Abstract: A sensor for detecting a target analyte in a sample includes a pair of conducting electrodes that are separated by a gap. An insulator is disposed in the gap between the electrodes. Plural wells are defined by one of the electrodes and the insulator, to expose the other of the electrodes. The wells are configured to receive a sample including a target analyte. The target analyte, when present in the sample received in the wells, modulates an impedance between the electrodes. The modulated impedance, which is measurable with an applied electrical voltage, is indicative of the concentration of the target analyte in the sample. The wells can include antibodies immobilized inside the wells, to bind the target analyte, which can be a cytokine. Also provided are a method for label-free sensing of a target analyte in a sample, and a transcutaneous impedance sensor for label-free, in-situ biomarker detection.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a microfluidic system (e.g., microfluidic cartridge, microfluidic chip) comprising two or more microfluidic flow channels for impedance-based detection of a biological entity in a sample. The disclosed system enables simultaneous measurements of a sample in two or more microfluidic flow channels to minimize faulty results. It eliminates the need of lysing samples and measuring them multiple times that is more time-consuming, and could introduce some variations across samples and devices.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods, systems, and computer program products for detecting probe microparticle(s). One such embodiment applies an electric field to a biological entity. The electric field includes multiple frequencies. One or more of the multiple frequencies correspond to respective types of probe microparticles. Each type of probe microparticle includes a core and at least a partial metal oxide coating. Further, each type of probe microparticle is configured to produce a response corresponding to a respective frequency and conjugate to a corresponding type of biological entity. Responsive to applying the electric field, a response signal is measured. Then, based on the measured response signal, a presence or absence of probe microparticle(s) conjugated to the biological entity is detected.

Abstract: A device for detecting a target analyte in a sample includes a nanowell impedance sensor configured to receive a sample including a target analyte. An impedance between electrodes of the sensor is modulated by the target analyte when present in the sample, the modulated impedance being indicative of a concentration of the target analyte in the sample. A receiver circuit, connected across the electrodes, has a receiver resonance frequency and includes an inductive coil to induce an electrical current in the receiver circuit while inductively coupled with a physically separate transmitter circuit having a transmitter resonance frequency. The receiver resonance frequency is within a resonance overlap percentage of the transmitter resonance frequency. The electrical current induced in the receiver circuit is a time-varying signal having a frequency within a signal overlap percentage of the receiver resonance frequency.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting a target analyte in a sample includes a pair of conducting electrodes that are separated by a gap. An insulator is disposed in the gap between the electrodes. Plural wells are defined by one of the electrodes and the insulator, to expose the other of the electrodes. The wells are configured to receive a sample including a target analyte. The target analyte, when present in the sample received in the wells, modulates an impedance between the electrodes. The modulated impedance, which is measurable with an applied electrical voltage, is indicative of the concentration of the target analyte in the sample. The wells can include antibodies immobilized inside the wells, to bind the target analyte, which can be a cytokine. Also provided are a method for label-free sensing of a target analyte in a sample, and a transcutaneous impedance sensor for label-free, in-situ biomarker detection.

Abstract: Described herein are methods, systems and devices for rapidly detecting biomarkers in a biological sample.

Abstract: Devices and methods for selectively accessing tissue for sensing or drug release are provided. A device includes an array of wells formed in a substrate supporting a plurality of membranes. Each membrane is disposed at a well opening of one of the wells of the array. The device further includes an actuator and electronics configured to control the actuator to supply a vibration through the substrate. The supplied vibration is configured to selectively rupture one of the plurality of membranes at a defined timepoint to selectively give access to tissue through a well opening.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods and systems for classifying biological particles, e.g., blood cells, microbes, circulating tumor cells (CTCs). Using impedance flow cytometry, such as multi-frequency impedance cytometry, in conjunction with supervised machine learning, the disclosed methods and systems demonstrated improved accuracy in classifying biological particles.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus for detecting a heavy metal in a sample.

Abstract: This disclosure provides an impedance cytometer which includes a carrier that can be attached to a living being, with a biosensor mounted thereto. The bio sensor includes a microfluidic flow channel, formed in the carrier, and an impedance circuit. The microfluidic flow channel accommodates passage of a particle therethrough. The impedance circuit, connected to the microfluidic flow channel, includes a signal generator that produces a high-frequency drive signal applied to the flow channel to produce a biosensor output signal having high-frequency variation resulting from the drive signal and low-frequency variation resulting from impedance variation within the flow channel during the particle's passage. A lock-in amplifier is disposed to (i) amplify the bio sensor output signal, (ii) mix the amplified signal with the drive signal, and (iii) frequency-filter the mixed, amplified signal to output an impedance signal representing the low-frequency impedance variation resulting from the passage of the particle.

