Abstract: An optical device for the quantitative determination of the concentration of at least one analyte in a liquid sample comprises a housing (52) defining a first chamber (56) and a second chamber (60). A sample port (64) is defined in the first chamber (56). The sample port (64) receives light from a plurality of test regions of an assay device when the optical device is engaged with the assay device. The optical device further comprises a plurality of optical detectors (75, 76, 77) provided in the second chamber (60) and a mask member (66) interposed between the first chamber (56) and the second chamber (60) and having an aperture (68) defined therein and configured to direct light from the sample port (64) onto the optical detectors (75, 76, 77).

Abstract: An assay device for the quantitative determination of the concentration of at least one analyte in a liquid sample. The device comprises a lateral flow membrane (46) comprising a plurality of test regions (41A, 41B) and formed from a light transmissive material, a plurality (44A, 44B) of planar organic light emitting diode (OLED) emitters comprising an emission layer of an organic electroluminescent material, and a plurality (49A, 49B) of planar organic photodetectors (OPDs) comprising an absorption layer of an organic photovoltaic material. Each test region comprises an immobilised component for retaining analyte tagging particles. Each test region is aligned with the emission layer of one emitter and the absorption layer of one photodetector. The aligned emitter, photodetector, and test region form a group such that the emitter is capable of illuminating the test region and the photodetector is capable of detecting light from the test region.

Abstract: A computer system and method is provided to filter clearance sensor data output by a sensor system during a load/offload procedure of a first object relative to a second object. A processing device of the computer system is configured to access hard threshold data, unique threshold data, and sensor data output by the sensor system sensing aspects of the load/offload procedure. The processing device is further configured to determine whether the sensor data exceeds the unique threshold, determine whether the sensor data that is determined to exceed the unique threshold is voidable data related to a noncritical event, and generate filtered sensor data that includes modifications to the voidable data.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for performing an assay to detect an analyte in a fluid sample comprising a channel with reagent deposits comprising a flow control reagent positioned at one or more defined locations therein and a method for producing such a device. In particular, the invention relates to a microfluidic device.

Abstract: An assay device for the quantitative determination of the concentration of at least one analyte in a liquid sample comprises a planar emitter (2), a planar detector (3), a lateral flow membrane (4) interposed between the emitter (2) and the detector (3), a conjugate pad (5) in fluid communication with a proximal end of the lateral flow membrane (4), the conjugate pad (5) comprising optically detectable tagging particles bound to a first assay component, a sample pad (6) in fluid communication with the conjugate pad (5) and arranged to receive the liquid sample, and a wicking pad (7) in fluid communication with a distal end of the lateral flow membrane (4). The lateral flow membrane (4) is formed from a light transmissive material and is capable of transporting fluid from the conjugate pad (5) to the wicking pad (7) by capillary action.

Abstract: An improved optical detection unit for an assay device, such as a lateral flow device, for the quantitative determination of the concentration of an analyte in a liquid sample, and an assay device comprising the same. The detection unit comprises an organic light emitting diode (OLED) emitter that has an emission spectrum E within the wavelength range from ?1 to ?2, and an organic photodiode detector (OPD) that has a light detection spectrum S within the wavelength range from ?1 to ?2. The detection unit has a test region that comprises a light absorbing component that has an absorbance spectrum A within the wavelength range from ?1 to ?2. The test region is positioned adjacent to the emitter and the detector to form an optical pathway from the light emitting diode to the photodiode through at least a portion of the test region. Formula M defines a relationship between E, S and A, and M is less than about 0.4.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of inducing fluid flow in a passive capillarity filled microfluidic device involving the use of a dual flow control reagent system, wherein the first flow control reagent is a surfactant which reduces surface tension of an aqueous fluid sample and the second flow control reagent is a viscosity enhancer.

Abstract: An assay device for the quantitative determination of the concentration of at least one analyte in a liquid sample comprises a planar emitter 2, a planar detector 3, a lateral flow membrane 4 interposed between the emitter 2 and the detector 3, a conjugate pad 5 in fluid communication with a proximal end of the lateral flow membrane 4, the conjugate pad 5 comprising optically detectable tagging particles bound to a first assay component, a sample pad 6 in fluid communication with the conjugate pad 5 and arranged to receive the liquid sample, and a wicking pad 7 in fluid communication with a distal end of the lateral flow membrane 4. The lateral flow membrane 4 is formed from a light transmissive material and is capable of transporting fluid from the conjugate pad 5 to the wicking pad 7 by capillary action.

Abstract: There is provided a device, such as a microfluidic device, for performing an assay including: a substrate comprising a channel, such as a microfluidic channel; at least one optical element having an input port arranged to be optically coupled to a light source; an output port optically coupled to at least a portion of the channel; and a light guide portion optically connecting the input port and output port; and a detection port optically coupled to said at least a portion of the channel. The device provides an improved geometry which addresses problems related to traditional orthogonal detection arrangements and in-line detection systems.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of inducing fluid flow in a passive capillarity filled microfluidic device involving the use of a dual flow control reagent system, wherein the first flow control reagent is a surfactant which reduces surface tension of an aqueous fluid sample and the second flow control reagent is a viscosity enhancer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for performing an assay to detect an analyte in a fluid sample comprising a channel with reagent deposits comprising a flow control reagent positioned at one or more defined locations therein and a method for producing such a device. In particular, the invention relates to a microfluidic device.

Abstract: There is provided a device, such as a microfluidic device, for performing an assay including: a substrate comprising a channel, such as a microfluidic channel; at least one optical element having an input port arranged to be optically coupled to a light source; an output port optically coupled to at least a portion of the channel; and a light guide portion optically connecting the input port and output port; and a detection port optically coupled to said at least a portion of the channel. The device provides an improved geometry which addresses problems related to traditional orthogonal detection arrangements and in-line detection systems.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, an active layer between the two electrodes and an interlayer between the active layer and at least one of the electrodes. The interlayer is a conjugated polymer which is preferably in the amorphous phase. The device shows significantly improved voltage-current characteristics compared to prior art devices and is particularly suitable as a low light level detector.

Abstract: A detector apparatus and method for detecting radiation emitted from a target comprising: a first transmissive polarizer (302) for polarizing radiation incident on the target; a second transmissive polarizer (304) for polarizing the radiation emitted from the target (303) and absorbing any remaining light polarized by the first polarizer; and at least one reflective polarizer (306) arranged between the first and second transmissive polarizers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic device comprising a zone for receiving a sample, an excitation source and a detector, wherein a portion of the zone allows transmission of energy at a required wavelength range and prevents transmission of energy at all other wavelengths and uses of the device in disposable on-chip fluorescent detection.

Abstract: A microfabricated detection system, comprising: a substrate chip; a chamber defined by the substrate chip to which a fluid sample is in use delivered; and at least one detector comprising at least one light-emitting diode including an organic semi-conductor element for emitting light into the chamber and at least one photocell including an organic semiconductor element for receiving light from the chamber.