Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for compensating for gravitational effects on a sensor system. In one example, a sensor system includes a sample container configured to receive a sample containing an analyte to be tested, the sample container comprising a detection surface and a plurality of signal generating elements in the sample container, wherein the detection surface comprises a binding surface, which has been partially functionalized with capture elements that can bind, directly and/or indirectly, the analyte and/or the signal generating elements, wherein the signal generating elements have a spatial distribution profile over the detection surface, wherein the spatial distribution profile has a gradient along a first axis, and wherein the binding surface has an axis of symmetry that is orthogonal to the first axis.

Abstract: A system (1) for detecting an analyte of interest in a sample is disclosed that comprises a measurement chamber (21) for metering the sample and including a defined concentration of an activator (27) causing the generation of a product when interacting with the analyte of interest, a heating element (31) thermally coupled to the measurement chamber, a controller (33) adapted to control the heating element such that the measurement chamber is maintained at a defined temperature (Td), a sensor (35) adapted to detect said product, a timer (37) adapted to time an interaction time between the sample and the activator; and a processor (39) responsive to the sensor and the timer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the means and methods for the detection of bacterial infections, methods discriminating between viral and bacterial infections, methods of stratifying patients for subsequent treatment and further diagnostic purposes and methods to monitor antibiotherapy. The present invention is based on the detection of specific epitopes of human neutrophil lipocalin (HNL) using specific binding agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (100) for detecting an analyte (12) in a body fluid sample (14) containing a plurality of cells (16). The device (100) comprises a sample input (18) for receiving a body fluid sample (14) containing a plurality of cells (16), and an immunoassay unit (20) comprising a detection surface (28) for performing an immunoassay of said body fluid sample (14) containing a plurality of cells (16). The immunoassay unit (20) comprises an activating reagent (22) for activating the plurality of cells (16) contained in the body fluid sample (14) to release an analyte (12), an anti-analyte-antibody (24) capable of binding to said analyte (12) to form a complex (26) comprising said anti-analyte-antibody (24) and said analyte (12), wherein the forming of said complex (26) proceeds at least partially simultaneous to the activating of said plurality of cells (16).

Abstract: Methods for preventing aggregation of detection particles in a test for detecting a multi-epitope target analyte comprising two or more similar or identical epitopes in a sample and/or for determining the concentration of the multi-epitope target analyte in a sample by applying a first capture entity which can specifically bind to at least one epitope on the multi-epitope analyte and block the at least one epitope from binding to a detection particle. The detection of the multi-epitope target analyte may further include the use of a second capture entity, which can specifically bind to the same or a similar epitope of the multi-epitope target analyte as the first capture entity. The multi-epitope target may be detected through the use of a system comprising a sensor surface and the use of a first capture entity to block the at least one epitope from binding to a detection particle.

Abstract: During an assay, optical measurements are made at a sensing surface (112), and at least one “homogeneity-image” of the sensing surface (112) is generated. From this image, an “homogeneity-indicator” is determined for at least one region of interest, and the optical measurements are then evaluated in dependence on said indicator. The homogeneity-indicator may for example be a binary value which indicates if an inhomogeneity was detected or not. If an inhomogeneity was detected, all optical measurements may be rejected, only measurements for the involved region of interest may be rejected, or measurements for a selected sub-area of the involved region of interest (ROI) may be rejected.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a biosensor system (300) for the detection of target components (TC) in a biological sample. In a preferred embodiment, magnetic purification particles (PP) are added to the sample that can bind interfering components (IC) (if present) which interfere with the detection process. The purification particles (PP) with bound interfering components (IC) may be removed from the sample and transferred through a magneto-capillary valve (MCV1) into a waste chamber (320).

Abstract: A device such as a disposable cartridge has an RFID tag (30) having an antenna (10), and a fluidic element (20, 160), the antenna having a shape to at least partly enclose an area, at least a part of the fluidic element being located in this area. By having such a structure, the device can be made more compact or the antenna can be made larger, and hence the costs for a given performance can be reduced, or the storage space for a given number of devices can be reduced.

Abstract: A cartridge for detection of target components in a liquid sample includes a sample chamber, at least two reservoirs that can be furnished with magnetic particles, and at least two corresponding sensitive zones in which solved magnetic particles and/or target components can be detected. When a magnetic actuation field of a given configuration is established in the sample chamber, the magnetic particles of different reservoirs migrate predominantly to different sensitive zones. Thus a mixing of magnetic particles can be avoided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor device (100) and a method for the detection of magnetic particles (1) in a sample chamber (2) with a contact surface (11). The sensor device (100) comprises a sensor unit (120, 130) for detecting magnetic particles (1) in a target region (TR) and/or in at least one reference region on the contact surface. Moreover, it comprises a magnetic field generator (140) for generating a magnetic field that shall guide magnetic particles to the contact surface. With the help of these components, an “auxiliary parameter” is determined that is related to the magnetic particles (1) and/or their movement but that is independent of binding processes taking place in the target region between magnetic particles and the contact surface. The auxiliary parameter may for example be related to the degree of mismatch between the positions reached by the magnetic particles (1) under the influence of a magnetic field and the target region (TR).

