Abstract: A device for analyzing an analyte in a sample includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a fluidic channel, an inlet port and an outlet port. Each of the first substrate and the second substrate has an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface of the first substrate forming, at least in part, the lower wall of the fluidic channel, and the inner surface of the second substrate forming, at least in part, the upper wall of the fluidic channel. The fluidic channel is connected to the inlet port and the outlet port. The fluidic channel includes a reagent region and a detection region, at least a portion of the reagent region being coated with one or more dried reagents. The device further includes a wicking pad located on the outer surface of the second substrate, the wicking pad being positioned at a pre-determined distance from the outlet port.

Abstract: A particle identification system includes: a cartridge for containing a sample with fluorescently labeled particles; illumination for illuminating a region within the cartridge to stimulate emission from particles; imager for generating wavelength-filtered electronic images of the emission within at least one measurement field of the region; and particle identifier for processing the electronic images to determine a superset of particles of interest, and fluorescently labeled particles within the superset based on properties of the particles in the at least one measurement field.

Abstract: A cartridge for detecting a target analyte in a sample includes (a) a capillary channel with a detection region configured for detection of the target analyte, (b) an inlet port configured to hold the sample before entering the capillary channel and including a dried reagents for rehydrating into the sample, the inlet port and the capillary channel being shaped in part by a common structure, and (c) a vent having a frangible seal configured to prevent flow of the sample into the capillary channel until the frangible seal is broken, the capillary channel being airtight between the inlet port and the vent.

Abstract: A cartridge for processing a sample includes (a) a planar waveguide with upper and lower planar surfaces defining an optical axis therebetween, wherein the upper planar surface has a plurality of capture molecules bound thereto, (b) a lens portion, coupled to the planar waveguide, for focusing and refracting a light beam propagating parallel to, but offset from, the optical axis such that the light beam couples into the planar waveguide and propagates therein along the optical axis at a non-zero, internal propagation angle ? relative to the upper planar surface, and (c) a sample chamber for positioning the sample in contact with the plurality of capture molecules such that a target analyte of the sample is detectable through (i) an assay involving the target analyte and the capture molecules and (ii) evanescent illumination of the assay using the light beam within the planar waveguide.

Abstract: A cartridge for processing a sample includes (a) a planar waveguide with upper and lower planar surfaces defining an optical axis therebetween, wherein the upper planar surface has a plurality of capture molecules bound thereto, (b) a lens portion, coupled to the planar waveguide, for focusing and refracting a light beam propagating parallel to, but offset from, the optical axis such that the light beam couples into the planar waveguide and propagates therein along the optical axis at a non-zero, internal propagation angle ? relative to the upper planar surface, and (c) a sample chamber for positioning the sample in contact with the plurality of capture molecules such that a target analyte of the sample is detectable through (i) an assay involving the target analyte and the capture molecules and (ii) evanescent illumination of the assay using the light beam within the planar waveguide.

Abstract: An assay cartridge processing system includes an agitation source for agitating assay components within an assay cartridge, and a timing module for controlling timing of agitation. An assay cartridge processing method includes applying agitation to an assay cartridge to mix assay components, and electronically controlling timing of agitation. An assay cartridge processing system includes a puncture device for puncturing an assay cartridge to allow fluid flow, and a timing module for controlling timing of puncturing. An assay cartridge processing method includes puncturing a vent of a capillary channel of an assay cartridge to allow fluid flow from an inlet port of the assay cartridge into the capillary channel, and electronically controlling timing of the step of puncturing. An assay cartridge includes a capillary channel, an inlet port, and a vent including a frangible seal for preventing fluid flow from into the capillary channel when the frangible seal is intact.

Abstract: A fluidic cartridge (110) with passively driven fluid flow is disclosed. The disclosed device and method solve problems associated with passive-flow fluidics by using a wicking pad (510) and/or a tilting means to prevent channel draining and backflow. The disclosure further provides means for adding liquid to the cartridge in multiple steps, without requiring liquid aspiration or removal.

Abstract: A rapid diagnostic system that delivers a panel of serologic assay results using a small amount of blood, serum, or plasma is described. The system includes a disposable cartridge, including an integral lens portion coupled to a planar waveguide, and a reader instrument, based on planar waveguide imaging technology. The cartridge incorporates a microarray of recombinant antigens and antibody controls in a fluidic channel, providing multiple parallel fluorescence assay results for a single sample.

Abstract: A particle identification system includes: a cartridge for containing a sample with fluorescently labeled particles; illumination for illuminating a region within the cartridge to stimulate emission from particles; imager for generating wavelength-filtered electronic images of the emission within at least one measurement field of the region; and particle identifier for processing the electronic images to determine a superset of particles of interest, and fluorescently labeled particles within the superset based on properties of the particles in the at least one measurement field.

Abstract: A rapid diagnostic system that delivers a panel of serologic assay results using a small amount of blood, serum, or plasma is described. The system includes a disposable cartridge and a reader instrument, based on planar waveguide imaging technology. The cartridge incorporates a microarray of recombinant antigens and antibody controls in a fluidic channel, providing multiple parallel fluorescence assay results for a single sample.

