Abstract: A channel (1) formed in a substrate (41) branches into channels (2, 3) at a branch point (43). On this branch point, obstacles (8) having a columnar structure are aligned at certain intervals.

Abstract: A sample processing system that may be configured to achieve automatic withdrawal of a substance at the end of appropriate processing sequences such as histochemical processing may involve a plurality of samples for which substances removed by moving a wicking cartridge that may have sequentially advanced absorbsant material on rolls that are advanced an appropriate amount based upon usage in sequences such as repeated elimination and reapplication of a fluidic substance perhaps through the action of capillary motion in order to refresh a microenvironment adjacent to a sample such as a biopsy or other such sample. Snap in wicking cassettes and perhaps antibody and other substances may be included to ease operator actions and to permit location specific substance applications perhaps by including single container multiple chamber multiple fluidic substance magazines, linearly disposed multiple substance source, and primary antibody cartridges.

Abstract: The present invention relates especially to a process for the localized distribution of drops of a liquid of interest on an active surface. The process comprises the following steps: an introduction of liquid of interest into a box containing the said active surface, and an extraction of liquid of interest from the said box, the said active surface and also the other surfaces inside the box being substantially non-wetting with respect to the liquid of interest, with the exception of several uptake areas localized on the said active surface, which are each suitable for taking up a drop of liquid of interest. The uptake areas may surround working areas. The present invention also relates to processes for the electrochemical and optical detection of at least one analyte in a liquid of interest, and to an electropolymerization process.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention relates to a device comprising (1) an array of electromagnetic elements comprising coils, metal cores, and metal core heads, and (2) a controller that is adapted to control a current for one or more coils individually, to vary the current for said one or more coils individually, to reverse the current for one or more coils individually, and to generate a specific magnetic flux distribution and gradient across two or more coils; wherein the metal core head is at one end of the coil and the metal core head has a geometry to create a desired magnetic flux, intensity and gradient, in a region of interest between two adjacent coils; further wherein the device is functionally coupled to a fluidic device to concentrate and transport magnetic particles in a fluid without fluidic movement of the fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus suitable for measuring at least one plasma analyte in plasma extracted from a whole blood sample within the apparatus is provided. The apparatus can be adapted for insertion into a slot in a meter, which can preferably perform at least spectroscopic or biosensor measurement. The apparatus comprises a whole blood flow path, which begins at the inlet opening of the apparatus, and terminates at a vent or a suction chamber. Included in the blood flow path is a flow-through filtration chamber. The filtration chamber comprises at least one membrane separating a blood compartment from a plasma compartment. The apparatus further comprises a plasma flow path, which begins at the plasma compartment and terminates at a vent or a suction chamber. The plasma flow path includes a plasma analyte signal providing means. The signal is transmitted to a processor in the meter for preparing analyte measurements.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods for the preparation of protein arrays of full length proteins. The use of such arrays in screening methods is also described.

Abstract: Devices, methods and kits for conducting an assay to determine the presence or amount of an analyte in a fluid sample. The device includes a sample application element and a flow path matrix that facilitates fluidic flow by capillary action. The sample application element includes a non-absorbent or absorbent carrier that has a conjugate reagent that is readily solubilized by the liquid sample. In various aspects of the invention, the sample application element and the matrix are associated with a housing that allows for releasable contact between the element and the matrix. In other aspects, the invention includes methods using the device and kits including the device.

Abstract: A bioassay system is disclosed. The bioassay system may include a plurality of optical detection apparatuses, each of which includes a substrate having a light detector, and a linker site formed over the light detector, the linker site being treated to affix the biomolecule to the linker site. The linker site is proximate to the light detector and is spaced apart from the light detector by a distance of less than or equal to 100 micrometers. The light detector collects light emitted from the biomolecule within a solid angle of greater than or equal to 0.8 SI steridian. The optical detection apparatus may further include an excitation light source formed over the substrate so as to provide a light source for exciting a fluorophore attached to the biomolecule.

Abstract: A system that is suitable for extracting plasma from blood received from a blood supply is provided. The system comprises a housing, an inlet opening for receiving the blood, a filtration chamber comprising a membrane, and a plasma compartment. The membrane forms a barrier between the blood and the plasma extracted from the blood, and the plasma compartment collects the plasma extracted from the blood. In some embodiments, the system comprises a plasma flow path compression chamber for pulling plasma across the membrane. In some embodiments, the system comprises a blood flow path compression chamber for facilitating blood flow. Some embodiments of the system further comprise means for measuring plasma and blood analytes using spectroscopic and biosensor techniques.

Abstract: There is provided a first reservoir containing a liquid solution including a molecule to be characterized and a second reservoir for containing a liquid solution including a molecule that has been characterized. A solid state support structure is provided including an aperture having a molecular entrance providing a fluidic connection to the first reservoir and a molecular exit providing a fluidic connection to the second reservoir. One carbon nanotube is provided having a longitudinal sidewall disposed as a molecular contacting surface at the aperture. A voltage source is connected in series with the carbon nanotube for electrically biasing the carbon nanotube, and an electrical current monitor is connected in series with the carbon nanotube for monitoring changes in electrical current through the nanotube corresponding to translocation of a molecule through the aperture.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method for generating an interference pattern at a probe array is described that comprises directing light at a first waveguide and second waveguide, wherein the first and second waveguides are positioned adjacent to each other and the output from the first and second waveguides produce an interference pattern; and directing the interference pattern at the probe array.

