Abstract: The invention relates to a light source for irradiating molecules present in a detection volume with one or more selected wavelengths of light and directing the fluorescence, absorbance, transmittance, scattering onto one or more detectors. Molecular interactions with the light allow for the identification and quantitation of participating chemical moieties in reactions utilizing physical or chemical tags, most typically fluorescent and chromophore labels. The invention can also use the light source to separately and simultaneously irradiate a plurality of capillaries or other flow confining structures with one or more selected wavelengths of light and separately and simultaneously detect fluorescence produced within the capillaries or other flow confining structures. In various embodiments, the flow confining structures can allow separation or transportation of molecules and include capillary, micro bore and milli bore flow systems.

Abstract: A method and device for detecting analytes in a test sample. Embodiments include methods for quantitatively detecting analytes within a range of concentrations. In an embodiment the method includes a lateral flow test strip with multiple test areas for capturing a labeled receptor to provide a detectable signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for determining an analyte in a liquid sample. The inventive device consists of: a capillary action means, involving lateral migration, defining a reference capillary action direction and comprising a liquid sample deposit area and an analytedetection area which is disposed downstream of the deposit area; a first analytespecific binding reagent which is conjugated to a visible and/or measurable marker and which is free to migrate when wet by means of capillary action in the abovementioned capillary actions means along the reference direction; and a second analytespecific binding reagent which is immobilized in the detection area. The invention is characterized in that the detection area comprises the analyte or an analogue of the analyte, which is immobilized and disposed at a distance from the second specific binding reagent.

Abstract: A biosensor combining the sensitivity of surface acoustic waves (SAW) generated at a frequency of 325 MHz with the specificity provided by antibodies and other ligands for the detection of viral agents. In a preferred embodiment, a lithium tantalate based SAW transducer with silicon dioxide waveguide sensor platform featuring three test and one reference delay lines was used to adsorb antibodies directed against Coxsackie virus B4 or the negative-stranded category A bioagent Sin Nombre virus (SNV). Rapid detection of increasing concentrations of viral particles was linear over a range of order of magnitude for both viruses, and the sensor's selectivity for its target was not compromised by the presence of confounding Herpes Simplex virus type 1 The biosensor was able to delect SNV at doses lower than the load of virus typically found in a human patient suffering from hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an immunoaffinity device for capturing one or more analytes present at high or low concentrations in simple or complex matrices. The device is designed as an integrated modular unit and connected to capillary electrophoresis or liquid chromatography for the isolation, enrichment, separation and identification of polymeric macromolecules, primarily protein biomarkers. The integrated modular unit includes an analyte-concentrator-microreaction device connected to a modified cartridge-cassette.

Abstract: The subject of this invention is a process for detection of analytes from biological samples comprising the following process steps: a) Preparation of a reversible binding partner 1 that is immobilized on a solid phase, to which an analyte binder is reversibly bonded via a reversible binding partner 2 that is bonded to the analyte binder, whereby the analyte binder is immobilized by binding between the reversible binding partners 1 and 2, b) Addition of the biological sample and binding of the analyte to the reversible immobilized analyte binder in the case that the biological sample contains the analytes, c) Separation of the biological sample, d) Addition of a dissolving buffer, which dissolves the binding between the reversible binding partners 1 and 2, whereby the binding of the analyte to the analyte binder remains optional, and e) Detection of the analyte in the dissolving buffer in the case that the biological sample contains the analytes and determination of the absence of the analyte in the case t

Abstract: A system and method for preparing and analyzing samples. The system can include a sample preparation system and a sample detection system coupled to the sample preparation system. The sample preparation system can include a deformable self-supporting receptacle comprising a reservoir adapted to contain a liquid composition comprising a source and a diluent. The sample detection system can be positioned in fluid communication with the reservoir, and can be adapted to analyze a sample of the liquid composition for an analyte of interest. The system can further include a fluid path defined at least partially by the reservoir and the sample detection system. The method can include applying pressure to the deformable self-supporting receptacle to move a sample of the liquid composition in the fluid path to the sample detection system, and analyzing the sample for the analyte of interest with the sample detection system.

Abstract: This invention describes a quantitative, inexpensive, disposable immunosensor that requires no wash steps and thus generates no liquid waste. Moreover, in preferred embodiments of the sensor no timing steps are required of the user, and the sensor can be readily adapted to antigen-antibody interactions over a wide kinetic range.

Abstract: Droplet actuator devices and methods for immunoassays and washing are provided. According to one embodiment, a method of providing a droplet in contact with a surface of a super paramagnetic bead with a reduced concentration of a substance is provided and includes: (a) providing a super paramagnetic bead in contact with a droplet comprising a starting concentration and starting quantity of the substance and having a starting volume; (b) conducting one or more droplet operations to merge a wash droplet with the droplet provided in step (a) to yield a combined droplet; and (c) conducting one or more droplet operations to divide the combined droplet to yield a set of droplets. The set of droplets includes: (i) a droplet in contact with the super paramagnetic bead having a decreased concentration of the substance relative to the starting concentration; and (ii) a droplet which is separated from the super paramagnetic bead.

