Abstract: A novel in vitro system and method for predicting the in vivo behavior, such as absorption time or mechanical strength retention, of biodegradable polymeric implants and medical devices. Data from this in vitro method are correlated to in vivo absorption data, allowing for the prediction of accurate in vivo behaviors, such as absorption times. The system uses a novel bypass loop to maintain the integrity of pH measuring devices to improve the reproducibility of data collected during in vitro testing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for differentiating multiple detectable signals by excitation wavelength. The apparatus can include a light source that can emit respective excitation light wavelengths or wavelength ranges towards a sample in a sample retaining region, for example, in a well. The sample can contain two or more detectable markers, for example, fluorescent dyes, each of which can be capable of generating increased detectable emissions when excited in the presence of a target component. The detectable markers can have excitation wavelength ranges and/or emission wavelength ranges that overlap with the ranges of the other detectable markers. A detector can be arranged for detecting an emission wavelength or wavelength range emitted from a first marker within the overlapping wavelength range of at least one of the other markers.

Abstract: A particle focusing system includes an inlet; an inertial focusing microchannel disposed in a substrate and connected to the inlet; and a pressure/flow source configured to drive a particle-containing fluid through the inertial focusing microchannel, where the inertial focusing microchannel includes a side wall having an irregular surface. The side wall includes a first irregularity protruding from a baseline surface away from a longitudinal axis of the inertial focusing microchannel. Alternatively or additionally, the first irregularity and the baseline surface form an angle more than or equal to 135 degrees. The inertial focusing microchannel may have a substantially rectangular cross-section having a height and a width, and a ratio of height to width is approximately 5:4 to 4:1. The system may also include a downstream expanding region having a side wall, where the side wall has a stepped surface.

Abstract: An exhaust purification system of an internal combustion engine provided with a heat and hydrogen generation device (50) and an exhaust purification catalyst (14) comprised of the three way catalyst. Heat and hydrogen generated in the heat and hydrogen generation device (50) is fed to the exhaust purification catalyst (14). When an air-fuel ratio of the air and fuel made to burn in the heat and hydrogen generation device (50) is made a predetermined target set air-fuel ratio, the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas discharged from the engine is controlled to the target adjusted air-fuel ratio required for making the air-fuel ratio of the gas flowing into the exhaust purification catalyst (14) the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards a disposable microfluidic cartridge configured for use in a system for the small scale production of nanoparticles used in scientific research or therapeutic applications. The system can be used to produce a wide variety of nanoparticles, including but not limited to lipid and polymer nanoparticles, carrying a variety of payloads. The system provides for a simple workflow which in certain embodiments can be used to produce a sterile product.

Abstract: A waveguide sensor system is provided. The system includes a light source and a waveguide formed from a light transmitting material. Light from the light source enters the waveguide at an input area and travels within the waveguide by total internal reflection to an analyte area and light to be analyzed travels within the waveguide from the analyte area by total internal reflection to an output area. An optical sensor is coupled to the output area and is configured to interact with the light to be analyzed. The system includes a plurality of pores located along the outer surface within the analyte area and formed in the light transmitting material of the waveguide, and the pores are configured to enhance light interaction with the analyte within the analyte area.

Abstract: A biosensor array, system and method for affinity based assays that are able to simultaneously obtain high quality measurements of the binding characteristics of multiple analytes, and that are able to determine the amounts of those analytes in solution. The invention also provides a fully integrated bioarray for detecting real-time characteristics of affinity based assays.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the propensity of a fluid for calcification.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel microfluidic substrates and methods that are useful for performing biological, chemical and diagnostic assays. The substrates can include a plurality of electrically addressable, channel bearing fluidic modules integrally arranged such that a continuous channel is provided for flow of immiscible fluids.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention are directed to evaluating and identifying cells by recording and interpreting a time-dependent signal produced by unique cell respiration and permeability attributes of isolated viable cells.

Abstract: A microelectronic sensor device for the detection of target components with label or magnetic particles includes a carrier with a binding surface at which target components can collect and optionally bind to specific capture elements. An input light beam is transmitted into the carrier and totally internally reflected at the binding surface. The amount of light in the output light beam is detected by a light detector. Evanescent light generated during the total internal reflection is affected by target components and/or label particles at the binding surface and will be missing in the output light beam. This is used to determine the amount of target components at the binding surface from the amount of light in the output light beam. A magnetic field generator is optionally used to generate a magnetic field at the binding surface by which magnetic label particles can be manipulated, such as attracted or repelled.

