Abstract: A liquid specimen collection device. Various embodiments implement oral fluid collection, extraction, storage, and/or testing. The device can be used to collect fluid, and to then extract and prepare the fluid for analysis, which can eliminate human error in collection and reduce complexity in diagnostic analysis. The disclosed device may be used to collect any liquid specimen. Any instance when liquid should be collected, stored, and tested may benefit from use of this disclosure.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for the rapid determination of analytes in liquid samples by immunoassays incorporating magnetic capture of beads on a sensor capable of being used in the point-of-care diagnostic field.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for isolating circulating tumor cells from a peripheral blood supply in order to diagnose early stage cancer and/or evaluate tumor status. In one example, a system for capturing circulating tumor cells includes a substrate having a cell-capturing region, the cell-capturing region having a curved, switchback-like shape and including an array of micropillar structures within the curved, switchback-like shape.

Abstract: The disclosed methods are directed to detecting polypeptide fragments (“clips”) of parental polypeptides. Parental polypeptides and clips are optionally denatured and then fractionated using a matrix. After a first elution (high molecular weight fraction), an additional elution step retrieves a low molecular weight fraction containing clips. If the clips are an appropriate size for the targeted detection method, such as mass spectrometry, then analysis of this fraction proceeds separately from the high molecular weight fraction, or the clips fraction is mixed with the proteolyzed high molecular weight fraction before analysis. However, if the clips are too large for the intended analytical method(s), then the clips are also proteolyzed. The digested high molecular weight and low molecular weight fractions can be analyzed separately or combined. Analysis of combined samples favors clip quantitation because the clips are analyzed together with the remaining counterpart of the parental polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microfluidic devices and methods of use thereof for the concentration and capture of cells. A pulsed non Faradaic electric field is applied relative to a sample under laminar flow, which results to the concentration and capture of charged analyte. Advantageously, pulse timing is selected to avoid problems associated with ionic screening within the channel. At least one of the electrodes within the channel is coated with an insulating layer to prevent a Faradaic current from flowing in the channel. Under pulsed application of a unipolar voltage to the electrodes, charged analyte within the sample is moved towards one of the electrodes via a transient electrophoretic force.

Abstract: The invention relates to the measurement and profiling of proteins including phosphoproteins from cells in particular the measurement and profiling of phosphoproteins involved in cancer.

Abstract: A method for sensing an analyte uses tethered particle motion. A functionalized particle has a first state in which the functionalized particle is bound to the surface and a second state in which the functionalized particle is not bound to the surface, where the functionalized particle switches between the first and second states depending on the presence and absence of the analyte, thereby changing motion characteristics of the functionalized particle depending on the presence of the analyte. A spatial coordinate parameter of the functionalized particle is measured by a detector, and a processor determines the presence/concentration of the analyte from changes in the measured spatial coordinate parameter.

Abstract: A system and method for isolating and analyzing single cells, comprising: a substrate having a broad surface; a set of wells defined at the broad surface of the substrate, and a set of channels, defined by the wall, that fluidly couple each well to at least one adjacent well in the set of wells; and fluid delivery module defining an inlet and comprising a plate, removably coupled to the substrate, the plate defining a recessed region fluidly connected to the inlet and facing the broad surface of the substrate, the fluid delivery module comprising a cell capture mode.

Abstract: A nanowire molecular sensor, and a molecular detection system, comprising a nanowire waveguide (30), a nanowire sidewall (51) functionalized in order to attach a molecule (54), and light emissive point sources (52), wherein the amount of light emitted at an end (53) of the waveguide is dependent of the amount of specific molecules attached to the sidewall of the nanowire. A method employing said sensor may be used for single cell detection and analysis.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for sample processing. A device may be provided, capable of receiving the sample, and performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing multiple assays. The device may comprise one or more modules that may be capable of performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing the steps using a small volume of sample.

