4240 results about "Capillary Tubing" patented technology

An analytical test device useful for example in pregnancy testing, comprises a hollow casing (500) constructed of moisture-impervious solid material, such as plastics materials, containing a dry porous carrier (510) which communicates indirectly with the exterior of the casing via a bibulous sample receiving member (506) which protrudes from the casing such that a liquid test sample can be applied to the receiving member and permeate therefrom to the porous carrier, the carrier containing in a first zone a labelled specific binding reagent is freely mobile within the porous carrier when in the moist state, and in a second zone spatially distinct from the first zone unlabelled specific binding reagent for the same analyte which unlabelled reagent is permanently immobilised on the carrier material and is therefore not mobile in the moist state, the two zones being arranged such that liquid sample applied to the porous carrier can permeate via the first zone into the second zone, and the device incorporating means, such as an aperture (508) in the casing, enabling the extent (if any) to which the labelled reagent becomes bound in the second zone to be observed. Preferably the device includes a removable cap for the protruding bibulous member.

A biosensor in the form of a strip. In one embodiment, the biosensor strip comprises an electrode support, a first electrode, i.e., a working electrode, a second electrode, i.e., a counter electrode, and a third electrode, i.e., a reference electrode. Each of the electrodes is disposed on and supported by the electrode support. Each of the electrodes is spaced apart from the other two electrodes. The biosensor strip can include a covering layer, which defines an enclosed space over the electrodes. This enclosed space includes a zone where an analyte in the sample reacts with reagent(s) deposited at the working electrode. This zone is referred to as the reaction zone. The covering layer has an aperture for receiving a sample for introduction into the reaction zone. The biosensor strip can also include at least one layer of mesh interposed in the enclosed space between the covering layer and the electrodes in the reaction zone. This layer of mesh facilitates transporting of the sample to the electrodes in the reaction zone. In another embodiment, a biosensor strip can be constructed to provide a configuration that will allow the sample to be introduced to the reaction zone by action of capillary force. In this embodiment, the layer of mesh can be omitted. The invention also provides a method for determining the concentration of glucose in a sample of whole blood by using the biosensor of this invention.

An improved electrochemical sensor having a base bearing a working and counter electrode which provides a flow path for a fluid test sample. The working and counter electrodes are configured so that a major portion of the counter electrode is located downstream on the flow path from the working electrode with the exception of a small sub-element of the counter electrode which is in electrical communication with the primary portion of the counter electrode and located upstream of the working electrode. This configuration enables the sensor when the capillary space is incompletely filled with test fluid.

A filling apparatus for filling a microplate. The microplate having a plurality of wells each sized to receive an assay. The filling apparatus can comprise an output layer having a plurality of capillaries. Each of the plurality of capillaries can comprises an inlet and an outlet. A funnel assembly can comprise a funnel member sized to receive the assay. The funnel member can comprise an outlet for delivering a fluid bead of the assay along a top surface of the output layer and in fluid communication with each of the plurality of capillaries such that a portion of the fluid bead can be drawn within at least some of the plurality of capillaries in response to capillary force. The funnel assembly and the output layer can be moveable relative to each other between a first position and a second position to draw the fluid bead across the top surface.

A device having a flow channel, wherein at least one flow-terminating interface is used to control the flow of liquid in the flow channel. The flow-terminating interface prevents the flow of the liquid beyond the interface. In one aspect, the invention provides a sensor, such as, for example, a biosensor, in the form of a strip, the sensor being suitable for electrochemical or optical measurement. The sensor comprises a base layer and a cover layer, and the base layer is separated from the cover layer by a spacer layer. The base layer, cover layer, and spacer layer define a flow channel into which a liquid sample is drawn therein and flows therethrough by means of capillary attraction. The flow of the sample is terminated by a flow-terminating interface positioned in the flow channel.

A jet drilling spray nozzle comprises a spray nozzle body. A spray hole set is formed in the top of the spray nozzle body and comprises a plurality of jetting spray holes evenly distributed in the same circumference and obliquely arranged. The jet drilling spray nozzle is simple in structure and small in size, radial water conservancy jetting operation can be easily performed through an underground guiding tool, and the jet drilling spray nozzle can also be applied to cleaning and plugging a capillary tube. Due to the arranged spray hole set, spiral jetting is formed in a hole channel, the effects of forming striking breakage, shearing breakage and stretching breakage are formed, the rock breaking angle and the rock breaking range are increased, the rock breaking effect is improved, the reacting force in the axial direction is greatly reduced, and the self-advancing capacity of the spray nozzle is improved.

A device of the present invention for applying a cryogenic composition includes a machining tool or tool holder having a channel positioned therethrough and a capillary tube positioned within the channel. A dense cryogenic fluid is passed through the capillary tube while a diluent or propellant fluid is passed through the channel. The diluent or propellant fluid flows within the channel and about the capillary tube. Upon exiting the capillary tube, the dense fluid admixes with the diluent or propellant fluid to form a cryogenic composite fluid or spray. The cryogenic composite fluid or spray is selectively directed onto a substrate for cooling or lubrication purposes, or onto the machining tool for cooling purposes.

