Abstract: A disposable cartridge for preparing a nucleic acid sample including a stationary cartridge body and a cylindrical rotor rotationally mounted to the cartridge body. The cartridge body includes: (i) a cylindrical surface defining a fixed port and (ii) a syringe barrel defining a bore in fluid communication with the fixed port. When the disposable cartridge is disposed in combination with an assay system, syringe barrel is configured to receive a moveable plunger, i.e., to stroke the plunger into and out of the barrel. The rotor is seated within a cavity of the cartridge body such that a mating surface thereof slideably engages a cylindrical surface of the cavity. The rotor comprises a plurality of chambers fluidly connecting to a plurality of ports along the mating surface at different radial positions such that at least one of the chambers is fluidly connected to one of the ports by a connecting channel.

Abstract: A planar micro-reagent cartridge comprises a base layer having a fluid receiving cavity formed in a top surface thereof and a fluid disposed within the cavity, and intermediate layer and a top layer. The intermediate membrane layer is bonded to the base layer to seal the fluid receiving cavity and form a fluid reservoir pump chamber. The intermediate layer comprises a resiliently deformable flexible region that overlies the fluid receiving cavity and is configured to be depressed in response to application of pressure, and a rupturable valve region that overlies the fluid receiving cavity. A top layer is bonded to the intermediate layer, the top layer having an opening that exposes the deformable flexible region of the intermediate membrane layer and at least one channel that together with the intermediate membrane layer forms a fluid conduit having an inlet in fluid communication with the rupturable valve region of the intermediate layer.

Abstract: The presently disclosed fluidic sensor system and method comprise multifunctional nanoprobe-enabled capture for early detection of chemical and/or biological pathogens in a liquid sample. This sensor system and method can be used for food and environmental monitoring.

Abstract: A multiplex hand-held diagnostic biosensor, using two inflammatory salivary biomarkers, Human Neutrophil Elastase (HNE) and Cathepsin-G, was constructed made to potentially detect Periodontitis at an early stage is described. The use of magnetic nanoparticle biosensor method used as a device was based on the measurement of proteolytic activity using specific proteases probes. The magnetic nanoparticle biosensor device is capable of specific and quantitative detection of HNE and Cathepsin-G in solution and in spiked saliva samples with a lower detection limit of 1 pg/mL and 100 fg/mL for HNE and Cathepsin-G, respectively.

Abstract: Methods for determining a sample concentration of target entities in a sample, for example, determining a concentration of target antigens or antibodies in a blood sample or other biological sample.

Abstract: Methods for determining a sample concentration of target entities in a sample, for example, determining a concentration of target antigens or antibodies in a blood sample or other biological sample.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the field of bio/chemical sampling, sensing, assays and applications. Particularly, the present invention is related to how to make the sampling/sensing/assay become simple to use, fast to results, highly sensitive, easy to use, using tiny sample volume (e.g. 0.5 uL or less), operated by a person without any professionals, reading by mobile-phone, or low cost, or a combination of them.

Abstract: Apparatus for isolating an individual cell from a group of cells and transferring that isolated cell to a desired location, the apparatus comprising: a single-cell pipette tip, the single-cell pipette tip comprising: a structure having a distal end; a Y-shaped microchannel formed in the structure, the Y-shaped microchannel comprising a base microchannel, a first branch microchannel and a second branch microchannel, wherein the base microchannel extends to the distal end of the structure, the first branch microchannel is connectable to a first pressure channel, the second branch microchannel is connectable to a second pressure channel, and a single-cell trap is disposed in the base microchannel, distal to the convergence of the base microchannel with the first branch microchannel and the second branch microchannel.

Abstract: A plasmonic resonator can include: a substrate; a central resonator on the substrate; a first curved resonator disposed on the substrate and disposed at a first side of the central resonator; and a second curved resonator disposed on the substrate and disposed at a second side of the central resonator, the first curved resonator and the second curved resonator being asymmetric to each other with respect to the central resonator, and the central resonator and at least one of the first and second curved resonators being made of different materials.

Abstract: A disposable cartridge and method for measuring one or more properties of a blood sample are provided. The disposable cartridge can receive a sample when it is in an unsealed configuration. After adjusting the cartridge from the unsealed configuration to a sealed configuration, facilitated by a hingedly attached cap, pressurized air from an air bladder may be used to force the blood from a sample storage well into a detection chamber in a regulated manner, so that the one or more properties of the blood sample may then be measured.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for diagnosing cancer, predicting a disease outcome or response to therapy in a patient sample. The method involves isolating a circulating tumor cell (CTC), for example, a viable CTC, from a sample using a parylene microfilter device comprising a membrane filter having or consisting of a parylene substrate, which has an array of holes with a predetermined shape and size; and detecting and quantifying telomerase activity in blood circulating tumor cells. The invention further provides methods of using cells live-captured in various applications.