Abstract: A fluorescence immunoassay device based on integration of a photonic crystal and magnetic beads and a method thereof are provided. Magnetic beads with high surface-to-volume ratio are used as carriers of fluorescent molecules to obtain higher fluorescence density. The electric field on the surface of the photonic crystal is enhanced through excitation of photonic crystal resonance. The intensity of the fluorescence signal excited by the enhanced electric field is increased. Moreover, through interaction with the photonic crystal, some fluorescent signals that originally cannot be received by the fluorescent sensor are coupled to the photonic crystal resonant modes and reradiate toward the fluorescent sensor, thereby increasing collection efficiency. The fluorescence signals generated by fluorescent molecules on the magnetic beads are significantly intensified, which could lower the detection limit.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for predicting time-to-delivery in pregnant women. The methods include predicting that a pregnant woman will deliver within a predetermined time frame if PAMG-1 is determined to be present at a level above a predetermined detection threshold in a vaginal fluid sample obtained from the pregnant woman. Also provided are methods for determining a patient's risk of preterm labor and/or spontaneous rupture of the chorioamniotic membrane.

Abstract: Electrokinetic devices and methods are described with the purpose of collecting assayable agents from a dielectric fluid medium. Electrokinetic flow may be induced by the use of plasma generation at high voltage electrodes and consequent transport of charged particles in an electric voltage gradient. Actively growing mold releases the carbohydrate cell wall component (1?3)-?-D-Glucan into the air. The invention recognizes that the airborne fraction is that which affects respiratory health and selectively tests for a free form which is soluble in aqueous medium. The sample to be analysed is preferably collected by the electrokinetic propulsion method described, but any air sampling method such as filtration, impactor or impingement may be applicable.

Abstract: A micro-plate reader for use with a portable electronic device having a camera includes an opto-mechanical attachment configured to attach/detach to the portable electronic device and includes an array of illumination sources. A slot in the opto-mechanical attachment is dimensioned to receive an optically transparent plate containing an array of wells. Optical fibers are located in the opto-mechanical attachment and transmit light from each well to a reduced size header having, wherein the fiber array in the header has a cross-sectional area that is ?10× the cross-sectional area of the wells in the plate. A lens located in the opto-mechanical attachment transmits light from the header fibers to the camera. Software executed on the portable electronic device or other computer is used to process the images to generate qualitative clinical determinations and/or quantitative index values for the separate wells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing colloidal palladium nanoparticles and using them for increased sensitivity in lateral flow immunoassays. Glutaraldehyde is used in preparing the colloidal palladium that allows rapid attachment of biomolecules. Colloidal palladium nanoparticles are labeled with a protein, such as a biomolecule or an antibody. These labeled colloidal palladium particles catalytically develop a dye to detect the presence of an analyte.

Abstract: Devices and systems are provided herein relating to a novel and rapid assay for tissue staining. Methods for using the devices and systems for analyzing tissue samples are also disclosed.

Abstract: Dried dye reagent devices are provided. Aspects of the devices include a container having positioned therein one or more dried dye compositions that include one or more dyes stably associated with a high surface area solid support. Aspects of the invention further include methods of making and using the devices, e.g., in analyte detection applications, as well as kits containing the devices.

Abstract: Motion detector comprising a flexible support (1,5) adapted to hold at least one object (6-9), a sensor (4) for measuring the displacement of said support (1) and processing means for differentiating the fluctuations of said support (1) from those induced by said object (6-9).

Abstract: An analysis device includes a turntable holding a substrate, an optical pickup driven in a direction perpendicular to a rotation axis of the turntable and configured to emit laser light to reaction regions and to receive reflected light from the respective reaction regions, an optical pickup drive circuit, and a controller. The reaction regions are formed at positions different from the center of the substrate. The center of the substrate is located on the rotation axis of the turntable. The optical pickup detects a reception level of the reflected light to generate a light reception level signal. The controller controls a turntable drive circuit to rotate the substrate, controls the optical pickup drive circuit to drive the optical pickup, and specifies the respective reaction regions in accordance with a positional information signal and the light reception level signal.

Abstract: The invention includes a method of assaying an analyte in a sample in a portable, handheld microfluidic reader. The method includes the steps of: inserting the sample in the reader; capturing the analyte with a first antibody having a DNA tag attached thereto; capturing the analyte in the sample with a second antibody attached to a surface or having a magnetic nanoparticle (MNP) attached thereto; where a sandwich including the magnetic nanoparticle, first and second antibodies, the analyte and the DNA tag is formed; replicating the DNA tag using isothermal amplification to a predetermined amount of DNA tags detectable by a detector sufficient to overcome the minimal mass sensitivity limitations of the detector; and measuring the amount of replicated DNA tags using the detector. The invention also includes an apparatus or handheld portable field microfluidic reader in which the method is performed.