Abstract: The present invention provides for mixed metal structures that can be deposited on a substrate or free in solution that exhibit several distinctive properties including a broad wavelength range for enhancing fluorescence signatures. Further, metal surface plasmons can couple and such diphase coupled luminescence signatures create extra plasmon absorption bands. The extra bands allow for a broad range of fluorophores to couple therefore making more generic substrates with wider reaching applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides for metallic nanostructures or nanoburgers comprising a dielectric layer positioned between metallic layers and their use in metal enhanced emissions systems to enhance emissions from fluorophores, including intrinsic and extrinsic; luminophores; bioluminescent species and/or chemiluminescent species. The multilayer nanoburgers exhibit several distinctive properties including significantly enhanced intensity of emissions, decreased lifetime and increased photostability by simply varying the thickness of the dielectric layer while maintaining a constant thickness of the two metallic layers on opposite sides of the dielectric layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to fluorometry, and in particular to methods and apparatus for time-delayed detection of fluorescence in a sample, for example for use in a clinical setting. Exemplary embodiments disclosed relate to a fluorometer (100) comprising a light source (101), a light detector (102), a sample holder (103) disposed between the light source and light detector, a motor (104); and a light transmission modulator (105) disposed around the sample holder and comprising a pair of plates (106, 107) attached to the motor for rotation about a common axis (108), the pair of plates arranged to allow transmission from the source to the sample in a first rotated position, to allow transmission from the sample to the detector in a second rotated position and to block direct light transmission between the source and detector in both first and second rotated positions.

Abstract: In a centrifugal microfluidic device for conducting capture assays, a microfluidic platform rotates in a plane of rotation and has at least one capture surface for immobilizing a target particle of interest in the device. The capture surface oriented so that it is not parallel to the plane of rotation of the device and is positionally fixed in the device during operation of the device. The centrifugal force arising from rotation of the device forces the target particles against the capture surface. Capture efficiency is independent of the rate of flow of the fluid and independent of the rate of rotation of the microfluidic platform.

Abstract: Devices for detecting particle sizes and distributions using focused light scattering techniques, by passing a sample through a focused beam of light, are disclosed. In one embodiment, the devices include one or more lasers, whose light is focused into a narrow beam and into a flow cell, and dispersions are passed through the flow cell using hydrodynamic sample injection. In another embodiment, a plurality of lasers is used, optionally with hydrodynamic sample injection. Particles pass through and scatter the light. The scattered light is then detected using scatter and extinction detectors, and, optionally, fluorescence detectors, and the number and size of the particles is determined. Particles in the size range of 0.1 to 10 ?m can be measured. Using the device, significantly smaller particles can be detected than if techniques such as EQELS, flow cytometry, and other conventional devices for measuring biological particles.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a biosample plate that includes a memory component for storing information related to the biosample, biosample plate and biosample analysis data, and a wireless communication interface for transferring information to and from the biosample plate. The biosample plate may be used with an analyzing and data recording system such as an electromagnetic tape drive. The disclosed biosample plate facilitates the correlation between a large number of biosample plates and data as data remains with the corresponding biosamples both when the biosample plates are in use and when they are in storage. The wireless communication interface may comprise an antenna disposed in a biosample plate for data transmission to and from the biosample plate by radio signals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a test system or assay system (detection system) and to a test method, preferably in use in the point-of-care (PoC) field.

Abstract: Methods, devices, systems, and apparatuses are provided for the image analysis of measurement of biological samples.

Abstract: The present invention, in part, relates to an apparatus having a single-use, normally-closed fluidic valve that is initially maintained in the closed position by a valve element bonded to an adhesive coating. The valve is opened using a magnetic force. The valve element includes a magnetic material or metal. In some examples, the valve is opened by bringing a magnet in proximity to the valve element to provide a magnetic force that delaminates the valve element from the adhesive coating. In particular, the apparatus can be useful for on-chip amplification and/or detection of various targets, including biological targets and any amplifiable targets. Such apparatuses and methods are useful for in-field or real-time detection of targets, especially in limited resource settings.

