Abstract: Disclosed is an assay device which comprises a liquid sample addition zone, a reagent zone, a detection zone, and a wicking zone, all defining a fluid flow path. The device further comprises a reagent addition zone along and in fluid communication with the fluid flow path downstream of the sample addition zone and upstream of the detection zone. An interrupting wash is added at this reagent addition zone in accordance with the method of the subject invention to control sample volume. The interrupting wash fluid is added at a predetermined fill volume on the chip device and also serves to wash the detection channel and fill the remaining chip volume.

Abstract: Disclosed is an assay device which comprises a liquid sample addition zone, a reagent zone, a detection zone, and a wicking zone, all defining a fluid flow path. The device further comprises a reagent addition zone along and in fluid communication with the fluid flow path downstream of the sample addition zone and upstream of the detection zone. An interrupting wash is added at this reagent addition zone in accordance with the method of the subject invention to control sample volume. The interrupting wash fluid is added at a predetermined fill volume on the chip device and also serves to wash the detection channel and fill the remaining chip volume.

Abstract: Disclosed is an assay device which comprises a liquid sample addition zone, a reagent zone, a detection zone, and a wicking zone, all defining a fluid flow path. The device further comprises a reagent addition zone along and in fluid communication with the fluid flow path downstream of the sample addition zone and upstream of the detection zone. An interrupting wash is added at this reagent addition zone in accordance with the method of the subject invention to control sample volume. The interrupting wash fluid is added at a predetermined fill volume on the chip device and also serves to wash the detection channel and fill the remaining chip volume.

Abstract: An assay device includes: a detection zone which includes a first set of projections which are capable of generating capillary flow. A wicking zone (WZ) has a capacity to receive liquid sample flowing from the detection zone and includes a second set of projections which are capable of generating capillary flow. The WZ is rectangular in shape and the longer side of the rectangle extends in the direction of flow to thereby reduce the pressure gradient in the assay device which increases the total flow time of liquid sample compared to a WZ having equal length sides and same volume. At least a portion of the second set of projections have at least one dimension selected from a diameter, a center-to-center spacing, or a gap between projections that is different from the first set of projections, and is selected to increase the total flow time of the sample.

Abstract: An assay device includes: a liquid sample zone; a reagent zone downstream and in fluid communication with the sample zone containing a reagent material; a detection zone in fluid communication with the reagent zone having capture elements bound thereto; and a wicking zone in fluid communication with the capture zone having a capacity to receive liquid sample flowing from the detection zone. The sample receiving zone, the reagent zone, the detection zone and the wicking zone define a fluid flow path and at least a part of the fluid flow path has a substrate and projections which extend substantially vertically from the substrate, wherein the projections have a height, cross-section and a distance between one another that defines a space between the projections capable of generating capillary flow parallel to the substrate surface. In addition, the fluid flow path having projections includes a corner section which changes the direction of the flow path.

Abstract: An assay device includes: a detection zone which includes a first set of projections which are capable of generating capillary flow. A wicking zone (WZ) has a capacity to receive liquid sample flowing from the detection zone and includes a second set of projections which are capable of generating capillary flow. The WZ is rectangular in shape and the longer side of the rectangle extends in the direction of flow to thereby reduce the pressure gradient in the assay device which increases the total flow time of liquid sample compared to a WZ having equal length sides and same volume. At least a portion of the second set of projections have at least one dimension selected from a diameter, a center-to-center spacing, or a gap between projections that is different from the first set of projections, and is selected to increase the total flow time of the sample.

Abstract: An assay device for determining the concentration of multiple analytes or controls, where the device is capable of determining the presence or concentration of at least six analytes or controls includes: a fluid flow path; a liquid sample addition zone; a reagent zone downstream and in fluid communication with the sample addition zone containing one or more reagents; multiple detection zones in fluid communication with the reagent zone. The fluid flow path, which extends through the detection zones, has a length capable of having at least six detection zones linearly spaced at least a sufficient distance apart in order to discriminate each signal peak from its adjacent signal peak. The device further includes a wicking zone in fluid communication with the detection zones having a capacity to receive liquid sample flowing from the detection zone.

