Abstract: The use of ion sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET) to detect methylated nucleotides in a DNA sample is described. A method of detecting methylated nucleotides in a DNA sample may include the steps of treating a sample of DNA with a reagent which discriminates between methylated and non-methylated nucleotides to provide treated DNA, amplifying the treated DNA and optionally sequencing the amplified DNA. An ISFET is used to monitor the addition of one or more dNTPs in the strand extension reactions during the amplification and/or sequencing step. Suitable apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring activity in the peripheral nervous system comprises a nerve cuff having an array of chemical detectors such as chemFETS or ISFETS. Activity within the nerve causes chemical responses which can be detected. The use of chemical rather than electrical detection minimizes interference problems and allows the cuffs to be made smaller.

Abstract: The use of ion sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET) to detect methylated nucleotides in a DNA sample is described. A method of detecting methylated nucleotides in a DNA sample may include the steps of treating a sample of DNA with a reagent which discriminates between methylated and non-methylated nucleotides to provide treated DNA, amplifying the treated DNA and optionally sequencing the amplified DNA. An ISFET is used to monitor the addition of one or more dNTPs in the strand extension reactions during the amplification and/or sequencing step. Suitable apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: There is provided a method and device for measuring an ion concentration of a sample. The method comprises exposing a chemical sensor to the sample to provide an electrical output signal 5 representing said ion concentration and controlling a titrator exposed to the sample to release or absorb a quantity of ions to the sample. The method may use feedback means comprising Pulse Width Modulation control to drive the titrator such that the sample maintains a stable ion concentration.

Abstract: A method of observing reaction intermediaries during a chemical reaction and comprising detecting an electrical signal output from an ion sensitive field effect transistor exposed to said reaction, and monitoring the detected electrical signal to discriminate discrete fluctuations in the electrical signal, the discrete fluctuations indicating reaction intermediaries occurring during a chemical reaction.

Abstract: A sensing apparatus comprising an ion sensitive field effect transistor arranged to generate an electrical output signal in response to localized fluctuations of ionic charge at or adjacent the surface of the transistor, and means for detecting the electrical output signal from the ion sensitive field effect transistor, the localized fluctuations of ionic charge indicating events occurring during a chemical reaction.

Abstract: A method of associating a wireless sensor device to a user profile in a physiological sensor system, the system comprising a computer records system, at least one base station and a plurality of wireless sensor devices, each of the sensor devices being in contact with a user, the method comprising selecting or defining a user profile on the computer records system for a given user and monitoring signals received at the base station from respective wireless sensor devices. The method further comprises identifying a signal having a response that is characteristic of a pre-defined physiological act and associating the sensor device from which the identified signal is received with the user profile.

Abstract: There is provided a semiconductor device for detecting a change in ion concentration of a sample and method of using same. The device comprises a plurality of Field Effect Transistors (FETs) coupled to a common floating gate and an ion sensing layer exposed to the sample and coupled to the floating gate. There may be other input voltages coupled to the floating gate.

Abstract: An apparatus with a transducer having a first output signal and arranged to receive an electrical input. The transducer switches the first output signal between an ON and OFF state. The apparatus has a chemical sensing surface coupled to the transducer arranged to receive a chemical input. A signal generator oscillates one or more of said inputs to vary the switching point of the transducer. The oscillating input may be the chemical input and/or the electrical input. The output signal may be a pulse whose period ON or OFF is determined by the oscillating input modulated by the chemical input.

Abstract: A sensor comprising a memory device having a first electrode and a first chemical-sensing layer coupled to the first electrode. The chemical-sensing layer, in the presence of an analyte, is arranged to change a property of the Memristive device. The sensor can detect an analyte by providing a sample to be detected proximate the chemical sensing layer, observing the state of the memory element; and determining a property of the sample by comparing the observed state of the memory element with a previous state. The sensor is manufactured by depositing a second electrode on a surface, depositing an active layer or layers onto said second electrode, depositing a first electrode onto said active layer(s), and coupling a chemically sensitive layer to the first electrode.

