Abstract: This invention relates to a device for detecting an analyte in a sample comprising: a radiation source adapted to generate a series of pulses of electromagnetic radiation; a transducer having a pyroelectric or piezoelectric element and electrodes which is capable of transducing energy generated by non-radiative decay into an electrical signal; a detector which is capable of detecting the electrical signal generated by the transducer; a first reagent proximal to the transducer, the first reagent having a binding site which is capable of binding a labelled reagent proportionally to the concentration of the analyte in the sample, which labelled reagent being capable of absorbing the electromagnetic radiation generated by the radiation source to generate energy by non-radiative decay; a second reagent proximal to the transducer, the second reagent having a lower affinity for the labelled reagent under the conditions of the assay than the first reagent; and a third reagent proximal to the transducer, the third rea

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for detecting an analyte in a sample comprising: a radiation source adapted to generate a series of pulses of electromagnetic radiation; a transducer having a pyroelectric or piezoelectric element and electrodes which is capable of transducing energy generated by non-radiative decay into an electrical signal; a detector which is capable of detecting the electrical signal generated by the transducer; a first reagent proximal to the transducer, the first reagent having a binding site which is capable of binding a labelled reagent proportionally to the concentration of the analyte in the sample, which labelled reagent being capable of absorbing the electromagnetic radiation generated by the radiation source to generate energy by non-radiative decay; a second reagent proximal to the transducer, the second reagent having a lower affinity for the labelled reagent under the conditions of the assay than the first reagent; and a third reagent proximal to the transducer, the third rea

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for measuring coagulation in a sample of a blood product comprising: providing a transducer (3) having a pyroelectric or piezoelectric element and electrodes (4, 5) which is capable of transducing energy generated by non-radiative decay into an electrical signal; contacting the transducer with the sample; irradiating the sample with a series of pulses of electromagnetic radiation from a light source (6); and detecting with a detector (7) the electrical signal generated by the transducer 3; wherein the sample contains particles (2), such as red blood cells (2), which are capable of absorbing the electromagnetic radiation generated by the radiation source (6) to generate energy by non-radiative decay, such as heat or shock waves, and wherein the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation is such that the absorption of the radiation by particles (2) generates energy by non-radiative decay. A device (1) is also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to an assay label comprising an amorphous carbon particle, a functionalised dextran polymer attached to the surface of the carbon particle and a first member of a complementary binding pair covalently bonded to the functionalised dextran polymer. The invention also provides a device incorporating the assay label, which further comprises a radiation source adapted to generate a series of pulses of electromagnetic radiation at a wavelength such that the absorption of the radiation by the label generates energy by non-radiative decay; a sample chamber containing a transducer having a pyroelectric or piezoelectric element and electrodes which is capable of transducing energy generated by non-radiative decay into an electrical signal; and a detector which is capable of detecting the electrical signal generated by the transducer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device (1) for detecting energy generated by non-radiative decay generated in a substance (2) on irradiation with electromagnetic radiation. The device (1) comprises a radiation source (6) adapted to generate a series of pulses of electromagnetic radiation, a transducer (3) having a pyroelectric or piezoelectric element and electrodes (4, 5) which is capable of transducing the energy generated by the substance (2) into an electrical signal, and a detector (7) which is capable of detecting the electrical signal generated by the transducer (3). The detector (7) is adapted to determine the time delay between each pulse of electromagnetic radiation from the radiation source (6) and the generation of the electric signal. The device (1) has a wide applicability in the fields of assays and monitoring.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for detecting an analyte in a sample comprising: a radiation source adapted to generate a series of pulses of electromagnetic radiation; a transducer having a pyroelectric or piezoelectric element and electrodes which is capable of transducing energy generated by non-radiative decay into an electrical signal; a detector which is capable of detecting the electrical signal generated by the transducer; a first reagent proximal to the transducer, the first reagent having a binding site which is capable of binding a labelled reagent proportionally to the concentration of the analyte in the sample, which labelled reagent being capable of absorbing the electromagnetic radiation generated by the radiation source to generate energy by non-radiative decay; a second reagent proximal to the transducer, the second reagent having a lower affinity for the labelled reagent under the conditions of the assay than the first reagent; and a third reagent proximal to the transducer, the third rea

