Abstract: The disclosure relates to the detection of analytes (e.g., biological pathogens such as bacteria or viruses) using a conductive polymer label. The disclosed detection system utilizing the conductive polymer label generally involves the formation of an analyte conjugate between the target analyte and a conductive polymer moiety conjugated to the target analyte. The conductive polymer portion of the analyte conjugate is electrically activated to form an electrically activated analyte conjugate having an increased electrical conductivity relative to the analyte conjugate as originally formed. The electrically activated analyte conjugate can then be detected by any suitable means, such as by conductimetric or electrochemical detection.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the simultaneous detection and quantitative measurement of multiple biomolecules, e.g., pathogen biomarkers through either a sandwich assay approach or a lipid insertion approach. The invention can further employ a multichannel, structure with multi-sensor elements per channel.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating a polyvinyl difluoride (PVDF) membrane comprising: (a) contacting said membrane with an alcohol and a wetting agent; and (b) drying said membrane.

Abstract: The present invention provides an appropriately produced magnetic material sensor having a small size. The magnetic material sensor of this invention includes: a magnetoresistive effect film, formed using magnetic films; a current source, for supplying to the magnetoresistive effect film a current having a magnitude and a direction that can change the magnetization directions of the magnetic films; and a detector, for detecting the resistance of the magnetoresistive effect film.

Abstract: Methods of preparing assays and of assaying, using substantially self-contained, portable, user-initiated fluidic assay systems. Example assays include diagnostic assays and chemical detection assays. Diagnostic assays may include, without limitation, enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assays (ELISA), and may include one or more sexually transmitted disease (STD) diagnostic assays. An assay system may include one or more fluid chambers, one or more fluid paths amongst the fluid chambers and/or between the fluid chambers, a sample portion, and/or an assay portion. The assay system may include a fluid controller system to dispense fluid from the one or more fluid chambers, and a user-initiated actuator to control the fluid controller system. The fluid controller system may be configured to dispense fluids serially, and may be configured to mix a plurality of fluids. The user-initiated actuator system may include an external user-operated trigger mechanism.

Abstract: Disclosed is a product that includes an optical sensor; a target-responsive hydrogel matrix on a surface of the optical sensor (where the hydrogel matrix comprises one or more target-specific receptors and one or more target analogs), and one or more high refractive index nanoparticles within the hydrogel matrix, where a detectable change occurs in a refractive index of the hydrogel matrix when contacted with one or more target molecules. Sterile packages and detection devices containing the product, and methods of detecting a target molecule using the product, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of fabricating biochip sensor comprising providing a precursor; depositing the precursor on a substrate to form a coating; and rapid melting/quenching treatment of the coating with an energy source to form micro/nanotextured surface with enhanced reflectance for fast chemiluminescence response of E-Coli bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention provides an immunochromatographic device, which contains the following (a) and (b): (a) a first device part holding a first insoluble carrier used for developing a complex formed with an analyte and a labeling substance comprising a metal labeled with a first binding substance that can bind to the analyte and capturing the analyte and the labeling substance at a reaction portion containing a second binding substance that can bind to the analyte, and (b) a second device part holding a second insoluble carrier used for developing a liquid and a third insoluble carrier used for absorbing a liquid, in such a way that the first insoluble carrier does not come into contact with the second insoluble carrier and the third insoluble carrier.

Abstract: A substrate of a target substance-detecting element for detecting a target substance in a specimen based on localized surface plasmon resonance comprises a supporting member and a metal nano-dot group provided on the supporting member, metal nano-dots each of which is comprised in the metal nano-dot group and adjacent to each other are arranged with a gap between the metal nano-dots of not larger than 30 nm.

Abstract: A sensor device (15) for detecting magnetic particles (13) has a binding surface (40) with binding sites thereon and includes at least one sensor element (23) for detecting the presence of magnetic particles (13), an element or elements for attracting magnetic structures having at least one magnetic particle (13) toward and onto the binding surface (40) of the sensor device (15), and an element or elements for re-arranging and randomizing the position of individual magnetic particles (13) with respect to the binding sites on the binding surface (40) to give binding sites on all individual particles (13) a substantial probability to have a contact time with binding sites on the binding surface (40). With such sensor device (15), the speed of detection of target molecules in a fluid is enhanced.

