Abstract: Devices for separating magnetically labeled moieties in a sample are provided. Aspects of the devices include a magnetic field source, a first magnetic field guide having a wedge-shaped portion with an apex edge, and a second magnetic field guide having a wedge-shaped portion with an apex edge. The apex edge of the first magnetic field guide is aligned substantially across from and parallel to the apex edge of the second magnetic field guide, and the device is configured to separate magnetically labeled moieties from non-magnetically labeled moieties in the sample. Also provided are methods of using the devices, as well as systems and kits configured for use with the devices and methods.

Abstract: A method of processing a sample may include introducing a sample into a vessel, the vessel having proximal and distal ends, the sample being introduced into the proximal end of the vessel; incubating the sample in the vessel with a substance capable of specific binding to a preselected component of the sample; propelling components of the incubated sample, other than the preselected component, toward the proximal end of the vessel by clamping the vessel distal to the incubated sample and compressing the vessel where the incubated sample is contained; propelling the preselected component toward a distal segment of the vessel by clamping the vessel proximal to the preselected component and compressing the vessel where the preselected component is contained; and mixing the preselected component with a reagent in the distal segment of the vessel.

Abstract: A particle sensing system which includes a plurality of micro-lenses which focus light from an unfocused or loosely focused light source onto a corresponding plurality of focus regions on a surface containing plasmonic structures. The absorption of light by the plasmonic structures in the focus regions results in heat dissipation in the plasmonic structures and consequently increases surface temperature in the focus regions. When an electrical field is applied to a sample fluid in contact with the surface, multiple electrothermal flows are induced in the fluid which rapidly transport suspended particles to the focus regions on the surface. The particles can then be captured and/or sensed.

Abstract: A specimen delivery cartridge includes a lower housing, and an upper housing. The upper housing is coupled to the lower housing at a hinge. The specimen delivery cartridge further comprises a testing chamber comprising a paper testing substrate. The paper testing substrate may include a wicking conduit and a plurality of test areas. The specimen delivery cartridge may also include a lens assembly proximate the plurality of test areas and operable to transmit light emissions from the plurality of test areas to an image sensor of a computing device. In some embodiments, the specimen delivery cartridge includes a testing substrate having a plurality of test areas made of an array of electrodes. Each electrode is printed on a first side of the testing substrate and coupled to a conductive via formed in the testing substrate and a conductive trace printed on a second, opposing side of the testing substrate.

Abstract: A measurement method of a specimen liquid includes preparing a sensor chip comprising a reference SAW element and a detection SAW element have a relationship of an expression: t·V<L, where t, V and L denote is as defined in the specification; causing the specimen liquid to flow in order from either one of the reference SAW element and the detection SAW element: calculating a change with time of a phase difference ?? between a phase ?ref in the reference SAW element and a phase ?test in the detection SAW element; and measuring a detection target from a starting point which is a point in time at an extreme value or later in the change with time of the phase difference ??.

Abstract: Methods and sensors for detection and quantification of one or more analyte in a test sample are described. A response profile of a gas sensor to a control sample of a known interrogator gas is determined. The gas sensor is exposed to a test sample then to a second sample comprising the known interrogator gas, and a test sample response profile of the gas sensor is determined. One or more test sample sensor response profiles are compared with one or more control sensor response profiles for detecting, identifying, and quantifying one or more analytes in the test sample.

Abstract: Electrochemical impedance-based label-free and rapid biosensor for select bodily fluid biomolecule levels. Monoclonal antibodies to of biomolecule such as Cortisol were covalently attached to a 16-mercaptohexadecanoic acid functionalized gold working electrode using zero-length crosslinkers N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N-ethylcarbodiimide and 10 mM N-hydroxysulfosuccinimide. Cortisol was detected in phosphate buffered saline (simulated tear fluid) using a simple ferrocyanide reagent with a lower limit of detection of 18.73 pM and less than 10% relative standard deviation.

Abstract: Device for the in-vivo and/or in-vitro enrichment of target structures in a sample liquid, including at least one functional portion, which is provided with receptors for enriching the target structures. In order to improve the enrichment of the target structures in the sample liquid, it is provided according to the invention that the functional portion has a helical shape, which is produced by twisting a symmetrical starting cross section about a twisting axis. The invention likewise discloses a method for producing this device.

Abstract: Methods and sensors for detection and quantification of one or more analyte in a test sample are described. A response profile of an ion sensor to a control sample of a known interrogator ion is determined. The ion sensor is exposed to a test sample then to a second sample comprising the known interrogator ion, and a test sample response profile of the ion sensor is determined. One or more test sample sensor response profiles are compared with one or more control sensor response profiles for detecting, identifying, and quantifying one or more analytes in the test sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microfluidic based assay system, comprising a disposable assay cartridge and associated reading device, as well as the individual components themselves. The present invention also relates to methods of conducting assays, using the cartridge and device of the invention, as well as kits for conducting assays.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for electrically lysing cells and releasing macromolecules from the cells. A microfluidic device is provided that includes a planar channel having a thickness on a submillimeter scale, and including electrodes on its upper and lower inner surfaces. After filling the channel with a liquid, such that the channel contains cells within the liquid, a series of voltage pulses of alternating polarity are applied between the channel electrodes, where the amplitude of the voltage pulses and a pulsewidth of the voltage pulses are effective for causing irreversible electroporation of the cells. The channel is configured to possess thermal properties such that the application of the voltage produces a rapid temperature rise as a result of Joule heating for releasing the macromolecules from the electroplated cells. The channel may also include an internal filter for capturing and concentrating the cells prior to electrical processing.

