Abstract: Diagnostic devices for diagnosing male infertility and associated methods are described herein. In one aspect, a diagnostic device can include a thermally conductive probe configured to contact a Scrotal-Testes (ST) Complex of a patient; a thermally insulative housing detachably coupled to the thermally conductive probe; and a base defining a cavity, the base including: a thermal sensor positioned within the cavity and detachably coupled to a bottom surface of the thermally conductive probe; at least one processor in electronic communication with the thermal sensor and positioned within the cavity; and a receptacle formed by an exterior surface of the base and detachably coupled to the thermally insulative housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method for detecting and quantifying analytes. The present invention is advantageous over conventional methods, because the detection limit is not constrained by the sample volume or the length of time needed to perform quantitative ELISA.

Abstract: The invention is directed to quantitative lateral flow assay strips for a quantitative analysis of specific analyte by a point of care scanner. The quantitative lateral flow assay strip includes a body portion dimensioned for operable interface with the optical reader portion of the point of care scanner. The strip further including a sample pad for deposit of a known quantity of a biological sample containing an unknown quantity of the specific analyte and a conjugate pad located adjacent to the sample pad. The conjugate pad having an analyte/antibody conjugated to an optically detectable particle, which are all fixed to the conjugate pad in a dry state. The strip also has a capillary flow portion adjacent to the conjugate pad having a pore size selected to facilitate sample flow through the body portion and a test line portion having an anti-analyte antibody fixed in a dry state to the body portion of the strip. The strip may also include a control line having anti-conjugate antibody fixed in a dry state.

Abstract: A filter trap (10) for removing spermatozoa of relatively lower viability from a fluid containing both higher and lower viability spermatozoa includes a conduit (14) which compresses silica glass wool (16) to a density adequate to prevent the passage therethrough of lower viability spermatozoa and undesired extraneous materials, while permitting the passage therethrough of higher viability spermatozoa. The conduit (14) is preferably formed by a nested, locking pair of tubes (18) and (20) having respective downstream ends (22) and (24) which compress the glass wool (16) between them. The invention is particularly advantageous over the prior art in that it assures fixing the density of the glass wool (16) at a useful value, thereby preventing inadequate separation or inadequate flow of the fluid, while avoiding the training costs previously encountered in setting the density of the glass wool manually.

Abstract: Pulsing and oscillating methods of centrifuging viable cell samples for improving the quantity and quality of the recovered cells are disclosed. In the pulsing method, the relative centrifugal force applied to the viable cells is pulsed between a predetermined centrifugal force and a negligible or zero centrifugal force by alternately rotating and stopping the centrifuge. The steps of rotating and stopping the centrifuge are alternately repeated until at least three total rotating steps have been completed, preferably for a total rotation time which does not exceed approximately 5 minutes. In the oscillating method, the relative centrifugal force applied to the viable cell samples is oscillated between a relatively high centrifugal force and a relatively low centrifugal force until at least three steps of rotation at the high g force are completed, preferably for a total rotation time which does not exceed approximately 5 minutes.

Abstract: A self-contained time-release artificial insemination device which introduces a bolus of semen into the cervical canal or uterus over a period of hours is disclosed. The device includes a cervical cap adapted to conform and adhere to the cervix and includes an elongated nipple that extends in a perpendicular direction from the cap for insertion into the cervical canal or uterus. A time-release mechanism is provided in communication with the nipple for delivering semen through the nipple and includes a tubular body which defines a semen chamber and expansion chamber. A plunger is slidably mounted in the tubular member for separating the semen and expansion chambers. A reservoir is provided in communication with the expansion chamber for providing a quantity of fluid thereto, and a sealable aperture is provided for withdrawing and introducing fluids to both the reservoir and expansion chamber.