Abstract: The present invention provides methods, devices, and systems for performing receptor binding assays. In particular, magnetically responsive particles configured to form a complex with a labeled conjugate corresponding to one or more analytes of interest can be moved within an assay device to one or more discrete detection regions through the application of one or more magnetic fields. By positioning the detection region such that the direction of this movement is, for at least a portion of the movement, counter to the direction of fluid flow within the device, detection of assay signals can be performed without the need for separate wash steps. Moreover, contamination of the signals resulting from labeled conjugate being carried in the direction of fluid flow substantially reduced.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the identification and use of diagnostic markers for differential diagnosis of diseases. In various aspects, the invention relates to methods and compositions able to determine the presence or absence of one, and preferably a plurality, of diseases that exhibit one or more similar or identical symptoms. Such methods and compositions can be used to provide assays and assay devices for use in determining the disease underlying one or more non-specific symptoms exhibited in a clinical setting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and system for the diagnosis diseases or conditions. In a particular aspect, a disclosed method for determining a panel includes calculating a panel response for each patient in a set of diseased patients and in a set of non-diseased patients. The panel response is a function of the value of each of a plurality of markers in a panel of markers. The method also includes calculating a value for an objective function. The objective function is indicative of the effectiveness of the panel. The steps of calculating a panel response for each patient and calculating a value for an objective function are iterated by varying at least one of the parameters relating to the panel response function and a sense of each marker to facilitate optimization of the objective function. The objective function may be a measure of an overlap of panel responses of diseased patients and panel responses of non-diseased patients.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and system for the diagnosis diseases or conditions. In a particular aspect, a disclosed method for determining a panel includes calculating a panel response for each patient in a set of diseased patients and in a set of non-diseased patients. The panel response is a function of the value of each of a plurality of markers in a panel of markers. The method also includes calculating a value for an objective function. The objective function is indicative of the effectiveness of the panel. The steps of calculating a panel response for each patient and calculating a value for an objective function are iterated by varying at least one of the parameters relating to the panel response function and a sense of each marker to facilitate optimization of the objective function. The objective function may be a measure of an overlap of panel responses of diseased patients and panel responses of non-diseased patients.