Abstract: An immunochromatographic test strip that achieves a shorter reaction completion time and excellent sensitivity is provided. The immunochromatographic test strip comprises: (1) a conjugate pad comprising a sample-supplying section supplying a sample possibly containing an analyte and a line-shaped conjugate section containing a conjugate in which an antibody or antigen immunologically reactive with the analyte is immobilized to a label on the downstream side relative to the sample-supplying section; and (2) an insoluble membrane support having at least one detecting section to which an antibody or antigen immunologically reactive with the analyte is immobilized, the lower surface of the sample-supplying section of the conjugate pad being not in contact with the upper surface of the insoluble membrane support, the lower surface of the conjugate section of the conjugate pad being in contact with the upper surface of the insoluble membrane support.

Abstract: The invention relates to a substance determining apparatus for determining a substance within a fluid. Particles attach the substance and bind to a binding surface (30), wherein a sensing signal is generated depending on the bound particles. Binding events indicating a binding of a particle on the binding surface (30) are determined from the generated sensing signal, and the substance within the fluid is determined based on the determined binding events. During a procedure of determining a substance within a fluid, particles may bind to the binding surface and may leave the binding surface. Therefore, during this procedure a number of binding events can be determined being much larger than the number of bound particles. The determination of the substance within the fluid can therefore be based on a very large amount of data, thereby increasing the accuracy of determining the substance within the fluid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting particles moving through a closed channel system of capillary size comprises a bubble valve for selectively generating a pressure pulse to separate a particle having a predetermined characteristic from a stream of particles. The particle sorting system may further include a buffer for absorbing the pressure pulse. The particle sorting system may include a plurality of closely coupled sorting modules which are combined to further increase the sorting rate. The particle sorting system may comprise a multi-stage sorting device for serially sorting streams of particles, in order to decrease the error rate.

Abstract: Method for detecting and quantifying an analyte in a liquid sample, using a test strip and magnetic particles as a detectable label and based on the detection of an amount of magnetic particles which become bound to a reading zone of a test strip as a result of performing the method, said amount being linked through a function to the analyte content of the sample, wherein the magnetic particles exhibit a nonlinear magnetization characteristic, which test strip is made of porous material and is arranged inside a case, cartridge or the like to form an assay device, wherein in its part surrounding the reading zone, the case is made of a material that is permeable to magnetic field, wherein for the reading of the reaction, the assay device is positioned in a measure cell of a magnetic reading device which detects the amount of magnetic particles in the reading zone by submitting it to at least one excitation magnetic field having about 90% of its power within one frequency band or a plurality of frequency bands,

Abstract: A device and methods are provided for efficient and quick capture of target cells through a main microchannel having capture elements immobilized thereon and manipulating a velocity profile of a sample as it passes through the main microchannel. The cell capture device may have a main microchannel with a depth slightly larger than the diameter of the target cells and a plurality of side microchannels. The side microchannels may have a depth smaller than the diameter of the target cells. The device and methods may be used for early cancer detection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an encoded microcarrier comprising a readable code attached to it for identification, said encoded microcarrier comprising a body having at least a detection surface to detect a chemical and/or biological reaction, the microcarrier further comprising at least a spacing element projecting from the body and shaped to ensure that, when the encoded microcarrier is laid on a flat plane with the detection surface facing said flat plane, a gap exists between said flat plane and the detection surface. The invention also relates to an assay device designed to use a plurality of said encoded microcarriers to perform assays. The invention relates finally to a method for monitoring a chemical or biological reaction.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed toward devices, systems, and method for conducting assays using sedimentation. In one example, a method includes layering a mixture on a density medium, subjecting sedimentation particles in the mixture to sedimentation forces to cause the sedimentation particles to move to a detection area through a density medium, and detecting a target analyte in a detection region of the sedimentation channel. In some examples, the sedimentation particles and labeling agent may have like charges to reduce non-specific binding of labeling agent and sedimentation particles. In some examples, the density medium is provided with a separation layer for stabilizing the assay during storage and operation. In some examples, the sedimentation channel may be provided with a generally flat sedimentation chamber for dispersing the particle pellet over a larger surface area.

Abstract: A combination of mutually exclusive cell-based analytical techniques can be applied to the same group of cells for analysis. The same group of cells can be prepared for analysis by each technique resulting with candidate cells targeted for mass cytometry analysis. This configuration allows for the correlation of the information between each technique to produce a matrix of multi dimension of cellular information with the same group of cells.