Abstract: The present invention provides microfabricated substrates and methods of conducting reactions within these substrates. The reactions occur in plugs transported in the flow of a carrier-fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical fiber for an SPR sensor, characterized in that the optical fiber is comprised of a core layer and a cladding layer surrounding the core layer, and the cladding layer is doped with metal nanoparticles.

Abstract: Activated clotting time (ACT) tests detect blood clotting time based on the viscosity changes of a test sample, using a ferromagnetic washer lifted to the top of a test chamber and then dropped from the top via gravity; a drop time greater than a preset threshold value indicates clotting of the test sample. Blood samples which have high levels of heparin usually produce very weak clots that may easily be destroyed by the lifting movement of the washer. But if the clot threshold is set low to detect the weak clots, false detections occur during early testing cycles when activators are not fully suspended during the mixing cycle. Improved algorithms for lifting the washer and adjusting over time enable accurate detection of weak clots.

Abstract: A status estimation device for ultraviolet curable resin includes a probe configured to irradiate an ultraviolet curable resin with excitation light, a wavelength demultiplexer configured to receive fluorescence produced from the ultraviolet curable resin and detect spectral distribution of the fluorescence, and a computer configured to estimate status of the ultraviolet curable resin by comparing a shape of pre-irradiation spectral distribution detected when the ultraviolet curable resin is irradiated by excitation light before being irradiated by ultraviolet radiation with a shape of post-irradiation spectral distribution detected when the ultraviolet curable resin is irradiated by excitation light after being irradiated by ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device (100) for determining the amount of a target component (2) in a sample, wherein magnetic particles (2) can bind to a contact surface (4) with kinetics that depend on the sample-amount of the target component. The method comprises at least two washing steps during which magnetic particles (2) are magnetically moved away from the contact surface (4) and corresponding measurements of the remaining amount of magnetic particles (2) at the contact surface (4). The amount of target component in the sample is estimated from at least one of such measurement results. The measurement allows to determine also high concentrations of target component for which the sensor surface (4) is saturated in a steady-state.

Abstract: This application relates to a homogeneous biorelevant composition for preparing fasted state biorelevant media having a surface tension between 25 mN/m and 50 mN/m for simulating fasted state gastric and fasted state upper small intestinal fluids of mammalian species, especially humans, dogs, etc. comprising at least one bile salt, eg. sodium taurocholate or sodium taurodeoxycholate; at least one phospholipid, especially 60-99 wt % phosphatidylcholine (PC), enzyme digested diacylphospholipids containing 50-90 wt % of monoacyl-PC; or mixtures thereof; and at least one fatty acid or monovalent salt of the fatty acid, such as sodium oleate. The application also relates to an aqueous biorelevant media composed of surfactants occurring in the gastrointestinal tract of mammals, in particular when prepared from above homogeneous biorelevant composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for quantifying the binding and dissociation kinetics of molecular interactions of small molecular bio materials with high sensitivity almost without the influence of a change in the reflective index resulting from a buffer solution by making polarized incident light incident on the binding layer of a bio material, formed in a thin dielectric film, so that the polarized incident light satisfies a p-wave non-reflecting condition and a quantifying method using the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the propensity of a fluid for calcification characterized by the following steps: (i) adding a soluble calcium salt and a soluble phosphate salt to a sample of said fluid; (ii) incubating said sample at conditions allowing the formation of calciprotein particles (CPPs); and (iii) determining one or more of the following: (a) the rate of the formation of primary and/or secondary CPPs; (b) the amount of primary and/or secondary CPPs; and/or (c) the rate of the transition of primary CPPs into secondary CPPs, wherein an increase in one or more of (a), (b) and/or (c) of step (iii) indicates an increased propensity of said fluid for calcification.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and kits for pharmacokinetic profiling employing point-of-care or point of service self-sampling and allowing for dosage adjustments based on the pharmacokinetic profiles.

Abstract: A method and system for analysis of immunoassays, and more specifically to an improved analysis of chromatographic assays, often referred to as a lateral flow assay is disclosed. These assays commonly employ a test strip utilizing visible particles as the labels for the analytes to be detected, where, as an additional feature, the analytical strip is removable for reading the quantity of analytes captured therein and for archival purposes. An image of the test strip is analyzed automatically.

