Abstract: The invention features methods for detecting the hydration state or vascular volume of a subject using a device capable of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurement. The methods involve exposing a portion of a tissue of the subject in vivo to a magnetic field and RF pulse from the device to excite hydrogen nuclei of water within the tissue portion, and measuring a relaxation parameter of the hydrogen nuclei in the tissue portion, the relaxation parameter being a quantitative measure of the hydration state or vascular volume of the subject as a whole. The invention also features devices and computer-readable storage media for performing the methods of the invention.

Abstract: The invention features methods for detecting the hydration state or vascular volume of a subject using a device capable of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurement. The methods involve exposing a portion of a tissue of the subject in vivo to a magnetic field and RF pulse from the device to excite hydrogen nuclei of water within the tissue portion, and measuring a relaxation parameter of the hydrogen nuclei in the tissue portion, the relaxation parameter being a quantitative measure of the hydration state or vascular volume of the subject as a whole. The invention also features devices and computer-readable storage media for performing the methods of the invention.

Abstract: Trapping devices and methods are provided for capturing a medical analyte, in blood or another biological fluid. The device may include a structural substrate and a binding agent, such as an antibody, affixed to the structural substrate, wherein the binding agent is capable of binding or attaching with a medical analyte, such as a viral particle, and the device is configured for placement in a biological cavity or vessel (containing a biological fluid) in a patient. The trapping device, which may be in a twisted coil shape, is configured to trap at least some of the medical analyte, such a viral particle, present in the biological fluid. The method may include deploying a trapping device into the patient's blood vessel; after a period following the deployment, removing the trapping device from the biological cavity or blood vessel; and then analyzing the trapping device for the presence of the medical analyte.

Abstract: An implantable magnetic relaxation sensor is provided that comprises superparamagnetic nanoparticies functionalized with one or more agents that bond with a biomarker of interest. The sensor is configured for minimally-invasive implantation into a human or animal, and is configured to indicate the implanted sensor's cumulative exposure to the biomarker of interest by analysis using magnetic resonance relaxometry.

Abstract: Trapping devices and methods are provided for capturing a medical analyte, in blood or another biological fluid. The device may include a structural substrate and a binding agent, such as an antibody, affixed to the structural substrate, wherein the binding agent is capable of binding or attaching with a medical analyte, such as a viral particle, and the device is configured for placement in a biological cavity or vessel (containing a biological fluid) in a patient. The trapping device, which may be in a twisted coil shape, is configured to trap at least some of the medical analyte, such a viral particle, present in the biological fluid. The method may include deploying a trapping device into the patient's blood vessel; after a period following the deployment, removing the trapping device from the biological cavity or blood vessel; and then analyzing the trapping device for the presence of the medical analyte.

Abstract: Trapping devices and methods are provided for capturing a medical analyte, in blood or another biological fluid. The device may include a structural substrate and a binding agent, such as an antibody, affixed to the structural substrate, wherein the binding agent is capable of binding or attaching with a medical analyte, such as a viral particle, and the device is configured for placement in a biological cavity or vessel (containing a biological fluid) in a patient. The trapping device, which may be in a twisted coil shape, is configured to trap at least some of the medical analyte, such a viral particle, present in the biological fluid. The method may include deploying a trapping device into the patient's blood vessel; after a period following the deployment, removing the trapping device from the biological cavity or blood vessel; and then analyzing the trapping device for the presence of the medical analyte.

Abstract: The invention features methods for detecting the hydration state or vascular volume of a subject using a device capable of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurement. The methods involve exposing a portion of a tissue of the subject in vivo to a magnetic field and RF pulse from the device to excite hydrogen nuclei of water within the tissue portion, and measuring a relaxation parameter of the hydrogen nuclei in the tissue portion, the relaxation parameter being a quantitative measure of the hydration state or vascular volume of the subject as a whole. The invention also features devices and computer-readable storage media for per forming the methods of the invention.

Abstract: Trapping devices and methods are provided for capturing a medical analyte, in blood or another biological fluid. The device may include a structural substrate and a binding agent, such as an antibody, affixed to the structural substrate, wherein the binding agent is capable of binding or attaching with a medical analyte, such as a viral particle, and the device is configured for placement in a biological cavity or vessel (containing a biological fluid) in a patient. The trapping device, which may be in a twisted coil shape, is configured to trap at least some of the medical analyte, such a viral particle, present in the biological fluid. The method may include deploying a trapping device into the patient's blood vessel; after a period following the deployment, removing the trapping device from the biological cavity or blood vessel; and then analyzing the trapping device for the presence of the medical analyte.

Abstract: An implantable magnetic relaxation sensor is provided that comprises superparamagnetic nanoparticies functionalized with one or more agents that bond with a biomarker of interest. The sensor is configured for minimally-invasive implantation into a human or animal, and is configured to indicate the implanted sensor's cumulative exposure to the biomarker of interest by analysis using magnetic resonance relaxometry.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for stabilization of aggregation-based assays are described. In various embodiments, anti-analytes are dispersed within a matrix. A solution containing analytes brought into contact with the matrix, so that analytes may permeate throughout at least a portion of the matrix. In some embodiments, the anti-analytes and analytes are mobile within the matrix. As aggregates form and increase in size, the aggregates become substantially immobile within the matrix. As a result, signals representative of an amount of aggregation within the matrix can remain substantially constant. In various aspects, matrix-stabilized aggregation-based assays provide for reliable quantitative analysis of analyte concentration with test solutions.