Abstract: A microfluidic detection system for micrometer-sized entities, such as biological cells, includes a detector component incorporating a plate with a plurality of opening, the plate separating two chambers, one in communication with a fluid source containing target cells bound to magnetic beads. The openings are sized to always permit passage of the magnetic beads therethrough into a lower one of the chambers and are further sized to always prevent passage of the target cells from the upper one of the chambers. The detector component further includes a magnet positioned to pull unbound magnetic beads through the openings and to capture target cells bound to magnetic beads on the surface of the plate. The microfluidic detection system includes a pump flowing the fluid through the detector component at high flow rates of milliliters per minute for high throughput detection of target cells.

Abstract: A system for detecting rare cells in a fluid is disclosed. The system includes a substrate and a mixture disposed on the substrate and including a carrier and a thermo-responsive polymer for capture and release of the rare cells. Also disclosed is a method for detecting rare cells in a fluid using a system including a substrate and a mixture that is disposed on the substrate. The mixture includes a carrier and a thermo-responsive polymer. The method includes providing the system and introducing a sample of fluid containing the rare cells into the system such that the sample interacts with the carrier for capturing the rare cells.

Abstract: A system comprised of an apparatus and a test device is described. The test device and the apparatus are designed to interact to determine the presence or absence of an analyte of interest in a sample placed on the test device.

Abstract: A cell processing system includes a first processor connectable to a source container filled with a biological fluid, a second processor, and a controller coupled to the processors. The first processor includes a separator configured to separate the biological fluid into at least two streams of material, and a first container configured to receive one of the streams. The second processor includes a magnetic separator configured to select target cells, the target cells being associated with magnetic particles, a second, pass-through container associated with the magnetic separator, the second container connected at a first end to the first container, and a third container connected to a second end of the pass-through container. One of the processors includes at least one pump configured to transfer material between the separator and the first container, and between the first container and the second container.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reliable, robust and sensitive platform aimed to analyze the massive kinetic profile of new molecules against its main target and also against other potential targets. Thus, the present invention relates to a method for calculating the kinetic profile of a compound of interest against a target protein or polyprotein wherein it is not needed to predetermine the Ki value of the compound of interest against the target protein or polyprotein before starting the assay. The present invention also discloses the use of said method in a high-throughput system for developing a Binding Kinetic Profiling assay of multiple compounds of interest against a unique target, or a Kinetic Selectivity Profiling assay of one selected compound against multiple target proteins or polyproteins to therefore establish multiple clinical profiles of potential drugs.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a biosensor disk structure including a first substrate with a first inner surface, a second substrate with a second inner surface facing oppositely toward the first inner surface, and fluidic channels reaching between the first and second inner surfaces; wherein the first inner surface has binding sites and non-binding sites adjoining the binding sites, the first substrate is transparent at the non-binding sites, and the non-binding sites have discrete polygonal configurations of equal size and shape; and the second inner surface has non-reflective areas and reflective areas bounded by the non-reflective areas, and the reflective areas have discrete polygonal configurations sized and shaped equally with the non-binding sites such that the reflective areas are located coextensively opposite the non-binding sites.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a biosample plate that includes a memory component for storing biosample identification and analysis data, and a wireless communication interface for transferring the data to and from the biosample plate. In one embodiment, the biosample plate comprises a base for receiving a biosample, a memory component coupled to the base for storing identification and analysis information related to the biosample, and a wireless communication interface coupled to the memory component for transferring the information to and from the memory component. The wireless communication interface may include an electromagnetic device.

Abstract: Sensors based on single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) are integrated into a microfluidic system outfitted with data processing and wireless transmission capability. The sensors combine the sensitivity, specificity, and miniature size of SWNT-based nanosensors with the flexible fluid handling power of microfluidic “lab on a chip” analytical systems. Methods of integrating the SWNT-based sensor into a microfluidic system are compatible with the delicate nature of the SWNT sensor elements. The sensor devices are capable of continuously and autonomously monitoring and analyzing liquid samples in remote locations, and are applicable to real time water quality monitoring and monitoring of fluids in living systems and environments. The sensor devices and fabrication methods of the invention constitute a platform technology, because the devices can be designed to specifically detect a large number of distinct chemical agents based on the functionalization of the SWNT.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods including a sonicator for sample preparation are provided. A sonicator may be used to mix, resuspend, aerosolize, disperse, disintegrate, or de-gas a solution. A sonicator may be used to disrupt a cell, such as a pathogen cell in a sample. Sample preparation may include exposing pathogen-identifying material by sonication to detect, identify, or measure pathogens. A sonicator may transfer ultrasonic energy to the sample solution by contacting its tip to an exterior wall of a vessel containing the sample. Multipurpose devices including a sonicator also include further components for additional actions and assays. Devices, and systems comprising such devices, may communicate with a laboratory or other devices in a system for sample assay and analysis. Methods utilizing such devices and systems are provided. The improved sample preparation devices, systems and methods are useful for analyzing samples, e.g. for diagnosing patients suffering from infection by pathogens.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and devices for amending undiluted and partially diluted urine samples in a manner suitable for performing immunoassays for target analytes, for example NGAL. Generally, the urine sample is treated with reagents including at least one of buffer materials, water soluble proteins, urease, and other interferent mitigants. These reagents control the pH of the urine sample in a manner suitable for immuno-binding reactions and ameliorate interferences, particularly during the detection step.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods including a sonicator for sample preparation are provided. A sonicator may be used to mix, resuspend, aerosolize, disperse, disintegrate, or de-gas a solution. A sonicator may be used to disrupt a cell, such as a pathogen cell in a sample. Sample preparation may include exposing pathogen-identifying material by sonication to detect, identify, or measure pathogens. A sonicator may transfer ultrasonic energy to the sample solution by contacting its tip to an exterior wall of a vessel containing the sample. Multipurpose devices including a sonicator also include further components for additional actions and assays. Devices, and systems comprising such devices, may communicate with a laboratory or other devices in a system for sample assay and analysis. Methods utilizing such devices and systems are provided. The improved sample preparation devices, systems and methods are useful for analyzing samples, e.g. for diagnosing patients suffering from infection by pathogens.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to air sampling of biological compounds. Specifically, the present invention relates to a device and method for sampling the ambient air for detecting microbial propagules, microbial propagules being any spore, vegetative cell, or virion of microbiological origin including all bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoans, molds, slime molds, chlamydospores, hyphae, and cysts.

