Abstract: Provided herein are methods for assessing a disease score of a subject suffering from or suspected to be suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or associated disease mechanisms, wherein the disease score represents COPD activity or a risk of a severe acute COPD event or mortality. The disease score can be used to stratify the subject into a specific risk category and can further inform patient management decisions. The methods can involve determining a biomarker signature including two or more biomarkers associated with COPD or COPD mechanisms. In some cases, the methods include timing of collection of patient samples with respect to acute event or treatment course. Further provided herein are methods for identifying and/or treating subjects having a greater risk of developing COPD exacerbations.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for assessing a disease score of a subject suffering from or suspected to be suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or associated disease mechanisms, wherein the disease score represents COPD activity. The disease score can be used to stratify the subject into a specific risk category and can further inform patient management decisions. The methods can involve determining a biomarker signature including four or more biomarkers associated with COPD or COPD mechanisms. The methods can further include supplementing the biomarker combinations with calculation or classification trees based on one or more additional clinical parameters or biomarkers. In some cases, the methods include timing of collection of patient samples with respect to acute event or treatment course.

Abstract: The rotating mailbox device is provided in varying degrees of complexity, with each embodiment thereof focused on as basic a design as is possible while still retaining the important features of the device. Even the most basic design provides illuminated address, illumination strips within the mailbox assembly, and exterior indicators for indicating mail received via sensing of door opening. Of importance is that the basic design of the device dictates that the dished tray is rotateably affixed directly atop the post and may also be affixed off-center regarding the tray. The direct post-to-tray attachment negates the need for further attachment devices such as horizontal arms, for example. Lateral attachment of the mailbox assembly to the platform elevated section provides for easiest disassembly of part of the device and also for the elevated section to be a floor for the mailbox assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing having a support surface to support a cartridge, a socket attached to the housing, and an actuator associated with the socket. The socket surface includes one or more socket positioning members, a plurality of electrical contacts and a plurality of magnets. The socket is configured to move relative to the support surface of the housing, with the one or more socket positioning members located in a fixed relation to the plurality of electrical contacts so that when the socket is spaced proximate to the support surface of the housing, the one or more socket positioning members engage with the one or more cartridge positioning members to align the plurality of electrical contacts of the socket with the plurality of electrical contact pads of the cartridge. The actuator is configured to align each magnet with a respective fluid conduit of the processing device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cartridge for processing a sample and methods for aligning a cartridge. The cartridge includes a processing device for processing a sample, a body having a surface and bounded by at least one edge, and a plurality of positioning members defined by the surface for aligning the processing device relative to a conduit defined by the body between a cartridge input and a cartridge output.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for processing an analyte. The system includes a fluid reservoir, a plurality of sample reservoirs, a plurality of channels, a pump that synchronously draws from the fluid reservoir and the plurality of sample reservoirs to provide a plurality of samples through the plurality of channels and a processing device, for example, a flexural plate wave device, for processing the plurality of samples in the plurality of channels. A valve including a pin disposed beneath a dowel and a pusher pushes the pin toward a fastened dowel, which pinches a portion of the channel disposed therebetween. A socket provides electrical contact to the processing device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cartridge for processing a sample and methods for aligning a cartridge. The cartridge includes a processing device for processing a sample, a body having a surface and bounded by at least one edge, and a plurality of positioning members defined by the surface for aligning the processing device relative to a conduit defined by the body between a cartridge input and a cartridge output.

Abstract: A system for detecting an analyte in a sample includes a resonant sensor that has a sensor surface coated with the capture agent. A plurality of magnetic particles, each of which is coated with a capture agent having an affinity for the analyte, is combined with the sample to form a plurality of analyte-particle complexes. The system also includes a transport arrangement for transporting the sample to the sensor surface, and a magnetic field inducing structure constructed and arranged to establish a magnetic field at and adjacent to the sensor surface. The resonant sensor produces a signal corresponding to an amount of analyte-particle complexes that are bound to the sensor surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for analyzing bioprocess fluids are provided. A plurality of particles coated with a plurality of capture agents having an affinity for one or more biological markers is combined with bioprocess fluid to form a plurality of analyte-particle complexes. The system also includes a transport arrangement for transporting the sample to a sensor surface, and optionally a magnetic field inducing structure constructed and arranged to establish a magnetic field at and adjacent to the sensor surface. The resonant sensor produces a signal corresponding to an amount of analyte-particle complexes that are bound to the sensor surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for performing assays involving binding material elements with a plurality of bonds over a substantial area of a surface of a resonant device establishing a normalized exposure. The methods and apparatuses also involve controlling an external influence applied to the material elements over a first period of time and measuring a signal during a second period of time that is indicative of the change in the amount of material elements bound to the surface relative to the normalized exposure. In some cases, the measured signals are integrated with respect to time to determine the time averaged amount of material elements bound to the surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for determining whether a fluid has been introduced into an assay measurement apparatus involving delivering a fluid to a surface of a resonant device. The methods also involve monitoring an electrical signal output by the resonant device, wherein properties of the electrical signal vary based on physical properties of the fluid in contact with the surface of the resonant device and determining if the electrical signal output by the resonant device satisfies a predetermined condition indicative of the presence of the fluid.