A disposable cassette for detecting nucleic acids or performing other assays. The cassette can be inserted into a base station during use. The cassette has numerous features to ensure correct operation of the device under gravity, such as vent pockets for enabling the flow of sample fluid from one chamber to the next when the vent pocket is unsealed. The vent pockets have protrusions to help prevent accidental resealing. The cassette also can have a gasket to ensure free air movement between open vent pockets. A flexible circuit with patterned metallic electrical components disposed on a heat stable material can be in direct contact with fluid in the chambers and has resistive heating elements aligned with the vent pockets and the chambers. The detection chamber, which houses a lateral flow detection strip can have a space below the strip that has sufficient capacity to accommodate an entire volume of the sample fluid entering the detection chamber at a height that enables the fluid to flow up the detection strip by capillary action without flooding or otherwise bypassing regions of the detection strip. The space can also contain detection particles. Recesses in in the cassette channels or chambers can have structures such as ridges or grooves to direct fluid flow to enhance rehydration of lyophilized reagents disposed in the recess. Flow diverters in the chambers can reduce the flow velocity of the sample fluid and increase the effective fluid flow path length, enabling more accurate control of fluid flow in the cassette.

A manifold for connecting external capillaries to the inlet and/or outlet ports of a microfluidic device for high pressure applications is provided. The fluid connector for coupling at least one fluid conduit to a corresponding port of a substrate that includes: (i) a manifold comprising one or more channels extending therethrough wherein each channel is at least partially threaded, (ii) one or more threaded ferrules each defining a bore extending therethrough with each ferrule supporting a fluid conduit wherein each ferrule is threaded into a channel of the manifold, (iii) a substrate having one or more ports on its upper surface wherein the substrate is positioned below the manifold so that the one or more ports is aligned with the one or more channels of the manifold, and (iv) means for applying an axial compressive force to the substrate to couple the one or more ports of the substrate to a corresponding proximal end of a fluid conduit.

The self-watering assembly is used in combination with a conventional planter having flow hole apertures formed within a base thereof. The assembly includes a set of water-permeable flow hole inserts each including a portion of capillary material such as spandex. The flow hole inserts are inserted into a flow hole of the planter for direct contact with soil positioned therein. The flow hole inserts are sized and shaped to securely fit within the flow hole preventing soil from falling out of the flow hole and preventing roots from growing through the flow hole. Additional capillary material, also formed of spandex, couples an interior of a water reservoir to the capillary material of the water-permeable inserts. By using spandex as the capillary material, sufficient capillary flow may be achieved to properly water even medium to large sized plants. By employing water-permeable inserts for insertion into the planter wherein the inserts have capillary material mounted therein, water can be more effectively drawn into the soil of the planter as compared to many self watering planters wherein the planter merely rests on capillary material. Also, upon removal of the planter from the water reservoir, the inserts typically remain mounted within the flow holes of the planter such that soil from the planter is prevented from falling out of the planter via the flow holes. Entirely conventional planters may be employed thereby reducing overall costs which permit the customer a wide choice of planter shapes and sizes.

The nature of this invention encompasses the creation of a capillary gas chromatography (GC) column assembly and a thermal modulator used to heat or cool the column assembly in a very thermally and chromatographically efficient manner. The GC column assembly described herein consists of capillary GC column material, such as fused silica or metal capillary tubing, which is constrained to lie in a flat, ordered, spiral pattern and then encased between two thin opposing surfaces. The resulting column assembly is flat, dimensionally stable and can be very efficiently thermally modulated. The resulting column assembly also takes up very little space, has very little thermal mass, and can be easily and accurately manufactured. The column assembly can be adapted for chromatographic use by affixing it to the surface of a thermal modulator described herein by means of adhesive force or by mechanical compression, and then by attaching the free ends of the exposed column material to the input and output ports of the chromatographic device. The temperature of the thermal modulator and capillary column assembly is to be controlled by the chromatographic device or by standalone temperature controlling electronics. The thermal modulator described herein contains an element for temperature modulation of the capillary column assembly to which it is attached and a temperature sensing element for providing accurate temperature feedback to the controlling electronics. The overall result of this when coupled to a chromatographic device is maximally efficient chemical separations in a small space with minimal power consumption.

An electrically operated aerosol-generating system may include a liquid storage portion configured to store a liquid from which aerosol may be generated, an electric heater, a capillary wick extending between the liquid storage portion and the electric heater and configured to convey liquid from the liquid storage portion to the electric heater and electric circuitry connected to the electric heater. The electric circuitry may be configured to: activate the electric heater for a first heating time period in response to an input to vaporize liquid in the capillary wick, activate the electric heater for a second heating time period upon the elapse of a first cooling time period after the first heating time period, record a temperature measurement of the electric heater during the second heating time period, and determine an amount of liquid in the liquid storage portion based on the temperature measurement.

A shock freezer for rapidly freezing a sample preparatory to analysis, comprises an insulated closed container containing cryogenic fluid; a tubing disposed through the container having one end in contact with the cryogenic fluid and another end communicating outside the container, the another end for receiving a needle containing a sample to be shock frozen. The tubing has an inside diameter larger than an outside diameter of a capillary to be inserted therein to provide a space between an inside surface of the tubing and an outside surface of a capillary to be inserted therein to provide passageway for the cryogenic fluid to flow to the outside. An outlet communicates with an interior of the container. A relief valve is operably associated with the outlet, the relief valve being normally open to relieve pressure within the container, and the relief valve being closed when a capillary to be inserted containing a sample to be frozen is inserted into the tubing through the another end to allow pressure within the container to build up and force the cryogenic fluid to flow upwardly through the tubing through the space, thereby to freeze a sample in a capillary to be inserted.