Abstract: A method of constructing a point-of-care diagnostic apparatus and fluid storage and delivery apparatus therefor is provided. The method of constructing the fluid storage and delivery apparatus includes providing a flexible upper layer having a reservoir; providing a flexible lower layer having a valve member; providing a rigid substrate having an upper surface, a lower surface and a through port; disposing a fluid in the reservoir; and sandwiching the rigid substrate between the upper and lower layers and bonding the upper layer to the upper surface of the rigid substrate with the reservoir registered with the through port and bonding the lower layer to the lower surface of the rigid substrate with the valve member registered with the through port. The method of constructing the point-of-care diagnostic apparatus includes fixing the fluid storage and delivery apparatus to a rigid base in selective fluid communication with a reaction chamber.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a calibration cartridge for an in vitro medical diagnostic device. The device also includes a removable assay cartridge containing a polymer body with channels for fluid movement.

Abstract: In one aspect, an assay test strip includes a test label that specifically binds a target analyte and a control label that is free of any specific binding affinity for the target analyte and has a different optical characteristic than the test label. In another aspect, an assay test strip includes a test label that specifically binds a target analyte and at least one non-specific-binding label that is free of any specific binding affinity for the target analyte. Systems and methods of reading assay test strips also are described.

Abstract: Fluidic devices and methods including those that provide storage and/or facilitate fluid handling of reagents are provided. Fluidic devices described herein may include channel segments positioned on two sides of an article, optionally connected by an intervening channel passing through the article. The channel segments may be used to store reagents in the device prior to first use by an end user. The stored reagents may include fluid plugs positioned in linear order so that during use, as fluids flow to a reaction site, they are delivered in a predetermined sequence. The specific geometries of the channel segments and the positions of the channel segments within the fluidic devices described herein may allow fluid reagents to be stored for extended periods of time without mixing, even during routine handling of the devices such as during shipping of the devices, and when the devices are subjected to physical shock or vibration.

Abstract: A three-dimensional porous photonic structure, whose internal pore surfaces can be provided with desired surface properties in a spatially selective manner with arbitrary patterns, and methods for making the same are described. When exposed to a fluid (e.g., via immersion or wicking), the fluid can selectively penetrate the regions of the structure with compatible surface properties. Broad applications, for example in security, encryption and document authentication, as well as in areas such as simple microfluidics and diagnostics, are anticipated.

Abstract: Provided is a fluid analysis cartridge configured to analyze a fluid specimen, a fluid analysis sheet forming the same and a method of manufacturing the fluid analysis cartridge. The fluid analysis sheet includes at least one cut out part configured to form an intermediate layer of an inspection substrate, the cut out part including a flow passage structure including an inlet part in which a fluid is introduced and an inspection part in which the fluid is introduced to react with a reagent; and wherein the cut out part is further configured to include a first end adjacent to the inspection part and a second end adjacent to the inlet part, and wherein a minimum distance between the first end and the flow passage structure is at least 1 mm.

Abstract: Apparatuses for preparing a sample are disclosed herein. The apparatuses include a chamber, a first valve at least partially disposed in the first chamber, a second valve at least partially disposed in the first chamber, and a pump comprising an actuator and nozzle.

