Abstract: An assay is performed so as to identify a pathogen in a sample taken from a patient. The identity of the pathogen in the patient sample is used to select an antimicrobial for treatment of the patient. The antimicrobial can be selected in less than 7 hours after the patient sample is taken from the patient. For instance, when the sample is blood, the antimicrobial can be selected in less than 7 hours after the patient sample is taken from the patient. When the sample is urine, the antimicrobial can be selected in less than 4 hours after the patient sample is taken from the patient.

Abstract: A device includes multiple components that are independent from one another but are configured to be detachably coupled with one another so as to form a cartridge. One of the components is a clamp that is configured to hold the other components such that they are coupled together. The cartridge has one or more reservoirs, one or more functional chambers, and one or more channels configured to transport a liquid stored in at least one of the one or more reservoirs into the one or more functional chambers.

Abstract: The cartridge includes a sensor structure that has multiple sensors positioned on a substrate. The cartridge also includes a common channel defined in the substrate such that a fluid flowing in the common channel contacts each of the sensors as a result of the fluid flowing from an inlet of the common channel to an outlet of the common channel.

Abstract: Performing an electrokinetic treatment on different samples includes identifying an electrical signal that is appropriate for use in the treatment of each sample. The identification of the electrical signals results in different electrical signals being identified for different samples. The electrokinetic treatment of a sample results in that sample being exposed to the electrical signal identified for that sample. Accordingly, different samples are exposed to different electrical signals. An electrokinetic treatment employs one or more electrokinetic phenomena to cause movement of one or more agents within the sample relative to the sample. In some instances, the method also includes using each of the electrokinetically treated samples to generate an electrochemical sample and then performing an electrochemical analysis on each of the electrochemical samples.

Abstract: Described herein are microfluidic diagnostic methods and devices using electrokinetic modules for the isolation of targets (e.g., cells, bacteria, biomolecules) from biological samples, PCR amplification of DNA isolated from the targets, and real-time quantification of the amplified DNA using impedance sensing. Sample preparation, PCR amplification, and impedance sensing are thus performed using a single integrated platform.

Abstract: A system includes one or more electrochemical sensors. Each sensor includes at least two electrodes. The system also includes an interface configured to provide communication between the one or more electrochemical cells and a computer. The interface includes a circuit board with plurality of sensor circuits. Each sensor circuit is configured to operate a different electrochemical sensor and includes a plurality of electrode lines that are each configured to be in communication with a different electrode on an electrochemical sensor.

Abstract: The assay system includes at least one thermally responsive medium positioned so as to transfer thermal energy to a solution constrained in a solution constraining region. The assay system further includes a beam distribution system configured to distribute an energy beam to a thermally responsive medium. The thermally responsive medium interacts with the energy beam so as to elevate the temperature of the thermally responsive medium.

Abstract: The system includes a wash source configured to concurrently generate a plurality of streams that are each incident on a sensor structure configured to detect a presence and/or amount of a compound on the sensor structure. The sensor structure has electrodes on a substrate. The wash source generates the streams such that each one of the streams is incident on a different one of the electrodes. Each of the streams is incident on one of the electrodes at an angle that is non-perpendicular to the sensor.

Abstract: The cartridge can include a mixing component for mixing different solutions so as to form a product solution. A mixture of different solutions can be transported into the mixing component where they combine to form a product solution. The mixing component includes a plurality of variable volume reservoirs in liquid communication with one another. The product solution can be repeatedly transported from one of the variable volume reservoirs to another of the variable volume reservoirs until the desired degree of mixing is achieved. Once the desired degree of mixing is achieved, the product solution can be transported directly to a product chamber within the cartridge or can be treated further before being transported to the product chamber.

Abstract: The system includes a liquid transport structure configured to hold a sensor for detecting one or more components in a liquid. The liquid transport structure includes a reservoir configured to hold a liquid within the liquid transport structure and a channel configured to transport a liquid held in the reservoir to a sensor held by the liquid transport structure.

Abstract: A cartridge is disclosed. The cartridge includes an independent storage component and transport component. The storage component can be coupled with the transport component. The storage component includes one or more pockets that each contain a solution to be used in an assay. The transport component is configured to transport the solutions from the pockets of the storage component to a sensor positioned in the transport component.