Abstract: An apparatus (100, 100?) is configured such that passage of a fluid (30) through an open port of a distal tip (112, 112?) enables detection of a substance (116) that may be present on a surface (31, 33), e.g., a surface of a tooth, based on measurement of a signal correlating to a substance at least partially obstructing the passage of fluid (30) through the open port. The apparatus (100, 100?) includes a proximal pump portion (124) and at least one distal probe portion (110) configured to be immersed in another fluid (11), e.g., water in toothpaste foam. A corresponding system (3000) includes one or two such apparatuses (3100, 3200). A method of detecting the presence of a substance on a surface includes probing an interaction zone (17) for at least partial obstruction of flow of the second fluid medium (30) through a distal probe tip.

Abstract: The invention relates to a valve (2) for controlling a passage of particles from a first region (6) to a second region (7), wherein the valve (2) comprises a valve material (4) having a modifiable degree of penetrability and a valve region (16) comprising the valve material (4), wherein the valve region (16) and the valve material (4) are adapted such that the particles have to penetrate the valve material (4) if the particles pass the valve (2) for being transferred from the first region (6) to the second region (7). The degree of opening of the valve (2) can easily be controlled by modifying the degree of penetrability of the valve material (4), for example, by modifying the temperature of the valve material (4). Moreover, by penetrating the valve material (4) the particles can be separated from other elements like a fluid containing the particles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor apparatus (100) and a method for detecting clusters with magnetic particles in a sample. The sample is provided in at least one sample chamber (114) of a substantially planar cartridge (110) that is exposed to a modulated magnetic field (Bxz, Byz) generated by a magnetic field generator (190). The sample chamber (114) is illuminated with excitation light (L0), and the resulting output light (Ls) is detected by a light detector (180). The magnetic field (Bxz, Byz) may particularly rotate, inducing a corresponding rotation of clusters which in turn induces a variation of the detection signal (S). According to a preferred embodiment, excitation light (L0) is focused onto blocking spots (173) behind the sample chamber (114), thus shielding the light detector (180) from direct illumination.

Abstract: A method for sensing an analyte uses tethered particle motion. A functionalized particle [500] has a first state [504] in which the functionalized particle is bound to the surface and a second state [502] in which the functionalized particle is not bound to the surface, where the functionalized particle switches between the first and second states depending on the presence and absence of the analyte, thereby changing motion characteristics of the functionalized particle depending on the presence of the analyte. A spatial coordinate parameter of the functionalized particle is measured by a detector [516], and a processor [518] determines the presence/concentration of the analyte from changes in the measured spatial coordinate parameter.

Abstract: A target analyte in a matrix is sensed using a sensor device having protrusions [500] such as e.g. nanorods, containing free charge carriers. Conformational molecules [504, 506] are bound at a first end to the protrusions, and bound at a second end to a label [502] e.g. a nanoparticle, that is free to move relative to the protrusions. The conformational molecule changes its conformation when bound to the analyte, thereby changing the distance and/or the relative orientation of the label to the protrusion. Energy [510] is used to excite free electrons in the protrusion near a plasmon resonance and resulting optical radiation [514] at wavelengths near the plasmon resonance wavelength is detected [516] and analyzed [518] to determined the presence/concentration of the analyte.

Abstract: A toothbrush (10) includes a brushhead (18), a first force sensor (30A) for measuring a first force exerted by the brushhead at a first angle relative to a tooth and a second force sensor (30B) for measuring a second force exerted by the brushhead at a second angle relative to the tooth, the second angle being different than the first angle, and a processing unit (26). The processing unit is structured to: (i) receive first information indicative of the first force as measured by the first force sensor, (ii) receive second information indicative of the second force as measured by the second force sensor, and (iii) determine information regarding a current brushing angle of the brushhead based on the first information and the second information.

Abstract: An analyte [25] in a matrix is sensed using a sensing device having a detection probe [21] conjugated to a mediator-receptor [22] that is not a binder for the analyte. The sensor device is provided with mediators [23] conjugated to analyte-receptors [24], where the mediators are selected to bind to the mediator-receptors, and where the analyte-receptors are selected to bind to the analyte. In some embodiments, the mediators are bound to the detection probe by a tether molecule, or tether molecule fragment, or tether domain. In other embodiments, the mediators are not bound to the detection probe. The presence of the analyte is detected by optically or electrically detecting changes of distance between the mediators and the mediator-receptor, indicative of association and/or dissociation events between mediators and mediator-receptor, the characteristics of which are affected by whether the analyte is bound to the analyte-receptor.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured such that passage of a fluid through an open port of a distal probe tip enables detection of a substance that may be present on a surface, e.g., a surface of a tooth, based on measurement of a signal correlating to a substance at least partially obstructing the passage of fluid through the open port. The apparatus includes a proximal pump portion and at least one distal probe portion configured to be immersed in another fluid, e.g., water in toothpaste foam. A corresponding system includes one or two such apparatuses. A method of detecting the presence of a substance on a surface includes probing an interaction zone for at least partial obstruction of flow of the fluid through the distal probe tip. The distal probe tip may have a structural configuration for preventing blocking of the open port. The distal probe tip may also have a non-uniform wear profile. The at least one distal probe portion may include two or multiple components to improve performance and reliability.

