Abstract: A self-contained apparatus and methods for detecting the presence of any specified substance in any medium. A sample of the medium is placed in a capsule, along with a solvent and a sensor configured to test for a target analyte. The solvent comes into contact with the medium in the capsule, and the capsule is agitated to create a dispersion in the solvent of a portion of any target analyte present in the medium. A release mechanism configured to cause conduction of the dispersion to the sensor, so that the sensor produces an indication of presence of the target analyte if the target analyte is present in the medium. The apparatus uses a disposable capsule where the medium in question is placed and the disposable capsule is placed inside a reader and analyzed for presence of the harmful substance.

Abstract: Methods and systems for releasing growth factors are disclosed. In certain embodiments, a blood sample is exposed to a sequence of one or more electric pulses to trigger release of a growth factor in the sample. In certain embodiments, the growth factor release is not accompanied by clotting within the blood sample.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes forming a sacrificial layer along sidewalls of an array of trenches that are indented into a substrate, depositing a fill layer over the sacrificial layer, and then creating an array of gaps between the fill layer and the substrate by removing the sacrificial layer along the sidewalls of the trenches, while maintaining a structural connection between the substrate and the fill layer at the floors of the trenches. The method further includes covering the substrate, the fill layer, and the gaps with a cap layer that seal fluid-tight against the substrate and the fill layer. The method further includes indenting a first reservoir and a second reservoir through the cap layer, and into the substrate and the fill layer, across the lengths of the array of gaps, so that the array of gaps connects the first reservoir in fluid communication with the second reservoir.

Abstract: A microfluidic particle sorting apparatus for capturing targets from fluid containing the targets is disclosed. The apparatus includes an inlet for receiving the fluid; a sorting chamber allowing the fluid to flow through; a first outlet for discharging the fluid after flowing through the sorting chamber; a capturing structure for capturing the cells, wherein the capturing structure is upstream of the first outlet, and includes obstacles in an array, each extending through the sorting chamber in a lateral direction with respect to a fluid flow of the fluid; and a second outlet upstream of the capturing structure comprising a plurality of openings; wherein a gap between two adjacent obstacles is equal to or greater than each opening of the second outlet.

Abstract: A system and method includes a test container for detecting a target substance in a consumable sample, where the test container includes a test container body defining a test container top, a test container bottom opposing the test container top, a first chamber proximal the test container top, and a second chamber proximal the test container bottom, a magnetic diaphragm situated between the first chamber and the second chamber, the magnetic diaphragm obstructing flow of the consumable sample, and the magnetic diaphragm including a magnetic element embedded in the magnetic diaphragm, and a driving element geometrically complementary to the first chamber, the driving element including a consumable sample grinding feature protruding from a surface of the driving element.

Abstract: The present application describes methods and systems for measuring and controlling oxidative stress in animals and humans. The degree of oxidative stress can be measured directly by inducing all of the blood cells to produce excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) by exposure to an elevated concentration sulfide or other ROS inducing chemical and measuring the fluorescence intensity of a fluorescent dye or color intensity of dye that reacts with ROS. Oxidative stress can be reduced by reducing dietary sulfur, consumption of a methanogenic probiotic, or apheresis methods to replace ROS-positive blood cells with normal blood cells. Plasma oxidative stress can be compared in venous and arterial blood samples to evaluate small vessel disease. Oxidative stress can be increased by increasing dietary sulfur or the use of an intravenous method that exposes blood cells to an elevated blood concentration of sulfide or other ROS inducing chemical.

Abstract: A method to calibrate measurements of a test analyte in a test sample including measuring at least one test-light level responsive to reactions of at least one reagent group and at least one reactive test analyte in the test sample and measuring at least one control-light level responsive to reactions of at least one reagent group and at least one control analyte in a control sample. Each control analyte is a known amount of at least one reactive test analyte. The method further includes determining a presence of the reactive test analyte in the test sample based on the measured test-light levels and control-light levels. The reagent group and the reactive test analyte react by attaching to each other.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to devices and methods for analyzing particles in a sample. In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides devices and methods for cytometry and additional analysis. In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides a cartridge device and a reader instrument device, wherein the reader instrument device receives, operates, and/or actuates the cartridge device. In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method of using a device as disclosed herein for analyzing particles in a sample.

Abstract: Embodiments include systems, apparatuses, and methods to efficiently separate analytes in a sample and elute fractions of the separated analytes. In some embodiments, a method includes introducing a sample in a capillary with a first end ionically coupled to a first running buffer and a second end ionically coupled to a second running buffer to form a pH gradient. The method includes applying a voltage between the first running buffer and the second running buffer, to separate a plurality of analytes in the sample. The method includes disposing the second end of the capillary in a collection well including a chemical mobilizer and applying a voltage to elute one or more analytes from the plurality of analytes in the sample, that have been separated, into the collection well. Embodiments include detection methods to monitor separation of analytes, mobilization of analytes, and/or elution of fractions containing analytes.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for measuring glycated A1c hemoglobin. A glycated hemoglobin level measuring system includes a sample testing apparatus having a microchannel that compresses a blood sample traveling through, a first pair of electrodes coupled to the microchannel, and a second pair of electrodes coupled to the microchannel. The glycated hemoglobin level measuring system further includes an analysis apparatus having sensors coupled to the first and second pairs of electrodes and configured to calculate a travel time taken by a red blood cell to pass through the first and second pairs of electrodes. The glycated hemoglobin level measuring system can use the travel time to measure a rigidity of the red blood cells and the corresponding glycated hemoglobin level.

