Abstract: An assay device is disclosed comprising a housing and a test portion, electronic circuitry and an optical assembly each a least partially located in the housing. The test portion comprises one or more test zones adapted to receive an analyte and a fluorescent label associated with the analyte, the fluorescent label being excitable by excitation light and adapted to emit emission light upon excitation by excitation light. The electronic circuitry comprises one or more light sources and one or more light detectors. The optical assembly comprises one or more excitation light guides adapted to guide excitation light from the one or more light sources to the one or more test zones, and/or one or more emission light guides adapted to guide emission light from the one or more test zone to the one or more light detectors.

Abstract: A biochip device comprising a substrate constituted by at least one plate of material forming a multimode planar waveguide and carrying chromophore elements suitable for emitting fluorescence in response to excitation by guided waves having an evanescent portion, the device being characterized in that it includes coupling means for coupling excitation light with the waveguide in the form of guided waves, the coupling means being substantially non-directional.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the detection of target components that comprise label particles, for example magnetic particles (1). The method includes (a) collecting the target components at a binding surface (12, 112, 512) of a carrier (11, 111, 211, 311, 411, 511); (b) directing an input light beam (L1, L1a, L1b) into the carrier such that it is totally internally reflected in an investigation region (13, 313a, 313b) at the binding surface (12, 112, 512); and (c) determining the amount of light of an output light beam (L2, L2a, L2b) that comprises at least some of the totally internally reflected light. Evanescent light generated during the total internal reflection is affected (absorbed, scattered) by target components and/or label particles (1) at the binding surface (12) and will therefore be missing in the output light beam (L2). This can be used to determine the amount of target components at the binding surface (12) from the amount of light in the output light beam (L2, L2a, L2b).

Abstract: An approach is described that combines distinct properties of a specialized porous nitrocellulose film (PNC) with quantum nanoparticles to create an improved assay and detection sensitivity, permitting the development of a camera-based imaging system for fluorescent detection of macromolecules in microarray format. The two properties of PNC that facilitate the approach are an extraordinarily high binding capacity and a newly observed internal scattering of light. Quantum nanoparticles complement these PNC properties by providing a higher level of emitted light than the fluorescent dyes in common microarray use. Overall, the approach allows for instrument cost savings, reduced imaging time, and the ability to remotely image.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for analyzing a plurality of biological samples with a plurality of fluorescent reagents in an automated fashion. The system may include two optical systems, a fluorescence imaging system and an optical quenching system. These two systems may be placed laterally adjacent to one another, and generally beneath one of the wells of sample-containing microtiter plate. The biological sample contained therein may be stained with a series of fluorescent reagents, with the fluorescence quenched between stainings. By precise positioning of the sample with respect to the imaging system, the sample may be imaged with a plurality of serially applied reagents.

Abstract: A microfluidic apparatus is provided. The microfluidic apparatus includes a first substrate; a microfluidic layer on the first substrate and defining a microfluidic channel, wherein the first substrate having a first side closer to the microfluidic layer, and a second side away from the microfluidic layer, the first side and the second side opposite each other; a plurality of detectors on a side of the microfluidic channel away from the first substrate; a unitary grating plate on the second side of the first substrate and including a plurality of grating blocks of different wavelength selectivity; and a light extraction layer including a plurality of light extractors on the first side of the first substrate and configured to extract light diffracted by the plurality of grating blocks out of the first substrate.

Abstract: A microfluidic apparatus is provided. The microfluidic apparatus includes a first substrate having a first side and a second side opposite to each other; a grating layer on the second side of the first substrate, the grating layer including a plurality of grating blocks of different wavelength selectivity; a second substrate having a third side and a fourth side opposite to each other; the fourth side of the second substrate on a side of the third side away from the first substrate, and the second side of the first substrate on a side of the first side away from the second substrate; a light detection layer on the third side of the second substrate, the light detection layer including a plurality of detectors; and a microfluidic layer between the first substrate and the light detection layer, the microfluidic layer including a plurality of microfluidic channels.

Abstract: A sample analysis device includes: a motor to rotate a sample analysis substrate with a sample introduced thereon around a rotation axis of the sample analysis substrate; a drive circuit to drive the motor; a photodetector to measure a number of photons associated with a luminescence from the sample being transmitted through a window of a measurement chamber of the sample analysis substrate; and a control circuit to calculate a measurement value of the luminescence of the sample by using a number of photons measured by the photodetector while the motor rotates the sample analysis substrate.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an optical spectroscopy probe includes an optical fiber having a distal tip and a microfluidic filtering chamber attached to the distal tip of the optical fiber, the chamber comprising a microfluidic membrane adapted to enable liquid to enter the chamber but prevent particles from entering the chamber.

Abstract: We describe apparatuses, systems, method, reagents, and kits for conducting assays as well as process for their preparation. They are particularly well suited for conducting automated sampling, sample preparation, and analysis in a multi-well plate assay format. For example, they may be used for automated analysis of particulates in air and/or liquid samples derived therefrom in environmental monitoring.