Abstract: A system and associated method for capturing and detecting a target analyte in a sample comprising an aerosol include a capture device, to capture a sample comprising an aerosol including a target analyte. The capture device includes an input to receive the sample, an output to release the sample for capturing, and a channel to flow the sample from the input toward the output. The channel is configured to accelerate the flowing sample to allow capturing of particles from the flowing sample, to thereby generate a captured sample including the target analyte. A sensor device is coupled to the capture device to receive at least a portion of the captured sample including the target analyte, to detect the target analyte in the captured sample based on an impedance measurement. The capture device can include a nozzle and an impact plate coupled with the nozzle and the sensor device.

Abstract: Systems and methods electronic barcoding of particles. The methods comprise: performing operations by a spin coater to spin coat a single layer of particles onto a substrate; performing operations by a heat applicator to apply heat to the substrate so as to evaporate a liquid; and performing operations by at least one material depositor to transform the particles into Electronically Barcoded Particles (“EBPs”). EBPs are fabricated by: coating a portion of each said particle of the particles with a first conductive layer; depositing an insulative layer on the first conductive layer; and/or depositing a second conductive layer on the insulative layer so as to form a parallel plate capacitor on the particle. The parallel plate capacitor is tuned so that the particle has a capacitance that is different than the capacitances of other ones of the electronically barcoded particles.

Abstract: Described herein are methods, systems and devices for rapidly detecting biomarkers in a biological sample.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods and systems for classifying biological particles, e.g., blood cells, microbes, circulating tumor cells (CTCs). Using impedance flow cytometry, such as multi-frequency impedance cytometry, in conjunction with supervised machine learning, the disclosed methods and systems demonstrated improved accuracy in classifying biological particles.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting a target analyte in a sample includes a pair of conducting electrodes that are separated by a gap. An insulator is disposed in the gap between the electrodes. Plural wells are defined by one of the electrodes and the insulator, to expose the other of the electrodes. The wells are configured to receive a sample including a target analyte. The target analyte, when present in the sample received in the wells, modulates an impedance between the electrodes. The modulated impedance, which is measurable with an applied electrical voltage, is indicative of the concentration of the target analyte in the sample. The wells can include antibodies immobilized inside the wells, to bind the target analyte, which can be a cytokine. Also provided are a method for label-free sensing of a target analyte in a sample, and a transcutaneous impedance sensor for label-free, in-situ biomarker detection.

Abstract: A device for detecting a biomarker for inflammation in a respiratory system includes a sample collection and/or holding area to receive an exhaled breath condensate (EBC) sample obtained from a respiratory system; an electrode system coupled to the sample collection area, the electrode system including reduced graphene oxide (rGO); and circuitry coupled to the electrode system. The circuitry is configured to apply a voltage to the EBC sample in the sample collection area via the electrode system and to measure a current via the electrode system in response to the voltage applied, in order to determine a concentration of nitrite in the EBC sample based on the current measured. The concentration of nitrite is a biomarker for inflammation in the respiratory system.

Abstract: This disclosure provides an impedance cytometer which includes a carrier that can be attached to a living being, with a biosensor mounted thereto. The bio sensor includes a microfluidic flow channel, formed in the carrier, and an impedance circuit. The microfluidic flow channel accommodates passage of a particle therethrough. The impedance circuit, connected to the microfluidic flow channel, includes a signal generator that produces a high-frequency drive signal applied to the flow channel to produce a biosensor output signal having high-frequency variation resulting from the drive signal and low-frequency variation resulting from impedance variation within the flow channel during the particle's passage. A lock-in amplifier is disposed to (i) amplify the bio sensor output signal, (ii) mix the amplified signal with the drive signal, and (iii) frequency-filter the mixed, amplified signal to output an impedance signal representing the low-frequency impedance variation resulting from the passage of the particle.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for systems of enhancing the signal to noise ratio, methods of orienting a nanomaterial (e.g., an antibody), methods of enhancing the signal to noise ratio in a system (e.g., an assay system), and the like.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods for verifying the integrity of an additive manufacturing process during or after a three-dimensional (3D) print job. The methods include at least one of three validation layers: an acoustic layer, a spatial sensing layer, and a material verification layer. For the acoustic layer, the method includes determining the presence of a signature audio signal. For the spatial sensing layer, the method includes comparing a recorded trajectory with a reference trajectory. The method also includes determining the presence of a signature trajectory. For the material verification layer, the method includes determining the location of a special material in a 3D printed object based on a predetermined pattern in which the special material embedded in a filament. The methods allow for detecting alteration in the additive manufacturing process.

Abstract: Systems and methods electronic barcoding of particles. The methods comprise: performing operations by a spin coater to spin coat a single layer of particles onto a substrate; performing operations by a heat applicator to apply heat to the substrate so as to evaporate a liquid; and performing operations by at least one material depositor to transform the particles into Electronically Barcoded Particles (“EBPs”). EBPs are fabricated by: coating a portion of each said particle of the particles with a first conductive layer; depositing an insulative layer on the first conductive layer; and/or depositing a second conductive layer on the insulative layer so as to form a parallel plate capacitor on the particle. The parallel plate capacitor is tuned so that the particle has a capacitance that is different than the capacitances of other ones of the electronically barcoded particles.