Abstract: A method for detecting toxigenic Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) by strand-invasion based DNA amplification is provided, together with oligonucleotides, compositions and kits suitable for use in this method.

Abstract: A sampling and assay kit comprises a cuvette for holding a quantity of a buffer solution and a sample holder including a capillary tube for obtaining a sample. The sample holder includes a body portion which holds the capillary tube. The body portion when inserted in the cuvette, is effective to position the capillary tube within the cuvette at a predetermined position above the end of the cuvette.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method for easy collection, dilution, mixing and dispensing of a liquid specimen in a self-contained system. The present invention can be used in combination with numerous testing means for performing chemical, biochemical or biomedical qualitative or quantitative assays in the field of both clinical and hygiene testing.

Abstract: A sampling and assay device comprises at least three chamber portions connected together in a row. Each chamber portion defines a chamber separated by respective partitions. One end chamber is capable of receiving a sample. The other chambers contain reagent. In respect of each pair of adjacent chamber portions one of the adjacent chamber portions has the respective partition fixed thereto and the other of the adjacent chamber portions has a rupture member arranged to rupture the respective partition on relative movement of the adjacent chamber portions. Each pair of adjacent chamber portions have respective connection portions mated together, the connection portions being designed to allow further chamber portions identical to an intermediate chamber portion to be connected into said row.

Abstract: A method for detecting toxigenic Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) by strand-invasion based DNA amplification is provided, together with oligonucleotides, compositions and kits suitable for use in this method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, device, and kit for analyzing a sample for determining the presence or amount of an analyte, particularly carbohydrate, more particularly sugar, in the sample using a fabric.

Abstract: A reagent or particles having reagent supported thereon are applied to a matrix material by a contact printing process for example in which the matrix material is brought into contact with a rotating contact roll having the reagent or particles having reagent supported thereon disposed thereon so as to transfer the reagent or particles having reagent supported thereon to the matrix material. Such a contact printing processes allow high speed and high volume production of an assay device.

Abstract: Sonication of a medium for example in an immunoassay is provided by applying sound waves from a transducer to a vessel in which the medium is held by a sonotrode coupled between the transducer and the vessel. The sonotrode has a recess in which the vessel is held, the recess being formed by facing surfaces of a plurality of protruding portions of the sonotrode separated by slits and arranged around the recess. The sonotrode is coupled to the vessel by dry contact with the vessel without any coupling layers therebetween. The use of such a sonotrode provides the advantages of allowing effective sonication with relatively low energy loss and with a low temperature elevation.

Abstract: A method for measuring specific substances and extracting objective information from the measurements that is especially applicable in immunoassays but can also be used in other assays which rely on affinity between binding partners. The invention overcomes problems and difficulties caused by disturbing or interfering phenomena by exploiting a mathematical algorithm which predicts the target value from a series of measurements performed during the reaction. The mathematical method of linear prediction is used for this purpose.

Abstract: An in vivo method of determining activation or inactivation of the atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) hormonal systems, the method comprising simultaneously detecting the presence or amount of atrial and brain natriuretic peptide prohormones (proANP and proBNP) or fragments thereof in a sample.

Abstract: Sonication of a medium for example in an immunoassay is provided by applying sound waves from a transducer to a vessel in which the medium is held by a sonotrode coupled between the transducer and the vessel. The sonotrode has a recess in which the vessel is held, the recess being formed by facing surfaces of a plurality of protruding portions of the sonotrode separated by slits and arranged around the recess. The sonotrode is coupled to the vessel by dry contact with the vessel without any coupling layers therebetween. The use of such a sonotrode provides the advantages of allowing effective sonication with relatively low energy loss and with a low temperature elevation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, device and kit for analysing a sample for determining the presence or amount of an analyte, particularly carbohydrate, more particularly sugar, in the sample using a fabric.

Abstract: Sonication of a medium for example in an immunassay is provided by applying sound waves from a transducer to a vessel in which the medium is held by a sonotrode coupled between the transducer and the vessel. The sonotrode has a recess in which the vessel is held, the recess being formed by facing surfaces of a plurality of protruding portions of the sonotrode separated by slits and arranged around the recess. The sonotrode is coupled to the vessel by dry contact with the vessel without any coupling layers therebetween. The use of such a sonotrode provides the advantages of allowing effective sonication with relatively low energy loss and with a low temperature elevation.

Abstract: An in vitro method of determining activation or inactivation of the atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) hormonal systems, the method comprising simultaneously detecting the presence or amount of atrial and brain natriuretic peptide prohormones (proANP and proBNP) or fragments thereof in a sample.

Abstract: A method of measuring the rate of binding of a binding substance and an analyte, for example in an assay such as an immunoassay, uses an initial step of performing ultrasonication sufficient to disrupt binding between the binding substance and the analyte. After cessation of the ultrasonication, measurements are taken to determine the rate of binding at cessation of said ultrasonication or at a predetermined time thereafter. The ultrasonication results in knowledge of the precise time of the start of the binding reaction which provides a better rate measurement.

Abstract: Two circularly permuted avidin monomers arc designed. The circularly permuted monomers are fused and the resulting fusion peptides (dcAvd) form a pseudo-tetrameric dual-chain avidin, which is biologically active in biotin binding and shows similar structural characteristics as wild-type avidin. The dcAvd makes the development of dual-affinity avidins possible by allowing the adjustment of the ligand binding properties in the half of the binding sites differently than in the rest of the sites. The present invention provides further a single-chain avidin (scAvd) where two dcAvd-molecules are fused together via a linker to form a single polypeptide with four binding sites for biotin or other ligand.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method for easy collection, dilution, mixing and dispensing of a liquid specimen in a self-contained system. The present invention can be used in combination with numerous testing means for performing chemical, biochemical or biomedical qualitative or quantitative assays in the field of both clinical and hygiene testing.

Abstract: A method for measuring specific substances and extracting objective information from the measurements that is especially applicable in immunoassays but can also be used in other assays which rely on affinity between binding partners. The invention overcomes problems and difficulties caused by disturbing or interfering phenomena by exploiting a mathematical algorithm which predicts the target value from a series of measurements performed during the reaction. The mathematical method of linear prediction is used for this purpose.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, device and kit for analysing a sample for determining the presence or amount of an analyte, particularly carbohydrate, more particularly sugar, in the sample using a fabric.