Abstract: Early stage, rapid, low-cost detection of disease components in a biological sample is critically important. A point of care device can include a collection region and can be used to hold a sample that is combined with a fluorescent dye and a plurality of magnetic particles such that disease components in the sample are tagged with the fluorescent dye and the plurality of magnetic particles. At least one magnet can be located next to the collection region to establish a magnetic field gradient to draw the tagged disease components into the collection region from the device. A fluorescence microscope can image the small collection region based on the fluorescent dye to detect the disease components. The fluorescence microscope uses light to excite the fluorescent dye and a filter to transmit light emitted by the fluorescent dye to the fluorescence microscope, while restricting light used to excite the fluorescent dye.

Abstract: A diagnostic device is described herein that can be used to perform magneto-optical detection and discernment of crystals within a biofluid sample. A magnetic field can be applied by the diagnostic device in a direction relative to light traveling through the sample. The presence of a crystal can be determined based on the magneto-optical properties of the sample. The detected crystal can be one of two similar crystal types that may be in the biofluid sample. The two similar crystal types can exhibit different magneto-optical properties under a magnetic field in a different direction. Accordingly, the type of crystal can be discerned by applying the magnetic field in the different direction as light travels through the sample. Discernment of the type of crystal can lead to diagnosis of the particular disease condition and subsequent proper treatment of the disease condition.

Abstract: A diagnostic device is described herein that can be used to perform magneto-optical detection and discernment of crystals within a biofluid sample. A magnetic field can be applied by the diagnostic device in a direction relative to light traveling through the sample. The presence of a crystal can be determined based on the magneto-optical properties of the sample. The detected crystal can be one of two similar crystal types that may be in the biofluid sample. The two similar crystal types can exhibit different magneto-optical properties under a magnetic field in a different direction. Accordingly, the type of crystal can be discerned by applying the magnetic field in the different direction as light travels through the sample. Discernment of the type of crystal can lead to diagnosis of the particular disease condition and subsequent proper treatment of the disease condition.

Abstract: Early stage, rapid, low-cost, and accurate detection of disease components in a biological fluid is critically important. A point of care device can use functionalized magnetic beads to facilitate this detection. The device can include a sample holder with a collection region. A magnet can be used to draw the functionalized nanoparticles bound to the disease component into the collection region, where the disease component is captured. A light source can shine a light beam through the collection region; and a detector can detect the light beam after traversing the collection region to determine whether the disease component is present in the sample.

Abstract: Disease components can be detected in a fluid using magnetic particles and microfluidics. Magnetic particles are combined with a sample in a fluid. The sample may include disease components. The magnetic particles can be configured to tag any disease components within the sample. The fluid can be forced into a microchamber with two microcompartments. In the first microcompartment, the fluid can be exposed to a magnetic field and/or magnetic field gradient. The tagged disease component can be trapped by the magnetic field and/or magnetic field gradient due to the magnetic particles, allowing nonmagnetic components of the fluid to be washed away while the tagged disease components remain trapped by the magnetic field and/or magnetic field gradient. Then, the disease components can be forced into a more narrow second microcompartment and detected using optical instruments.

Abstract: A system is described herein that can be used to perform magneto-optical detection of a disease component in a test sample using magnetic nanoparticles. A concentration of magnetic nanoparticles and a concentration of bindable agents can be administered to the test sample. The magnetic nanoparticles can be configured to attach to the bindable agents. A light beam can be transmitted through the test sample to a light detector. A magnetic field gradient can be established through the test sample. If the transmitted light beam under the magnetic field gradient exhibits a variable intensity change during a time period, the disease component can be determined to exist in the test sample.

Abstract: A system is described herein that can be used to perform magneto-optical detection of a disease component in a test sample using magnetic nanoparticles. A concentration of magnetic nanoparticles and a concentration of bindable agents can be administered to the test sample. The magnetic nanoparticles can be configured to attach to the bindable agents. A light beam can be transmitted through the test sample to a light detector. A magnetic field gradient can be established through the test sample. If the transmitted light beam under the magnetic field gradient exhibits a variable intensity change during a time period, the disease component can be determined to exist in the test sample.

Abstract: A diagnostic device is described herein that can be used to perform magneto-optical detection and discernment of crystals within a biofluid sample. A magnetic field can be applied by the diagnostic device in a direction relative to light traveling through the sample. The presence of a crystal can be determined based on the magneto-optical properties of the sample. The detected crystal can be one of two similar crystal types that may be in the biofluid sample. The two similar crystal types can exhibit different magneto-optical properties under a magnetic field in a different direction. Accordingly, the type of crystal can be discerned by applying the magnetic field in the different direction as light travels through the sample. Discernment of the type of crystal can lead to diagnosis of the particular disease condition and subsequent proper treatment of the disease condition.

Abstract: A diagnostic device is provided that comprises a light source for transmitting a light beam through a blood sample to a light detector, and a permanent magnet, wherein one of the permanent magnet and blood sample is automatically movable relative to the other between a “HIGH” magnetic state position and a “LOW” magnetic state position, such that a substantially high magnetic field is applied to the blood sample causing any hemozoin in the blood sample to tend toward perpendicular orientation to the substantially magnetic field and the suppression, or enhancement of light based on its polarization, and a zero-to-near-zero magnetic field is applied to the blood sample causing the randomization of any hemozoin in the blood sample and a baseline amount of light to pass through the blood sample in the “LOW” magnetic state position.

Abstract: A diagnostic device is provided that comprises a light source for transmitting a light beam through a blood sample to a light detector, and a permanent magnet, wherein one of the permanent magnet and blood sample is automatically movable relative to the other between a “HIGH” magnetic state position and a “LOW” magnetic state position, such that a substantially high magnetic field is applied to the blood sample causing any hemozoin in the blood sample to tend toward perpendicular orientation to the substantially magnetic field and the suppression, or enhancement of light based on its polarization, and a zero-to-near-zero magnetic field is applied to the blood sample causing the randomization of any hemozoin in the blood sample and a baseline amount of light to pass through the blood sample in the “LOW” magnetic state position.

Abstract: A diagnostic device is provided that comprises a light source for transmitting a light beam through a blood sample to a light detector, and a permanent magnet, wherein one of the permanent magnet and blood sample is automatically movable relative to the other between a “HIGH” magnetic state position and a “LOW” magnetic state position, such that a substantially high magnetic field is applied to the blood sample causing any hemozoin in the blood sample to tend toward perpendicular orientation to the substantially magnetic field and the suppression, or enhancement of light based on its polarization, and a zero-to-near-zero magnetic field is applied to the blood sample causing the randomization of any hemozoin in the blood sample and a baseline amount of light to pass through the blood sample in the “LOW” magnetic state position.

Abstract: A diagnostic device is provided that comprises a light source for transmitting a light beam through a blood sample to a light detector, and a permanent magnet, wherein one of the permanent magnet and blood sample is automatically movable relative to the other between a “HIGH” magnetic state position and a “LOW” magnetic state position, such that a substantially high magnetic field is applied to the blood sample causing any hemozoin in the blood sample to tend toward perpendicular orientation to the substantially magnetic field and the suppression, or enhancement of light based on its polarization, and a zero-to-near-zero magnetic field is applied to the blood sample causing the randomization of any hemozoin in the blood sample and a baseline amount of light to pass through the blood sample in the “LOW” magnetic state position.