Abstract: An apparatus (100, 100?) is configured such that passage of a fluid (30) through an open port (136, 2604) of a distal probe tip (112, 112?) enables detection of a substance (116) that may be present on a surface (31, 33), e.g., a surface of a tooth, based on measurement of a signal correlating to a substance at least partially obstructing the passage of fluid (30) through the open port (136, 2604). The apparatus (100, 100?) includes a proximal pump portion (124) and at least one distal probe portion (110) configured to be immersed in another fluid (11), e.g., water in toothpaste foam. A corresponding system (3000) includes one or two such apparatuses (3100, 3200). A method of detecting the presence of a substance on a surface includes probing an interaction zone (17) for at least partial obstruction of flow of the fluid (30) through the distal probe tip (112, 112?). The distal probe tip (112, 112?) may have a structural configuration for preventing blocking of the open port (136, 2604).

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for detection of a biological target in an affinity assay, the method comprising the steps of providing a biological sample volume containing the biological target, adding a first capturing moiety to the biological sample volume comprising the biological target, wherein the first capturing moiety is adhered to a particle, concentration of the captured biological target into an elution volume that is smaller than the biological sample volume in step a), cleavage of the first capturing moiety or the biological target from the particle and direct or indirect detection and/or quantification of the biological target in a sandwich or competitive affinity assay format, wherein the biological target is associated with at least one capturing moiety, preferably at least two capturing moieties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a micro-fluidic device for use in a micro-fluidic system. A rigid base structure is provided with a flexible membrane. An external magnetic driver moves from a first position to a second position underneath the micro-fluidic device whilst applying a magnetic field. A droplet containing magnetic particles will be attracted to the external magnetic driver. The flexible membrane is thin, and therefore the micro-fluidic device can be brought closer to the external magnetic driver, thus increasing the magnetic force incident on the fluid drop. A force will be exerted on the flexible membrane, so deflecting the flexible membrane, thus bringing the droplet containing magnetic particles closer to the external magnetic driver. The effect of the increased magnetic field is to increase the packing density of the magnetic droplet. Therefore, a droplet with higher integrity, and less susceptible to splitting, may be moved through the micro-fluidic device.

Abstract: A proximal body portion (210) of a detection apparatus for detecting the presence of a substance on a surface includes pump portion (124, 142) and a proximal probe portion (111, 120) in fluid communication with one another. A controller (225) processes signal readings sensed by the parameter sensor (P, P1 or P2) and determines whether the signal readings are indicative of a substance (116) obstructing the passage of fluid (130) through the open port of the distal tip (112, 112?) of a distal probe portion (110) of the detection apparatus (100, 100?, 100?, 100?a, 100?b, 100?c, 100?d, 100c). The controller (225) transmits a signal that changes dynamic pressure at the distal tip (112, 112?) upon determining that the signal readings are indicative of a substance (116) obstructing the passage of fluid (130) through the open port of the distal tip (112, 112?).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method 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 wherein the method comprises the step of applying a first capture entity which can specifically bind to at least one epitope on the multi-epitope analyte, characterized in that the first capture entity blocks the at least one epitope from binding to a detection particle. The invention further relates to a method wherein the detection of the multi-epitope target analyte comprises the use of a second capture entity, which can specifically bind to the same or similar epitope of the multi-epitope target analyte as the first capture entity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for processing isolated cells, in particular rare cells such as circulating tumor cells, to render them suitable for optical imaging, comprising the steps of (a) depositing filter material comprising captured cells on a phase-change medium; (b) melting said phase-change medium until the medium is spread out below said filter material; and (c) lowering the temperature of said phase-change medium until the medium solidifies, resulting in an optically flat filter comprising said cells at a fixed position. The method may additionally comprise an initial step of capturing a cell on a filter material. The phase-change medium, preferably paraffin wax, may comprise a porous, or mesh-like structure allowing the passage of a fluid through the medium. The phase-change medium may further be mounted on a carrier such as a glass carrier or a polymer material carrier.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus (100) for the enrichment of magnetic particles (1) in a sample fluid. The sample fluid is provided in a sample cartridge (2) between a first pole (111) and a second pole (112) of an actuator magnet (110). A minimal magnetic flux as well as a minimal magnetic gradient are then established inside the sample fluid, wherein their values depend on the particular magnetic particles (1) and the sample fluid under consideration. In a preferred embodiment, the first pole (111) has a single tip (T).

