Abstract: A device and method for use in capturing a substance in a liquid, by feeding the liquid through a capturing device including: a lateral capillary flow matrix and a capturing matrix in fluid communication with the lateral capillary flow matrix so as to produce two lateral flows sufficient to impart transverse oscillations to the lateral flow in the capturing matrix, such oscillations driving the liquid into the interior of the capturing matrix thereby exposing its interior to the liquid.

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: Disclosed are methods for identifying a pregnant female who is susceptible to spontaneous preterm delivery. In particular, disclosed are methods for identifying a pregnant female who is susceptible to spontaneous preterm delivery based on ratios of steroids in samples obtained from the pregnant female.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure can include a method comprising: providing a plurality of cells to a microchannel, the microchannel coated in at least one cell adhesion entity and comprising a compressive surface and a first outlet, the compressive surface defining a compression gap, flowing the plurality of cells through the microchannel, wherein the flowing comprises: compressing the plurality of cells underneath the compressive surface; and exposing the plurality of cells to the at least one cell adhesion entity, wherein the exposing causes a first portion of the cells having a first adhesion property to temporarily bind to the cell adhesion entity; and collecting the first portion of cells at the first outlet; wherein the compression gap has a height of from 75% to 95% an average diameter of the plurality of cells.

Abstract: Supplying a liquid to a detection chip including a housing having an opening portion and internally housing the liquid and including an elastic sheet covering the opening portion and having a penetrating portion providing communicating between the inside and the outside of the housing, specifically by inserting a liquid delivery nozzle to the housing via the penetrating portion and supplying the liquid into the housing in a state where the nozzle is in contact with the elastic sheet so as to close the penetrating portion. The penetrating portion is one of a hole and a notch. One of the maximum length of the opening of the hole and the maximum length of the notch is smaller than the outer diameter of the nozzle at a portion coming in contact with the elastic sheet when the nozzle is inserted to close the penetrating portion when a liquid is supplied into the housing.

Abstract: An electrophoresis apparatus is generally disclosed for sequentially analyzing a single sample or multiple samples having one or more analytes in high or low concentrations. The apparatus comprises a relatively large-bore transport capillary which intersects with a plurality of small-bore separation capillaries and includes a valve system. Analyte concentrators, having antibody-specific (or related affinity) chemistries, are stationed at the respective intersections of the transport capillary and separation capillaries to bind one or more analytes of interest. The apparatus allows the performance of two or more dimensions for the optimal separation of analytes. The apparatus may also include a plurality of valves surrounding each of the analyte concentrators to localize each of the concentrators to improve the binding of one or more analytes of interest.

Abstract: A lateral-flow assay device includes a substrate having a sample addition zone and a wash addition zone downstream thereof along a fluid flow path through which a sample flows. The fluid flow path is configured to receive a wash fluid in the wash addition zone. A hydrophilic surface is arranged in the wash addition zone. Flow constriction(s) are spaced apart from the fluid flow path and arranged to define, with the hydrophilic surface, a reservoir configured to retain the wash fluid by formation of a meniscus between the hydrophilic surface and the flow constriction(s). The fluid flow path draws the wash fluid from the reservoir by capillary pressure. Apparatus for analyzing a fluidic sample and methods of displacing a fluidic sample in a fluid flow path of an assay device are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cell-based methods for screening body fluids or tissues for factors that prevent cellular uptake of lysosomal enzymes, including neutralizing factors such as neutralizing antibodies, that arise as a result of lysosomal enzyme replacement therapy.

Abstract: The present invention refers to osteomodulin (OMD) protein or fragment of osteomodulin (OMD) protein for use in the prognosis and/or diagnosis of osteoarthritis and/or subchondral bone sclerosis of mammals, preferably human individuals. The present invention further refers to a method for prognosis and/or diagnosis of osteoarthritis and/or subchondral bone sclerosis, comprising the following steps: i) measuring osteomodulin (OMD) protein or a fragment or fragments of osteomodulin (OMD) protein in samples of body fluids of mammalian individuals, preferably human serum samples; ii) judging that decreased levels of osteomodulin (OMD) protein or of said fragment(s) compared to levels in body fluids, preferably serum, of healthy individuals indicate onset of osteoarthritis and/or subchondral bone sclerosis.

