Abstract: Apparatus and method for analysing a biological fluid sample to determine a disturbance of haemostasis resulting in a change of viscosity.

Abstract: An analytical test device incorporating a dry porous carrier to which a liquid sample, eg. urine, suspected of containing an analyte such as HCG or LH can be applied indirectly, the device also incorporating a labelled specific binding reagent which is freely mobile in the porous carrier when in the moist state, and an unlabelled specific binding reagent which is permanently immobilised in a detection zone on the carrier material, the labelled and unlabelled specific binding reagents being capable of participating in either a sandwich reaction or a competition reaction in the presence of the analyte, in which prior to the application to the device of a liquid sample suspected of containing the analyte, the labelled specific binding reagent is retained in the dry state in a macroporous body, eg.

Abstract: An analytical test device incorporating a dry porous carrier to which a liquid sample, eg. urine, suspected of containing an analyte such as HCG or LH can be applied indirectly, the device also incorporating a labelled specific binding reagent which is freely mobile in the porous carrier when in the moist state, and an unlabelled specific binding reagent which is permanently immobilised in a detection zone on the carrier material, the labelled and unlabelled specific binding reagents being capable of participating in either a sandwich reaction or a competition reacts on in the presence of the analyte, in which prior to the application to the device of a liquid sample suspected of containing the analyte, the labelled specific binding reagent is retained in the dry state in a macroporous body, eg.

Abstract: Provided are assay devices comprising sample-activatable battery cells.

Abstract: A test strip configured for the detection of an analyte in a fluid sample and methods for manufacturing and for using the same. The test strip comprises a first flow matrix and a second flow matrix sequentially arranged to form an interface therebetween. The first flow matrix comprises a detection composition movably bound thereto, wherein the detection composition when exposed to the analyte produces at least one detectable product and wherein the first and second solid matrices are selected so as to accumulate the at least one detectable product at the interface between the two matrices, when the fluid sample travels from the first flow matrix to the second flow matrix.

Abstract: A solid-phase test device and method for the detection of sialidase activity in a fluid sample. The test device comprises a solid support provided with pre-deposited dry form of a sialidase detecting composition comprising a sialidase substrate and a color-developing reagent, wherein the sialidase substrate when exposed to sialidase yields an intermediate compound which reacts with the color-developing reagent to form a detectable color change.

Abstract: An assay result reading device for reading the result of an assay performed using a liquid transport carrier may include at least one light source capable of emitting light incident upon at least one of two or more spatially separated zones of the carrier, a photodetector so positioned as to be capable of detecting light emanating from each of the two said zones and generating signals representing the presence or absence of a fluid sample in the respective zone, and a computation circuit. The computation circuit may be responsive to the signals to calculate a flow rate for a fluid flowing along the carrier, compare the calculated flow rate to upper and lower limits, and reject the assay result if the calculated flow rate is outside the upper and lower limits.

Abstract: Disclosed, in one aspect, is an assay result reading device for reading the result of an assay performed using a test strip, the device comprising: a light source or sources, said light source/s emitting light incident upon at least two, spatially separated zones of the test strip; and a photodetector which detects light emanating from each of the two said zones; in a further aspect is disclosed an assay result reading device for reading the result of an assay performed using a test strip, the device comprising: at least one light source incident upon a zone of the test strip; and at least two photodetectors both of which are able to detect some of the light emanating from the zone of the test strip illuminated by the light source.

Abstract: A device for receiving a sample of liquid, such as a sample of bodily liquid which is to be subjected to further analysis, may include a body having at least a major surface and a minor surface. A sample-receiving chamber may be located in the body and may have an inlet end which opens into the major and minor surfaces of the body. A conduit may be located in the body, extending from the outlet end of the chamber, and may be arranged so as to allow the liquid to pass from the outlet end into the conduit by capillary action.

Abstract: A reagent useful in immunoassays, comprising a direct particulate level co-sensitised with a specific binding agent having specificity for an analyte or analyte analogue and with a non-specific protein which can participate in a control reaction with another specific binding agent which does not bind to the first specific binding agent nor participate in the formation of a complex by means of which detection of the analyte or analyte analogue is accomplished. Preferably the first specific binding agent is an antibody raised in a first species and the non-specific protein is an immunoglobulin from another species. Optionally, the reagent additionally comprises a second population of the direct particulate label sensitised solely with the non-specific protein.

Abstract: A micro flow system is provided for separating particles, comprising a microfabricated member having a flow channel (5) defined therein for guiding a flow of a fluid containing the particles through the flow channel, first inlet means (2) positioned at one end of the flow channel for entering the fluid into the flow channel, first outlet means (7) positioned at the other end of the flow channel for discharging the fluid from the flow channel, the flow of the fluid containing the particles being controlled in such a way that one particle at the time passes a cross section of the flow channel, the member being positioned in a field that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the flow channel so that particles residing in the flow channel and being susceptible to the field across the flow channel are deflected in the direction of the field.

Abstract: A specimen cup (100) has slide-in cassette (102) hermetically sealed in a chamber (104), with a outer partition being transparent. The cassette comprised chemical test strips (106) used to provide testing of drugs of abuse or other chemical or biological substances. The cassette is designed to draw urine up from the front bottom of the cup, thereby reduces the amount of urine required to perform the test. Further the cassette is designed to form isolated test channels through the use of strategically placed vertical and horizontal bars which are hermetically sealed. The cup further comprises a spill prevention flap or float (108) and an optionally enlarged sample collection portion (110) for its operation. The windows of the test cassette are covered with transparent fluid-resistant plate to prevent urine from accidentally spill onto the strips.

Abstract: A coagulation detecting apparatus has a structure defining a container for a fluid, and containing particles for movement through the container under the influence of a magnetic field. A magnetic arrangement provides sequential magnetic fields to the container such as to cause the particles to move. A light source illuminates the container and a detector detects optical radiation of the light source after passing through the container, the detector being arranged for optically detecting at least one of presence of the particles at a predetermined location in the fluid and movement of the particles through a predetermined location in the fluid.

Abstract: An analytical test device incorporating a dry porous carrier to which a liquid sample, eg. urine, suspected of containing an analyte such as HCG or LH can be applied indirectly, the device also incorporating a labelled specific binding reagent which is freely mobile in the porous carrier when in the moist state, and an unlabelled specific binding reagent which is permanently immobilized in a detection zone on the carrier material, the labelled and unlabelled specific binding reagents being capable of participating in either a sandwich reaction or a competition reaction in the presence of the analyte, in which prior to the application to the device of a liquid sample suspected of containing the analyte, the labelled specific binding reagent is retained in the dry state in a macroporous body, eg.

Abstract: A device for determining the result of an assay may include a computation circuit, responsive to a signal representing the amount of an analyte or the rate of accumulation of an analyte, to: compare the signal to a first threshold; compare the signal to a second threshold, the second threshold being less than the first threshold; generate an output signal if the signal exceeds the first threshold or the signal is less than the second threshold, the output signal indicative of a first result if the signal exceeds the first threshold, or, alternatively, the output signal indicative of a second result if the signal is less than the second threshold; and terminate the assay if the signal exceeds the first threshold or the signal is less than the second threshold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved specific binding assay devices comprising a chromatographic medium including a reaction site at which a specific binding reagent is immobilized, a sample application well located adjacent to the chromatographic medium and offset upstream from the reaction site, and liquid absorption blotter offset downstream from the reaction site.