Abstract: A fiber optic analyte sensing needle 10 with a photoluminescent analyte-sensitive probe 70 nonadherently entrapped within the lumen 29 of the needle 20 between the distal tip 51 of a fiber optic filament 50 and the distal tip 21 of the needle 20. The probe 70 has unimpeded fluid communication with the external environment through a port 28 in the needle 20.

Abstract: An automatic analyzer is equipped with a sterilization mechanism removably attached to an opening of a container that holds a reagent and having an ultraviolet light generation section that radiates ultraviolet light; a suction nozzle removably attached, together with the sterilization mechanism, to the opening of the container; an analysis section adding the reagent drawn in by suction from the container via the suction nozzle to the reagent, and executing an analysis operation; and a control section exercising variable control over an irradiation light intensity of the ultraviolet light generated by the ultraviolet light generation section.

Abstract: A cell observation system observes a cell moving in a flow path with a fluid, and includes a first observation apparatus, a second observation apparatus, and a control device. The first observation apparatus includes an objective lens and a line camera. The second observation apparatus includes an objective lens and an area camera. The control device analyzes first imaging data output from the first observation apparatus to determine whether the cell satisfies a specific condition, instructs the area camera to output second imaging data of the cell determined to satisfy the specific condition, and analyzes the second imaging data output from the second observation apparatus to determine whether the cell is a specific cell.

Abstract: A surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) sensor may include a nano structured surface and a nonstoichiometric oxide layer. The nano structured surfers may include a first peak, a second peak and a valley between the first peak and the second peak. The non-stoichiometric oxide layer may include a first portion on the first peak and a second portion on the second peak.

Abstract: A biopsy tissue sample transport device and method of using thereof including a tissue storage assembly having a sample container, having a holding structure to hold a tissue sample, the holding structure having a sample access opening formed in a sidewall; a housing that receives the tissue storage assembly, the housing comprising an assembly insertion opening through which the tissue storage assembly is inserted into the housing; a sealing member configured to engage and substantially seal the sample access opening of the holding structure of the sample container of the tissue storage assembly; and a lid to engage and substantially seal the assembly insertion opening of the housing.

Abstract: A system having an electronic device. The electronic device has an array of chemically sensitive sensors. The sensors detect volatile organic compounds and have field effect transistors. The transistors have non-oxidized, functionalized silicon nanowires. The nanowires have surface Si atoms. The device has a plurality of functional groups that form a direct Si—C bond with the silicon nanowires, wherein Si is a surface Si atom and C is a carbon atom of the functional group. The functional groups are selected from the group consisting of: alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, alkylalkenyl, alkylalkynyl, alkylcycloalkyl, alkylheterocyclyl and alkylheteroaryl groups, and derivatives thereof, wherein said functional groups are other than methyl and 1-butyl. The plurality of functional groups are attached to 50-100% of the surface Si atoms.

Abstract: The invention relates to a carrier with a binding surface at which target components that comprise label particles, for example magnetic particles, can collect and optionally bind to specific capture elements. An input light beam (L1) is transmitted into the carrier and totally internally reflected at the binding surface. The amount of light in the output light beam (L2) and optionally also of fluorescence light emitted by target components at the binding surface is then detected by a light detector. Evanescent light generated during the total internal reflection is affected (absorbed, scattered) by target components and/or label particles at the binding surface and will therefore be missing in the output light beam (L2). This can be used to determine the amount of target components at the binding surface from the amount of light in the output light beam (L2, L2a, L2b).

Abstract: An integrated thermal sensor comprising photonic crystal elements that enable photonic elements for photonic sourcing, spectral switching and filtering, sensing of an exposed analyte and detection. In embodiments, applications are disclosed wherein these photonic elements provide a spectrophotometer, a photonic channel switch and a standalone sensor for toxic gases and vapors. An application coupled with a mobile phone is disclosed.

Abstract: A portable imaging apparatus and system. A sample processing device has a reaction chamber configured to receive a sample and react the sample with a fluorescent compound that emits a specified wavelength of light when excited by light within an excitation band. An illumination source can be positioned to illuminate the reaction chamber when the sample processing device is positioned for imaging. A light guide can be positioned to face the reaction chamber and transfer the emitted light to an imaging detector. The light guide has a filter that blocks the wavelength of light from the illumination source and passes the fluorescent emitted light. The light guide unit defines an angular light acceptance range and is configured to constrain angular spreading of light.

Abstract: A system for imaging captured cells comprising: an illumination module configured to illuminate a target object; a platform configured to position the target object in relation to the illumination module; a filter module configured to filter light transmitted to the target object and/or to filter light received from the target object, an optical sensor configured to receive light from the target object and to generate image data; and a focusing and optics module configured to manipulate light transmitted to the optical sensor. The system can further comprise one or more of: a control system configured to control at least one of the illumination module, the platform, the focusing and optics module, the filter module, and the optical sensor; a tag identifying system configured to identify and communicate tag information from system elements; a thermal control module configured to adjust temperature parameters of the system; and an image stabilization module.