Abstract: A fluidic cartridge (110) with passively driven fluid flow is disclosed. The disclosed device and method solve problems associated with passive-flow fluidics by using a wicking pad (510) and/or a tilting means to prevent channel draining and backflow. The disclosure further provides means for adding liquid to the cartridge in multiple steps, without requiring liquid aspiration or removal.

Abstract: A device for analyzing an analyte in a sample includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a fluidic channel, an inlet port and an outlet port. Each of the first substrate and the second substrate has an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface of the first substrate forming, at least in part, the lower wall of the fluidic channel, and the inner surface of the second substrate forming, at least in part, the upper wall of the fluidic channel. The fluidic channel is connected to the inlet port and the outlet port. The fluidic channel includes a reagent region and a detection region, at least a portion of the reagent region being coated with one or more dried reagents. The device further includes a wicking pad located on the outer surface of the second substrate, the wicking pad being positioned at a pre-determined distance from the outlet port.

Abstract: A sample can be illuminated for analysis using apparatus including a light source, a planar waveguide, and a refractive volume. The light source provides light along a propagation vector. The planar waveguide is oriented such that the propagation vector is perpendicular to the normal vector of the planar waveguide and offset from the planar waveguide in a direction parallel to the normal vector of the planar waveguide. The refractive volume is positioned proximate to the planar waveguide and can optically coupling light provided by the light source to the planar waveguide.

Abstract: A system for enumeration of objects such as cells in a sample is disclosed. The system uses a low-cost cartridge and a reader instrument, based on planar waveguide imaging technology. Cells of a blood sample may be stained with fluorescence-tagged antibodies and are loaded onto the cartridge where the differentially labeled cells may be distinguished and quantified.

Abstract: A rapid diagnostic system that delivers a panel of serologic assay results using a small amount of blood, serum, or plasma is described. The system includes a disposable cartridge and a reader instrument, based on planar waveguide imaging technology. The cartridge incorporates a microarray of recombinant antigens and antibody controls in a fluidic channel, providing multiple parallel fluorescence assay results for a single sample.

Abstract: An apparatus for illuminating a sample includes a planar waveguide. The planar waveguide includes a first substrate, including a first outer surface and a first inner surface, and a second substrate, including a second outer surface and a second inner surface. The first and second inner surfaces of the first and second substrates, respectively, are spaced apart from each other and partly define a volume for confining the sample therein. The apparatus also includes a light source for providing light directed toward the planar waveguide, such that the light is optically coupled to and contained within the planar waveguide between the outer surfaces of the first and second substrates, while illuminating at least a portion of the sample confined within the volume.

Abstract: Systems, methods, circuits and/or devices for generating high repetition rate ultra-short pulses are described. As one of many examples, an optical pulse generating laser system is described that produces mode-locked optical pulses. The laser system incorporates an optical pulse generation device that includes two optical loops coupled via a beam splitter. In addition, the optical pulse generation device includes an optical gain medium that is associated with the first optical loop, and a saturable element that is disposed in either the first optical loop or the second optical loop. The saturable element is operable to modulate a group of optical pulses propagating in at least one of the first optical loop and the second optical loop to create a group of substantially regular modulated pulses.

Abstract: A sample can be illuminated for analysis using apparatus including a light source, a planar waveguide, and a refractive volume. The light source provides light along a propagation vector. The planar waveguide is oriented such that the propagation vector is perpendicular to the normal vector of the planar waveguide and offset from the planar waveguide in a direction parallel to the normal vector of the planar waveguide. The refractive volume is positioned proximate to the planar waveguide and can optically coupling light provided by the light source to the planar waveguide.

Abstract: The invention allows for the accurate, real-time readout of the optical frequency of a swept-wavelength laser device by counting the number of fringes of a calibrated etalon that occur as the laser is swept. The distinguishing feature of the present invention is that the etalon fringe signal is phase-locked to a slave signal of a higher multiple frequency. The higher frequency of the slave signal divides the frequency interval of the etalon fringe spacing by the additional frequency multiple. The slave signal therefore generates a scale for optical frequency that is of higher resolution than possible with the etalon alone. The phase-lock also insures that the slave signal tracks monotonic scans of the optical frequency regardless of scan profile. The invention also allows for the precise, real-time control of the optical frequency of a laser during the sweep of the laser.

Abstract: The invention describes devices and methods for determining the wavelength of coherent optical radiation such as is emitted from a laser source. The apparatus is monolithic with no moving parts and consists of optical components that generate signal periodic in the optical frequency of the coherent radiation detected by the component. Each optical component generates a signal with a different period. Differences between the periods of the signals generated by the optical frequency-dependent optical components provides a means of measuring optical wavelengths over a range far exceeding the free spectral range limitations of conventional interferometers. The method of the present invention allows for measurement of optical frequency with an uncertainty of much less than the period of the optical frequency-dependent optical components forming the apparatus.