Solid-phase techniques have facilitated the handling of biochemical analytes. This has stimulated the development of systems by which large sample panels can be analyzed with high levels of security and quality. We describe a sample transfer device based on the principle of vacuum filtration, which enables parallel handling of 96 samples of analytes bound to Sepharose beads. The tool was employ...

We demonstrate a standalone microfluidic chip that allows us to carry out commonly executed antibiotic susceptibility assays in an array of nanoliter droplets. We eliminated the need for automation in performing an exemplary complicated liquid handling assay on a chip. Operations on droplets are hard-wired into the microfluidic chip. The liquid handling protocol can be executed with a simple an...

As the clinical laboratory advances toward total automation, the marketplace is now demanding more-efficient sample-handling systems. These demands have arisen over a relatively short period of time, in part because of heightened concern over laboratory safety and the resulting manpower shortages. Adding sample-handling capabilities to existing instrumentation is often a challenge, because usua...

Delivery of inhaled medications via an inhaler device underpins the effectiveness of treatment for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Correct inhaler technique among patients is also a predictor of achieving treatment compliance and adherence. Reporting of patient satisfaction with inhalers is therefore gaining increasing attention and is now recognized as an important ...

Integration of multiple real-time control modules has gained increased acceptance as a new trend in the industry during the past few years. For example, the avionics industry is embracing a new design approach referred to as Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) that encourages resource sharing to minimize development and maintenance costs of avionics. However, the IMA approach also brings new chal...

This study aims to investigate the causes of catheter fracture and handling measures for implantable vascular access devices to prevent catheter fracture. We retrospectively examined 3088 adult patients with catheter fracture/disruption caused by totally implantable vascular access devices (TIVDs). In the 3088 cases, implantation was via the internal jugular vein in 2909 cases and the subclavia...

Diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis (DTaP) based combined vaccines have led to significant reduction in incidence of several serious pediatric infectious diseases. A new, fully liquid combined hexavalent vaccine has been introduced and has been shown to reduce administration time. This fully liquid vaccine may also be simpler to administer and could reduce handling errors. The present s...

The enthusiasm for mobile computing is still unbroken as a year on year increase of 51% in the overall global shipments of mobile devices in the fourth quarter of 2004 has shown (Canalys.com, 2005). With 300 million new subscribers in 2004 alone, 27% of the world’s population now has access to mobile communications (Svanberg, 2005). A mobile device is a natural multi-functional device and the o...

Modern design embraces digital augmentation, especially in the interplay of digital media content and the physical dispersion and handling of information. Based on the observation that small paper memos with sticky backs (such as Post-ItsTM) are a powerful and frequently used design tool, we have created Post-Bits, a new interface device with a physical embodiment that can be handled as natural...