Abstract: Disclosed is a modular bio-processing unit (100) comprising: a housing (110) having one or more internal fluid paths (101), the housing having at least one inlet and at least one outlet (5,10,15,20,25,30,35,40,45,50,55,60,65,70), each in fluid communication with the fluid path or one or more of the fluid paths; one or more sensor elements (120,150,170,190) operatively associated with the or each path, said sensor(s) elements including elements of one or more of: a flow sensor, a flow rate sensor, a conductivity sensor, a pressure sensor, a pH sensor, and a light absorbance sensor such as a UV spectroscopic concentration sensor; one or more fluid flow inducing components (140) operatively associated with the or each fluid path; and plural valves (180) for preventing or reducing flow in the or each path, the housing, inlet(s), outlet(s), flow inducing component(s) and valve(s) being arranged to operate together as a bio-processing unit within or substantially within the housing.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the field of microfluidics and compound distribution within microfluidic devices and their associated systems. In one embodiment, present invention aims to solve the problem of molecule and compound absorbency into the materials making up laboratory equipment, microfluidic devices and their related infrastructure, without unduly restricting gas transport within microfluidic devices.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for measuring glycated A1c hemoglobin. A glycated hemoglobin level measuring system includes a sample testing apparatus having a microchannel that compresses a blood sample traveling through, a first pair of electrodes coupled to the microchannel, and a second pair of electrodes coupled to the microchannel. The glycated hemoglobin level measuring system further includes an analysis apparatus having sensors coupled to the first and second pairs of electrodes and configured to calculate a travel time taken by a red blood cell to pass through the first and second pairs of electrodes. The glycated hemoglobin level measuring system can use the travel time to measure a rigidity of the red blood cells and the corresponding glycated hemoglobin level.

Abstract: A sample testing cartridge is usable to perform a variety of tests on a visco-elastic sample, such hemostasis testing on a whole blood or blood component sample. The cartridge includes a sample processing portion that is in fluid communication with a sample retention structure. A suspension, such as a beam, arm, cantilever or similar structure supports or suspends the sample retention portion relative to the sample processing portion in a unitary structure. In this manner, the sample retention portion may be placed into dynamic excitation responsive to excitation of the cartridge and correspondingly dynamic, resonant excitation of the sample contained within the sample retention portion, while the sample processing portion remains fixed. Observation of the excited sample yields data indicative of hemostasis. The data may correspond to hemostasis parameters such as time to initial clot formation, rate of clot formation, maximum clot strength and degree of clot lysis.

Abstract: A device for detecting freshness of a perishable item is provided. The device includes at least one sensor for detecting an analyte of interest in the perishable item. The device further includes an integrated circuit for converting information detected by the sensor into a signal. The device also includes an antenna portion for receiving and transmitting the signal from the integrated circuit. The at least one sensor, integrated circuit and antenna portion are printed on a single sheet such that the device is unitary.

Abstract: An analysis threshold generation device includes a threshold calculation unit for generating a pair of thresholds for a pulse width of a pulse included in a light reception level signal or a pair of thresholds for a pulse amplitude of the pulse. The analysis threshold generation device includes a threshold correction unit for generating a pair of thresholds used for analysis in accordance with the pair of thresholds generated by the threshold calculation unit and a count value output from a pulse count unit. The threshold calculation unit repeatedly generates a new pair of thresholds in which at least one of the pair of thresholds is changed every time the pulse count unit counts the pulse until reaching a predetermined value.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, devices, methods and applications of collecting, preserving, transporting, and analyzing tiny body fluids which have targeted biomarkers.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating a bulk acoustic wave resonator structure for a fluidic device. The methods can include a first step of disposing a first conductive material over a portion of a first surface of a substrate to form at least a portion of a first electrode, the substrate having a second surface opposite the first surface. Then, a piezoelectric material may be disposed over the first electrode. Next, a second conductive material can be disposed over the piezoelectric material to form at least a portion of a second electrode. The second conductive material extends substantially parallel to the first surface of the substrate and the second conductive material at least partially extends over the first conductive material. The overlapping region of the first conductive material, the piezoelectric material, and the second conductive material form a bulk acoustic wave resonator, the bulk acoustic wave resonator having a first side and an opposing second side.

Abstract: A method of operating an integrated circuit includes using a first switching device to couple a bio-sensing device to a first signal path, generating, using the bio-sensing device, a bio-sensing signal on the first signal path in response to an electrical characteristic of a sensing film, using a second switching device to couple a temperature-sensing device to a second signal path, and generating, using the temperature-sensing device, a temperature-sensing signal on the second signal path in response to a temperature of the sensing film. The first and second switching devices, the bio-sensing device, the temperature-sensing device, and the sensing film are components of a sensing pixel of a plurality of sensing pixels of the integrated circuit.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating a bulk acoustic wave resonator structure for a fluidic device. The methods can include a first step of disposing a first conductive material over a portion of a first surface of a substrate to form at least a portion of a first electrode, the substrate having a second surface opposite the first surface. Then, a piezoelectric material may be disposed over the first electrode. Next, a second conductive material can be disposed over the piezoelectric material to form at least a portion of a second electrode. The second conductive material extends substantially parallel to the first surface of the substrate and the second conductive material at least partially extends over the first conductive material. The overlapping region of the first conductive material, the piezoelectric material, and the second conductive material form a bulk acoustic wave resonator, the bulk acoustic wave resonator having a first side and an opposing second side.