Abstract: A mask-based diagnostic apparatus for detecting a biomarker contained in exhaled breath of a test subject. An exhaled breath condensate (EBC) collector converts breath vapor from the lungs and airways into a fluid biosample. The EBC collector includes a condensate-forming surface and a thermal mass in thermal connection with the condensate-forming surface. A fluid transfer system transfers the EBC to at least one of a testing unit and an EBC containment vessel. Prior to testing, a semipermeable membrane concentrates a target biomarker portion in the fluid biosample to form a concentrated fluid biosample for testing. A target biomarker releasing material, such as a lysing agent, and/or mechanical lysing, can be used to obtained a target biomarker for testing that is within a viral envelope. The testing unit can be a universal g-FET biosensor constructed as a packaged semiconductor device that receives and tests the EBC as a fluid biosample.

Abstract: A method of performing a medical procedure on target tissue within the body includes immobilizing the target tissue with an immobilization device, positioning an insertion tool (e.g., a needle, a needle and marker wire, a needle gun, etc.) to be inserted into the target tissue on the immobilization device based on at least one reading of the target tissue, and inserting the insertion tool into the target tissue. An immobilization device for performing methods includes a frame assembly, a tissue immobilization assembly coupled to the frame assembly, the tissue immobilization assembly including a structure adapted to immobilize tissue, and a needle assembly releasably connectable to the frame assembly. The needle assembly includes a needle capable of being inserted into the immobilized tissue.

Abstract: The invention relates to a semiconductor diode capable of performing the dual functions of emission and detection of optical signals. The diode can be used in a bidirectional optical communication link alternating between transmitting and receiving optical signals. In particular, the structure is of a light emitting diode for emission and a photodiode for detection. The invention is a semiconductor p-n junction single heterostructure diode which can operate efficiently as a light emitting diode (LED) when a forward bias voltage is applied and as a light detecting photodiode when a zero or a small reverse bias voltage is applied.