Abstract: Methods for enhancing the binding rate between at least two particulate binding partners are disclosed. Methods include flowing a first binding partner and a second binding partner, e.g., in a viscoelastic fluid, under conditions to chemically bind the first binding partner and the second binding partner to create a third binding partner. The flow conditions induce a particle size dependent, migration, e.g., radial, velocity differential between the first binding partner and the second binding partner and between the first binding partner and third binding partner, e.g., to increasing a collision frequency of the nanoparticles and the larger particles. Devices for enhancing the binding rate between at least two particulate binding partners are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring a hydration level in human tissue. The system includes a coaxial probe have a first end configured to be in contract with human tissue and configured to be emit and receive signals associated with a spectroscopic technique and having a second end adapted to be coupled to transmit and receive circuitry. The system further includes a patch or other means coupled to the coaxial probe and configured to be adhered to human tissue so as to provide a force upon at least a portion of the coaxial probe configured to be in contact with human tissue. In embodiments, the system may further include means coupled to receive signals from the coaxial probe, for determining an amount of liquid within a portion of human tissue in contact with the first end of the probe.

Abstract: A method for detecting a target cell surface molecule and classifying cell types in a fluid sample. The method involves the addition of a reagent to the fluid sample. The reagent includes nanoparticles with optical plasmonic resonances, and at least one fluorescent probe. The nanoparticles are a bio-optical probe for the target cell surface molecule. Each fluorescent probe targets a cell classification marker. The method further involves the acquisition of an image using dark field microscopy and fluorescence microscopy to detect and quantify the presence or absence of any cells in the fluid sample having the target cell surface molecule or having the cell classification marker.

Abstract: A method for detecting a target cell surface molecule and classifying cell types in a fluid sample. The method involves the addition of a reagent to the fluid sample. The reagent includes nanoparticles with optical plasmonic resonances, and at least one fluorescent probe. The nanoparticles are a bio-optical probe for the target cell surface molecule. Each fluorescent probe targets a cell classification marker. The method further involves the acquisition of an image using dark field microscopy and fluorescence microscopy to detect and quantify the presence or absence of any cells in the fluid sample having the target cell surface molecule or having the cell classification marker.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of biological assays where cells can be classified and enumerated using flow cytometry optical instrumentation. The invention combines information from multi-angle, light scatter from the cell itself and multi-angle light scatter from small, optically resonant particles that are selectively bound to surface molecules on the cell to carry out classification and enumeration. This light scatter method enables an instrumentation system that is simple to use, inexpensive to build, and mechanically robust; making it suitable for use in remote clinical environments.

Abstract: A method of using elongate multicellular organisms in conjunction with a specialized flow cytometer for drug discovery and compound screening. A stable, optically detectable linear marker pattern on each organism is used to construct a longitudinal map of each organism as it passes through the analysis region of the flow cytometer. This pattern is used to limit complex data analysis to particular regions of each organism thereby simplifying and speeding analysis. The longitudinal marker pattern can be used to alter signal detection modes at known regions of the organism to enhance sensitivity and overall detection effectiveness. A repeating pattern can also be used to add a synchronous element to data analysis. The marker patterns are established using known methods of molecular biology to express various indicator molecules. Inherent features of the organism can be rendered detectable to serve as marker patterns.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of biological assays where cells can be classified and enumerated using flow cytometry optical instrumentation. The invention combines information from multi-angle, light scatter from the cell itself and multi-angle light scatter from small, optically resonant particles that are selectively bound to surface molecules on the cell to carry out classification and enumeration. This light scatter method enables an instrumentation system that is simple to use, inexpensive to build, and mechanically robust; making it suitable for use in remote clinical environments.

Abstract: A method of using elongate multicellular organisms in conjunction with a specialized flow cytometer for drug discovery and compound screening. A stable, optically detectable linear marker pattern on each organism is used to construct a longitudinal map of each organism as it passes through the analysis region of the flow cytometer. This pattern is used to limit complex data analysis to particular regions of each organism thereby simplifying and speeding analysis. The longitudinal marker pattern can be used to alter signal detection modes at known regions of the organism to enhance sensitivity and overall detection effectiveness. A repeating pattern can also be used to add a synchronous element to data analysis. The marker patterns are established using known methods of molecular biology to express various indicator molecules. Inherent features of the organism can be rendered detectable to serve as marker patterns.

Abstract: A method of using elongate multicellular organisms in conjunction with a specialized flow cytometer for drug discovery and compound screening. A stable, optically detectable linear marker pattern on each organism is used to construct a longitudinal map of each organism as it passes through the analysis region of the flow cytometer. This pattern is used to limit complex data analysis to particular regions of each organism thereby simplifying and speeding analysis. The longitudinal marker pattern can be used to alter signal detection modes at known regions of the organism to enhance sensitivity and overall detection effectiveness. A repeating pattern can also be used to add a synchronous element to data analysis. The marker patterns are established using known methods of molecular biology to express various indicator molecules. Inherent features of the organism can be rendered detectable to serve as marker patterns.

Abstract: An improved instrument that consists of an optical analyzer and a fluid switch using light scatter and fluorescence means to optically identify and activate fluidic sorting of multicellular organisms from live populations of organisms such as various life cycle stages of Caenorhabditis elegans, the larval stages of Drosophila melanogaster, and the embryonic stages of Danio rero. In the case where fluorescence from these organisms is very weak, comparatively high levels of electronic noise accompany the electronic signals that are generated by the fluorescence detector and its associated circuitry. Because these weak signals cannot be used to mark the presence of an organism, another, less noisy, signal must be used to gate fluorescence detection. A gate derived from the low-noise light scatter signal from the organism collected over an acceptance angle of at least 20 degrees. Such a light scatter signal unambiguously gates even weak fluorescence signals.

Abstract: A homogeneous method of measuring chemical binding relies on resonant, or "amplified," optical extinction (light scattering plus absorption) from a defined, specific class of colloidal particles wherein the real term n of the complex refractive index n-ik approaches zero while the imaginary term k approaches .sqroot.2. Chemical binding partners are coated onto the particles, which either aggregate or disperse during the binding reaction, causing an optical extinction change at one wavelength that is quantitatively related to the number of single colloidal particles and another at a second wavelength that is quantitatively related to the number of doublet colloidal particles.