Abstract: The invention relates to a diagnostic element. The diagnostic element comprises an inlet passage, a holding port and an outlet passage. The holding port is capable of encapsulating a diagnostic gel. The invention also relates to a diagnostic device that comprises at least one inlet port, a preparation port, a diagnostic element that comprises an inlet passage, a holding port, an outlet passage and an outlet port.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a method for making a hydrophilic-silk composition. The method includes providing at least one strand of silk fiber, treating the silk fiber with an alkaline solution to provide at least one strand of degummed silk fiber, and treating the degummed silk fiber with a treatment solution to provide a hydrophilic-silk composition. The degummed silk fiber or the hydrophilic-silk composition is further immobilized with at least one reagent to make a silk-based diagnostic composition. The invention provides a silk-based diagnostic composition made by the method of the invention, and a diagnostic device that comprises the silk-based diagnostic composition. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of making a diagnostic device.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a method for making a hydrophilic-silk composition. The method includes providing at least one strand of silk fiber, treating the silk fiber with an alkaline solution to provide at least one strand of degummed silk fiber, and treating the degummed silk fiber with a treatment solution to provide a hydrophilic-silk composition. The degummed silk fiber or the hydrophilic-silk composition is further immobilized with at least one reagent to make a silk-based diagnostic composition. The invention provides a silk-based diagnostic composition made by the method of the invention, and a diagnostic device that comprises the silk-based diagnostic composition. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of making a diagnostic device.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a method for making a hydrophilic-silk composition. The method includes providing at least one strand of silk fiber, treating the silk fiber with an alkaline solution to provide at least one strand of degummed silk fiber, and treating the degummed silk fiber with a treatment solution to provide a hydrophilic-silk drophilic-silk composition. The degummed silk fiber or the hydrophilic-silk composition is further immobilized with at least one reagent to make a silk-based diagnostic composition. The invention provides a silk-based diagnostic composition made by the method of the invention, and a diagnostic device that comprises the silk-based diagnostic composition. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of making a diagnostic device.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a method for making a hydrophilic-silk composition. The method includes providing at least one strand of silk fiber, treating the silk fiber with an alkaline solution to provide at least one strand of degummed silk fiber, and treating the degummed silk fiber with a treatment solution to provide a hydrophilic-silk composition. The degummed silk fiber or the hydrophilic-silk composition is further immobilized with at least one reagent to make a silk-based diagnostic composition. The invention provides a silk-based diagnostic composition made by the method of the invention, and a diagnostic device that comprises the silk-based diagnostic composition. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of making a diagnostic device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for making a diagnostic element. The method comprises providing a shaped channel comprising at least one holding port and an inlet passage and outlet passage on either side of the holding port; flowing in a diagnostic gel into the inlet passage of the shaped channel; and encapsulating the diagnostic gel in the at least one holding port to form a diagnostic element. The invention also provides a method for using a diagnostic element, wherein the method comprises flowing sample through the diagnostic gel to provide an analyte diagnostic gel; analyzing the analyte diagnostic gel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a diagnostic element. The diagnostic element comprises an inlet passage, a holding port and an outlet passage. The holding port is capable of encapsulating a diagnostic gel. The invention also relates to a diagnostic device that comprises at least one inlet port, a preparation port, a diagnostic element that comprises an inlet passage, a holding port, an outlet passage and an outlet port.