Abstract: There is provided a vision system for assessing defects on biochips and a corresponding method. The vision system comprises an imaging region in which a biochip sheet including at least one biochip is locatable in use: an imager arranged in use to image at least a portion of the imaging region, wherein, when the biochip sheet is located in the imaging region. the portion includes at least a face of the biochip sheet: and an illumination source arranged in use to direct illumination on to the face the biochip sheet. thereby illuminating defects on the at least one biochip when a mask material layer is present on the at least one biochip and when a mask material is absent and allowing the defects to be included in the imaged at least a portion of the imaging region.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods of determining the glycosylation signature and determining the level of a protein in a sample obtained from a patient. The present invention also describes use of a patient protein glycosylation profile to identify the presence or absence of a disease in subjects.

Abstract: A substrate comprising a coating of a masking material, and a plurality of discrete reaction zones onto which one or more binding agents are intended to be attached, wherein said zones are uncoated areas on the substrate.

Abstract: A substrate comprising a coating of a masking material, and a plurality of discrete reaction zones onto which one or more binding agents are intended to be attached, wherein said zones are uncoated areas on the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a chemiluminescence detector, which comprises an image capture device sensitive to chemiluminescence located within a container. The container has an array of apertures located in a field of view of the image capture device, and each aperture is defined by a through-bore in a wall of the container. The exterior of the container is engagable with a plurality of sample holders, each sample holder being in alignment with a respective aperture when engaged with the exterior of the container. The passage of light into the container through each aperture is restrictable by a closure device, passage of light into the container through the apertures is thereby controllable.

Abstract: A fluidic card assembly comprising a fluidic card housing (1) and a biochip (3) located in the fluidic card housing. The fluidic card housing (1) includes a chamber (2) with a base wall, into which at least one fluidic channel extends. The biochip (3) is at least partially located in the chamber. A seal (7) is provided for sealing the biochip in the chamber (2) when the biochip is urged into the chamber. The fluidic channel has a serpentine form.

Abstract: Antibodies, immunoassay methods and kits for the detection and determination of 3,4,-dichloro-N-[2-(dimethylamino)cyclohexyl]-N-methylbenzamide and 3,4,-dichloro-N-[2-(methylamino)cyclohexyl]-N-methylbenzamide, as well as the precursory immunogens, are described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of aiding the differential diagnosis of haemorrhagic stroke, ischemic stroke and a transient ischemic attack in a patient who has suffered or is suffering a stroke. The method comprises: (i) determining the concentration of the biomarkers VCAM-1, GFAP and CRP in an ex vivo sample obtained from the patient; and (ii) establishing the statistical significance of the concentration of the biomarkers. Optionally, the method further comprises steps of (iii) determining the concentration of the biomarkers IL-6 and sTNFR1 in an ex vivo sample obtained from the patient; (iv) determining the gender of the patient; and (v) establishing the statistical significance of the concentration of the five biomarkers, in conjunction with the patient's gender. The present invention also provides substrates comprising probes for VCAM-1, GFAP and CRP for use in a method for aiding the differential diagnosis of stroke.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and solid states devices for detecting and staging chronic kidney disease in a patient, where the levels of biomarkers in a sample obtained from a patient are elevated or reduced compared to the levels in a sample obtained from healthy subject. In addition, the disclosure provides the use of methods and solid state devices for measurement of specific biological markers for determining the efficacy of a treatment for chronic kidney disease and for determining a drug treatment protocol for a subject suffering from chronic kidney disease.

