Abstract: Fluidic device and methods of preparing a fibrous pad comprising dried reagents deposited thereon are described. In an embodiment, the fluidic devices comprise a fibrous pad; and a lyophilized reagent depot configured to support nucleic amplification of a target nucleic acid molecule to produce amplicons when dissolved, wherein the lyophilized reagent depot is disposed on the fibrous pad, the lyophilized reagent depot comprising: a nucleic acid amplification enzyme configured to perform a nucleic acid amplification reaction producing amplicons; and a lyophilization agent.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a target moiety are disclosed. A system includes a substrate holder including a porous matrix. The porous matrix includes a first detectable agent and a second detectable agent. The system includes a housing, optically coupled with the substrate holder, and shaped to optically couple with a radiation source and a radiation sensor and to optically isolate the radiation source and the radiation sensor. The system includes an excitation filter, disposed in or on the housing, configured to receive excitation electromagnetic radiation from the radiation source and to transmit a first portion of the excitation electromagnetic radiation to the porous matrix. The system also includes an emission filter, disposed in or on the housing, configured to receive emitted fluorescence electromagnetic radiation from the porous matrix and to transmit a second portion of the emitted fluorescence electromagnetic radiation, the second portion being different from the first portion.

Abstract: Fluidic devices, systems, and methods for analyzing an analyte are described. In an embodiment, the fluidic devices include a housing defining a lysis chamber shaped to receive a biological sample; a lysis buffer storage chamber disposed within the housing and carrying a lysis buffer configured to lyse cells of the biological sample; a cap configured to cooperatively couple to the housing; a compressor configured to compress the lysis buffer storage chamber and expel the lysis buffer from the lysis buffer storage chamber and into the lysis chamber when the cap is uncoupled from the housing; and a porous membrane in selective fluidic communication with the lysis chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for filtering and assaying a fluid sample are described. In an embodiment, the apparatus includes a filtration unit comprising: a filter bracket shaped to removably couple with a fluid sample cup and a vacuum container; and a filter housing cooperatively couplable to the filter bracket and comprising a filter configured to filter fluid passing through the filter bracket; and an assay device shaped to cooperatively couple with the filter housing and comprising a porous matrix positioned to be in fluidic communication with the filter when the filter housing is cooperatively coupled with the assay device.

Abstract: Compositions and method for reducing the concentration of uremic toxins in the body of a patient suffering from some degree of kidney failure are disclosed. The methods can be used to delay the need for conventional dialysis treatment or as an adjunct therapy to reduce the frequency of dialysis sessions, and in some instances, as an alternative to such dialysis sessions.

Abstract: The present technology generally relates to stopped-flow microfluidic devices. Select embodiments of the present technology include microfluidic devices having a first porous element configured to receive a first fluid and a second porous element configured to receive a second fluid. The second porous element can have one or more legs overlapping with the first porous element. The device can be configured such that (a) delivery of the first fluid to the first porous element causes the first fluid to flow along the length of the first porous element without substantially wetting the one or more legs, and (b) delivery of the second fluid to the second porous element causes the second fluid to flow into the overlapping regions of the first porous element, thereby substantially stopping flow of the first fluid along at least a portion of the first porous element.

Abstract: The present technology is directed to capillarity-based devices for performing chemical processes and associated system and methods. In one embodiment, for example, a device can include a porous receiving element having an input region and a receiving region, a first fluid source and a second fluid source positioned within the input region of the receiving element; wherein the first fluid source is positioned between the second fluid source and the receiving region, and wherein, when both the first and second fluid sources are in fluid connection with the input region, the device is configured to sequentially deliver the first fluid and the second fluid to the receiving region without leakage.

Abstract: Temperature-actuated valves, devices including temperature-actuated valves, and related methods are described. In an embodiment, the temperature-actuated valve includes a heat-shrink film defining a perforation extending at least partially in a first direction. In an embodiment, the temperature-actuated valve is configured to open when a portion of the heat-shrink film including the perforation is heated above a threshold temperature to contract the heat-shrink film along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to define an aperture, in an open configuration, providing a fluid a path through the heat-shrink film. In an embodiment, the temperature-actuated valve includes a leakage-mitigation feature configured to limit fluid flow through the perforation when the valve is in a closed configuration.

Abstract: Temperature-actuated valves, devices including temperature-actuated valves, and related methods are described. In an embodiment, the temperature-actuated valve includes a heat-shrink film defining a perforation extending at least partially in a first direction. In an embodiment, the temperature-actuated valve is configured to open when a portion of the heat-shrink film including the perforation is heated above a threshold temperature to contract the heat-shrink film along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to define an aperture, in an open configuration, providing a fluid a path through the heat-shrink film. In an embodiment, the temperature-actuated valve includes a leakage-mitigation feature configured to limit fluid flow through the perforation when the valve is in a closed configuration.