Abstract: A vibration based power generator. In a described embodiment, an electrical power generating system includes a vibrating assembly including a vortex shedding device which sheds vortices in response to fluid flow across the vibrating assembly. A generator generates electrical power in response to vibration of the vibrating assembly. The vortex shedding device sheds the vortices at a frequency which is substantially equal to a resonant frequency of the vibrating assembly.

Abstract: A system having reduced gas interference that includes a fluid chamber and a resonant sensor device in fluid communication with a fluid in the fluid chamber. The system includes a fluid control device adapted to change at least one of the fluid flow or pressure within the fluid chamber to achieve substantial wetting of surfaces in proximity to the resonant sensor device. Fluid surfaces of the system can include a material to increase the wettability (e.g., hydrophilicity) of the fluid surfaces.

Abstract: Methods for detecting estradiol and metabolites thereof in a sample are provided. A plurality of particles, each of which is coated with a capture agent having an affinity for estradiol, is combined with the sample to form a plurality of estradiol-particle complexes. The system also includes a transport arrangement for transporting the sample and/or particles to the sensor surface, and optionally a magnetic field inducing structure constructed and arranged to establish a magnetic field at and adjacent to the sensor surface. The resonant sensor produces a signal corresponding to an amount of estradiol-particle complexes that are bound to the sensor surface.

Abstract: The disclosed sensor chip includes a substrate and a moving member coupled to the substrate and disposed for movement relative to the substrate. The moving member moves relative to the substrate in a first direction and in a second direction in response to movement of the substrate. The first direction is different than the second direction. The moving member includes a plurality of receptors. The receptors are configured for selectively binding to a first measurand.

Abstract: Methods for detecting viruses are provided. A plurality of particles, each of which is coated with a capture agent having an affinity for the virus, is combined with the sample to form a plurality of analyte-particle complexes. The system also includes a transport arrangement for transporting the sample to the sensor surface, and optionally a magnetic field inducing structure constructed and arranged to establish a magnetic field at and adjacent to the sensor surface. The resonant sensor produces a signal corresponding to an amount of analyte-particle complexes that are bound to the sensor surface.

Abstract: Methods for detecting bacteria are provided. A plurality of particles, each of which is coated with a capture agent having an affinity for the bacteria, is combined with the sample to form a plurality of analyte-particle complexes. The system also includes a transport arrangement for transporting the sample to the sensor surface, and optionally a magnetic field inducing structure constructed and arranged to establish a magnetic field at and adjacent to the sensor surface. The resonant sensor produces a signal corresponding to an amount of analyte-particle complexes that are bound to the sensor surface.

Abstract: A system for detecting an analyte in a sample includes a resonant sensor that has a sensor surface coated with the capture agent. A plurality of magnetic particles, each of which is coated with a capture agent having an affinity for the analyte, is combined with the sample to form a plurality of analyte-particle complexes. The system also includes a transport arrangement for transporting the sample to the sensor surface, and a magnetic field inducing structure constructed and arranged to establish a magnetic field at and adjacent to the sensor surface. The resonant sensor produces a signal corresponding to an amount of analyte-particle complexes that are bound to the sensor surface.

Abstract: Methods for detecting cardiac injury by detecting one or more cardiac markers are provided. A plurality of particles, each of which is coated with a capture agent having an affinity for a cardiac marker, is combined with the sample to form a plurality of analyte-particle complexes. The system also includes a transport arrangement for transporting the sample to the sensor surface, and optionally a magnetic field inducing structure constructed and arranged to establish a magnetic field at and adjacent to the sensor surface. The resonant sensor produces a signal corresponding to an amount of analyte-particle complexes that are bound to the sensor surface.

Abstract: Electrically responsive devices and methods for fabricating electrically responsive devices involves applying an electrically responsive material (e.g., an electroactive material) over at least a portion of a surface of a substrate material and applying an electrode material over at least a portion of a surface of the electrically responsive material. At least one region of the electrode material is selectively removed exposing the electrically responsive material. At least some of the electrically responsive material is selectively removed in a region corresponding to the at least one region of the electrode material.