Abstract: A device and method for filtering blood is disclosed herein. The device can filter blood and attach analytes within the blood to magnetic particles. The analytes can then be strongly bound to an analyzing device by a magnetic force. The analytes can then be counted by the analyzing device and the result can be displayed.

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.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a biological field effect transistor (BioFET) and a method of fabricating a BioFET device. The method includes forming a BioFET using one or more process steps compatible with or typical to a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) process. The BioFET device includes a plurality of microwells having a bio-sensing layer and a number of stacked well portions over a multi-layer interconnect (MLI). A bottom surface area of a well portion is different from a top surface area of a well portion directly below. The microwells are formed by removing a top metal plate on a topmost level of the MLI.

Abstract: Provided herein are improved cell sorter systems and methods. Such systems and methods provide a self-stabilizing sorter jet to automate calibration, and address the issue of drift in cell sorting systems. The systems and methods presented make it possible to determine and set the charge delay interval automatically with circuitry in the cell sorter. These circuits can set, monitor, and adjust the time delay continuously, allowing for a completely automatic, autonomous, turn-key, self-stabilizing sorter jet.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure describes methods and systems for detecting microbes in a sample. The methods are generally applicable to quantifying the number of target bacteria in a sample counted from a detection region of a flow cytometer histogram. The detection methods can be employed in the presence of other microorganisms and other non-target microbe components to selectively quantify the amount of a target microbe. The methods are advantageous over those presently existing for testing of foodstuffs and diagnostic evaluation in their speed, accuracy and ease of use. Various swab collection devices and kits useful for practicing the present disclosure are also described herein.

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: A mobile computing device that includes an image sensor may be used to detect the result of a biomolecular assay. The biomolecular assay may be performed in an optical assay medium that provides an optical output in response to light from a light source, with the optical output indicating result. A wavelength-dispersive element may be used to disperse the optical output into spatially-separated wavelength components. The mobile computing device may be positioned relative to the wavelength-dispersive element such that different wavelength components are received at different locations on the image sensor. With the mobile computing device positioned in this way, the image sensor may be used to obtain one or more images that include the separated wavelength components of the optical output. A wavelength spectrum of the optical output may be determined from the one or more images, and the result may be determined from the wavelength spectrum.

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: A method for detecting analytes in a liquid is provided in which the liquid is subjected to a mixing treatment on an area of a support which has in particular immobilized reactants, wherein in the mixing treatment the liquid is impinged upon by a stream of gas that sweeps across at least some areas of the support surface in a scanning manner by means of a jet directed towards the support surface. The invention also concerns a method for mixing a liquid sample comprising an analyte and a device for carrying out the method.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to diagnostic test devices that provide increased comfort and ease of use. The diagnostic test device can include a test member, such as a lateral flow assay test strip. The test device can further comprise a housing that comprises a substantially arch shaped handle. The housing of the test device can comprise a base member that is attached to a curved lower surface of the housing and that can improve stability of the device in an upward facing position as well as enable angled positioning of the device relative to a flat, horizontal surface. The curvature of the test device in particular can provide secure handling of the device while also improving ease and comfort of use thereof. The disclosure further relates to methods of determining the presence of an analyte in a fluid sample and methods for evaluating a test result of a personal use diagnostic test device.

Abstract: Microfluidic cartridges for agglutination reactions are provided. The cartridges include a microfluidic reaction channel with at least two intake channels, one for an antigen-containing fluid and the other for an antibody-containing fluid, conjoined to a reaction channel modified by incorporation of a downstream flow control channel. At low Reynolds Number, the two input streams layer one on top of the other in the reaction channel and form a flowing, unmixed horizontally-stratified laminar fluid diffusion (HLFD) interface for an extended duration of reaction. Surprisingly, the design, surface properties, and flow regime of microfluidic circuits of the present invention potentiate detection of antibody mediated agglutination at the stratified interface. Antigen:antibody reactions involving agglutination potentiated by these devices are useful in blood typing, in crossmatching for blood transfusion, and in immunodiagnostic agglutination assays, for example.

Abstract: [Object] It is an object of the invention to provide a sensor area which can suppress a decrease in assay signal and an increase in assay blank in an SPFS measurement. [Solution] An SPFS sensor chip of the invention includes a purification area and a sensor area arranged upstream and downstream, respectively, relative to each other along a flow direction in a channel for surface plasmon-field enhanced fluorescence spectroscopy [SPFS].