Abstract: A sensor system (100) includes a reader (150) with a sensor unit (155, 156) and an accommodation Space (151) for an exchangeable cartridge (110). The cartridge (110) is held in the accommodation space (151) by at least one contact element (111) which has an increased thermal resistance and/or a contact area of reduced size. Thus a more homogenous temperature distribution can be achieved within the cartridge (110), reducing distortions which might adversely affect optical measurements.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for detecting drugs of abuse or other compounds in saliva. The invention thus provides a device for detecting the presence of one or more analytes in a saliva sample, comprising: (a) One or more pre-treatment regions for specifically or non-specifically removing at least a part of the fraction of the saliva sample interfering with detection of the one or more analytes; and (b) A detection region comprising a biosensor surface, the surface comprising: molecules capable of specifically binding the one or more analytes; or the one or more analytes and/or analyte analogues.

Abstract: A sensor device (1) for detecting the presence of a target molecule (20) in a sample, is disclosed. The sensor device comprises a measurement sensor (2) comprising a first moiety (16) for forming a binding couple with a first further moiety comprising the target molecule (20) and a detectable label (40) and a reference sensor (3) comprising a second moiety (50) for forming a further binding couple with a second further moiety comprising a further detectable label (40?).

Abstract: A cartridge for detection of target components in a liquid sample includes a sample chamber, at least two reservoirs that can be furnished with magnetic particles, and at least two corresponding sensitive zones in which solved magnetic particles and/or target components can be detected. When a magnetic actuation field of a given configuration is established in the sample chamber, the magnetic particles of different reservoirs migrate predominantly to different sensitive zones. Thus a mixing of magnetic particles can be avoided.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for detecting drugs of abuse or other compounds in saliva. The invention thus provides a device for detecting the presence of one or more analytes in a saliva sample, comprising: (a) One or more pre-treatment regions for specifically or non-specifically removing at least a part of the fraction of the saliva sample interfering with detection of the one or more analytes; and (b) A detection region comprising a biosensor surface, the surface comprising: molecules capable of specifically binding the one or more analytes; or the one or more analytes and/or analyte analogs.

Abstract: A sensor device for sensing particles of a sample, the sensor device including a sensing unit adapted for sensing a detection signal indicative of the presence of the particles, a viscosity measurement unit adapted for measuring the viscosity of the sample, and a correction unit adapted for correcting the detection signal based on the measured viscosity.

Abstract: A device, system and method for sampling sample material for an analyte including a receiving swab, wherein at least a portion of the receiving swab is compressible; a sensor for sensing the analyte; and a casing, wherein the casing at least partially encloses the receiving swab and the sensor and allows for a transfer of sample material received by the receiving swab to the sensor along a transfer path inside of the casing. The compressible portion of the receiving swab is located inside the casing, wherein by compressing the compressible portion, the transfer path is closable towards the outside of the device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor device (100) and a method for the detection of magnetic particles (1) in a sample chamber (2) with a contact surface (11). The sensor device (100) comprises a sensor unit (120, 130) for detecting magnetic particles (1) in a target region (TR) and/or in at least one reference region on the contact surface. Moreover, it comprises a magnetic field generator (140) for generating a magnetic field that shall guide magnetic particles to the contact surface. With the help of these components, an “auxiliary parameter” is determined that is related to the magnetic particles (1) and/or their movement but that is independent of binding processes taking place in the target region between magnetic particles and the contact surface. The auxiliary parameter may for example be related to the degree of mismatch between the positions reached by the magnetic particles (1) under the influence of a magnetic field and the target region (TR).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a sensor device (100) for evaluating an assay with a sample. During the assay, optical measurements are made at a sensing surface (112), and at least one “homogeneity-image” of the sensing surface (112) is generated. From this image, an “homogeneity-indicator” is determined for at least one region of interest, and the optical measurements are then evaluated in dependence on said indicator. The homogeneity-indicator may for example be a binary value which indicates if an inhomogeneity was detected or not. If an inhomogeneity was detected, all optical measurements may be rejected, only measurements for the involved region of interest may be rejected, or measurements for a selected sub-area of the involved region of interest(ROI) may be rejected.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor system (100) comprising a reader (150) with a sensor unit (155, 156) and an accommodation Space (151) for an exchangeable cartridge (110). The cartridge (110) is held in said accommodation space (151) by at least one contact element (111) which has an increased thermal resistance and/or a contact area of reduced size. Thus a more homogenous temperature distribution can be achieved within the cartridge (110), reducing distortions which might adversely affect optical measurements.