Abstract: A method and apparatus for the manipulation of colloidal particulates and biomolecules at the interface between an insulating electrode such as silicon oxide and an electrolyte solution. Light-controlled electrokinetic assembly of particles near surfaces relies on the combination of three functional elements: the AC electric field-induced assembly of planar aggregates; the patterning of the electrolyte/silicon oxide/silicon interface to exert spatial control over the assembly process; and the real-time control of the assembly process via external illumination. The present invention provides a set of fundamental operations enabling interactive control over the creation and placement of planar arrays of several types of particles and biomolecules and the manipulation of array shape and size. The present invention enables sample preparation and handling for diagnostic assays and biochemical analysis in an array format, and the functional integration of these operations.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for fabricating biosensors, using hydrophilic polyurethane. Bio-active reagents, including enzymes, antibodies, antigens, cells and receptors, are mixed with hydrophilic polyurethane and the mixture is directly coated over a signal transducer to form a sensing film which serves as a signal detector. The method using hydrophilic polyurethane allows the simplification of the fabrication of biosensors without conducting complicated chemical reactions and washing steps, such as crosslinking. The bio-active reagent entrapped within the hydrophilic polyurethane film can retains its high activity for an extended period of time and the intrinsic potentiometric response of the underlying ion-selective polymeric membrane is not affected by the bio-active reagent immobilized polyurethane film coated on its sensing surface. Therefore, the biosensors are superior in specificity, selectivity, and stability.

Abstract: System, method, and test strip for solid phase, electrochemical, quantitative analysis of analytes contained in biological fluid samples. Preliminary to analysis, a test sample solution can be applied to a sample collection pad associated with the solid phase test environment of the test strip. The test sample solution and a test kit reagent are thereby initially contacted, under assay conditions, within this solid phase test environment, and caused to migrate along a fluid pathway therein. Irrespective of the assay format (competitive assay, sandwich assay, etc.), a test kit reagent (e.g. labeled substance) and the analyte of interest (e.g.

Abstract: A biologic electrode array is formed on a semiconductor substrate. A matrix of electrode sites is disposed on the semiconductor substrate. A matrix of optical detectors is disposed beneath the electrode sites in the semiconductor substrate, wherein each electrode site is associated with a corresponding optical detector. The optical detectors are coupled to detection circuitry formed on the semiconductor substrate. The electrode sites may include slitted electrodes, punctuated electrodes, or optically transparent electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for laboratory and field use in detecting and measuring Hg+ and Hg2+ in sample. A selective mercury binding agent, such as a chelating agent or clathrating agent, is covalently bound in a copolymer and deposited as an electrode layer. To prepare the preferred apparatus of the invention, thiophene, or other, similar monomer, is derivatized by covalent attachment thereto of Kryptofix-21™ (1,4,10-trioxa-7,13-diazacyclopentadecane) in the 3-position. The thiophene monomer and Kryptofix-21™ are co-polymerized and electrodeposited by known techniques onto a conductive substrate, such as platinum or glassy carbon, to obtain a multi-layer polymer coating of desired thickness. The resulting coated electrode has selective coordination sites for mercury of the order of Kf=1016, compared to Kf=103 for cadmium, Kf=105 for lead and Kf=105 for silver.

Abstract: Electrode membrane combinations for use in biosensors to detect analytes in a sample and methods for making and storing same are disclosed. In one aspect, a method is provided for producing a first layer electrode membrane comprising: (1) Forming a solution containing Linker Lipid A, the disulfide of mercaptoacetic acid (MAAD) or similar molecule, linker Gramicidin B, membrane spanning lipid C (MSL-C) and membrane spanning lipid D (MSL-D) or other suitable linker molecules and other ion channel combinations; (2) Contacting an electrode containing a clean gold surface with the solution, the disulfide containing components in the solution thus adsorbing onto the gold surface of the electrode; (3) Rinsing the electrode with a suitable organic solvent; and (4) Removing the excess organic solvent used for rinsing.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of a target analyte comprising binding a target analyte to a binding ligand comprising at least a first electron donor moiety and a second electron acceptor moiety; and detecting the electron transfer between the donor and acceptor, wherein there is a change in the amount of electron transfer between the donor and acceptor as a result of altering the structured state of the donor and acceptor caused by a conformational change in the binding ligand upon binding of the target ligand.

Abstract: A linker lipid for use in attaching a membrane including a plurality of ionophores to an electrode and providing a space between the membrane and the electrode in which the membrane is either in part or totally made up of the linker lipid. The linker lipid has within the same molecule a hydrophobic region capable of spanning the membrane, an attachment group used to attach the molecule to an electrode surface, a hydrophilic region intermediate the hydrophobic region and the attachment group, and a polar head group region attached to the hydrophobic region at a site remote from the hydrophilic region. The attachment group has a cross sectional area greater than the cross sectional area of the hydrophilic region, and has the structure recited in the specification.

