Abstract: A flow-through assay for detecting the quantity of an analyte residing in a test sample is provided. The flow-through assay contains a porous membrane that is in fluid communication with probe conjugates that contain a specific binding member and a detectable probe. The porous membrane also defines a detection zone and a calibration zone. The calibration zone contains a polyelectrolyte substantially non-diffusively immobilized on the porous membrane. The polyelectrolyte is capable of generating a detectable calibration signal that can be readily compared (visually, quantitatively, and the like) to a detection signal to determine the amount of analyte in the test sample.

Abstract: A system for the rapid characterization of analytes in saliva. In one embodiment, a system for detecting analytes includes a light source, a sensor array, and a detector. The sensor array is formed from a supporting member, in which a plurality of cavities may be formed. A series of chemically sensitive particles, in one embodiment, are positioned within the cavities. The particles may produce a signal when a receptor, coupled to the particle, interacts with the cardiovascular risk factor analyte and the particle-analyte complex is visualized using a visualization reagent. Using pattern recognition techniques, the analytes within a multi-analyte fluid may be characterized. In an embodiment, each cavity of the plurality of cavities is designed to capture and contain a specific size particle. Flexible projections may be positioned over each of the cavities to provide retention of the particles in the cavities.

Abstract: An optical reader system and method are described herein that can detect a lateral and/or angular misalignment of one or more biosensors so that the biosensors can be properly re-located after being removed from and then reinserted into the optical reader system. In one embodiment, the biosensors are incorporated within the wells of a microplate.

Abstract: An analytical test device incorporating a dry porous carrier to which a liquid sample, eg. urine, suspected of containing an analyte such as HCG or LH can be applied indirectly, the device also incorporating a labelled specific binding reagent which is freely mobile in the porous carrier when in the moist state, and an unlabelled specific binding reagent which is permanently immobilized in a detection zone on the carrier material, the labelled and unlabelled specific binding reagents being capable of participating in either a sandwich reaction or a competition reacts on in the presence of the analyte, in which prior to the application to the device of a liquid sample suspected of containing the analyte, the labelled specific binding reagent is retained in the dry state in a macroporous body, eg.

Abstract: A diagnostic method and associated test kit for detecting an analyte residing in a test sample is provided. The kit includes a housing, and a membrane disposed within the housing having a detection region and a collection region. A blood sample meter is provided having a first end for absorption of a blood sample, a filtering section adjacent to the first end that filters red blood cell components from the blood sample, and a storage section adjacent to the filtering section that receives plasma or serum from the filtering section. An opening in the housing is sized for insertion of the sample meter into the housing such that the storage section of the sample meter is disposed in fluid communication with the collection region of the membrane. The plasma or serum is transferred from the storage section of the sample meter to the collection region of the membrane for subsequent migration to the detection region.

Abstract: The invention concerns a micro-muscle designed to be immersed in a biological liquid, comprising a deformable chamber whereof one portion at least consists of a semipermeable membrane, said chamber containing a solution capable of osmotic activity. The solution is preferably activated by a product to be injected into the biological liquid.

Abstract: An in-vivo bioreactor device producing a dialysis effect by acting within the gastrointestinal tract for the removal of undesirable concentrated intestinal or blood substances or metabolites is disclosed. The ingestible device is comprised of a body wall that surrounds an internal compartment. Along the wall of the shell are openings located around the periphery that allow bodily fluids to enter and exit device. The wall of the device is comprised in whole or at least in part of materials that are impermeable to the passage of external fluids and maintains its physical and chemical integrity in the environment of use during its activity. Semi-permeable membranes located either internally or externally of the device are able to withstand all physiological temperatures and pH and act in a similar manner to dialysis membranes that are used for the separation of substances in suspensions, solutions, tissue cultures, etc.

Abstract: A test strip for conducting a lateral flow assay for detection of an analyte in a sample that contains cells and fluid is provided, as well as methods for making and using the test strip. This test strip is commercially usable, for example, in a diagnostic device at a point of care for detection of analytes in whole blood.

Abstract: An optical reader system is described herein that uses a scanned optical beam to interrogate a biosensor to determine if a biomolecular binding event occurred on a surface of the biosensor. In one embodiment, the optical reader system includes a light source, a detector and a processor (e.g., computer, DSP). The light source outputs an optical beam which is scanned across a moving biosensor and while this is happening the detector collects the optical beam which is reflected from the biosensor. The computer processes the collected optical beam and records the resulting raw spectral or angle data which is a function of a position (and possibly time) on the biosensor. The processor can then analyze the raw data to create a spatial map of resonant wavelength (peak position) or resonant angle which indicates whether or not a biomolecular binding event occurred on the biosensor. Several other uses of the raw data are also described herein.