Abstract: The following is disclosed: (1) a membrane fractionator including a filtration section, a concentrating section, a recovery section and a liquid feed pump, wherein a flow channel connecting the filtration section, concentrating section and recovery section to each other constitutes a closed circuitry; (2) a method of biocomponent separation, characterized in that a sample derived from biocomponents is fed into an antibody adsorption membrane separation system having an antibody capable of adsorbing specified protein internally accommodated in the middle or a rear part of a membrane separation system that in the absence of antibodies adsorbing proteins, exhibits a permeation ratio between human alpha1-microglobulin and human albumin of 1.

Abstract: A method of predicting or diagnosing clinical infection of a wound comprising measuring the concentration of a marker associated with an inflammatory response in wound fluid, wherein the marker is a fibronectin fragment, a neutrophil protease or a macrophage protease. Also provided is a use of a wound dressing or biosensor comprising components of an assay system for measuring the concentration of a marker associated with an inflammatory response, wherein the marker is a fibronectin fragment, a neutrophil protease or a macrophage protease, for use in the manufacture of a medicament for predicting the likelihood of clinical infection of the wound or for diagnosing clinical infection of a wound.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surface-substrate for adherence of cells thereto. The surface-substrate comprises at least one micronail structure protruding from the surface, at least a region of the micronail having cellular-internalization promoting properties. The invention also provides an electronic device comprising a transistor structure, in which a gate electrode is formed with the at least one micronail protruding from the surface thereof.

Abstract: Provided are a sensing switch and a sensing method using the same. The sensing switch includes: a substrate; a supporter on the substrate; a sensing plate that is connected to a side of the supporter and is in parallel with the substrate by a predetermined distance; a receptor binding region on an upper surface of an end portion of the sensing plate; an electric or magnetic field generation device that induces deflection of the sensing plate when a receptor bound to the receptor binding region is selectively bound to an electrically or magnetically active ligand; and a pair of switching electrodes that are separated by a predetermined distance and is connected when the sensing plate contacts the substrate due to the deflection of the sensing plate. A target material need not be labelled, a signal processing of a fluorescent or electrical detection signal using an analysis apparatus is not required, and a signal can be directly decoded by confirming whether a current flows through the switch.

Abstract: The present invention provides an array of polymers and methods of forming arrays of polymers by providing a substrate having a first layer including one or more dielectric coatings on a solid support and a second layer including a plurality of polymers disposed on the first layer. The invention also provides methods for forming an array of polymers on a substrate using light-directed synthesis by providing a substrate having a first layer including one or more dielectric coatings on a solid support, derivatizing the first layer by contacting the first layer with a silanation reagent, and a second layer disposed on said first layer wherein the second layer includes functional groups protected with a photolabile protecting group.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for determining the antibody specificity profile in an individual. This specificity profile reveals the individual's immune response to multiple antigens and/or epitopes of autoantigens, allergens, graft antigens, etc. The antibody specificity profile is determined through the binding of patient samples comprising antibodies to the arrays. The array can comprises antigens and epitopes. The invention also provides the means and methods for determining antigen or epitope specificity profiles that can be used in the development of either generic and individualized diagnosis and treatment for immune related diseases, including autoimmune disease, allergy and graft rejection.

Abstract: A device for in-line blood screening and testing using biochips is disclosed. The screening methods include nucleic acid amplification techniques and antibody/antigen assays to detect target molecules and agents indicative of infectious diseases or metabolic diseases.

Abstract: An analyte measurement system is provided having sensors with embossed test chamber channels. In one embodiment, the sensors are elongate test strips for in vitro testing, each test strip having a substrate, at least one electrode, an embossed channel in the electrode, and lidding tape covering at least a portion of the embossed channel. Methods of manufacture are also disclosed for filling the sensor channels with reagent, and for trimming the ends of the sensors to eliminate the need for a calibration code during use of the sensors with a meter.

Abstract: This invention relates to a micromachined microfluidics diagnostic device that comprises one or multiple assaying channels each of which is comprised a sample port, a first valve, a reaction chamber, a second valve, a fluid ejector array, a third valve, a buffer chamber, a capture zone and a waste chamber. Each of these device components are interconnected through microfluidic channels. This invention further relates to the method of operating a micromachined microfluidic diagnostic device. The flow of fluid in the microchannels is regulated through micromachined valves. The reaction of sample analytes with fluorescent tags and detection antibodies in the reaction chamber are enhanced by the micromachined active mixer. By ejecting reaction mixture onto the capture zone through micromachined fluid ejector array, the fluorescent tagged analytes bind with capturing antiodies on capture zone. The fluid ejector array further ejects buffer fluid to wash away unbound fluorescent tags.