Abstract: An apparatus (100, 100?) is configured such that passage of a fluid (30) through an open port (136, 2604) of a distal probe tip (112, 112?) enables detection of a substance (116) that may be present on a surface (31, 33), e.g., a surface of a tooth, based on measurement of a signal correlating to a substance at least partially obstructing the passage of fluid (30) through the open port (136, 2604). The apparatus (100, 100?) includes a proximal pump portion (124) and at least one distal probe portion (110) configured to be immersed in another fluid (11), e.g., water in toothpaste foam. A corresponding system (3000) includes one or two such apparatuses (3100, 3200). A method of detecting the presence of a substance on a surface includes probing an interaction zone (17) for at least partial obstruction of flow of the fluid (30) through the distal probe tip (112, 112?). The distal probe tip (112, 112?) may have a structural configuration for preventing blocking of the open port (136, 2604).

Abstract: An apparatus (100, 100?) is configured such that passage of a fluid (30) through an open port (136, 2604) of a distal probe tip (112, 112?) enables detection of a substance (116) that may be present on a surface (31, 33), e.g., a surface of a tooth, based on measurement of a signal correlating to a substance at least partially obstructing the passage of fluid (30) through the open port (136, 2604). The apparatus (100, 100?) includes a proximal pump portion (124) and at least one distal probe portion (110) configured to be immersed in another fluid (11), e.g., water in toothpaste foam. A corresponding system (3000) includes one or two such apparatuses (3100, 3200). A method of detecting the presence of a substance on a surface includes probing an interaction zone (17) for at least partial obstruction of flow of the fluid (30) through the distal probe tip (112, 112?). The distal probe tip (112, 112?) may have a structural configuration for preventing blocking of the open port (136, 2604).

Abstract: An apparatus (100, 100?) is configured such that passage of a fluid (30) through an open port (136, 2604) of a distal probe tip (112, 112?) enables detection of a substance (116) that may be present on a surface (31, 33), e.g., a surface of a tooth, based on measurement of a signal correlating to a substance at least partially obstructing the passage of fluid (30) through the open port (136, 2604). The apparatus (100, 100?) includes a proximal pump portion (124) and at least one distal probe portion (110) configured to be immersed in another fluid (11), e.g., water in toothpaste foam. A corresponding system (3000) includes one or two such apparatuses (3100, 3200). A method of detecting the presence of a substance on a surface includes probing an interaction zone (17) for at least partial obstruction of flow of the fluid (30) through the distal probe tip (112, 112?). The distal probe tip (112, 112?) may have a structural configuration for preventing blocking of the open port (136, 2604).

Abstract: The invention relates to a cartridge (100) and an associated apparatus (150) for preparing a biological sample, particularly for staining a tissue or cell sample (1). The cartridge (100) comprises a reaction chamber (116) that can be closed by a substrate (140) carrying the sample (1), wherein the reaction chamber (116) is further connected to a fluidic inlet system (113,115) and a fluidic outlet system (123,125). When the substrate (140) closes the reaction chamber, the fluidic inlet system, the reaction chamber, and the fluidic outlet system constitute a fluidic system that is closed to the environment with respect to the exchange of liquids. A pressure-driven flow through the reaction chamber (116) may for example be induced by the actuation of deformable membranes (114,124).

Abstract: An apparatus (100, 100?) is configured such that passage of a fluid (30) through an open port of a distal tip (112, 112?) enables detection of a substance (116) that may be present on a surface (31, 33), e.g., a surface of a tooth, based on measurement of a signal correlating to a substance at least partially obstructing the passage of fluid (30) through the open port. The apparatus (100, 100?) includes a proximal pump portion (124) and at least one distal probe portion (110) configured to be immersed in another fluid (11), e.g., water in toothpaste foam. A corresponding system (3000) includes one or two such apparatuses (3100, 3200). A method of detecting the presence of a substance on a surface includes probing an interaction zone (17) for at least partial obstruction of flow of the second fluid medium (30) through a distal probe tip.