Abstract: The invention provides a highly sensitive immunoassay for detection of a biological species. The immunoassay comprises exposing an electrode to an analyte liquid putatively containing the biological species so as to couple the biological species, if present in the analyte liquid, to a binding antibody on the electrode. The electrode comprises a binding antibody and an anchor group, each being coupled to an electrically conductive substrate, said binding antibody being capable of binding to the biological species and said anchor group being capable of binding to a redox polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for measuring an amount of an analyte using an electrochemical assay in a conduit comprising a sensor, wherein said sensor comprises an electrode having a surface layer of immobilized antibody that binds said analyte, and a counter/reference electrode disposed within said conduit. A solution comprising a substrate for said enzyme and at least one air segment contacts the sensor to remove unbound analyte and labeled antibody from a region of the sensor. The disclosed invention is adaptable to the point-of-care clinical diagnostic field, including use in accident sites, emergency rooms, surgery, nursing homes, intensive care units, and non-medical environments.

Abstract: Devices comprising functionalized materials, and embodiments of a method for making and using such devices, are disclosed. Exemplary devices include ophthalmic devices, nanoparticles, quartz crystal microbalances, microarrays, and nanocomposites. In particular embodiments, device surfaces are modified with monomers and/or polymers, typically carbohydrate monomers and/or polymers. Embodiments of a method for making and using such devices are disclosed. Monomers and/or polymers are covalently bonded to surfaces using functionalized perhalophenylazides. In some embodiments, device surfaces are functionalized with a perhalophenylazide. One or more monomers and/or polymers subsequently are covalently bonded to the device surface using the perhalophenylazide. In other embodiments, monomers and/or polymers are derivatized with a functionalized perhalophenylazide. The derivatized monomers and/or polymers then are covalently bonded to the device surface using the perhalophenylazide.

Abstract: In the present invention, it is demonstrated for the first time, the influence of electrical current on the ability of surface plasmons to amplify fluorescence signatures. An applied direct current across silver island films (SiFs) of low electrical resistance perturbs the fluorescence enhancement of close-proximity fluorophores. For a given applied current, surface plasmons in “just-continuous” low resistance films are sparsely available for fluorophore dipole coupling and hence the enhanced fluorescence is gated as a function of the applied current.

Abstract: The invention relates to a light source for irradiating molecules present in a detection volume with one or more selected wavelengths of light and directing the fluorescence, absorbance, transmittance, scattering onto one or more detectors. Molecular interactions with the light allow for the identification and quantitation of participating chemical moieties in reactions utilizing physical or chemical tags, most typically fluorescent and chromophore labels. The invention can also use the light source to separately and simultaneously irradiate a plurality of capillaries or other flow confining structures with one or more selected wavelengths of light and separately and simultaneously detect fluorescence produced within the capillaries or other flow confining structures. In various embodiments, the flow confining structures can allow separation or transportation of molecules and include capillary, micro bore and milli bore flow systems.

Abstract: An explosion tester system comprising a body, a lateral flow membrane swab unit adapted to be removeably connected to the body, a first explosives detecting reagent, a first reagent holder and dispenser operatively connected to the body, the first reagent holder and dispenser containing the first explosives detecting reagent and positioned to deliver the first explosives detecting reagent to the lateral flow membrane swab unit when the lateral flow membrane swab unit is connected to the body, a second explosives detecting reagent, and a second reagent holder and dispenser operatively connected to the body, the second reagent holder and dispenser containing the second explosives detecting reagent and positioned to deliver the second explosives detecting reagent to the lateral flow membrane swab unit when the lateral flow membrane swab unit is connected to the body.

Abstract: An immunochemical filter device which has filter material attached to a support member (such as a cap) which is, in turn, attachable to a sample collection vessel. The filter material includes a labeled binding reagent that is released from the filter material into solution by migration of a liquid sample solution through the filter material. The mixture of the sample solution and the labeled specific binding reagent is transferred to an analyzer device for performance of a method for determining the presence or absence of an analyte in a sample solution.

Abstract: A plurality of kinds of liquids, which are of at least three kinds, containing (a) a test body solution containing at least one kind of an analyte, and (b) at least two kinds of liquids selected from the group consisting of a reagent solution, an amplifying solution, and a detecting solution, are fed to a detection site containing a specific binding substance with respect to the analyte. A qualitative analysis or a quantitative analysis of the analyte contained in the test body solution is thereby performed. Directions of liquid feeding of all of the plurality of the kinds of the liquids vary from one another, and the plurality of the kinds of the liquids are caused to intersect with one another at the detection site.

Abstract: A self-contained assay device that is capable of detecting various analyte(s), including bioanalytes, in specimens for example, from biological sources.

Abstract: A system and method for preparing and collecting samples for analyte testing. The system can include a sample preparation system and a sample collection system coupled to the sample preparation system. The sample preparation system can include at least one of a deformable self-supporting receptacle comprising a reservoir and a freestanding receptacle comprising a reservoir. The reservoir can be adapted to contain a liquid composition. The sample collection system can be positioned in fluid communication with a reservoir of the sample preparation system, and can be adapted to capture an analyte of interest. The method can include providing a fluid path defined at least partially by the sample preparation system and the sample collection system, positioning the liquid composition in a reservoir of the sample preparation system, and moving at least a portion of the liquid composition in the fluid path to the sample collection system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for measuring an amount of an analyte using an electrochemical assay in a conduit comprising a sensor, wherein said sensor comprises an electrode having a surface layer of immobilized antibody that binds said analyte, and a counter/reference electrode disposed within said conduit. A solution comprising a substrate for said enzyme and at least one air segment contacts the sensor to remove unbound analyte and labeled antibody from a region of the sensor. The disclosed invention is adaptable to the point-of-care clinical diagnostic field, including use in accident sites, emergency rooms, surgery, nursing homes, intensive care units, and non-medical environments.