Abstract: The present invention discloses a valve integrally associated with a microfluidic transport assembly that is useful for regulating the flow of a liquid sample through an analytical instrument such as, for example, a biosensor.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for controlling a fluid flow over a sensing surface within a flow cell The methods employ laminar flow techniques to position a fluid flow over one or more discrete sensing areas on the sensing surface of the flow cell. Such methods permit selective sensitization of the discrete sensing areas, and provide selective contact of the discrete sensing areas with a sample fluid flow. Immobilization of a ligand upon the discrete sensing area, followed by selective contact with an analyte contained within the sample fluid flow, allows analysis by a wide variety of techniques. Sensitized sensing surfaces, and sensor devices and systems are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for controlling a fluid flow over a sensing surface within a flow cell. The methods employ laminar flow techniques to position a fluid flow over one or more discrete sensing areas on the sensing surface of the flow cell. Such methods permit selective sensitization of the discrete sensing areas, and provide selective contact of the discrete sensing areas with a sample fluid flow. Immobilization of a ligand upon the discrete sensing area, followed by selective contact with an analyte contained within the sample fluid flow, allows analysis by a wide variety of techniques. Sensitized sensing surfaces, and sensor devices and systems are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides surface plasmon resonance-mass spectroscopy for the rapid, sensitive and accurate investigation of molecular interactions coupled with the identification and quantification of the same. Methods of the invention include capturing an analyte present within a sample by an interactive surface layer on a real-time interaction analysis sensor, analyzing the analyte by surface plasmon resonance while the analyte is captured by the interactive surface layer, and identifying the captured analyte by desorbing/ionizing the analyte from the interactive surface layer while under vacuum within a mass spectrometer. Devices of the invention include a transparent material, a conductive material capable of supporting surface plasmon resonance affixed to the transparent material, an interactive surface affixed to the conductive material, and a means for exposing the interactive surface to the interior of a mass spectrometer without breaking the vacuum therein.

Abstract: A valve of the membrane valve type comprises a valve body with two fluid flow channels (5, 5') separated by a land portion which forms a valve seat (6) having a sealing surface for co-operation with a flexible membrane (7) mounted over a duct (8) which opens in front of the valve seat and is arranged for fluid pressure actuation of the membrane between a closing position, where the membrane (7) sealingly contacts the valve seat (6), and an opening position where there is a flow channel communicating space ( 11) between the valve seat (6) and the membrane (7).

Abstract: An optical biosensor system using internal reflection versus angle of incidence determination for the detection of biomolecules, the system comprising a sensor unit (10) with at least two sensing surfaces (39A-D), a source of light (1), and lens means (2) for forming a convergent beam of light which is focused in wedge-shape fashion to form a streak of light (5) extending transversely over all the sensing surfaces; a photodetector device (7) in the form of a two-dimensional matrix of individual photodetector; optical imaging instrumentation in the form of an anamorphic lens system (6) for the purpose of imaging rays of reflected light from the sensing surfaces on each its own column of photodetectors, so that for each sensing surface there is a corresponding set of columns of photodetectors; and an evaluation unit (8) for determining the minimum reflectance or the resonance angle at each of the sensing surfaces.