Abstract: A sensor system comprising a substrate and integrated onto the substrate an array (7) of sensor elements (1), each sensor element comprising one or more inductors (3), one or more electrochemical sensors (4), and one or more optical sensors (2). The system further comprising a controller configured in use to separately address each of the sensor elements (1) to drive the respective inductors and receive outputs of the respective sensors.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrically actuable switch and comprising: depositing a first electrode on a surface; depositing an active layer or layers on top of said first electrode; and depositing a second electrode on top of said active layer(s), wherein said step of depositing an active layer or layers is performed in an atmosphere into which a reactive gas is introduced, the partial pressure of the reactive gas being varied during the process so as to introduce dopants into the active layer in a concentration which varies across the active layer.

Abstract: A method of optically outputting information (e.g. digital data) from a semiconductor device, the method comprising: providing a semiconductor device having a semiconducting p-n junction, the p-n junction having a region of reduced free charge carrier density; applying an electrical signal to modulate the extent of the said region, the electrical signal being representative of the information to be outputted; arranging incident light to pass through at least part of the said region, such that the light is at least partially absorbed in dependence upon the modulated extent of the said region, thereby producing intensity-modulated output light; and detecting the intensity of the output light and thereby determining the outputted information. Also provided is an electro-optical assembly, a package module for mounting a semiconductor device on a printed circuit board, and an integrated circuit chip.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a controller unit and methods for controlling an insulin pump. The controller unit includes a user input that receives a gain factor. The gain factor has been calculated based on historical data in relation to a patient. The controller unit includes a measurement input for receiving data representative of a measured blood glucose level for the patient. Processing logic of the controller unit is configured to apply the measured blood glucose level to a pancreatic beta-cell insulin secretion computational model to predict an insulin output level, apply the gain factor to the predicted insulin output level to determine a patient insulin deficiency level, and calculate a control signal for controlling the insulin output level of the insulin pump based on the patient insulin deficiency level. Methods are provided for optimising the gain factor based on the historical data in relation to the patient.

Abstract: The use of ion sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET) to detect methylated nucleotides in a DNA sample is described. A method of detecting methylated nucleotides in a DNA sample may include the steps of treating a sample of DNA with a reagent which discriminates between methylated and non-methylated nucleotides to provide treated DNA, amplifying the treated DNA and optionally sequencing the amplified DNA. An ISFET is used to monitor the addition of one or more dNTPs in the strand extension reactions during the amplification and/or sequencing step. Suitable apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A method of selecting a product suited to an individual. The method includes: identifying a product category from a predefined set of product categories, each product category being associated with a set of products; on the basis of said selected product category, selecting a genetic testing cartridge type from a set of available cartridge types, each cartridge type being configured to perform a genotype profiling test on a polynucleotide sample; collecting a polynucleotide sample from the individual; performing a genotype profiling test on said polynucleotide sample using a genetic testing cartridge of the selected genetic testing cartridge type; and using the result of said test to select a product from within the identified product category.

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a controller for controlling a glucagon pump. The controller comprises an input 8 for receiving an input signal indicative of a measured blood glucose concentration, an output 9 for providing a pulsed glucagon pump drive signal, each pulse being arranged to cause a glucagon pump to deliver a volume of glucagon, and a processing unit 10 for setting the pulse frequency of the pump drive signal in dependence upon the input signal, such that when the input signal indicates that the measured blood glucose concentration is above a threshold concentration the pulse frequency is zero and when the input signal indicates that the measured blood glucose concentration is below the threshold concentration the pulse frequency is increased as the measured blood glucose concentration decreases.

Abstract: A method of observing reaction intermediaries during a chemical reaction and comprising detecting an electrical signal output from an ion sensitive field effect transistor exposed to said reaction, and monitoring the detected electrical signal to discriminate discrete fluctuations in the electrical signal, the discrete fluctuations indicating reaction intermediaries occurring during a chemical reaction.

Abstract: A method of observing reaction intermediaries during a chemical reaction and comprising detecting an electrical signal output from an ion sensitive field effect transistor exposed to said reaction, and monitoring the detected electrical signal to discriminate discrete fluctuations in the electrical signal, the discrete fluctuations indicating reaction intermediaries occurring during a chemical reaction.

Abstract: Use of a pH sensor comprising an ion-sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET) to perform real time detection/quantification of nucleic acid amplification, e.g. polymerase chain reaction (PCR) nucleic acid amplification, based on detection of protons released during the primer extension phase.