Abstract: Methods and apparatus that mix a plurality of individual capture reagents for the diagnostic assays are described herein. In an embodiment, a system for optically analyzing a patient sample includes an automated immunochemistry analyzer storing a plurality of capture reagents and a plurality of paramagnetic particles, a user interface configured to allow a selection of a combination of two or more of the capture reagents, and a logic implementer configured to cause the automated immunochemistry analyzer to (i) mix together each capture reagent of the combination of two or more of the capture reagents; (ii) bind the mixture of the combination of two or more of the capture reagents to the paramagnetic particles; (iii) bind the patient sample to the bound mixture of the combination of two or more of the capture reagents; and (iv) optically analyze the patient sample.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cell electroporation and molecular delivery using an intelligent, feedback controlled, microscale electroporation system for transfecting single cells.

Abstract: A capillary structure for passive, directional fluid transport, includes a capillary having a forward direction and a backward direction extending in an x-y plane and a depth extending in a z-direction, the capillary including first and second capillary units each having a diverging section having a backward end, a forward end, and a width in the y-direction, wherein the width increases from the backward end to the forward end, wherein the backward end of the second capillary unit diverging section is connected to the forward end of the first capillary unit diverging section to form a transition section having a step decrease in width from the forward end of the first capillary unit diverging section to the backward end of the second capillary unit diverging section, and wherein the depth in the transition section is less than the depth in each diverging section.

Abstract: A flow cell is provided that includes surface-attached structures in a chamber. The structures are movable in response to a magnetic or electric field. A target extraction or isolation system includes the flow cell and a driver configured for applying a magnetic or electric field to the interior of the flow cell to actuate movement of the structures. The flow cell may be utilized to extract or isolate a target from a sample flowing through the flow cell. Further, a microfluidic system is provided that includes surface-attached structures and a microarray, wherein actuated motion of the surface-attached structures is used to enhance flow, circulation, and/or mixing action for analyte capture on the microarray.

Abstract: Aqueous calibration or quality control reagents that include urea are disclosed; the reagents may further include at least one amino acid-containing composition to provide pH stability thereto. Methods of production and use thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems for transducing measurements from a medium of interest. One non-limiting example is in planta monitoring of plants. In one aspect, a micro- or nano-scale probe body includes one or more microprobes (e.g. microneedles or waveguides) to access desired plant tissue, and one or more microsensors on the probe body. A microcircuit on or in the probe body transduces relevant measurements from the microsensor(s). An output interface allows storage, communication, or transfer of the transduced measurement for further use. Non-limiting examples are processing into estimations of chemical concentrations or the like for biochemical sensing. As such, if used as in planta sensors, they can be minimally invasive and cost effective for both single use and use in sets for plural plants with one central station.

Abstract: A microarray carrier assembly including a scan tray and a plurality of microarray blocks detachably disposed on the scan tray is provided. The scan tray includes a frame including an opening and a slot, and a transparent substrate covering the opening of the frame. Each of the microarray blocks includes a main body, a probe array distributed on the main body and facing towards the transparent substrate of the scan tray, and a plurality of guiding pins disposed on the main body and surrounding the probe array, wherein a top surface area of the guiding pin opposite to the main body is less than a bottom surface area of the guiding pin connected to the main body, and the guiding pins are detachably inserted into the slot of the frame of the scan tray.

Abstract: A method of detecting serous ovarian cancer, particularly early stage serous ovarian cancer is described. The method uses up to sixteen compounds found in the blood serum of a person, and determines that changes of some portion of these sixteen compounds can determine the presence of serous ovarian cancer in a women with up to 100% accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity.

Abstract: A cyanide-functionalized gold nanoparticle. A method of making cyanide-functionalized gold nanoparticles includes forming an aqueous reaction mixture comprising a gold precursor and glycine, keeping the reaction mixture at about 18° C. to about 50° C. for at least 6 days to provide formation of the cyanide-functionalized gold nanoparticles, and isolating the cyanide-functionalized gold nanoparticles from the reaction mixture. A method of analyzing a sample, comprising contacting cyanide-functionalized gold nanoparticles with the sample and performing an analytical method on the sample. A sensor comprises cyanide-functionalized gold nanoparticles.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an assembly for loading a sample liquid. The assembly comprises an entry port comprising an inlet and a gas vent, and a reservoir. The reservoir comprises a distal wall, a fin, and a continuous fluidic pathway. The fin comprises first and second surfaces and extends from the inlet towards the distal wall. The continuous fluidic pathway comprises a converging channel that is in fluidic communication with the inlet and is defined by the second surface of the fin, and a diverging channel that is defined by the first surface of the fin and is in fluidic communication with the gas vent. At a distal end of the fin, a width of the converging channel at most equals a width of the diverging channel, and the width of the converging channel at most equals a distance between the distal end of the fin and the distal wall.

Abstract: A method for operating a dosing device comprising a control unit, a dosing unit with a cannula of a first volume, and a sampling container connected to the cannula. The method comprises moving the dosing unit in a first direction along an axis to move the cannula into a vessel containing a liquid; constantly aspirating fluid through the cannula with a predetermined volumetric flow; measuring at least one optical parameter of the aspirated fluid; when a change of the optical parameter is detected, storing a first position of the dosing unit on the axis and interrupting the movement of the dosing unit; and calculating a second position of the dosing unit on the axis at which the tip of the cannula has penetrated a first phase boundary upon immersion into the liquid. The calculation is performed on the basis of the first position, the predetermined speed, the first volume and the predetermined volumetric flow.

