Abstract: A device for detecting an analyte includes a thermocouple having an assay polymer over a surface of the thermocouple. The assay polymer is formulated to bind to the analyte, and a heat transfer property of the assay polymer varies responsive to an amount of the analyte bound thereto. A method of forming a sensor includes providing an assay polymer over a thermocouple. A method for detecting an analyte includes passing a liquid containing an analyte adjacent a thermocouple having an assay polymer over a surface thereof, binding an analyte to the assay polymer, detecting a temperature of the thermocouple, and calculating a concentration of the analyte in the liquid based at least in part on the heat transfer property of the assay polymer.

Abstract: A device for detecting the concentration of biological materials is formed in a body having a plurality of fluidic paths connectable to a multi-microbalance structure carrying a plurality of microbalances, each microbalance having a sensitive portion facing a reaction chamber. The body and the multi-microbalance structure are configured to be mechanically coupled together and each microbalance is configured to be coupled to a respective fluidic path. Each fluidic path includes an inlet, a duct and a liquid waste, each duct being configured to be coupled with a respective reaction chamber. The plurality of fluidic paths and microbalances form at least one first and one second reference cells and one first sample cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of diagnosing samples as well as various microfluidic, microcentrifuge and microfilter devices. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of diagnosing neurodegenerative diseases using mitochondrial and/or platelet samples. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a microfluidic device that selectively captures and analyzes a desired amount of target biological particle.

Abstract: A membrane-based device for multi-step assays including one or more reagents pre-dried on the device, and one or more one fluid storage zones intended to enable the automated sequential delivery of the reagents to a test zone from addition of a fluid to the device. Addition of the fluid to the device may include a single addition of the fluid to the device. The fluid storage zones may fill with the fluid when the fluid with a sample is added to the device, and then the fluid may be released to the device at a later time. In some cases, the fluid from the sample zone is wicked into both the test zone and the fluid storage zones. Preferably, the device includes multiple layers. At least one porous membrane may be disposed between at least two of the layers. Also, associated methods are disclosed.

Abstract: There are provided methods, and devices for assaying for a binding interaction between a protein, such as a monoclonal antibody, produced by a cell, and a biomolecule. The method may include retaining the cell within a chamber having an aperture; exposing the protein produced by the cell to a capture substrate, wherein the capture substrate is in fluid communication with the protein produced by the cell and wherein the capture substrate is operable to bind the protein produced by the cell; flowing a fluid volume comprising the biomolecule through the chamber via said aperture, wherein the fluid volume is in fluid communication with the capture substrate; and determining a binding interaction between the protein produced by the cell and the biomolecule.

Abstract: The various technologies presented herein relate to identifying whether an individual has taken, and/or is under the influence of, a restricted drug. A density separation technique is utilized, wherein a sample (e.g., blood, saliva, urine, etc.,) which may include an analyte is exposed to a first plurality of beads having an analyte attached thereto, a second plurality of beads having a metabolite-specific antibody attached thereto, and a plurality of fluorophore-labelled analyte-specific antibodies. After incubation, any analyte in the sample (e.g., delta-9-THC) is bound to the fluorophore-labelled analyte-specific antibodies, any free fluorophore-labelled analyte-specific antibodies are attached to the analyte of the first beads, and any metabolite in the sample is bound to the second antibody. By applying centrifugal separation, the first beads move to a region which undergoes irradiation.

Abstract: A device for detecting analytes in a sample includes (a) n light source units generating light; (b) a reaction strip including (i) a test area illuminated with light from the light source unit and including a material reacting to the analytes, (ii) a control area illuminated with the light from the light source unit and including a control material, and (iii) a background area illuminated with the light from the light source unit; and (c) at least n+1 light receiving units detecting light emitted from the test area, the control area, and the background area of the reaction strip, respectively.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and device for detecting and quantifying biological molecules such as cell surface or intracellular ligands/receptors in a dynamic system with high sensitivity and specificity; the method of using such platform optionally in combination with an optical detection system and kits comprising the optical platform.

Abstract: Provided are site specific chemically modified nanopore devices and methods for manufacturing and using them. Site specific chemically modified nanopore devices can be used for analyte sensing and analysis, for example.