Abstract: The biological test kit is a device for drawing and, optionally, testing biological samples. The biological test kit is an array of lancets set in wells in a rigid base. Each lancet well is covered by a protective cover which when deformed permits the lancet to puncture a user or other patient. In one embodiment the biological test kit employs distinct covers for each lancet and in another the covers are formed from sheet material formed into blisters which cover the lancet.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to devices and methods for performing optical and electrochemical assays and, more particularly, to test devices, e.g., cartridges, methods and systems, wherein the test devices have an entry port configured to receive a test sample into a holding chamber; a first conduit having at least one lateral flow test strip; and a displacement device, such as a pneumatic pump, configured to move a portion of said test sample from said holding chamber into said first conduit. The present invention is particularly useful for performing immunoassays and/or electrochemical assays at the point-of-care.

Abstract: A lateral flow assay detects and differentiates between viral and bacterial infections. A combined point of care diagnostic device tests markers for viral infection and markers for bacterial infection, to effectively assist in the rapid differentiation of viral and bacterial infections. In one preferred embodiment, the bacterial marker is CRP. In another preferred embodiment, the viral marker is MxA. In some embodiments, it is unnecessary to lyse the cells in the sample prior to applying it to the device.

Abstract: Techniques for monitoring a target analyte in a sample using a polymer capable of binding to the target analyte are disclosed. A microdevice useful for the disclosed techniques includes a semi-permeable membrane structure, a substrate, a first and second microchambers formed between the membrane structure and the substrate. The first microchamber can be adapted to receive a solution including the polymer, and the second microchamber can be adapted to receive a reference solution. Environmental target analyte can permeate the semi-permeable membrane structure and enters the first microchamber and the second microchamber. Based on the difference in a property associated with the polymer solution that is responsive to the target analyte-polymer binding, and the corresponding property associated with reference solution, the presence and/or concentration of the target analyte can be determined.

Abstract: An implantable device system is disclosed. The implantable device system includes, a first energy transceiver system, a second energy transceiver system at least partially implanted within an organic tissue and capable of communication with the first energy transceiver system, and a sensing system capable of communication with the second energy transceiver system. An implantable device system array is also disclosed. A method of monitoring a physical parameter is also disclosed.

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 invention provides transdermal optical analysis systems, test sensors, methods, and kits for determining the presence and/or concentration of at least one analyte in a fluid sample. The system includes a transdermal test sensor including an aqueous material including at least one analyte selective reagent and at least one optically active moiety. The optical system preferably uses fluorescent spectroscopy to correlate fluorescent emission or adsorption from a dye with the analyte concentration of the sample. An optical light source and/or detector may be housed with the aqueous material in a housing or external to the housing of the aqueous material.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing prion protein having an aggregated conformation by contacting native conformation prion protein with aggregated conformation prion protein in a liquid preparation and subjecting this to at least one cycle or to a number of cycles of application of shear-force for fragmenting aggregates of prion protein, wherein the shear-force applied is precisely controlled. In addition to this process for amplification of aggregated state prion protein from native conformation prion protein, the invention relates to the aggregated state prion protein obtained by the amplification process, which aggregated state prion protein has one conformation, which is e.g. identical within one batch and reproducible between batches, e.g. as detectable by proteinase resistance in a Western blot.

Abstract: Systems and methods for rapid and ultrasensitive detection of target biomolecules in a sample are presented. The detection of biomolecules is achieved through a synergistic use of immunoseparation and diffractometry, and the formation of antibody-biomolecule-ligand sandwich complexes that form diffraction gratings. Characteristic diffraction patterns are then produced upon illumination of the diffraction gratings with light. The diffraction patterns can be used to detect very low amounts of biomolecules present in the sample.

Abstract: A method of assembling a protein nanostructure on a surface including selectively patterning a surface with a fixation site, bringing a protein node into contact with the surface, and allowing the protein node to bond with the fixation site, so that the position and/or orientation of the protein node is constrained, and compositions.

Abstract: To achieve soft ionization more easily when a slight amount of substance is ionized under an atmosphere pressure. An ionization method for a substance contained in a liquid, including: supplying the liquid to a substrate from a probe and forming a liquid bridge made of the liquid containing the substance dissolved therein, between the probe and the substrate; oscillating the probe; and generating an electric field between an electrically conductive portion of the probe in contact with the liquid and an ion extraction electrode.