface is such that the sensing surface is regenerated to an initial state prior to the reaction of the binding. A controller ends up the washing if the sensing surface has been regenerated to the initial state.

An assay unit for carrying-out fluorescence-detected assays on physiological samples comprises a microfluidic chip with a microfluidic system to convey a physiological sample or analyte solution through one or more microfluidic channels arranged on the chip, and a photonic system with two or more rectangular waveguide structures arranged on the chip to guide excitation light in the near IR, visible, or near UV range. The microfluidic channels and the waveguide structures cross each other at a detection site. In an assay area, where a certain microfluidic channel and a certain waveguide structure cross each other, one or more lateral surfaces of the core of the waveguide structure at least partially face an inner volume of the microfluidic channel, such that an evanescent field of light guided within the waveguide structure overlaps with a certain part of the inner volume of the microfluidic channel. In the assay areas, one or more capture spots are located on the surface of the waveguide core, the capture spots comprising a coating of capture antibodies of the immunoassay, immobilized on said core surface.

An assay unit for carrying-out fluorescence-detected assays on one or more physiological samples, comprises a microfluidic chip with a microfluidic system that is able to convey a physiological sample or analyte solution through one or more microfluidic channels (30) arranged on the chip, and a photonic system with two or more rectangular waveguide structures (62, 66, 63) arranged on the chip that are able to guide excitation light (64, 65) in the near IR, visible, or near UV range. The one or more microfluidic channels and the two or more waveguide structures cross each other at a detection site (26). In an assay area (32), where a certain microfluidic channel and a certain waveguide structure cross each other, one or more lateral surfaces of the core of the waveguide structure (66) at least partially face the inner volume of the microfluidic channel, such that an evanescent field of light guided the waveguide structure overlaps with a certain part of the inner volume of the microfluidic channel. In the assay areas (32) one or more capture spots are located on the surface of the waveguide core, the capture spots comprising a coating of capture antibodies of the immunoassay, immobilized on said core surface.

The invention discloses a method for measuring the activity of packing biological membranes of artificial wetlands. The method includes simultaneously monitoring changes of the concentration of common electron acceptors in respiratory metabolism of aerobic microorganisms, anaerobic microorganisms and facultative microorganisms according to characteristics of metabolisms of the aerobic microorganisms, the anaerobic microorganisms and the facultative microorganisms in a packing biological membrane of an artificial wetland so that the degree of the activity of the biological membrane is reflected. In the method, the activity of the biological membrane is reflected by means of measuring the changes of the concentration of dissolved oxygen (DO) content, nitrate (NO3-), sulfate radicals (SO42-) and ferric ions [(Fe(III)], a computation formula is provided, and a theoretical basis is reliable. The method has the advantages that results are accurate and stable, interferences are few, operation is simple and speedy, and the method is technically feasible and economically reasonable.

A sensor unit for assay in utilizing surface plasmon resonance (SPR) includes a dielectric prism. Metal film has a light entrance surface fitted on the prism, and a sensing surface reverse to the light entrance surface. The sensing surface is adapted to causing interaction between ligand of ligand liquid and analyte liquid. An optical assay unit includes a light source, optical system and photo detector. A flow channel includes the sensing surface positioned inside. In an immobilizing stage, the ligand is immobilized on the sensing surface by introducing the ligand liquid to the flow channel. Evaporation retardant is introduced to the flow channel, and prevents drying of the ligand. The evaporation retardant is removed from the flow channel after transfer of the sensor unit from the immobilizing stage to an assay stage. The analyte liquid is introduced to the flow channel, to assay the interaction.

The nanoimmunoassay chip comprises at least flow and control layers, divided into several rows, each row containing a plurality of single assay units, each assay unit contains two spotting chambers (1) and an assay chamber in the middle, wherein neck valves (2) separate the spotting chambers from the assay chamber during surface derivatization, said assay units being isolated from one another during incubation by isolation valves (3), wherein relief valves (4) help release built-up pressure into a microfluidic channel (5) after incubation and wherein round valves in the assay chamber define and protect the circular immunoassay regions (6).

An assay apparatus is loaded with a sensor unit as surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor, which includes a transparent dielectric medium and thin film. A first surface of the thin film is a thin film / dielectric interface. Its sensing surface causes reaction of sample fluid. An optical assay unit assays reaction of the sample fluid by detecting illuminating light reflected by the interface. Measured data from the optical assay unit is compared with a reference parameter, to evaluate suitability of the measured data for analysis. If lack of the suitability is estimated in the evaluation, a succeeding density of the sample fluid to be used in a succeeding evaluating assay is determined according to the measured data with the estimated lack of the suitability. The sample fluid is prepared at the succeeding density by mixing with diluent fluid, and then is used for the succeeding evaluating assay.

A surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assay apparatus is provided, in which a flow channel, a sensing surface and an optical assay unit are used. The sensing surface is associated with the flow channel, and contacted by a sample in the flow channel. The optical assay unit applies illuminating light to the sensing surface in contact with the sample, and measures reaction of the sample according to the illuminating light being reflected. A fluid dispenser, after measuring the reaction of the binding, introduces washing fluid on the sensing surface to wash the sensing surface. A cleanliness evaluator, according to the assay signal in the washing, checks whether a regenerated state of the sensing surface is such that the sensing surface is regenerated to an initial state prior to the reaction of the binding. A controller ends up the washing if the sensing surface has been regenerated to the initial state.

The invention discloses a method for judging the order degree and deviation of the conditions of a life system on the basis of photon radiation. The method comprises the following steps: calculating the delayed luminescence integrated intensity I(T) of the life system and determining the spontaneous luminescence intensity IBPE of the life system in unit time in a dark environment; defining the order parameter R of the life system, and substituting the spontaneous luminescence intensity IBPE in unit time, the delayed luminescence integrated intensity I(T) and a measuring period T of the life system into the expression of the order parameter R thereof to obtain the order parameter R thereof; and evaluating the order degree of the conditions of the life system according to the order parameter R thereof and judging the degree of deviation from the initial condition of the life system. Based on the in-depth analysis of the physical nature of bio-photon radiation, the invention provides a method for describing, analyzing and measuring the order characteristic of creatures on the basis of bio-photon radiation and proves the reliability and operability of the method by experiments, thereby laying a foundation for the development of the related technology application.

Sample collection apparatus and methods of sample collection are provided, for example saliva collection apparatus and methods of saliva collection. Said apparatus conveniently comprises a filter assembly and an interface for delivering material from the apparatus to an assay unit.

A microfluidic device comprising one or more fluidic microchannels and one or more arrays of cell assay units is disclosed. Each cell assay unit in turn comprises at one bipolar electrode, micropocket, reaction chamber, and leak channel. In some embodiments, the cell assay unit further comprises two or more split BPEs inside the reaction chamber. The disclosed microfluidic device can be used to separate cells, especially rare cells, from its biological matrix and then analyze the isolated cell inside the reaction chamber. The disclosed device can isolate and analyze cells in a high-throughput fashion and without any modification or labelling to the cells. Cells isolated using the disclosed devices does not lose their vitality.

The invention relates to a test method and device for simulating the interlayer wearing of flexible standpipe armors. The test device comprises a universal testing machine, a lower testing machine clamp, a lower sample clamp, an upper sample clamp and an upper testing machine clamp. The test method comprises the following steps: 1, sample preparation; 2, sample assembling; 3, sample installation; 4, device preparation; 5, test starting; 6, test ending; and 7, obtaining of a test result. The universal testing machine applies alternate tensile load to the sample clamps, samples are axially elongated and retracted to realize wearing between samples in the same layer and between interlayer samples, the samples are dismounted after test, and the wearing condition is judged by observing damages and detecting the mass loss of the samples per unit length.

A surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assay apparatus is loaded with a sensor unit. The sensor unit has a sensing surface and a flow channel, which has an entrance end opening and an exit end opening, and causes analyte fluid introduced through the entrance end opening to flow on the sensing surface. An optical assay unit assays reaction of the analyte fluid on the sensing surface by detecting attenuation of the illuminated light reflected by a thin film / dielectric interface. A fluid dispenser introduces the analyte fluid to the entrance end opening by pipetting. A fluid collecting vessel stores the analyte fluid used and exited from the exit end opening. A drain conduit extends from the exit end opening toward the fluid collecting vessel, for passage of the used analyte fluid. A suction pump drains the used analyte fluid into the fluid collecting vessel through the drain conduit.

The present invention provides a novel system for efficiently and accurately analyzing targets in samples and for preparing samples for analysis with various analytical methods. A version of the present invention comprises a multi-function probe, configured for pipetting liquids directly, with a pipet tip, or with an assay unit described herein. Another version of the present invention includes an apparatus for conducting an immunoassay or selective adsorption separation comprising an assay unit and a multi-function probe. Another version of the present invention includes a multi-function probe and assay unit for use with an automated Cartesian robot. Other versions include one- or two-dimensional arrays comprising multi-function probes connected to syringe barrels for use with assay units.

Methods, devices, systems, and kits useful for the collection and analysis of samples obtained by swabs are disclosed. Swab containers configured for receiving a swab containing a sample; cartridges for holding one or more of: a swab container, a swab, assay units, pipette tips, vessels, transport units, and implements; systems (which may include a sample processing device); kits; and methods for their use are disclosed. A swab container may include an entry port; an assay chamber having an assay port; a conduit comprising an interior channel connecting the entry port; and an interior channel providing fluidic communication between the entry port and assay chamber. An interior channel may be configured to squeeze a portion of a swab placed in or through the conduit.A cartridge may include a cartridge frame configured to receive one or more of swab containers, assay units, transport units, pipette tips, vessels or implements.

A reader unit (31) is configured to be operationally coupled with an assay unit (11) that is capable of performing one or more diagnostic tests (13) on one or more physiological samples (15), and is configured (32, 36) to obtain test raw data (73) of diagnostic tests performed on an assay unit operationally coupled with the reader unit. The reader unit comprises an encryption module (33) that is configured to encrypt input data with locking key data (75), the input data comprising the test raw data, or data derived from said test raw data. The reader unit is configured to provide access to the encrypted data (77), but not to the input data.

