Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for determining physical properties of a specimen in a portable point of care device are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method includes placing a specimen onto an active surface that includes a plurality of microposts extending outwards from a substrate, wherein each micropost includes a proximal end attached to the substrate and a distal end opposite the proximal end and generating an actuation force in proximity to the micropost array that compels at least some of the microposts to exhibit motion. The method further includes detecting light that is emitted by an illumination source and interacts with the active surface while the at least some microposts exhibit motion in response to the actuation force, measuring data that represents the detected light interacting with the active surface, and determining at least one physical property of the specimen based on the measured data.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for determining physical properties of a specimen in a portable point of care device are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method includes placing a specimen onto an active surface that includes a plurality of microposts extending outwards from a substrate, wherein each micropost includes a proximal end attached to the substrate and a distal end opposite the proximal end and generating an actuation force in proximity to the micropost array that compels at least some of the microposts to exhibit motion. The method further includes detecting light that is emitted by an illumination source and interacts with the active surface while the at least some microposts exhibit motion in response to the actuation force, measuring data that represents the detected light interacting with the active surface, and determining at least one physical property of the specimen based on the measured data.

Abstract: Microelectromechanical (MEMS) oscillatory devices are placed adjacent a face of a microelectronic sensor platform and configured to oscillate to improve transport to the sensor of substances to be detected. The MEMS oscillatory devices can be configured to oscillate to disrupt the boundary layer that is formed adjacent the face of the microelectronic sensor platform, which may improve sensor performance. MEMS oscillatory devices may be far less susceptible to wear and breakdown than MEMS rotary devices, such as fans.

Abstract: Microelectromechanical (MEMS) oscillatory devices are placed adjacent a face of a microelectronic sensor platform and configured to oscillate to improve transport to the sensor of substances to be detected. The MEMS oscillatory devices can be configured to oscillate to disrupt the boundary layer that is formed adjacent the face of the microelectronic sensor platform, which may improve sensor performance. MEMS oscillatory devices may be far less susceptible to wear and breakdown than MEMS rotary devices, such as fans.

Abstract: Microelectromechanical (MEMS) oscillatory devices are placed adjacent a face of a microelectronic substrate and configured to oscillate to dissipate at least some heat that is generated by the microelectronic substrate during operation thereof. The MEMS oscillatory devices can be configured to oscillate to disrupt the thermal boundary layer that is formed adjacent the face of the microelectronic substrate, which may limit heat dissipation therefrom. MEMS oscillatory devices may be far less susceptible to wear and breakdown than MEMS rotary devices, such as fans.

Abstract: A method of analyzing cells in a carrier solution comprises the following steps: (a) Introducing the carrier solution into a conduit having a surface portion (preferably a substantially flat surface portion). The carrier solution has the cells suspended therein. (b) Allowing the cells to settle on the surface portion, the surface portion including at least one imaging field. In an alternate embodiment, one or more discreet capture zones (e.g., formed from an affinity species immobilized on the substrate or a textured region on the substrate) are formed on the surface portion, and this step (b) comprises capturing the cells in the capture zone. (c) Sequentially interrogating a plurality of the cells in the imaging field with emitted light. (d) Processing resultant light from the imaging field. (e) Generating digital information for each of the plurality of cells from the resultant light. (f) Generating a response file for each of the plurality of cells from the digital information.

Abstract: A method of analyzing cells in a carrier solution comprises the following steps: (a) Introducing the carrier solution into a conduit having a surface portion (preferably a substantially flat surface portion). The carrier solution has the cells suspended therein. (b) Allowing the cells to settle on the surface portion, the surface portion including at least one imaging field. In an alternate embodiment, one or more discreet capture zones (e.g., formed from an affinity species immobilized on the substrate or a textured region on the substrate) are formed on the surface portion, and this step (b) comprises capturing the cells in the capture zone. (c) Sequentially interrogating a plurality of the cells in the imaging field with emitted light. (d) Processing resultant light from the imaging field. (e) Generating digital information for each of the plurality of cells from the resultant light. (f) Generating a response file for each of the plurality of cells from the digital information.

Abstract: A method is described for performing an affinity assay comprising contacting a sample to be assayed for the presence of an analyte with a dry reagent containing the analyte (hapten, antigen, antibody, receptor, or complementary polynucleotide) bound to a reaction cascade initiator, an antibody or other binding pair partner reactive with said analyte, and magnetic particles, to form an assay mixture in a reaction chamber, incubating the assay mixture, applying an oscillating or moving static magnetic field to the assay mixture, activating the reaction cascade initiator to initiate a reaction cascade, monitoring the response of the magnetic particles to the oscillating or moving static magnetic field to provide a time varying signal, and determining the analyte concentration of the sample by analysis of the time varying signal, as well as a kit for performing the assay and a diagnostic system for performing the assay.

Abstract: A method of performing a quantitative fibrinogen assay is provided which uses a dry reagent chemistry in combination with a rotational magnetic field and which has excellent correlation with the Fibrometer, the gold standard in the industry. Additionally, an apparatus for conducting the assay, a qualitative fibrinogen assay and a method for preparing a calibration curve for use with the quantitative fibrinogen assay are provided.