Abstract: A measuring device is provided for determining the type and/or concentration a gaseous analyte from a set of analytes in a gaseous carrier. It comprises a housing having a passage to a cavity. A gas sensor with a heated metal-oxide sensing layer is arranged in the cavity. In order to gain a better understanding of the type of the analyte, diffusion effects are exploited by taking into account that the diffusion process through the passage as well as the catalytic reaction rate at the metal-oxide sensing layer depend on the type of the analyte. These material parameters can be determined by taking several measurements in a non-steady state of the concentration of the analyte within the cavity or while varying the reaction rate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of monitoring a concentration of a halogenated disinfectant in swimming pools or the like and a device for implementing the method. The method comprises: a liquid-injection step of injecting the liquid to be analyzed into the analysis chamber; a reagent-injection step of injecting a reagent into the analysis chamber; a measurement step of measuring the liquid/reagent mixture by colorimetry; a processing step of processing the measurement in relation to data; and a verification step of verifying the colorimetric measurement when the measurement corresponds to the reagent being bleached or to an absence of reaction color.

Abstract: A microsecond time-resolved mass spectrometry device and method of using desorption electrospray ionization (10) was described for the kinetic study of fast reactions. The device includes a liquid jet generator (64) that is configured to emit a continuous liquid jet (50) having a length. An ambient ionization source (10) is directed toward a selected variable location along the continuous liquid jet (50) to desorb at least a portion of the continuous liquid jet (50). A mass analyzer (30) analyzes a mass-to-charge ratio of an ionized sample that is within the desorbed portion of the continuous liquid jet (50). The acquired mass spectra reflect the reaction progress in different reaction times and, therefore, may be used to derive the reaction rate.

Abstract: A method for performing an assay on a liquid sample for the detection of one or more analytes of interest in an assay device having a flow path which includes a sample zone and detection zone thereon includes: dispensing the sample onto the sample zone; combining the sample and a reagent, wherein the sample and reagent may be combined prior to addition of the sample to the sample zone or on the assay device, flowing the combined sample/reagent by capillary action into and through the detection zone having capture elements bound thereto, wherein a signal at least partially representative of the presence or concentration of analyte(s) is produced and detected; determining a reaction time or reaction volume; and determining the concentration of the analyte by using both the detected signal and the reaction time or reaction volume.

Abstract: A method of measuring an analyte in a biological fluid comprises applying an excitation signal having a DC component and an AC component. The AC and DC responses are measured; a corrected DC response is determined using the AC response; and a concentration of the analyte is determined based upon the corrected DC response. Other methods and devices are disclosed.

Abstract: A device for monitoring particulates includes a means for correlating measurements of pressure across at least one filter, flow rate of a sample through the filter, or a combination thereof to the properties of particulates in a solution. More particularly, the device can be used for monitoring particulates in a reacting system to provide signals to the user or control input to the reacting system to alter the course of the reaction according to a desired path.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods useful in multiplex cell-based assays for compound screening employing imaging instrumentation. The methods described herein offer high content information relating to the biological potency of test agents, off-target effects and cellular toxicity of potential drug candidates.

Abstract: The subject disclosure relates to matrix acidizing. More specifically, systems and methods are described for estimating a diffusion coefficient for an acid fluid used to stimulate a subterranean reservoir wherein a spent acid is formulated that includes one or more by-products of the reaction between the fluid and rock. A rock sample, such as in the form of a rotating disk is exposed to spent acid under elevated pressure and temperature conditions while the fluid is sampled and analyzed. A diffusion coefficient for the spend acid is estimated.

Abstract: A method for sampling and/or introducing a matter to an environment comprises introducing a first array of plugs through a first microchannel of a device into an exchange region of the device in which mass transport between the environment and the plug fluid of at least one plug in the first array of plugs occurs and a second array of plugs is formed. The exchange region is in fluid communication with the first microchannel. The method further comprises directing the second array of plugs into a second microchannel downstream of and in fluid communication with the exchange region.

Abstract: A novel in vitro methodology for predicting the in vivo behavior, such as absorption time or mechanical strength retention, of biodegradable polymeric implants and medical devices. The present invention provides a novel in vitro methodology, hydrolysis profiling, for studying the degradation of absorbable polymers. Accuracy and reproducibility have been established for selected test conditions. Data from this in vitro method are correlated to in vivo absorption data, allowing for the prediction of accurate in vivo behaviors, such as absorption times.

Abstract: A method, computer-readable medium and system for implementing electronic flashcards are disclosed. The method is capable of generating data operable to display a first set of information in a first region of a graphical user interface, in which the data is further operable to cause a display of the first set of information while a second set of information is not displayed. The first and second sets of information are associated with a first electronic flashcard. Data operable to display the second set of information in a second region of the graphical user interface is generated, in which the data is further operable to cause a display of the second set of information responsive to a request to display the second set of information. Data operable to display a second electronic flashcard in a third region of the graphical user interface is generated.

