Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for fluid sample collection and analyte testing, including a sample receiving member and at least one membrane test strip, and optionally a sample retention member, fingerprint acquisition pad, and/or fluid collector. It also provides a fluid collection apparatus having an absorbent material, compression element, and closure element, and optionally a lid that allows the apparatus to be used in conjunction with a fluid container. Also provided are methods of collecting, testing, and retaining a fluid sample and verifying the identity of one or more individuals associated with the sample, such as the test subject, test administrator, and/or witnesses.

Abstract: The instant invention provides compositions and methods for determining cell interactions that are faster than conventional methods and that require the use of fewer reagents than conventional methods.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in a flow through assay process is disclosed. The method is characterized by a “pre-incubation step” in which the sample which is to be analysed (typically for the presence of a particular protein), and a detection analyte (typically one or more antibodies bound to colloidal gold or a fluorescent tag) which is known to bind to the particular protein may bind together for a desired period of time. This pre-incubation step occurs before the mixture of sample and detection analyte come into contact with a capture analyte bound to a membrane. The provision of the pre-incubation step has the effect of both improving the sensitivity of the assay and reducing the volume of sample required for an assay. An apparatus for carrying out the method is disclosed defining a pre-incubation chamber for receiving the sample and detection analyte having a base defined by a membrane and a second membrane to which a capture analyte is bound.

Abstract: An objective of the invention is to provide a carrier particle latex for an assay reagent capable of assaying a biological sample at a wide range of the concentration in an immunoserological test and capable of being stored stably for a prolonged period, as well as an assay reagent employing the same. The invention is a carrier particle latex for an assay reagent comprising a carrier particle comprising a copolymer of a polymerizable monomer having a phenyl group and a polymerizable monomer having a phenyl group and a sulfonate, wherein said carrier particle has a surface sulfonic acid group amount of 0.005 to 0.7 ?mol/m2 and an average particle size of 0.01 to 1.5 ?m.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for real time, label-free imaging and quantitation of binding events at an array of positions are provided. Total internal reflection from a planar side wall of a well of a multiwell plate is used to create an evanescent field in the plane of a pattern of ligands immobilized on the wall. Embodiments include imaging and multiple analyte detection and quantitation of a single wall of a single well as well as the simultaneous imaging and multiple analyte detection and quantitation of a number of wells.

Abstract: A substrate plate or device adapted for use with biological or chemical assays is disclosed. The device may take the form of a multi-well plate having a three-dimensional, porous layer as part of a support surface within each well for immobilizing probe species. The porous layer is characterized as having a plurality of interconnected voids defined by a matrix of contiguous solid material. A method and its variants are also described.

Abstract: Multiwell plates commonly used for immunoassay are increased in capacity and adapted for ease and speed of testing by forming a plurality of solid posts in each well of a plate. The posts and plate material and the dimensions of the posts are chosen to allow the immobilization of ligand patterns on an exterior wall of a post in a well and to permit a collimated beam of light directed to the post in a direction to achieve total internal reflection from a wall to generate an evanescent field in the plane of the ligands immobilized on the exterior wall of the post. The reflected light carries an image of localized intensity variations due to binding events between the ligand patterns and analytes in a sample introduced into a well. A cover plate seals the wells and provides for through holes for introducing sample material to the wells.

Abstract: A target substance detection method for detecting a target substance in a specimen, comprises the steps of contacting with a specimen a target substance detecting element comprised of a base, a metal structure and a first capturing body for capturing a target substance; contacting with the target substance detecting element a labeling material comprised of a labeling substance and a second capturing body for capturing a target substance; and acquiring an absorption spectrum (A) of the target substance detecting element contacted with the specimen and the labeling material, wherein the employed labeling substance is a substance that a slope of a tangent of an absorption spectrum (C) of the labeling substance at a peak wavelength (?z) of an absorption spectrum (B) of the target substance detecting element is larger than zero.

Abstract: A grating-based sensor is disclosed that has a grating structure constructed and designed for both evanescent resonance (ER) fluorescence detection and label-free detection applications. Some embodiments are disclosed which are optimized for ER detection in an air mode, in which the sample is dry. Other embodiments are optimized for ER detection in liquid mode, in which the sample is suspended in liquid medium such as water. One and two-dimensional gratings are also disclosed, including gratings characterized by unit cells with central posts, central holes, and two-level, two-dimensional gratings. A readout system for such sensors is also disclosed. One embodiment includes a first light source optimized for collecting label-free detection data, a second light source optimized for collecting ER fluorescence amplification data, and at least one detector. In one embodiment, the detector is an imaging system and includes a CCD camera for collecting both ER and label-free data.