The invention relates to the technical field of measuring of particulate matter adsorption quantity of plants, in particular to a plant trunk surface particulate matter sampling device and a particulate matter adsorption quantity measuring method. The plant trunk surface particulate matter sampling device comprises a guide pipe, a sampling bottle, a scrubbing brush, a washing bottle with ultrapure water, adhesive tape arranged on a tree trunk and sealing cement gum. The sealing cement gum and the first adhesive tape enclose a sampling surface with the periphery being sealed, and a suspension liquid collection region is formed above the sealing cerement gum. A plastic thin film is laid on the upper surface of the sealing cement gum, and the guide pipe penetrates through the sealing cement gum and the plastic thin film to be communicated with the sampling bottle and the collection region. The scrubbing brush and the washing bottle are used for scrubbing the sampling surface. By means of the plant trunk surface particulate matter sampling device and the particulate matter adsorption quantity measuring method, the particulate matter adsorption quantity on the surface of the tree trunk in unit area can be effectively measured, the loss generated in the particulate matter sampling process is reduced to the maximum degree, and the measuring accuracy is guaranteed.

The invention provides a hydraulic power unit (1) for an injection molding machine, which comprises a piston for moving the components of an injection moulding machine and the piston can be in a hydraulic movement between two end positions (E1, E2) in a hydraulic cylinder (2); a hydraulic pump (4) for pumping hydraulic fluid; a hydraulic line (5) arranged between the hydraulic pump (4) and the hydraulic cylinder (2); and a control or regulating unit (7) for controlling or regulating the hydraulic pump (4). The flow rate (Q) of the hydraulic fluid per unit time (t) is measurable and a corresponding signal is transmitted to the control or regulation unit (7). The position (P) of the piston is calculated by the control or regulation unit (7).

An assay apparatus is loaded with a sensor unit as surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor, which includes a transparent dielectric medium and thin film. A first surface of the thin film is a thin film / dielectric interface. Its sensing surface causes reaction of sample fluid. An optical assay unit assays reaction of the sample fluid by detecting illuminating light reflected by the interface. Measured data from the optical assay unit is compared with a reference parameter, to evaluate suitability of the measured data for analysis. If lack of the suitability is estimated in the evaluation, a succeeding density of the sample fluid to be used in a succeeding evaluating assay is determined according to the measured data with the estimated lack of the suitability. The sample fluid is prepared at the succeeding density by mixing with diluent fluid, and then is used for the succeeding evaluating assay.

A sensor unit for assay in utilizing surface plasmon resonance (SPR) includes a dielectric prism. Metal film has a light entrance surface fitted on the prism, and a sensing surface reverse to the light entrance surface. The sensing surface is adapted to causing interaction between ligand of ligand liquid and analyte liquid. An optical assay unit includes a light source, optical system and photo detector. A flow channel includes the sensing surface positioned inside. In an immobilizing stage, the ligand is immobilized on the sensing surface by introducing the ligand liquid to the flow channel. Evaporation retardant is introduced to the flow channel, and prevents drying of the ligand. The evaporation retardant is removed from the flow channel after transfer of the sensor unit from the immobilizing stage to an assay stage. The analyte liquid is introduced to the flow channel, to assay the interaction.

The invention discloses a mercury content detection method for a nitrate injection fluorescent lamp, which is characterized in that the method comprises the following steps: A, freezing a fluorescent tube to make the gaseous mercury in the tube turn into liquid or solid; B, drilling two holes on the surface of the tube and enabling the two holes to be communicated with the space inside the tube; C, under an ambient temperature of 25 plus / minus 1 DEG C, injecting the accurately measured nitric acid into one hole, and then blocking the two holes with silica gel; D, after the silica gel is solidified, swinging the tube and enabling the mercury in fluorescent lamp to be fully reacted with the nitric acid; E, removing the silica gel and pouring out the mercury-containing nitric acid solution in the tube; and F, measuring the mercury content per unit volume and multiplying the mercury content per unit volume by the total amount of the injected nitric acid so as to obtain the total mercury content of the fluorescent tube. The invention saves cost and reduces harmful emissions, and is provided with high measurement precision.

A device for rapid detection of a tuberculosis lipoarabinomannan (TB-LAM) is provided. The device includes a pre-concentrator unit for concentrating the TB-LAM comprising: an ion-exchange medium comprising one or more ligands configured to capture the TB-LAM from the source biological sample, wherein the captured-TB-LAM is eluted from the ion-exchange medium as an eluate comprising a concentrated form of TB-LAM; a cassette; a lateral flow assay unit disposed in the cassette; and an integration unit attached to the pre-concentrator unit and the cassette. The integration unit is configured to operatively couple and de-couple the pre-concentrator unit and the cassette. The pre-concentrator unit and the lateral flow assay unit disposed in the cassette are in a fluidic communication in a coupled form. The device for rapid detection of TB-LAM further comprises a dilutor unit.