Abstract: A pair or receptacles capable of housing an emitter probe and a detector probe are installed inside a bioreactor to monitor the properties of the nutrient media without contacting the nutrient media.

Abstract: A method for on-line monitoring of deprotection reaction in a peptide automated synthesizer comprising UV detector is disclosed. A UV source, detector, electronics, and housing are integrated with a line or tube through which liquid reactants flow for periodic measurements in the peptide synthesizer. The method includes determining the progression of the reaction, completion point of the reaction, and the modification of the reaction times and repetitions in real time.

Abstract: A method of measuring concentration of a fuel is provided. First, a fuel cell unit having at least an anode, a cathode, and a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) is provided. Next, a fuel is supplied to the anode, while a reactive gas is supplied to the cathode. Then, the amount of the reactive gas supplied to the cathode is adjusted and the concentration of the fuel is estimated in accordance with the consumption rate of the reactive gas in the fuel cell unit, wherein a method of estimating the concentration of the fuel in accordance with a consumption rate of the reactive gas in the cathode includes measuring a concentration of the reactive gas supplied to the cathode and estimating the concentration of the fuel in accordance with a relationship between the concentration of the reactive gas supplied to the cathode and time.

Abstract: An apparatus of measuring concentration of fuel including a catalyst layer, a diffusion layer, a fuel chamber, a reactive gas chamber, and a sensor is provided. The diffusion layer is connected to the catalyst layer. The fuel chamber is suitable for containing a fuel. The diffusion layer is between the fuel chamber and the catalyst layer. The reactive gas chamber is suitable for containing a reactive gas. The catalyst layer is between the reactive gas chamber and the diffusion layer. The fuel diffuses to the catalyst layer via the diffusion layer such that a combustion reaction of the fuel and the reactive gas is conducted in the catalyst layer to consume the reactive gas and generate a gaseous product. The sensor is disposed on the reactive gas chamber for measuring the concentration of the reactive gas or the concentration of the gaseous product in the reactive gas chamber.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for determining new anticoagulant therapy factors for monitoring oral anticoagulant therapy to help prevent excessive bleeding or deleterious blood clots that might otherwise occur before, during or after surgery. The inventive methods and apparatus provide an International Normalization Ratio (INR) based on a coagulation reaction with a blood sample of a living being. Embodiments include methods and apparatus for determining an anticoagulant therapy factor without requiring use of a mean normal prothrombin time determination or an ISI, and may be carried out with the patient sample and a coagulation reagent, where the coagulation reagent may be selected from a number of coagulation reagents.

Abstract: A method for estimating binding kinetic rate constants by using a fiber optic particle plasmon resonance (FOPPR) sensor mainly employs the steps of: providing a FOPPR sensor instrument system, obtaining optical signal intensities at an initial time and steady state signal intensities of first and second regions in an intensity versus time graph separately, substituting the measured signal intensity values into a formula derived by using a pseudo-first order rate equation model. According to this method, no fluorophore labeling is required. In addition, this method measures a temporal signal intensity evolution under static conditions as the samples are quickly loaded. As a result, unlike the conventional device where the sample is continuously infused, the method is able to measure binding and decomposition rate constants whose upper limit is not limited by a sample flow rate.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention include methods for enhancing blood coagulation in a subject. In practicing methods according to certain embodiments, an amount of a non-anticoagulant sulfated polysaccharide (NASP) is administered to a subject to enhance blood coagulation in the subject. Also provided are methods for preparing a NASP composition having blood coagulation enhancing activity. Compositions and kits for practicing methods of the invention are also described.

Abstract: A biomolecule partitioning device (BPD) is provided that can be used to separate and sort membrane species into raft-like membrane regions without using detergent or crosslinkers. The BPD can comprise one or more microfluidic channels coated with coexistent lipid phases (raft-like and fluid-like lipid compositions) as a contiguous supported lipid bilayer (SLB). The geometry of the phases can be patterned with spatial and temporal control within each channel. Methods for the separation and sorting are also provided. The method can comprise the steps of introducing cell membrane species into an SLB; patterning coexistent phases; applying an electric field or hydrodynamic flow to move the species; sorting migrating species into regions based on their partitioning preference; and collecting sorted species in a quantification area. The BPD can also be used to measure partitioning kinetics or to assay for activity changes of biomolecules as a function of local lipid environment.

