Abstract: The present invention relates to a therapeutic device for the non-invasive treatment of human or animal bodies. Particularly, though not exclusively, the invention relates to a therapeutic device that selectively emits and maintains an energy field (electrostatic field, pulsed electromagnetic field or ultrasonic field) within a preselected frequency range for the effective alleviation of pain, inflammation and/or an alternative treatment. The device comprises an electronic circuit including a frequency generator for selectively producing electrical signals. The electronic circuit comprises a toroidal coil that is adapted to produce an oscillating electromagnetic field within a preselected frequency range in response to energisation by said electrical signals. The electronic circuit is constructed and arranged to adjust the electrical signals produced such that the coil selectively maintains the pulsed electromagnetic field within the preselected frequency range. The coil may be detachable.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and materials for use in the detection of influenza viruses which utilise a nanoparticle, for example gold nanoparticle, probe comprising a plurality of glycoconjugate ligands, each glyconjugate ligand (GL) having a plurality of sialic-acid containing recognition group (Y) coupled to the nanoparticle via a multivalent core (X), wherein the multivalent core (X) is a trivalent core, whereby there are 3 recognition groups per ligand, wherein the recognition groups on the bioconjugate specifically bind to the hemagglutinin on the target influenza virus. The probes may include further ligands bound to the nanoparticle which do not bind specifically to an influenza virus—for example polyethylene glycol groups. These can modulate density of the glycoconjugate ligand on the surface of the nanoparticle. Binding of probes is detected by a plasmonic signal which is specific to the influenza virus.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and materials for use in the detection of influenza viruses which utilise a nanoparticle, for example gold nanoparticle, probe comprising a plurality of glycoconjugate ligands, each glyconjugate ligand (GL) having a plurality of sialic-acid containing recognition group (Y) coupled to the nanoparticle via a multivalent core (X), wherein the multivalent core (X) is a trivalent core, whereby there are 3 recognition groups per ligand, wherein the recognition groups on the bioconjugate specifically bind to the hemagglutinin on the target influenza virus. The probes may include further ligands bound to the nanoparticle which do not bind specifically to an influenza virus—for example polyethylene glycol groups. These can modulate density of the glycoconjugate ligand on the surface of the nanoparticle. Binding of probes is detected by a plasmonic signal which is specific to the influenza virus.