Abstract: The present technology is directed to capillarity-based devices for performing chemical processes and associated system and methods. In one embodiment, for example, a device can include a porous receiving element having an input region and a receiving region, a first fluid source and a second fluid source positioned within the input region of the receiving element; wherein the first fluid source is positioned between the second fluid source and the receiving region, and wherein, when both the first and second fluid sources are in fluid connection with the input region, the device is configured to sequentially deliver the first fluid and the second fluid to the receiving region without leakage.

Abstract: The present technology is directed to capillarity-based devices for performing chemical processes and associated system and methods. In one embodiment, for example, a device can include a base configured to receive one or more fluids, a porous wick carried by the base portion, and a flow-metering element along the porous wick to modify a rate or volume of fluid flow along the porous wick. The porous wick can comprise a first pathway, a second pathway, and an intersection at which the first pathway and the second pathway converge. Input ends of the first and second pathways can be wettably distinct. Upon wetting of the input ends, fluid is configured to travel by capillary action along each pathway. The device may also include volume-metering features configured to automatically and independently control or modify a volume of fluid flow along one or more pathways of the porous wick.

Abstract: The present technology is related to methods and compositions for detecting, and optionally quantifying, one or more analytes of a sample using nucleic acids. In some embodiments, the methods include generating a complex of a plurality of peptides, an analyte, a first nucleic acid, and a second nucleic acid, each nucleic acid conjugated to a binder peptide. In addition, an immobilizer peptide can be immobilized to a substrate. If the binder peptides are bound to the analyte, the method further includes hybridizing a segment of the first nucleic acid to a segment of the second nucleic acid and amplifying the hybridized nucleic acids to generate a plurality of amplicons. Moreover, the generated amplicons indicate that one or more analytes has been detected. A number of generated amplicons can be analyzed to quantify one or more of the bound analytes.

Abstract: The present invention provides porous membrane-binding polypeptides, fusion proteins thereof, and methods for use of the polypeptides and fusion proteins in binding assays.

Abstract: The present technology relates generally to systems for disrupting biological samples and associated devices and methods. In some embodiments, the system includes a vessel configured to receive a biological sample and a cap assembly that includes a porous membrane having a receiving region and a detection region. When the cap assembly is detachably coupled to an open end portion of the vessel, the system can be moved between a first orientation and a second orientation. When the system is in the first orientation, the biological sample is not in fluid communication with the receiving region. When the vessel contains is in the second orientation, the biological sample is in fluid communication with the receiving region and wicks through the porous membrane to the detection region.

Abstract: The present invention provides porous membrane-binding polypeptides, fusion proteins thereof, and methods for use of the polypeptides and fusion proteins in binding assays.

Abstract: The present technology describes various embodiments of devices for processing, analyzing, detecting, measuring, and separating fluids. The devices can be used to perform these processes on a microfluidic scale, and with control over fluid and reagent transport. In one embodiment, for example, a device for performing chemical processes can include a porous wick comprising a pathway defined by an input end, an output end, and a length between the input end and the output end. The pathway is configured to wick fluid from the input end to the output end by capillary action. The device can further include a reagent placed on the pathway. The reagent can be placed in a pattern configured to control a spatial or temporal distribution of the reagent along the pathway upon wetting of the pathway.

Abstract: The present technology is directed to capillarity-based devices for performing chemical processes and associated system and methods. In one embodiment, for example, a device can include a first porous element having a first pore size and configured to receive a fluid at its proximal portion, and a second porous element having a second pore size greater than the first pore size and configured to receive a fluid at its proximal portion. The first porous element can be positioned across the second porous element such that an overlapping region exists between the porous elements where the porous elements are in fluid communication. Before delivery of the fluid to the second porous element, the fluid pressure at the overlapping region is greater than the capillary pressure of the second porous element such that a fluid delivered to the first porous element wicks through its overlapping portion without wetting the second porous element.

Abstract: The present technology is directed to capillarity-based devices for performing chemical processes and associated system and methods. In one embodiment, for example, a device can include a porous receiving element having an input region and a receiving region, a first fluid source and a second fluid source positioned within the input region of the receiving element; wherein the first fluid source is positioned between the second fluid source and the receiving region, and wherein, when both the first and second fluid sources are in fluid connection with the input region, the device is configured to sequentially deliver the first fluid and the second fluid to the receiving region without leakage.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for rapid parallel molecular affinity assays performed in a microfluidic environment. The invention exploits hydrodynamic addressing to provide simultaneous performance of multiple assays in parallel using a minimal sample volume flowing through a single channel.

Abstract: The present technology relates generally to systems for disrupting biological samples and associated devices and methods. In some embodiments, system includes a vessel configured to receive the biological sample, a permanent magnet configured to be positioned within the vessel, an electromagnet configured to be positioned proximate the vessel, and a current source operably coupled to the electromagnet and configured to transmit an alternating current. In some embodiments, when the biological sample is placed within the vessel and the alternating current is transmitted to the electromagnet, the electromagnet produces an alternating magnetic field that causes the permanent magnet to rotate within the vessel, thereby lysing at least one of the cells of the biological sample.