Abstract: Among other aspects, the present invention provides for the deposition of biological particles, such as cells, in a liquid, in a desired two-dimensional pattern on a planar surface of a substrate so as to permit rapid, simple, and sensitive detection of cells and/or sub-cellular components (e.g., proteins, biomarkers) disposed on the substrate. In various aspects, the systems and methods can enable reproducible high-throughput screening and/or allow for sensitive and specific detection of rare events in heterogeneous cell populations within a biological sample, with limited or no selective cell loss or sample enrichment.

Abstract: The machine is configured to perform an automated rapid plasma reagent (RPR) agglutination test or other agglutination test. The machine includes a sample rack with multiple sample locations thereon and a reagent rack for storing of reagent. A shaker assembly supports at least one microtiter plate or other well supporting structure thereon with a plurality of wells in the plate. An automated pipette accesses samples and reagent and deposits them within wells of the microtiter plate. The shaker assembly shakes multiple samples within the wells of the microtiter plate. Finally, a camera photographs the wells of the plate, preferably from above with a light source below and the plate at least partially transparent. The image is then analyzed in an automated fashion to determine whether a ring of contrast material has remained smooth indicative of a non-reactive sample or has agglutinated/clumped together indicative of a reactive sample.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and devices for amending undiluted and partially diluted urine samples in a manner suitable for performing immunoassays for target analytes, for example NGAL. Generally, the urine sample is treated with reagents including at least one of buffer materials, water soluble proteins, urease, and other interferent mitigants. These reagents control the pH of the urine sample in a manner suitable for immuno-binding reactions and ameliorate interferences, particularly during the detection step.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a biosample plate that includes a memory component for storing biosample identification and analysis data, and a wireless communication interface for transferring the data to and from the biosample plate. In one embodiment, the biosample plate comprises a base for receiving a biosample, a memory component coupled to the base for storing identification and analysis information related to the biosample, and a wireless communication interface coupled to the memory component for transferring the information to and from the memory component. The wireless communication interface may include an optical device.

Abstract: A microfluidic detection system for micrometer-sized entities, such as biological cells, includes a detector component incorporating a plate with a plurality of opening, the plate separating two chambers, one in communication with a fluid source containing target entities bound to magnetic beads. The openings are sized to always permit passage of the magnetic beads therethrough into a lower one of the chambers and are further sized to always prevent passage of the target entities from the upper one of the chambers. The detector component further includes a magnet positioned to pull unbound magnetic beads through the openings and to capture target entities bound to magnetic beads on the surface of the plate. In a further feature, the microfluidic detection system is configured to pass target molecules through the plate to be bound to a functionalized surface of the lower chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed are a microfluidic system (1) configured to receive cell populations and further configured to simultaneously isolate and quantify at least one sub-population of cells for each cell population, and related methods of using the system. The system comprises a substrate having networks of microchannels comprising a first sorting unit configured to isolate, by magnetic attraction, cells of interest in the population in at least one first sorting microchannel. The network comprises a second unit for simultaneous sorting and counting comprising at least one second sorting microchannel defined by a closed wall having an inner face provided with at least one functionalised electrode configured to trap a sub-population. The second unit further comprising means for counting the sub-population by impedance spectroscopy.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for isolation, separation and detection of a molecular species using a low resource device for processing of samples. Methods include isolation, separation and detection of whole cells as well as biomolecules including viruses, proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates and lipids.

Abstract: A method may include steps of binding an analyte to a ligand, exposing the analyte to light of differing wavelengths, and observing a difference in spectral response of the analyte at the differing wavelengths. Further steps may include comparing the observed difference with a known difference in spectral response of a reference substance at the differing wavelengths, and determining whether the observed difference meets a predetermined threshold of identity with the known difference. The method may be performed with reference to a surface having a reflective area with a known size a non-reflective area adjacent to the reflective area. The method may thus include the steps of providing a ligand in alignment with the non-reflective area of the surface, and binding an analyte to the ligand in a position reaching across the reflective area.