Abstract: A micro flow device (11, 71) for separating or isolating cells from a bodily fluid or other liquid sample uses a flow path where straight-line flow is interrupted by a pattern of transverse posts (23, 81). The posts are spaced across the width of an expanded collection chamber region (17, 75) in the flow path, extending between the upper and lower surfaces thereof; they have rectilinear surfaces, being curved in cross-sections, e.g. circular or tear-drop shaped, and are randomly arranged so as to disrupt streamlined flow. The device is oriented so that its lower surface is aligned at about 45° to the horizontal. Sequestering agents, such as Abs, which are attached to surfaces of the collection region via a hydrophilic coating, preferably a permeable hydrogel containing isocyanate moieties, are highly effective in capturing cells or other targeted biomolecules while the remainder of the liquid sample exits horizontally.

Abstract: This invention relates to a kit for detecting a target material and a method of detecting a target material using the same.

Abstract: Chemical sensors and methods of using and making the same include a functionalized electrode configured to change surface potential in the presence of an analyte. A piezoelectric element is connected to the functionalized electrode and is configured to change in volume in accordance with the surface potential of the functionalized electrode. A piezoresistive element is in contact with the piezoelectric element and is configured to change in resistance in accordance with the volume of the piezoelectric element.

Abstract: A device for detecting the presence of a target in a sample including a first port configured to receive a multi-layered substrate having a sample inlet and a reagent inlet. The sample inlet is connected to a first microfluidic channel and the reagent inlet is connected to both the first microfluidic channel and a second microfluidic channel. The second microfluidic channel has a longer pathway than the first microfluidic channel. A first test strip and a second test strip are each connected to both the first microfluidic channel and the second microfluidic channel, while a third test strip is connected only to the first microfluidic channel. Each test strip includes a conjugate section, a detection section, and a collection section.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microfluidic system, method and kit for performing assays. The system may comprise a microfluidic device and a detector, wherein the assay yields results that may be read by a detector and analyzed by the system. The assay may comprise one or more chemical or biological reaction against, or performed on, a sample or multiple samples. The sample(s) may become larger and/or smaller during the performance of the assay. The sample(s) may be present within a vehicle, or on a carrier within a vehicle, in the microfluidic device, and wherein the vehicle may become larger and/or smaller during the performance of the assay. The assay may be a cascading assay comprising a series of multiple assays, wherein each assay may be the same or different, and wherein each assay in the series of multiple assays may further comprise one or more process or step.

Abstract: Provided herein is a cell-free assay device, sometimes comprising a lipid bilayer and an endopeptidase assay component, for characterizing a pore forming protein. In some embodiments provided herein is an apparatus comprising a pressure system for characterizing an interaction. Also, provided herein are methods for using a cell-free assay device to characterize a pore forming protein and/or a test substance.

Abstract: Methods for detecting target analytes utilizing an array of wells are advantageous for detection of low concentrations of target analytes. Use of an array of wells requires sealing of the wells. The methods provided herein utilize digital microfluidics to seal wells of an array with a fluid that is immiscible with the aqueous liquid present in the wells to prevent evaporation and contamination of the aqueous fluid during analysis of signals from the wells. The disclosed method include generating a biphasic droplet composed of the immiscible fluid and an aqueous fluid. The immiscible fluid present in the biphasic droplet is moved over the array of wells to seal the wells by electrically actuating the aqueous fluid present in the biphasic droplet which in turn pulls the immiscible fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides an immunoassay analyzer capable of discriminating between normal coloring due to a specific immunoreaction and abnormal coloring due to a cause other than the specific immunoreaction in a measurement region of a sample analysis tool. An immunoassay analyzer 1 of the present invention includes an optical detection unit 4 and a determination unit 5. The optical detection unit 4 includes an optical signal measurement unit for measuring an optical signal at each of two or more different wavelengths including a main wavelength for detecting color change due to the specific immunoreaction and a sub-wavelength(s) other than the main wavelength. The determination unit 5 includes a discrimination unit for comparing the respective optical signals at the two or more different wavelengths and discriminating between the color change due to the specific immunoreaction and color change due to a cause other than the specific immunoreaction based on a comparison criterion determined previously.

Abstract: A sample assembly includes an outer layer with at least one sample trench. The sample trench includes a first set of antibodies that are bonded on a first surface of a base layer. Target antigens are bonded with the first set of antibodies, and a second set of antibodies are bonded to the target antigens. Further, the sample trench includes nanoparticles that are bonded to the second set of antibodies.