Abstract: This disclosure provides, among other things, a cartridge comprising: (a) a cartridge body comprising a malleable material and having, disposed on a surface of the body, at least one valve body comprising a valve inlet and a valve outlet, each fluidically connected to a fluidic channel; and (b) a layer comprising a deformable material bonded to a surface of the cartridge body and sealing the at least one valve body at points of attachment, thereby forming at least one valve; wherein the at least one valve body is depressed in the cartridge body relative to the points of attachment and wherein the deformable material covering the at least one valve body retains sufficient elasticity after deformation such that in a ground state the valve is open.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a portable device for purifying biological sample. The device comprises a housing and a cartridge holder accommodated in the housing for holding at least one cartridge configured to purify the biological sample. At least one pump is positioned in the housing which is fluidly connectable to the cartridge to circulate the sample and one or more fluids through the cartridge. Further, at least one heating element is configured to heat a matrix chamber in the cartridge. At least one actuator is disposed in the housing to actuate one or more valves to selectively route the biological sample and the one or more fluids in the cartridge. A control unit is interfaced with the actuator, the heating element and the pump and is configured to regulate operation of the actuator, the pump and the heating element during purification of the biological sample.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to novel particle compositions and methods of making said compositions having applications in nucleic acid analysis, as well as apparatuses and systems for the same.

Abstract: A disposable test card configured to accept a fluid sample for an assay, and a method of manufacturing same, is disclosed herein. In a general example embodiment, a test card for analyzing a fluid sample includes a first substrate layer including an inlet port and an outlet port, a channel layer bonded to the first substrate layer, the channel layer including a microchannel placing the inlet port in fluid communication with the outlet port, and a second substrate layer bonded to the channel layer, the second substrate layer having electrodes printed adjacent to a target zone of the microchannel of the channel layer, wherein the electrodes are configured to raise the temperature of the fluid sample within the target zone of the microchannel when a current is applied thereto.

Abstract: A solid-core ring-magnet having one or more cavities is provided. The magnet can have an overall cylindrical shape or a rectangular-prism shape. In either case, a portion of cavity walls of the magnet are ring shaped, causing the magnetic field lines to emanate from the magnet in the shape of a ring. The diameter of the ring shaped cavities can be constant throughout, constant through a portion of the cavity, variant throughout, or variant through a portion of the cavity. The cavities open to the end of the magnet, and terminate toward the core of the magnet. Also provided are systems and kits having solid-core ring-magnets. Methods of purifying a macromolecule using the solid-core ring-magnets are also provided.

Abstract: An assay test strip includes a flow path, a sample receiving zone, a label, a detection zone that includes a region of interest, and at least one position marker. The at least one position marker is aligned with respect to the region of interest such that location of the at least one position marker indicates a position of the region of interest. A diagnostic test system includes a reader that obtains light intensity measurement from exposed regions of the test strip, and a data analyzer that performs at least one of (a) identifying ones of the light intensity measurements obtained from the test region based on at least one measurement obtained from the at least one reference feature, and (b) generating a control signal modifying at least one operational parameter of the reader based on at least one measurement obtained from the at least one reference feature.

Abstract: A device for collecting cellular material from a fluid sample comprises first and second chambers that are releasably connected and which define a fluid flow path from the first chamber to the second chamber. A porous membrane is between the chambers when they are connected to each other, in the fluid flow path. An absorbent body is positioned in close proximity to the downstream surface of the porous membrane, and a resilient member is arranged to urge the absorbent body towards the porous membrane. In use, a sample introduced into the first chamber contacts the upstream surface of the porous membrane and fluid is drawn through the porous membrane and is absorbed by the absorbent body. Cellular material is retained upon the upstream surface of the porous membrane. After separation of the chambers, the porous membrane can be removed from the device for analysis of the deposited cellular material.

Abstract: A medical apparatus and method of preparing one or more cell blocks. The medical apparatus comprises at least one elongate tubular body having a proximal end and a distal end and a filter membrane disposed between the proximal end and a distal end of the elongate tubular body. The filter membrane, which can include alignment features and structural features to engage the tubular body, and/or cover, is sectionable. In other embodiments, a valve is provided for opening and closing fluid communication with the filter membrane.

Abstract: A controlled transfer biological sample material collection device is disclosed which includes a body and a sample collection member for collecting the biological sample material, the body housing a sample storage medium for generally dry storage of the biological material, the collection member being moveable from an exposed position where collection of a biological sample is possible, to a transfer position which effects transfer of at least a portion of the collected sample to said medium. The body of the device slideably supports the sample collection member, and the body or collection member includes a ramp-like projection portion operable to force the collection member into the transfer position against the medium and to effect the transfer as the collection member slides within the body.