Abstract: Electrode membrane combinations for use in biosensors to detect analytes in a sample and methods for making and storing same are disclosed. In one aspect, a method is provided for producing a first layer electrode membrane comprising: (1) Forming a solution containing Linker Lipid A, the disulfide of mercaptoacetic acid (MAAD) or similar molecule, linker Gramicidin B, membrane spanning lipid C (MSL-C) and membrane spanning lipid D (MSL-D) or other suitable linker molecules and other ion channel combinations; (2) Contacting an electrode containing a clean gold surface with the solution, the disulfide containing components in the solution thus adsorbing onto the gold surface of the electrode; (3) Rinsing the electrode with a suitable organic solvent; and (4) Removing the excess organic solvent used for rinsing.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a binding assay for an analyte of interest in a sample based upon measurement of clectrochemiluminescence at an electrode surface comprising: (a) a cell defining a sample; (b) an electrode adjacent a portion of the sample containing volume; (c) a voltage control device for impressing electrochemical energy upon the electrode sufficient to generate luminescence; (d) means for magnetically collecting particles along the electrode surface; and (e) a light detection device for measuring the luminescence.

Abstract: Measurement and communication transducers and electronic circuits and control programs of the internal microprocessor of glucose content measurement instruments for personal independent use aimed at improving the safety and flexibility of use and the measurement performances of instruments for the almost continual determination of glucose or other molecules in extracellular fluids.

Abstract: A detector assembly for detecting a plurality of different properties at the same location at the same time is provided by integrating onto a single semiconductor substrate a first detector unit for measuring a first property and a second detector unit for measuring a second property. The first and second detector units can share, for example, a common element, such as a sensor device that can provide electrical output signals representative of, respectively, the first property and the second property. The common element can include a diaphragm with a pyroelectric element to provide a measurement of temperature and pressure.

Abstract: Electrode membrane combinations for use in biosensors to detect analytes in a sample and methods for making and storing same are disclosed. In one aspect, a method is provided for producing a first layer electrode membrane comprising: (1) Forming a solution containing Linker Lipid A, the disulfide of mercaptoacetic acid (MAAD) or similar molecule, linker Gramicidin B, membrane spanning lipid C (MSL-C) and membrane spanning lipid D (MSL-D) or other suitable linker molecules and other ion channel combinations; (2) Contacting an electrode containing a clean gold surface with the solution, the disulfide containing components in the solution thus adsorbing onto the gold surface of the electrode; (3) Rinsing the electrode with a suitable organic solvent; and (4) Removing the excess organic solvent used for rinsing.

Abstract: Nitric oxide-specific electrodes are useful for in situ detection of nitric oxide in biomedical applications and have at least a surface region thereof which is capable of forming complexes with nitric oxide, for example, nitrosyl complexes. The nitric oxide complexes formed at the surface of the electrodes apparently increase the concentration of nitric oxide available for detection, thereby leading to significantly improved relative responses as compared to other known nitric oxide electrode materials. Most preferably, the electrode has at least an exterior surface region which contains ruthenium and/or at least one oxide of ruthenium. The electrodes are advantageously conditioned in saline solution at +675 mV for about two hours.

Abstract: An improved biologic electrode array and methods for manufacturing and using the same. In one aspect, a matrix of electrodes each coupled to a respective sample-and-hold circuit is provided. The electrodes and sample-and-hold circuits are integral and form an array within a single semiconductor chip, such that each sample-and-hold circuit may be loaded with a predefined voltage provided by a single, time-shared digital-to-analog converter (DAC). Further, all of the sample-and-hold circuits may be accessed through a multiplexer which may be scanned through some or all of the electrode locations. Each sample-and-hold circuit may comprise a capacitor and one or more transistor switches, the switch(es), when closed, providing electrical communication between the capacitor and a source line formed in the matrix.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the manipulation of colloidal particles and biomolecules at the interface between an insulating electrode such as silicon oxide and an electrolyte solution. Light-controlled electrokinetic assembly of particles near surfaces relies on the combination of three functional elements: the AC electric field-induced assembly of planar aggregates; the patterning of the electrolyte/silicon oxide/silicon interface to exert spatial control over the assembly process; and the real-time control of the assembly process via external illumination. The present invention provides a set of fundamental operations enabling interactive control over the creation and placement of planar arrays of several types of particles and biomolecules and the manipulation of array shape and size. The present invention enables sample preparation and handling for diagnostic assays and biochemical analysis in an array format, and the functional integration of these operations.

Abstract: A biosensor based on complexes between biomolecule receptors and colloidal Au nanoparticles, and more specifically, colloid layers of receptor/Au complexes that can be used to detect biomolecule analytes through measuring of binding-induced changes in electrical resistance or surface plasmon resonance. Also disclosed is a method for detecting and analysing carrier-borne chemical compounds with Raman spectroscopy using an improved SERS substrate. Further disclosed is an improved method for detecting compounds in solvents using capillary electrophoresis in conjunction with Raman spectroscopy.

Abstract: A micro-circuit for performing analyses of multimolecular interactions and for performing molecular syntheses, comprising: (a) a support; (b) at least one micro-electrode attached to the support, the micro-electrode being selectively electronically activated and the micro-electrode having a protective layer which is removable; (c) a binding entity for attachment to the at least one micro-electrode, the binding entity being capable of attachment to at least one micro-electrode when the protective layer has been removed; and (d) a power source being operatively connected to at least one micro-electrode for electronically activating at least one micro-electrode. The micro-circuit of the present invention also includes embodiments featuring a micro-circuit reader for detecting the interaction of the binding entity to a complementary probe, as well as methods for making and using the micro-circuit of the present invention.