Abstract: A method is described for performing an affinity assay comprising contacting a sample to be assayed for the presence of an analyte with a dry reagent containing the analyte (hapten, antigen, antibody, receptor, or complementary polynucleotide) bound to a reaction cascade initiator, an antibody or other binding pair partner reactive with said analyte, and magnetic particles, to form an assay mixture in a reaction chamber, incubating the assay mixture, applying an oscillating or moving static magnetic field to the assay mixture, activating the reaction cascade initiator to initiate a reaction cascade, monitoring the response of the magnetic particles to the oscillating or moving static magnetic field to provide a time varying signal, and determining the analyte concentration of the sample by analysis of the time varying signal, as well as a kit for performing the assay and a diagnostic system for performing the assay.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for performing a fibrinogen assay are disclosed. The reaction slide bears a sample well for receiving a liquid sample and a reaction chamber in fluid communication with the sample well. The reaction chamber contains a dry reagent matrix in which is embedded a plurality of magnetic particles. A whole blood or blood-derived sample added to the sample well is introduced simultaneously into the reaction chamber where it solubilizes the reagent, freeing the magnetic particles and allowing them to move in an oscillating pattern. This oscillating pattern is optically monitored to measure the concentration of clottable fibrinogen in the sample.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the measurement of clot formation times, clot dissolution times, or clotting parameters is disclosed. This method performs these measurements by monitoring movement of magnetic particles incorporated in the sample being assayed, where the movement is induced by a magnetic field.

Abstract: A device for the separation of the lighter fraction from the heavier fraction of a liquid sample for use with two evacuated receptacles includes a housing having an interior cavity and a membrane separator dividing this cavity into a first portion and a second portion. The membrane separator has a porosity selected for the desired separation thereacross. An inlet structure is provided for fluid communication between the first portion of the interior cavity and the source of the liquid sample. First structure is provided to allow fluid communication between the first portion of the interior cavity and the first evacuated receptacle. This first structure is opposed from the inlet structure so that liquid passing from the inlet to the first structure travels in a direction along the surface of the membrane. Further structure is provided to allow fluid communication between the second portion of the interior cavity and the second evacuated receptacle.

Abstract: A device for the separation of the lighter fraction from the heavier fraction of a liquid sample for use with two evacuated receptacles includes a housing having an interior cavity and a membrane separator dividing this cavity into a first portion and a second portion. The membrane separator has a porosity selected for the desired separation thereacross. An inlet structure is provided for fluid communication between the first portion of the interior cavity and the source of the liquid sample. First structure is provided to allow fluid communication between the first portion of the interior cavity and the first evacuated receptacle. This first structure is opposed from the inlet structure so that liquid passing from the inlet to the first structure travels in a direction along the surface of the membrane. Further structure is provided to allow fluid communication between the second portion of the interior cavity and the second evacuated receptacle.

Abstract: A device for the separation of a lighter fraction from the heavier fraction of a liquid sample for use with two evacuated receptacles includes a housing having an interior cavity and a membrane separator dividing this cavity into a first portion and a second portion. The membrane separator has a porosity selected for the desired separation thereacross. An inlet structure is provided for fluid communication between the first portion of the interior cavity and the source of the liquid sample. First structure is provided to allow fluid communication between the first portion of the interior cavity and the first evacuated receptacle. This first structure is opposed from the inlet structure so that liquid passing from the inlet to the first structure travels in a direction along the surface of the membrane. Further structure is provided to allow fluid communication between the second portion of the interior cavity and the second evacuated receptacle.

Abstract: A long indwelling double bore catheter for dilution and sampling of blood on a continuing basis capable of being used for long periods of time. The long indwelling double bore catheter has a small mixing chamber with an opening of a cross-sectional area equal to or less than the combined cross-sectional areas of the double bores, said opening communicating with the body fluid, e.g., blood, to be sampled, and wherein the distance of the mixing chamber from the distal end of the double bores to the end of the catheter is equal to or greater than 2 millimeters. Preferably, the volume of the mixing chamber is between about 3 and about 9.times.10.sup.-5 cubic inches. Preferably, the opening which communicates with the body fluid is a noncircular elongated opening which is equal to or less than twice the combined cross-sectional areas of the double bores.

Abstract: A contiguous multilayer membrane for use with an electrochemical sensor is prepared comprising a first relatively nonporous dense polymer layer, a second polymer layer less dense and more porous than the first layer, a third layer containing an enzyme and a fourth polymer layer less dense and more porous than the first layer. The polymer is preferably cellulose acetate and the second and fourth layers are prepared with a solvent and nonsolvent for the polymer. The membrane may contain multiple enzyme layers separated by a polymer layer. The multilayer membrane provides advantages of higher substrate conversion, homogeneous distribution of enzyme and/or minimized interference with analyte diffusion.

Abstract: A membrane for electrochemical analysis is described comprising a first, relatively dense and thin layer and a second, relatively porous thick layer, which thick layer has dispersed therethrough the enzyme, glucose oxidase. The process of making the membrane by casting two to three layers of cellulose acetate compositions is also described.

Abstract: A chemical compound and the method for using it to produce and prolong colored flames. The compound contains a metallic salt and a matrix. The metallic salt produces the color and the matrix prolongs the life of that color.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are featured for preconcentrating immunological reactants prior to their contact and reaction to enhance the rate of reaction for separating reacted and unreacted reactants and, also, to increase the sensitivity at the detector-measuring system. The preconcentration of the reactants finds particular use in immunoassays, where very often an immunospecies is very dilute causing a time consuming and/or insensitive assay. The preconcentration and separation are accomplished within the reaction medium resulting in a simplified and compact apparatus.