Abstract: In a chromatography quantitative measuring apparatus according to the present invention, a beam applied from a light source to a chromatography test strip is formed into an elliptical shape by an optical means such as a cylindrical lens, a variation in absorbance that accompanies elution of a marker regent is detected while the elliptical beam is applied between a marker reagent hold part and a detection part, and a measurement is automatically started in a prescribed period of time since the detection of variation. According to the chromatography quantitative measuring apparatus so configured, non-uniform coloration is reduced by shaping the beam elliptically with the optical means, whereby the accuracy of quantitative analysis is enhanced, and the apparatus can be operated easily.

Abstract: A lateral flow device includes a sample compressor and a test strip comprising a diverting zone. The diverting zone, which may include a barrier and/or a gap or ditch, stops or impedes flow. Flow is reinitiated and diverted into an alternate plane by compression of a sample compressor. Flow returns to the original, lateral plane, at the end of the diverting zone.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a diagnostic test kit that assesses ovarian reserve by measuring Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) in a liquid sample. The sample can be deposited on a first portion of the device for transport to a second portion of the device. The device can include a release medium formed of a first material and including a detectable label thereon and a capture medium, including a test site, in fluid communication with the release medium and formed of a second, different material.

Abstract: A technique for high sensitivity evanescent field molecular sensing employs a detection scheme that simultaneously couples a polarized beam to a single mode of a waveguide, and couples the polarized beam out of the waveguide to specularly reflect the beam by the same grating. Strong interaction with the single (preferably TM) mode is provided by using a silicon on insulator (SOI) wafer having a waveguide thickness chosen between 10-400 nm so that the majority of the mode field strength spans the evanescent field. Well known, robust techniques for producing a grating on the waveguide are provided. Interrogation from a backside of the SOI wafer is taught.

Abstract: A method of detection separation and identification for expressed trace protein/peptide; and a system therefor. There is provided a method of detecting, separating and identifying a minute amount of expressed protein and/or peptide, characterized in that a fluorescent derivative of protein and/or peptide contained in a test subject sample having been labeled with a fluorescence reagent is applied to HPLC; a fluorescent fraction is collected and subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis; mass-spectrometry of the resultant fluorescence-labeled fragments and non-fluorescence-labeled fragments is carried out; and the thus obtained ion molecular weight information on each of the fragments is collated with an available protein and/or peptide fragment database to thereby accomplish a structural analysis. Further, there is provided an identification system therefor.

Abstract: Materials and methods for studying and modulating the interaction of carbohydrate-containing moieties with other species are described, in particular, small particles, e.g. clusters of metal or semiconductor atoms, which can be employed as a substrate for immobilising a plurality of ligands comprising carbohydrate groups. These “nanoparticles” can then be used to study carbohydrate mediated interactions, e.g. with other carbohydrates or proteins, and as therapeutics and diagnostic reagents.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for isolating particles from a biological fluid, including: obtaining a sample of biological fluid from a source (e.g. a patient) in which the sample contains particles of multiple sample particle types; tagging particles in the sample with tagging agents, including mixing the sample with a solution of magnetic tagging agents that selectively bind to particles of at least one of the sample particle types, thereby forming a group of tagged particles in the sample; passing the sample through a magnetic conduit having a magnetic field that interacts with at least some of the tagged particles; sorting the particles of the sample into multiple groups based on the interaction between the tagged particles and the magnetic field; and optionally returning selected portions of the processed fluid back to its source with or without the addition of appropriate therapeutic agents.

Abstract: In a chromatography quantitative measuring apparatus, a beam applied from a light source to a chromatography test strip is formed into an elliptical shape by an optical means such as a cylindrical lens, a variation in absorbance that accompanies elution of a marker regent is detected while the elliptical beam is applied between a marker reagent hold part and a detection part, and a measurement is automatically started in a prescribed period of time since the detection of variation. According to the chromatography quantitative measuring apparatus so configured, non-uniform coloration is reduced by shaping the beam elliptically with the optical means, whereby the accuracy of quantitative analysis is enhanced, and the apparatus can be operated easily.

Abstract: This invention is in the field of medical devices. Specifically, the present invention provides portable medical devices that allow detection of analytes from a biological fluid. The methods and devices are particularly useful for providing point-of-care testing for a variety of medical applications.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to solid supports for chromatography. In specific embodiments the invention provides for solid supports suitable for affinity chromatography along with methods, systems and kits which use the same.