Abstract: A device for detecting an analyte in a sample, which includes a radiation source adapted to generate electromagnetic radiation; a transducer capable of transducing a change in energy to an electrical signal; at least one tethered reagent on or proximal to the transducer, the tethered reagent having a binding site which is capable of binding the analyte; a chamber for holding the sample in fluid contact with transducer, wherein the chamber is adapted to contain the sample on inversion, partial inversion or agitation of the device; and a detector which is capable of detecting the electrical signal generated by the transducer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for detecting an analyte in a sample, comprising the steps of exposing the sample to a transducer which is capable of transducing a change in energy to an electrical signal, the transducer having at least one tethered reagent on or proximal thereto, the at least one tethered reagent having a binding site which is capable of binding the analyte; introducing a labelled reagent into the sample, wherein the labelled reagent contains a binding site for the analyte or the tethered reagent and a label which is capable of absorbing electromagneticradiation generated by a radiation source to generate energy; allowing the labelled reagent to bind to the analyte or tethered reagent in a first period in which the transducer is oriented such that the labelled reagent is caused to settle, at least in part, on the transducer; subsequently, in a second period, causing the labelled reagent to become unsettled; irradiating the sample with electromagnetic radiation during the first and second

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for detecting an analyte in a sample. The method comprises the steps of exposing the sample to a transducer having a pyroelectric or piezoelectric element and electrodes which is capable of transducing a change in energy to an electrical signal, the transducer having at least one reagent proximal thereto, the reagent having a binding site which is capable of binding the analyte or a complex or derivative of the analyte, wherein at least one of the analyte or the complex or derivative of the analyte has a label attached thereto which is capable of absorbing the electromagnetic radiation generated by the radiation source to generate energy by non-radiative decay; irradiating the reagent with a series of pulses of electromagnetic radiation, transducing the energy generated into an electrical signal, detecting the electrical signal and the time delay between each pulse of electromagnetic radiation from the radiation source and the generation of the electric signal.

Abstract: This invention relates to a chemical sensing device for detecting an analyte. The device comprises a light source, at least one luminescent reagent which is capable of luminescing when irradiated by the light source wherein the luminescence of the luminescent reagent is modifiable by the analyte thereby changing the generation of heat, which change in heat generation is proportional to the concentration of the analyte, a transducer having a pyroelectric or piezoelectric element and electrodes which is capable of transducing the change in heat to an electrical signal, and a detector which is capable of converting the electrical signal into an indication of the concentration of the analyte. The invention also relates to a method for detecting an analyte.

Abstract: This invention relates to a chemical sensing device for detecting an analyte. The device comprises a light source; at least one luminescent reagent which is capable of luminescing when irradiated by the light source wherein the luminescence of the luminescent reagent is modifiable by the analyte thereby changing the generation of heat, which change in heat generation is proportional to the concentration of the analyte, a transducer having a pyroelectric or piezoelectric element and electrodes which is capable of transducing the change in heat to an electrical signal, and a detector which is capable of converting the electrical signal into an indication of the concentration of the analyte. The invention also relates to a method for detecting an analyte.

Abstract: The present application relates to a sensor (1) for use in detecting an analyte comprising: a transducer (10) composed of a pyroelectric or piezoelectric polymer substrate e.g. PVDF (3) and a transparent electrode layer (4) on a surface of the substrate; a layer of parylene (12) on the transparent electrode layer; and a reagent (17) immobilised on the transducer, the reagent having a binding site which is capable of binding the analyte or a derivative of the analyte.

Abstract: This invention relates to a chemical sensing device for detecting an analyte. The device comprises a light source; at least one luminescent reagent which is capable of luminescing when irradiated by the light source wherein the luminescence of the luminescent reagent is modifiable by the analyte thereby changing the generation of heat, which change in heat generation is proportional to the concentration of the analyte, a transducer having a pyroelectric or piezoelectric element and electrodes which is capable of transducing the change in heat to an electrical signal, and a detector which is capable of converting the electrical signal into an indication of the concentration of the analyte. The invention also relates to a method for detecting an analyte.