Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for interfacing to or interacting with the flow of liquid passing into or through lateral-flow assays and related paper- or membrane-based in-vitro diagnostic testing platforms. This is done for the purpose of improving their performance, sensitivity, accuracy, repeatability, degree of multiplexing, and/or level of quantitation, and/or reducing their inherent limitations while maintaining, in large part, their simplicity, cost effectiveness, and ease of use. New methods are disclosed for pre-sample purification, aliquoting, sequential liquid delivery, flow control and other functions that are largely automatic and require no action on the part of the user.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for interfacing to or interacting with the flow of liquid passing into or through lateral-flow assays and related paper- or membrane-based in-vitro diagnostic testing platforms. This is done for the purpose of improving their performance, sensitivity, accuracy, repeatability, degree of multiplexing, and/or level of quantitation, and/or reducing their inherent limitations while maintaining, in large part, their simplicity, cost effectiveness, and ease of use. New methods are disclosed for pre-sample purification, aliquoting, sequential liquid delivery, flow control and other functions that are largely automatic and require no action on the part of the user.

Abstract: Methods, devices and components are disclosed for transferring a sample, for example, for transferring purified biological samples and dispensing the purified sample into or onto rapid in-vitro diagnostic tests. The disclosed methods, devices and components can advantageously simplify the user interaction with the purification and dispensing device, ultimately leading to more accurate and repeatable results of the diagnostic test which, in turn, can lead to increased value and greater utilization of the test.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for extracting a filtrate from a liquid sample that includes one or more filtration membranes and, in physical contact with a portion of the downstream surface(s) of the filtration membrane(s), a soluble matrix possessing a capillary drawing force sufficient to draw filtrate through the at least one filtration membrane and into the soluble matrix, causing the soluble matrix to at least partially dissolve or disintegrate in the filtrate, whereby the filtrate is released. Various configurations, including device configurations having two filtration membranes with a soluble matrix in between or having a tubular filtration membrane at least partially surrounding or surrounded by a soluble matrix are described.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for interfacing to or interacting with the flow of liquid passing into or through lateral-flow assays and related paper- or membrane-based in-vitro diagnostic testing platforms. This is done for the purpose of improving their performance, sensitivity, accuracy, repeatability, degree of multiplexing, and/or level of quantitation, and/or reducing their inherent limitations while maintaining, in large part, their simplicity, cost effectiveness, and ease of use. New methods are disclosed for pre-sample purification, aliquoting, sequential liquid delivery, flow control and other functions that are largely automatic and require no action on the part of the user.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for extracting a filtrate from a liquid sample that includes one or more filtration membranes and, in physical contact with a portion of the downstream surface(s) of the filtration membrane(s), a soluble matrix possessing a capillary drawing force sufficient to draw filtrate through the at least one filtration membrane and into the soluble matrix, causing the soluble matrix to at least partially dissolve or disintegrate in the filtrate, whereby the filtrate is released. Various configurations, including device configurations having two filtration membranes with a soluble matrix in between or having a tubular filtration membrane at least partially surrounding or surrounded by a soluble matrix are described.