Abstract: A testing device for identifying an antigen or antibody within a biofluid sample including: a substrate having a hydrophilic surface thereon; the surface including a collection zone, and at least one detection zone extending therefrom; wherein the biofluid sample can be mixed with a specific antigen or antibody, and deposited on the collection zone and transferred by capillary action to the detection zone; the antigen or antibody in the biofluid sample reacting with an appropriate said antibody or antigen thereby resulting in a visual indication within the detection zone.

Abstract: A diagnostic device which enables measurement of fibrinogen concentration in a blood sample. The device comprises; a wettable testing substrate including viewing indicators which allow determination of a status of a test. The substrate has a first end and second end and intermediate therebetween a flow receiving zone, a flow path zone and a reaction zone; the reaction zone pre charged with at least one reagent. A blood sample to be tested is deposited near or in either of said flow receiving zone or said reaction zone, the sample reacting with the reagents inducing clotting of the sample. Water added to a dye added to said reaction zone, advances a distance along said substrate. The distance travelled along the substrate by the dye and through the sample is indicative of a measure of concentration of fibrinogen in said blood sample under test.

Abstract: A diagnostic device for analysing properties of an analyte in a sample liquid including: a distribution zone having at least two hydrophilic layers placed one on top of the other, wherein one layer is a top layer (12) and the other is a bottom layer (13); and a detection zone located under the distribution zone, the detection zone having a detection layer (14), wherein: the top layer has one or more openings (15) through which the sample liquid is introduced into the device; the bottom layer having one or more openings (16) connecting the distribution zone to the detection zone; the bottom layer also having a means by which the sample liquid is distributed from the top layer's opening to the detection layer through the bottom layer's opening; and a visual indication results on the detection layer when the sample liquid comes into contact with the detection layer.

Abstract: A diagnostic device for analysing properties of an analyte in a sample liquid including: a distribution zone having at least two hydrophilic layers placed one on top of the other, wherein one layer is a top layer (12) and the other is a bottom layer (13); and a detection zone located under the distribution zone, the detection zone having a detection layer (14), wherein: the top layer has one or more openings (15) through which the sample liquid is introduced into the device; the bottom layer having one or more openings (16) connecting the distribution zone to the detection zone; the bottom layer also having a means by which the sample liquid is distributed from the top layer's opening to the detection layer through the bottom layer's opening; and a visual indication results on the detection layer when the sample liquid comes into contact with the detection layer.

Abstract: A testing device for identifying an antigen or antibody within a biofluid sample including: a substrate having a hydrophilic surface thereon; the surface including a collection zone, and at least one detection zone extending therefrom; wherein the biofluid sample can be mixed with a specific antigen or antibody, and deposited on the collection zone and transferred by capillary action to the detection zone; the antigen or antibody in the biofluid sample reacting with an appropriate said antibody or antigen thereby resulting in a visual indication within the detection zone.

Abstract: A method of determining the concentration of a test fluid sample using a paper-based microfluidic system having a plurality of hydrophilic testing zones, including: a) depositing said test fluid sample on at least one said testing zone; b) depositing a plurality of standard fluid samples or reactives of differing known concentrations on other said testing zones; c) introducing an indicator solution to each said test zone to thereby react with the deposited fluid sample and result in a color intensity change which is a function of the fluid sample concentration; and d) comparing the differences in color intensity between the test fluid sample and the standard fluid samples or reactives to thereby determine the concentration of said test fluid sample.

Abstract: A microfluidic system including a substrate in sheet form, at least one hydrophilic microfluidic channel supported on a surface of the substrate, and at least one functional component formed as part of the substrate for providing a functional component for the microfluidic channel wherein the functional component comprises at least one cut within the substrate for providing a switch or filter component for the microfluidic channel.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a microfluidic system having microfluidic channels on a surface of a hydrophilic substrate, the method including the steps of: hydrophobizing the substrate surface; locating a mask defining the substrate surface, the mask having open areas defining the periphery of the microfluidic channels; and applying an irradiation treatment to areas of the substrate surface exposed by the open areas of the mask, said exposed areas becoming hydrophilic to therefore form said microfluidic channels.

Abstract: A testing device for identifying an antigen or antibody within a biofluid sample including: a substrate having a hydrophilic surface thereon; the surface including a collection zone, and at least one detection zone extending therefrom; wherein the biofluid sample can be mixed with a specific antigen or antibody, and deposited on the collection zone and transferred by capillary action to the detection zone; the antigen or antibody in the biofluid sample reacting with an appropriate said antibody or antigen thereby resulting in a visual indication within the detection zone.