Abstract: At least an embodiment addresses the problem of providing a SPR (surface plasmon resonance) or SPFS (surface plasmon-field enhanced fluorescence spectroscopy) immunoassay, which enables the measurement of whole blood, undergoes little fluctuations in measurement values, and can measure whole blood, serum and plasma in a single apparatus. At least an embodiment solves the above-mentioned problem by a SPR or SPFS immunoassay, which is an immunoassay utilizing SPR or SPFS, including an absorbance measurement step of measuring an absorbance of a sample, a mode setting step of setting a mode that corresponds to the result of the absorbance measured in the absorbance measurement step, and one or multiple step(s) for which treatment condition(s) has/have been set in accordance with the mode set in the mode setting step.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the quantity of a target protein and other types of biomarkers or analytes present in a sample, the apparatus comprising: a top plate comprising a plurality of recesses arranged to form a plurality of rows extending parallel to one another; and a bottom plate comprising a plurality of recesses arranged to form a plurality of rows extending parallel to one another, and a plurality of channels extending perpendicularly to the plurality of rows of the bottom plate; wherein the top plate and the bottom plate are assembled together so that the top plate is on top of the bottom plate and the recesses of the top plate communicate with the recesses of the bottom plate so as to form a plurality of rows; and wherein at least one of the top plate and the bottom plate is configured to slide relative to the other of the top plate and the bottom plate in order to form a plurality of columns, with each of the plurality of columns in communication with each of the plurality of channels.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible format for diagnostic tests that is applicable to measuring a wide range of properties of fluids, particularly physiological fluids, by creating a concentration gradient of an indicator in the sample under analysis and measuring a flux of the indicator through the sample which is used to determine a property of the sample. Aspects of the invention include a method of testing a property of a physiological fluid in a portable test device, a portable test device and a kit including a portable test device and a processor.

Abstract: A rapid antibiotic susceptibility test (AST) based on the detection and quantification of the movement of single bacterial cells with a plasmonic imaging and tracking (PIT) technology. The PIT-based AST detects changes in the metabolic activity of the bacterial cells long before cell replication, and allows rapid AST for both cultivable and non-cultivable strains. PIT tracks 3D movement with sub-nanometer resolution and millisecond temporal resolution. PIT also allows simultaneous measurement of the binding kinetic constants of antibiotics and bacterial metabolic state after the introduction of antibiotics.

Abstract: In a method for monitoring cell-to-cell interactions, a quartz crystal microbalance surface is exposed to a medium including a first cell. The first cell is exposed to a sample including a suspect cell. The first cell is activated prior to or simultaneously with the first cell exposure. Frequency and motional resistance changes versus time are measured after each of: surface exposure to the medium, first cell activation prior to the exposure to the sample, and first cell exposure to the sample; or after each of: surface exposure to the medium and simultaneous first cell activation and sample exposure. From the frequency and motional resistance changes versus time, any of i) a level of adhesion of the suspect cell to the activated first cell, ii) a type of the suspect cell, iii) a behavior or activity of the suspect cell is determined, or iv) activation of the first cell is determined.

Abstract: Lateral flow immunoassay devices for determining the concentration of an analyte in a sample and methods for measuring analyte concentration in sample using such lateral flow immunoassay devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for improved detection sensitivity of assays. The systems include an upper plate that is inserted into a well of testing well, such as a base microtiter plate. For bottom detection, a coating, including polymer coatings or membrane coatings, is applied to an insert portion of the upper plate, and the base plate includes transparent windows. In bottom detection, a detector will image from below the base plate. Alternatively, for top detection, the coating is applied to the well of the base plate, and the upper plate includes transparent windows. In top detection, a detector will image from above the upper plate. Analysis features, including capture antibody features or antigen features, can be printed on the coating surface for forward-phase assays or reverse-phase assays, respectively. Methods for making and using the same are disclosed.

Abstract: We disclose a novel diagnostic test strip which may be used to conduct biochemical assays for analytes in liquid samples. The disclosed test strip may be loaded with much smaller volumes of sample than traditional test strips. The disclosed test strip may be loaded with a precision dispenser instead of submersing the test strip into a larger volume of liquid sample. In addition, the disclosed test strip dissolves in aqueous fluid so it may be flushed into the sewer system. Consequently, it is not necessary to dispose of the disclosed test strip in biological waste containers.

Abstract: An implantable diagnostic device in accordance with the present disclosure provides various benefits such as a compact size thereby allowing implanting of the device inside animate objects; low cost due to incorporation of inexpensive detection circuitry and the use of conventional IC fabrication techniques; re-usability by heating thereby allowing multiple diagnostic tests to be performed without discarding the device; and a configuration that allows performing of simultaneous and/or sequential diagnostic tests for detecting one or more similar or dissimilar target molecules concurrently or at different times.

Abstract: Microfluidic systems and methods including those that provide control of fluid flow are provided. Such systems and methods can be used, for example, to control pressure-driven flow based on the influence of channel geometry and the viscosity of one or more fluids inside the system.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for the rapid determination of analytes in liquid samples by immunoassays incorporating magnetic capture of beads on a sensor capable of being used in the point-of-care diagnostic field.