Abstract: Methods and systems are contemplated in which a leading substance may be separated from a lagging substance. A fluid sample comprising the leading substance and the lagging substance can be applied to an absorption substrate through which the leading substance and the lagging substance may diffuse throughout. The absorption substrate may be in contact with a separation substrate to form a fluid pathway therebetween, allowing the leading substance and the lagging substance to then diffuse throughout the separation substrate. The separation substrate may be operative to permit the leading substance to diffuse throughout the separation substrate while impeding the diffusivity of the lagging substance, which may allow the leading substance to separate from the lagging substance. A collecting element may collect the leading substance from the separation substrate at a portion of the separation substrate where sufficient separation between the substances has occurred.

Abstract: An absorbent member, and a recorder that identifies a time and a date of fluid absorbed by the absorbent member.

Abstract: A biological fluid sampling device includes a rigid body extending along a body axis and having a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion extending between the first end portion and the second end portion. The second end portion includes a plurality of fins, with each fin extending radially outward relative to the body axis. Adjacent ones of the plurality of fins at least partially define a cavity therebetween. The device further includes an absorbent body connected to the rigid body and extending from the second end portion in a direction substantially parallel to the body axis, with the absorbent body being configured to absorb a biological fluid.

Abstract: A blood sampling device is provided having holder with a manipulating end and an absorbent probe on the opposing end. The probe is of hydrophilic polymer sized to directly absorb a predetermined volume of up to about 30 microliters of blood. Ribs on the holder position the probe within a compartment of a container to prevent contact with the container. The ribs also position the probe within extraction wells.

Abstract: An absorbent member, and a recorder that identifies a time and a date of fluid absorbed by the absorbent member.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a plasma extraction device for generating fixed, predetermined quantity of plasma and for dry-transport of obtained plasma for automated assay. Plasma extraction device includes a plasma extractor assembly comprising an absorbent probe that wicks a predetermined volume of a liquid sample from a liquid source, a separator that generates plasma from the wicked liquid sample, and an absorbent reservoir that stores fixed, predetermined quantity of the generated plasma for dry-transport and automated assay thereof.

Abstract: A blood sampling device is provided having holder with a manipulating end and an absorbent probe on the opposing end. The probe is of hydrophilic polymer sized to directly absorb a predetermined volume of up to about 30 microliters of blood. Ribs on the holder position the probe within a compartment of a container to prevent contact with the container. The ribs also position the probe within extraction wells.

Abstract: Complexes of a biotinylated fluorescent polymer and a biotin binding protein and solid supports coated with the fluorescent polymer complexes are described. The complexes can be used as sensors for detecting biological recognition events (e.g., nucleic acid hybridization reactions or enzymatic induced polypeptide cleavage). Methods of making the complexes and methods of using the complexes for detecting the presence and/or amount of a target analyte in a sample are also described. The target analyte can be an enzyme (e.g., &bgr;-secretase) or a nucleic acid (e.g., a single stranded or double stranded nucleic acid).