Abstract: A novel label-free sensitive detection method by employing a novel sensitive charge sensor is provided. Dissociation constant information is provided by a simple measurement of the dissociation of the target molecule form the target's receptor. The later process is affected by a novel system and its configuration as described herein. Basic objectives are to provide a drug discovery and characterization system that is an improvement over the current state of the art, low cost, highly sensitive, accurate, fast and easy to use. This invention involves both a physical system and a methodology.

Abstract: A food testing device for testing for the presence of harmful contaminants in a food sample, includes a vessel adapted for holding a liquefied food sample, a liquefier operatively associated with the vessel for converting an unliquefied food sample into a liquefied food sample, at least one test assay dispensable from the device, wherein the test assay includes at least one assay reagent having an affinity for at least one harmful contaminant, and capable of both detecting the presence of the harmful contaminant in the liquefied food sample, and producing a visual cue upon recognition of the harmful contaminant; and a radiation detector disposed proximately to the vessel for indicating the presence of ionizing radiation in the food sample at amounts exceeding normal background levels to detect the presence of a radioactive agent as the harmful contaminant.

Abstract: Array scanning methods that focus on the far side and devices configured for use in the same are provided. In reading arrays according to the subject methods, an array is placed in a reading position of a scanning device so that the nominal focal plane of the scanning device is present within the array substrate at a predetermined fixed substrate thickness fraction distance from the far-side of the array, and the array is then read by the device. As such, the subject scanner devices of the present invention are configured to hold an array substrate in a reading position of the device in which the device's nominal focal plane is present within the array substrate. The subject methods and devices find use in a variety of different applications, including both genomic and proteomic applications.

Abstract: A lateral flow assay device for detecting the presence or quantity of an analyte within a test sample is provided. The device utilizes multiple zones, one of which serves as an indicator of whether or not the analyte in the test sample is within the “hook effect” region. Based on this indication, a technique may be selected for correlating a measured signal intensity to an analyte concentration or range of concentrations. For example, when it is determined that the test sample falls outside the “hook effect” region, the analyte concentration may be determined using one portion of a dose response curve. On the other hand, when it is determined that the test sample falls within the “hook effect” concentration, the analyte concentration may be determined using another portion of the dose response curve. Alternatively, the sample may simply be diluted for re-performing the assay.

Abstract: Device having a flat macroporous support material made of silicon and having surfaces, a plurality of pores each having a diameter in a range of from 500 nm to 100 ?m distributed over at least one surface region of the support material and extending from one surface through to the opposite surface of the support material, at least one region having one or more pores with SiO2 pore walls, and a frame of walls with a silicon core surrounding the at least one region and arranged essentially parallel to longitudinal axes of the pores and open towards the surfaces, wherein the silicon core merges into silicon dioxide over a cross section towards an outer side of the walls forming the frame.

Abstract: An analytical test device incorporating a dry porous carrier to which a liquid sample, eg. urine, suspected of containing an analyte such as HCG or LH can be applied indirectly, the device also incorporating a labelled specific binding reagent which is freely mobile in the porous carrier when in the moist state, and an unlabelled specific binding reagent which is permanently immobilised in a detection zone on the carrier material, the labelled and unlabelled specific binding reagents being capable of participating in either a sandwich reaction or a competition reaction in the presence of the analyte, in which prior to the application to the device of a liquid sample suspected of containing the analyte, the labelled specific binding reagent is retained in the dry state in a macroporous body, eg.

Abstract: Fibres with an extraction phase coated thereon in combination with a positioning device are described to perform adsorption of components of interest from an animal or animal tissue for the investigation of living systems. A number of interfaces to analytical instrumentation are disclosed including mass spectrometry, LC/MS, MALDI and CE as well as direct spectroscopic on-fibre measurement.

Abstract: An analytical test device incorporating a dry porous carrier to which a liquid sample, eg. urine, suspected of containing an analyte such as HCG or LH can be applied indirectly, the device also incorporating a labelled specific binding reagent which is freely mobile in the porous carrier when in the moist state, and an unlabelled specific binding reagent which is permanently immobilised in a detection zone on the carrier material, the labelled and unlabelled specific binding reagents being capable of participating in either a sandwich reaction or a competition reaction in the presence of the analyte, in which prior to the application to the device of a liquid sample suspected of containing the analyte, the labelled specific binding reagent is retained in the dry state in a macroporous body, eg.

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: 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: 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.