Abstract: Apparatus and method employing gel electrophoresis and optical imaging techniques to measure the amount of biomaterial that attaches to specified locations on a detector slide and to determine the molecular weight of the molecules at those locations.

Abstract: Electrodes and configurations for electrochemical bioreactor systems that can use electrical energy as a source of reducing power in fermentation or enzymatic reactions and that can use electron mediators and a biocatalyst, such as cells or enzymes, to produce electricity are disclosed. Example electrodes in the system may comprise: (1) neutral red covalently bound to graphite felt; (2) a carboxylated cellulose bound to the graphite felt, neutral red bound to the carboxylated cellulose, NAD+ bound to the graphite felt, and an oxidoreductase (e.g., fumarate reductase) bound to the graphite felt; or (3) a metal ion electron mediator bound to graphite. Various biocatalysts, such as an oxidoreductase, cells of Actinobacillus succinogenes, cells of Escherichia coli, and sewage sludge, are suitable for use in the electrochemical bioreactor system.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and device for simultaneously testing a sample for the presence, absence, and/or amounts of one or more of a plurality of selected analytes. The invention includes, in one aspect, a device for detecting or quantitating a plurality of different analytes in a liquid sample. Each chamber may include an analyte-specific reagent effective to react with a selected analyte that may be present in the sample, and detection means for detecting the signal. Also disclosed are methods utilizing the device.

Abstract: An encoded carrier includes a code region having a code, and a reaction region separate from the coded region, the reaction region having a variation in its refractive index or dielectric constant in a direction generally parallel to the surface of the reaction region.

Abstract: An element to be used for detecting a target substance by using a capturing body for target substance and using surface plasmon resonance has a structure in which the metal structure having a particular pattern is located on a spherical support. Thus configured element for detecting the target substance can detect the target substance at sufficient detection sensitivity in a short period of time by using the surface plasmon resonance. A method for detecting the target substance by using the element and a detection device therefor is provided.

Abstract: An optical waveguide type antibody chip includes a transparent substrate, an incident-side optical element and an emitting-side optical element placed at a distance from each other on a primary face of the substrate, a water repellent resin film formed on the primary face of the substrate including an optical waveguide layer formed between the optical elements, the water repellent resin film includes a reaction hole having exposed the optical waveguide layer on its bottom and a frame-shaped trench surrounding the reaction hole, a rectangular frame-shaped cell wall which is fixed in the trench of the water repellent resin film and which forms a cell capable of infusion and discharge of a specimen solution together with the reaction hole, and an antibody immobilization layer formed on the bottom of the reaction hole, the surface of the antibody immobilization layer being masked with at least a buffer agent and a salt.

Abstract: Materials and methods are provided for producing patterned multi-array, multi-specific surfaces for use in diagnostics. The invention provides for electrochemiluminescence methods for detecting or measuring an analyte of interest. It also provides for novel electrodes for ECL assays. Materials and methods are provided for the chemical and/or physical control of conducting domains and reagent deposition for use multiply specific testing procedures.

Abstract: A blood crossmatching apparatus, kit and methods for testing the compatibility of mammals for blood transfusion. Particulate layers in the apparatus allow nonagglutinated red blood cells to permeate through, while agglutinated red blood cells cannot. The apparatus also has a density solution. The density solution separates white blood cells from red blood cells in the whole blood when centrifuged, without lysing the red blood cells. Thus, the apparatus can be used to test whole blood.

Abstract: The invention relates to an analytical measuring and evaluation method for determining the interaction parameters between an analyte and a ligand, preferably in a biosensor. According to the inventive method, the concentration of the analyte is gradually changed at defined intervals ti and the initial association or dissociation rates or association and dissociation rate constants are determined. The invention further relates to a device for carrying out the inventive method.

Abstract: A method is provided for performing a reaction, such as the synthesis of concentrated cDNA, in the wells of a microplate while minimizing the volume of the solution of reagents required to perform the reaction. In the method, a pestle is inserted into the well of a microplate to which a substance has been immobilized. A volume of reagent solution is introduced into the well that is insufficient to cover the portion of the well onto which the substance is immobilized. The insertion of the pestle displaces reagent solution and increases the surface area of the solution in contact with the portion of the well to which the substance has been immobilized when the pestle is inserted.

Abstract: A nanobioprocessor for protein and cell therapy comprises a selectively coated quantum dot having selected band gap energies, characteristic absorption, emission spectra and outer coatings for therapy and diagnostic purposes in biophotonics and nanomedicine, and an electromagnetic radiation and detector source configured to remotely heat and/or selectively excite the quantum dot to associate with target specific misfolded or anomalous proteins, diseased cells and tissue.