Abstract: Antibodies, immunoassay methods and kits for the detection and determination of 3,4-dichloro-N-[(1-(dimethylamino)cyclohexyl)methyl]benzamide and 3,4-dichloro-N-[(1-(methylamino)cyclohexyl)methyl]benzamide, as well as the precursory immunogens, are described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of stratifying a patient suffering from CKD into one of stages 1-3 of CKD, comprising determining the level of the biomarkers FABP1, ?-GT, AST, creatinine and cystatin C in a sample obtained from the patient and comparing the level of FABP1 in the sample to a control value and the levels of ?-GT, AST, creatinine and cystatin C in the sample to a range of control values for each biomarker, wherein an increased level of FABP1 compared to the control value and levels of ?-GT, AST, creatinine and cystatin C within the range of control values for each biomarker indicate that the patient suffers from stage 1 CKD or wherein an increased level of FABP1 compared to the control value, levels of ?-GT and AST within the range of control values for each biomarker, and increased levels of creatinine and cystatin C compared to an upper threshold of the control range for these biomarkers indicate that the patient suffers from stage 2 or stage 3 CKD.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multiplexing system comprising a support substrate having immobilised thereto one or more of the following proteins, fragments thereof or a binding molecule, wherein the binding molecule binds specifically to one of the following proteins: E-FABP, B-FABP, IL-FABP, I-FABP, M-FABP, A-FABP, H-FABP, L-FABP or T-FABP. Another aspect is directed to a method for characterising the pattern of FABP antigens existing within a biological sample to reveal information useful in the diagnosis or disease or injury.

Abstract: Components for enabling immunodetection of methoxetamine are described including immunogens, haptens, antibodies and kits.

Abstract: There is provided an assay fluid delivery system comprising an array of fluid reservoirs (62), each of which is selectively actuatable to deliver a respective fluid to a fluid channel structure; and a fluid delivery control system (50) comprising a plurality of reciprocally mounted actuators, each associated with a respective reservoir and being movable between a retracted position and an actuating position at which it causes fluid to be delivered from the corresponding reservoir, a plurality of cams (22) with different profiles mounted on a common, rotatable cam shaft (6), each cam being engaged with a respective one of the actuators whereby rotation of the cams causes movement of the corresponding actuators between the retracted and actuating positions, and a motor coupled to the cam shaft for rotating the cam shaft, wherein the cams are shaped relative to one another so as to cause the corresponding actuators to actuate the reservoirs in a predetermined sequence and for predetermined respective times.

Abstract: The present invention provides biomarker-based methods for diagnosing stroke in a patient suspected of having suffered a stroke, and also for discriminating between ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack. Substrates comprising probes for specific combinations of biomarkers useful in the methods of the invention are also described.

Abstract: A valve for a reagent bottle is provided, the valve including a resilient membrane configured to extend across an opening in the reagent bottle, the resilient membrane having at least one slit extending therethrough. Also disclosed is a dispensing apparatus for dispensing a reagent from a reagent bottle, the dispensing apparatus comprising: a probe assembly having a probe adapted for insertion into the reagent bottle through the valve and an extraction mechanism for drawing reagent out of the reagent bottle through the probe. A valve opening assembly is provided, which is adapted to open the valve of the reagent bottle such that the probe can pass through the valve without contacting the valve.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel immunogens, antibodies, methods and kits for use in immunoassays to detect and quantify zaleplon, metabolites of zaleplon and indiplon. These are the first described immunoassays for these compounds and have greater sensitivity than alternative analytical techniques.

Abstract: A capacitive liquid level sensor is provided comprising a capacitive probe having a capacitance and comprising a sensing tip wherein the capacitive probe is configured such that the capacitance of the probe changes when the sensing tip is exposed to liquid. A signal generator operates to supply an electrical signal alternating between a high and low state to the capacitive probe, the electrical signal being configured such that the probe is alternately charged and discharged when the signal is high or low respectively. A comparator operates to detect the magnitude of an electrical signal across the capacitive probe and provides a first output signal value when the detected signal magnitude is greater than a predetermined threshold value and a second output signal value when the signal magnitude is less than the threshold value.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for identifying whether a subject is more or less likely to be responsive to VEGF-based therapy, comprising screening a nucleic acid sample obtained from the subject to provide output information which identifies the presence or absence of an allelic variant, wherein the presence or absence of an allelic variant indicates whether the subject is more or less likely to be responsive to VEGF-based therapy.