Abstract: Selective amplification of DNA in PCR exponentially increases the signal in molecular diagnostics for nucleic acids, but analogous techniques exist for signal enhancement in clinical tests for proteins or cells. Instead, the signal from affinity-based measurements of these biomolecules depends linearly on probe concentration. Substituting antibody-based probes tagged for fluorescent quantification with lasing detection probes would create a new platform for biomarker quantification based on optical rather than enzymatic amplification. Here, a viral laser is constructed which bridges synthetic biology and laser physics, and demonstrates viral-lasing probes for biosensing. At the transition to lasing, photon flux from the probes increases by five orders of magnitude and narrows spectral linewidth to below 5.0 nm.

Abstract: A introducer is disclosed that includes an introducer sheath for introducing a catheter into a blood vessel at an insertion point, a plurality of electrodes on the introducer sheath, a flush line coupled to the introducer sheath including a proximal end and a distal end. In addition, the introducer includes an impedance assessment unit coupled to the flush line between the proximal end and the distal end and electrically coupled to the electrodes. The impedance assessment unit is configured to inject a predetermined current or voltage into a first of the plurality of electrodes and measure a resulting voltage or current, respectively, from a second of the plurality of electrodes.

Abstract: A introducer is disclosed that includes an introducer sheath for introducing a catheter into a blood vessel at an insertion point, a plurality of electrodes on the introducer sheath, a flush line coupled to the introducer sheath including a proximal end and a distal end. In addition, the introducer includes an impedance assessment unit coupled to the flush line between the proximal end and the distal end and electrically coupled to the electrodes. The impedance assessment unit is configured to inject a predetermined current or voltage into a first of the plurality of electrodes and measure a resulting voltage or current, respectively, from a second of the plurality of electrodes.