Abstract: A dual inlet microchannel device and a method for using the device to perform a flow-through kinetic assay are described. A microplate having an array of the dual inlet microchannel devices and in particular their specially configured flow chambers is also described. Several embodiments of the dual inlet microchannel devices and specially configured flow chambers are also described.

Abstract: The diagnosis of a patient with an enteropathic disease or the response of a patient with an enteropathic disease to therapy, particularly a candidate therapy in a clinical trial setting, is assessed by detecting the ability of the patient to metabolize an orally administered CYP3A substrate. The CYP3A metabolism may be monitored in a variety of ways. Conveniently, the appearance of a metabolite of the CYP3A substrate is detected in a patient sample over a period of time following oral administration, e.g. in urine, plasma, serum breath, saliva, etc. The CYP3A substrate is optionally labeled, e.g. with an isotopic, fluorescent, etc. label.

Abstract: A method of playing a wagering game comprises receiving a wager, and generating a randomly selected first outcome of a first wagering game, the first outcome comprising a first plurality of symbols arranged in a first matrix. The method further comprises generating a randomly selected second outcome of a second wagering game, the second outcome comprising a second plurality of symbols arranged in a second matrix, and simultaneously displaying the first outcome and the second outcome on at least one display. The method further comprises detecting an occurrence of a triggering event, in response to the triggering event, copying a first special symbol occurring in the first outcome into the second outcome to yield a modified second outcome, and evaluating the first outcome and the modified second outcome for winning combinations of symbols.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide to apparatuses and media used in drug elution studies and methods for making and using them. One embodiment of the invention is a drug elution method that can be used for in-vitro studies of a matrix impregnated with a compound such as a drug blended polymer matrix. Such methods and materials can be used for example to assess and control the manufacturing process variability of drug eluting implantable devices such as cardiac leads.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for quantifying the binding and dissociation kinetics of molecular interactions of small molecular bio materials with high sensitivity almost without the influence of a change in the reflective index resulting from a buffer solution by making polarized incident light incident on the binding layer of a bio material, formed in a thin dielectric film, so that the polarized incident light satisfies a p-wave non-reflecting condition and a quantifying method using the same.

Abstract: Human PGD genes are identified as modulators of the PTEN pathway, and thus are therapeutic targets for disorders associated with defective PTEN function. Methods for identifying modulators of PTEN, comprising screening for agents that modulate the activity of PGD are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dry stick test device for the determination of an analyte in a sample by means of a chemical assay. The device comprises: (i) optionally a solid support, (ii) at least one reagent pad comprising a reagent capable of reacting with the analyte, a derivative of said analyte or an indicator compound for said analyte to provide a detectable signal when in moistened state, and (iii) a development pad which is located in contact with the at least one reagent pad, optionally between the solid support and the at least one reagent pad, said development pad comprises at least one controlling compound capable of providing a condition required for the reagent to react with the analyte to provide a detectable signal, wherein the at least one reagent pad and the development pad are arranged to avoid precipitation of sample component(s) on the top-face of the device.

Abstract: A senor uses a transduction mechanism of attenuating electroluminescence.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing at least one customized MIP unit including: (a) providing at least one MIP unit having a surface including at least one target binding site configured to resemble a target molecule and surface-bound chargeable groups; (b) contacting the MIP unit(s) from the step (a) with at least one template molecule in a first solvent allowing the template molecule(s) to bind to the MIP unit(s); (c) passivating the surface-bound chargeable groups on the MIP unit(s) by adding a passivating agent; and (d) removing the template molecule(s) by washing in a second solvent, wherein the passivating agent binds to the surface of the unit(s) through bonds which remain stable upon washing in the second solvent.

Abstract: Graphical user interfaces, systems, and methods of implementing electronic flashcards are disclosed. Embodiments provide an interface for enabling information on a selected side of an electronic flashcard to be displayed and hidden. For example, the information on a first side of an electronic flashcard may be displayed while the information on the second side is hidden, thereby enabling a user to test himself or herself before revealing the information on the second side of the electronic flashcard. The interface may also enable placement or storage of inactive electronic flashcards in multiple piles or stacks. For example, electronic flashcards which have not yet been viewed may be displayed in a first pile, while previously viewed flashcards may be displayed in one or more additional stacks. Additionally, the interface may limit the number of flashcards in one or more of the stacks. Further, the interface may perform automated shuffling of the flashcards.