Abstract: A flow cell is provided that includes surface-attached structures in a chamber. The structures are movable in response to a magnetic or electric field. A target extraction or isolation system includes the flow cell and a driver configured for applying a magnetic or electric field to the interior of the flow cell to actuate movement of the structures. The flow cell may be utilized to extract or isolate a target from a sample flowing through the flow cell. Further, a microfluidic system is provided that includes surface-attached structures and a microarray, wherein actuated motion of the surface-attached structures is used to enhance flow, circulation, and/or mixing action for analyte capture on the microarray.

Abstract: A method for preparing a ratiometric fluorescent probe for cymoxanil based on a double-emission quantum dot-silver nanoparticle complex, wherein, the double-emission carbon quantum dots and the silver nanoparticles are prepared, and the inner filter effect occurring between the double-emission carbon quantum dots and the dispersed silver nanoparticles causes the blue fluorescence quenching of the carbon quantum dots. However, the specific binding of cymoxanil to silver nanoparticles causes the silver nanoparticles to accumulate, and then the inner filter effect occurring between the double-emission carbon quantum dots and the dispersed silver nanoparticles causes the green fluorescence quenching of carbon quantum dots. In this regard, the linear relationship between the intensity ratio of two fluorescent emission peaks of carbon quantum dots and the molar concentration of cymoxanil is established, and the ratiometric fluorescent probe for cymoxanil is constructed.

Abstract: A microfluidic system for processing biological samples comprising a holding chamber adapted for holding a fluid and to be rotated on a platform, said holding chamber comprising an outlet through which fluid flow is controlled by an acceleration-primed valve system, wherein the acceleration-primed valve system comprises a capillary valve and an outlet channel. The invention provides a novel valving system, which retains fluids at low angular velocities, removes the need for hydrophilic surfaces, minimises disc real-estate and optimises certain microfluidic processes done in the holding chamber.

Abstract: A method of determining a concentration of hydrogen sulfide in a fluid comprises exposing a sensor to the fluid, the sensor comprising a pair of electrodes defining a gap therebetween and a sensing material bridging the gap between the electrodes, measuring a value of an electrical parameter of the sensor at an applied frequency of greater than about 10 kHz and a voltage of less than about 1.0 volt when the sensor is exposed to the fluid, and determining the concentration of hydrogen sulfide in the fluid based at least in part on the measured value of the electrical parameter. Related apparatuses and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A body fluid leakage detection aqueous composition, for use e.g. in intraoperative pancreatic fluid leakage detection. The composition comprises a gelling agent, increasing the viscosity of the composition, and buffering species, the composition thereby being buffered. The gelling agent is cross-linked ?-glucan microspheres. Further, the composition comprises a pH-indicator. The pH of the composition is at least 0.1 pH units lower, or higher, than a pKa of the pH-indicator.

Abstract: A device and system for automatic handling of a sensor strip by a part of a meter that includes a sensor strip having a first section, a second section, and an intermediate section. The sensor strip includes at least a first opening about a first end thereof and a second opening about a second end thereof. A meter part includes a pair of pivoting catches configured to engage and grasp a sensor strip from a container containing a plurality of sensor strips. The sensor strip may thus be removed from a container for testing without need for manual handling of the strip by a user.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes an input port for inputting a particle-containing liquidic samples into the device, a retention member, and a pressure actuator. The retention member is in communication with the input port and is configured to spatially separate particles of the particle-containing liquidic sample from a first portion of the liquid of the particle containing fluidic sample. The pressure actuator recombines at least some of the separated particles with a subset of the first portion of the liquid separated from the particles. The device can also include a lysing chamber that receives the particles and liquid from the retention member. The lysing chamber thermally lyses the particles to release contents thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the rapid monitoring of biological analytes in a point-of-care setting by providing a smart phone; providing a sample chamber; providing a sample; providing a dark box with a smartphone holder attached to the dark box top with the camera opening positioned about the aperture, adding a biological specimen suspected of containing a biological analyte in the sample chamber; adding a bis(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl) oxalate, an imidazole and a fluorophore to the sample chamber to react with the biological analyte; placing the sample chamber into the dark box; generating an emission from the fluorophore in response to the reaction with the biological analyte; and recording a set of time-lapse images of the emission with the smartphone.

Abstract: A multiple analyte detection system includes a carrier having reagents disposed thereat, with each of the reagents capable of optically changing in response to exposure to a respective analyte. The system further includes a photodetector positioned to collectively detect light interacted with each of the reagents, a processor to determine a presence or an absence of each of the analytes in response to the light collectively-detected, and an indicator to provide an indication of the presence or the absence of each of the analytes. A method of detecting multiple analytes includes exposing reagents capable of optically changing in response to exposure to a respective analyte to a sample. The method further includes collectively detecting light interacted with each of the reagents, determining a presence or an absence of each of the analytes in response to the light collectively detected, and indicating the presence or the absence of each of the analytes determined.