Abstract: A method of determining the concentration of a test fluid sample using a paper-based microfluidic system having a plurality of hydrophilic testing zones, including: a) depositing said test fluid sample on at least one said testing zone; b) depositing a plurality of standard fluid samples or reactives of differing known concentrations on other said testing zones; c) introducing an indicator solution to each said test zone to thereby react with the deposited fluid sample and result in a colour intensity change which is a function of the fluid sample concentration; and d) comparing the differences in colour intensity between the test fluid sample and the standard fluid samples or reactives to thereby determine the concentration of said test fluid sample.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a microfluidic system having microfluidic channels on a surface of a hydrophilic substrate, the method including the steps of: hydrophobizing the substrate surface; locating a mask defining the substrate surface, the mask having open areas defining the periphery of the microfluidic channels; and applying an irradiation treatment to areas of the substrate surface exposed by the open areas of the mask, said exposed areas becoming hydrophilic to therefore form said microfluidic channels.

Abstract: A microfluidic system including a substrate in sheet form, at least one hydrophilic microfluidic channel supported on a surface of the substrate, and at least one function component formed as part of the substrate for providing a functional component for the microfluidic channel wherein the functional component comprises at least one cut within the substrate for providing a switch or filter component for the microfluidic channel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a bicomponent strengthening system and the paper webs produced with the bicomponent strengthening system. Through use of the strengthening system, paper webs may be produced in which the strength characteristics of the web may be specifically tailored. The first component of the system comprises a polymer having at least about 1.5 m-eq primary amine functionality per gram of polymer and a molecular weight of at least about 10,000 Daltons. The second component may be either a polymeric anionic compound or a polymeric aldehyde functional compound. For example, the polyamine polymer component may be a polyvinylamine or polysaccharide having primary amine functionality. In one embodiment, the second component may be a cationic polymeric aldehyde functional compound. For example, the second component may be a cationic glyoxylated polyacrylamide. In another embodiment, the second component may be a polymeric anionic compound comprising carboxy functionality.

Abstract: An absorbent article is provided that includes an electroactive display. The electroactive display may include an electrochromic composition positioned between two electrodes. The electroactive display is configured to create and exhibit an image that contains active features such as moving graphics or color-changing objects. For instance, the electroactive display may display an animated cartoon character or a moving vehicle. The electroactive display may also create symbols or words. When combined with sensors, a power source, and the proper circuitry, the electroactive display may be used, for instance, as a wetness indicator or to indicate the presence of a particular substance. In other embodiments, the electroactive display may be used solely for aesthetic purposes.

Abstract: Textile materials, including paper webs, treated with a polyvinylamine polymer and a second agent that interacts with the polyvinylamine polymer is disclosed. The second agent added with the polyvinylamine polymer can be, for instance, a polymeric anionic reactive compound or a polymeric aldehyde-functional compound. When incorporated into a paper web, the combination of the polyvinylamine polymer and the second agent provide improved strength properties, such as wet strength properties. In an alternative embodiment, the polyvinylamine polymer and the second polymer can be applied to a textile material for increasing the affinity of the textile material for acid dyes.

Abstract: Textile materials, including paper webs, treated with a polyvinylamine polymer and a second agent that interacts with the polyvinylamine polymer is disclosed. The second agent added with the polyvinylamine polymer can be, for instance, a polymeric anionic reactive compound or a polymeric aldehyde-functional compound. When incorporated into a paper web, the combination of the polyvinylamine polymer and the second agent provide improved strength properties, such as wet strength properties. In an alternative embodiment, the polyvinylamine polymer and the second polymer can be applied to a textile material for increasing the affinity of the textile material for acid dyes.

Abstract: Textile materials, including paper webs, treated with a polyvinylamine polymer and a second agent that interacts with the polyvinylamine polymer is disclosed. The second agent added with the polyvinylamine polymer can be, for instance, a polymeric anionic reactive compound or a polymeric aldehyde-functional compound. When incorporated into a paper web, the combination of the polyvinylamine polymer and the second agent provide improved strength properties, such as wet strength properties. In an alternative embodiment, the polyvinylamine polymer and the second polymer can be applied to a textile material for increasing the affinity of the textile material for acid dyes.