Abstract: A method of quantifying the amount of glucose in a sample is provided herein that may further comprise an interferent such as mannitol. At least two measurements are obtained using measurement methods that differ in their sensitivity to the amount of interferent in the sample, thus enabling the results to be compared to determine whether any interferent is present in the sample. A glucose sensor for carrying out a method described herein is also provided.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a kit in which a quantitative determination of a substance to be measured in a biological sample can be carried out with high accuracy, even in a case where the substance to be measured includes a plurality of substances having different structures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to analyte detection devices and methods of using such devices to detect minute quantities of a target analyte in a sample. In particular, the invention provides a method of detecting a target analyte in a sample comprising mixing the sample with a first detection conjugate and a second detection conjugate in solution, wherein the first and second detection conjugates comprise metallic nanostructures coupled to binding partners that are capable of specifically binding to the target analyte if present in the sample to form a complex between the first detection conjugate, the analyte, and the second detection conjugate, wherein a change in an optical signal upon complex formation indicates the presence of the target analyte in the sample. Methods of preparing nanostructures and nanoalloys, as well as nanostructures and nanoalloys conjugated to binding partners, are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to analyte detection devices and methods of using such devices to detect minute quantities of a target analyte in a sample. In particular, the invention provides an analyte detection device comprising a plurality of composite metallic nanostructures conjugated to analyte binding partners and a surface containing a metallic nanolayer on which a plurality of capture molecules is immobilized. Methods of preparing composite nanostructures are also described.

Abstract: Contamination detection systems, kits, and techniques are described for testing surfaces for the presence of hazardous contaminants, while minimizing user exposure to these contaminants. Even trace amounts of contaminants can be detected. A collection kit provides a swab that is simple to use, easy to hold and grip, allows the user to swab large areas of a surface, and keeps the user's hands away from the surface being tested. The kit also provides open and closed fluid transfer mechanism to transfer the collected fluid to a detection device while minimizing user exposure to hazardous contaminants in the collected fluid. Contamination detection kits can rapidly collect and detect hazardous drugs, including trace amounts of antineoplastic agents, in healthcare settings at the site of contamination.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting, quantifying, enriching, and/or separating bacterial species in fluid sample are provided. The fluid sample is provided as input to a microfluidic passage of a microfluidic device, wherein the microfluidic device comprises at least one electrode disposed adjacent to the microfluidic passage. The at least one electrode is activated to capture bacteria in the sample using dielectrophoresis, wherein the capture efficiency of bacteria is at least 99%.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods for quantifying an amount of enzyme molecules. Systems and methods of the invention are provided for measuring an amount of target by forming a plurality of fluid partitions, a subset of which include the target, performing an enzyme-catalyzed reaction in the subset, and detecting the number of partitions in the subset. The amount of target can be determined based on the detected number.

Abstract: An automatic analysis device and a sample analysis method. The automatic analysis device (100) comprises: a loading unit (20) for loading a sample and/or a reagent to a reaction vessel; a reaction unit (10) for incubating, and washing and separating reactants in a reaction vessel; a measurement unit (80) for measuring reaction signals in the reaction vessel; and a transferring unit (50) for transferring the reaction vessel between different locations. The device (100) realizes incubation, washing and separation of the reactants in the reaction vessel by utilizing the reaction unit (10) as a center. The measurement unit (80) independent of the reaction unit (10) measures the signals in the reaction vessel.

Abstract: Techniques for detection of virus-antibody nanocomplexes using a chip-based pillar array are provided. In one aspect, a method for virus detection is provided. The method includes the steps of: collecting a fluid sample from a virus-bearing source; contacting the fluid sample with an antibody that binds to viruses to form a sample-antibody mixture, wherein the antibody is labeled with a fluorescent tag; separating particles including any antibody-virus complexes, if present, from the sample-antibody mixture using an assay nanopillar array; and detecting the antibody-virus complexes, if present, in the particles from the separating step using fluorescence. A virus detection chip device and a chip-based immunoassay method are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a disposable pipette tip for dispersive solid phase extraction (SPE) that allows for rapid, automatable purification of large biomolecules, such as nucleic acids, proteins and polypeptides without the need for additional tools such as centrifuges, magnetic plates or vacuum manifolds. The pipette tip is designed for optimal biomolecule isolation while maintaining sample integrity. Optimized methods of using the dispersive pipette extraction system for isolation of large biomolecules are also provided.

Abstract: Screening assays and methods of performing such assays are provided. In certain examples, the assays and methods may be designed to determine whether or not two or more species can associate with each other. In some examples, the assays and methods may be used to determine if a known antigen binds to an unknown monoclonal antibody.