Abstract: A reconfigurable microfluidics multiplexing device for biological and chemical sample analysis which comprises: a cartridge comprising one or more sample fluid tracks (both horizontal and vertical) in a single plane, an array comprising one or more electronically programmable valves capable of being configured to alter fluid steering in the fluid tracks; a means for the array to interface with the fluid tracks; a means to control fluid flow in the fluid tracks; and a user interface to direct control of valves via control logic within the device; wherein, by the interface, valve positions are controllable and alterable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fluidic devices for preparing, processing, storing, preserving, and/or analyzing samples. In particular, the devices and related systems and methods allow for preparing and/or analyzing samples (e.g., biospecimen samples) by using one or more of capture regions and/or automated analysis.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a highly sensitive immunoanalysis method and analysis apparatus. The invention relates to an analysis method and an analysis apparatus which are constituted in such a way that a component to be measured is reacted with capture component specifically reacting thereto and the reactant is labeled when the component to be measured is present and which are characterized by analyzing the component to be measured with single-molecule sensitivity and resolution by arranging the labeled reactant in a spatially separated certain position and detecting the label of the labeled reactant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of amphipathic polymers to enhance lateral flow and reagent mixing on assay devices. More specifically, the invention relates to use of an amphipathic polymer in assay methods including a device for determining the concentration of lipids in blood serum or plasma.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fluidic devices for preparing, processing, storing, preserving, and/or analyzing samples. In particular, the devices and related systems and methods allow for preservation or storage of samples (e.g., biospecimen samples) by using one or more of a bridge, a membrane, and/or a desiccant.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for detecting molecules of interest within a collected sample are described herein. In certain embodiments, self-contained sample analysis systems are disclosed, which include a reusable reader component, a disposable cartridge component, and a disposable sample collection component. The reader component may communicate with a remote computing device for the digital transmission of test protocols and test results. In various disclosed embodiments, the systems, components, and methods are configured to identify the presence, absence, and/or quantity of particular nucleic acids, proteins, or other analytes of interest, for example, in order to test for the presence of one or more pathogens or contaminants in a sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of surfaces that exhibit different surface energies wherein the difference in surface energies is configured to disrupt capillary laminar flow of a fluid travelling between the two surfaces. The invention further relates to the use of such surfaces in assay methods including a device utilising same.

Abstract: The invention relates to a controlled combustion system for the simultaneous analysis of the thermodynamic efficiency of combustion and total polluting emissions in solids with combustible potential, including: a pre-chamber, a combustion chamber, a heat transfer unit which includes a connection for a device that analyses combustion gases to determine the performance of combustion and burning, and a unit for storing the combustion emissions, which comprises a container for storing the sample and a means of collecting samples for the simultaneous collection of gases and particulate matter for analyzing the combustion emissions.

Abstract: An aquatic environment water parameter testing system and related methods and chemical indicator elements. The aquatic environment water parameter testing system includes an electronics portion having an optical reader element and a sample chamber portion having a chemical indicator element which may be removably connected. A chemical indicator element may include an information storage and communication element used, in part, to provide identification of a chemical indicator of the chemical indicator element. Conductivity and/or temperature may be utilized to calibrate readings by the optical reader element. A chemical indicator element may also include a thin film material having particular optical characteristics tied to the light from a light source, such as a light source of an optical reader element.

Abstract: A slot extender includes a reservoir. The reservoir includes a reservoir floor defining a drain opening, a continuous reservoir sidewall extending from the reservoir floor, and a concave fillet running along at least a portion where the reservoir sidewall joins the reservoir floor. The concave fillet has a variable radius.

Abstract: A single device to collect, transfer, and measure salivary nitric oxide analyte and metabolite, nitrite, a biomarker for nitric oxide, as well as, a method to assess the effects of diet and exercise on changing an individual's nitric oxide status and health.

Abstract: A gas sensor utilizing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is disclosed. The sensor can include a patch antenna, a feed line, and a stub line. The stub line can include a carbon nanotube (CNT) thin-film layer for gas detection. The CNTs can be functionalized to detect one or more analytes with specificity designed to detect, for example, environmental air contaminants, hazardous gases, or explosives. The sensor can provide extremely sensitive gas detection by monitoring the shift in resonant frequency of the sensor circuit resulting from the adsorption of the analyte by the CNT thin-film layer. The sensor can be manufactured using inkjet printing technologies to reduce costs. The integration of an efficient antenna on the same substrate as the sensor enables wireless applications of the sensor without additional components, for wireless standoff chemical sensing applications including, for example, defense, industrial monitoring, environmental sensing, automobile exhaust analysis, and healthcare applications.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter provides a nanoaperture having a bottom surface and a side wall comprising gold. A surface of the side wall is passivated with a first functional molecule comprising polyethylene glycol. The bottom surface of the nanoaperture can be functionalized with at least one second molecule comprising polyethylene glycol, for example, a silane-PEG molecule. The second molecule can further include a moiety, such as biotin, which is capable of binding a target biomolecule, which in turn can bind to a biomolecule of interest for single molecule fluorescence imaging analysis. Fabrication techniques of the nanoaperture are also provided.