Abstract: An assay device includes: a liquid sample zone; a reagent zone downstream and in fluid communication with the sample addition zone containing a reagent material; a detection zone in fluid communication with the reagent zone. The detection zone has a substrate and projections which extend substantially vertically from the substrate, wherein the projections have a height, cross-section and a distance between one another that defines a capillary space between the projections capable of generating capillary flow parallel to the substrate surface. The device is capable of creating a reagent plume in the detection zone that includes liquid sample and dissolved reagent, where the width of the reagent plume extends substantially across the width of the detection zone, The device further includes a wicking zone in fluid communication with the detection zone having a capacity to receive liquid sample flowing from the detection zone.

Abstract: An assay device includes: a liquid sample zone; a reagent zone downstream and in fluid communication with the sample zone containing a reagent material; a detection zone in fluid communication with the reagent zone having capture elements bound thereto; and a wicking zone in fluid communication with the capture zone having a capacity to receive liquid sample flowing from the detection zone. The sample receiving zone, the reagent zone, the detection zone and the wicking zone define a fluid flow path and at least a part of the fluid flow path has a substrate and projections which extend substantially vertically from the substrate, wherein the projections have a height, cross-section and a distance between one another that defines a space between the projections capable of generating capillary flow parallel to the substrate surface. In addition, the fluid flow path having projections includes a corner section which changes the direction of the flow path.

Abstract: An assay device includes: a liquid sample zone; a reagent zone downstream and in fluid communication with the sample zone containing a reagent material; a detection zone in fluid communication with the reagent zone having capture elements bound thereto; and a wicking zone in fluid communication with the capture zone having a capacity to receive liquid sample flowing from the detection zone. The sample receiving zone, the reagent zone, the detection zone and the wicking zone define a fluid flow path and at least a part of the fluid flow path has a substrate and projections which extend substantially vertically from the substrate, wherein the projections have a height, cross-section and a distance between one another that defines a space between the projections capable of generating capillary flow parallel to the substrate surface. In addition, the fluid flow path having projections includes a corner section which changes the direction of the flow path.

Abstract: An assay device includes: a liquid sample zone; a reagent zone downstream and in fluid communication with the sample addition zone containing a reagent material; a detection zone in fluid communication with the reagent zone. The detection zone has a substrate and projections which extend substantially vertically from the substrate, wherein the projections have a height, cross-section and a distance between one another that defines a capillary space between the projections capable of generating capillary flow parallel to the substrate surface. The device is capable of creating a reagent plume in the detection zone that includes liquid sample and dissolved reagent, where the width of the reagent plume extends substantially across the width of the detection zone, The device further includes a wicking zone in fluid communication with the detection zone having a capacity to receive liquid sample flowing from the detection zone.

Abstract: A wire tensioning apparatus and method tensions one or more wires by moving the tensioning function from a wire module to an apparatus external to the wire module. Within the wire module, the wire is placed between a movable member and a stationary member. Tension is placed on the wire and adjusted until the desired tension and/or vibrational frequency is met. Once the desired tension and/or vibrational frequency is met, the wire is clamped between the movable and stationary members within the wire module in order to maintain the achieved tension and/or vibrational frequency.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for providing a re-configurable or adaptive manufacturing pallet that conforms to the shape of an object. The pallet comprises a frame that includes a matrix of displaceable object contacts points, such as a matrix of vertically displaceable fine rods or pins, that is laid over the object to form a cradle that conforms to the shape of the object; and a locking mechanism to lock the object contact points in a fixed position relative to each other in order to form a nest or cradle for holding the object in position during a manufacturing or assembly operation.

Abstract: A wire tensioning apparatus and method tensions one or more wires by moving the tensioning function from a wire module to an apparatus external to the wire module. Externally to the wire module, a wire is attached to a fixed end and a movable end. Tension is placed on the wire, and the tension in the wire or the vibrational frequency of the wire is detected and compared to a desired value. If the tension in, or the vibrational frequency of, the tensioned wire does not correspond to the desired value, the tension is further adjusted until the desired value is met. Once the desired tension or the vibrational frequency is met, the wire is secured in the wire module in order to maintain the achieved tension and/or vibrational frequency.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for providing a re-configurable or adaptive manufacturing pallet that conforms to the shape of an object. The pallet comprises a frame that includes a matrix of displaceable object contacts points, such as a matrix of vertically displaceable fine rods or pins, that is laid over the object to form a cradle that conforms to the shape of the object; and a locking mechanism to lock the object contact points in a fixed position relative to each other in order to form a nest or cradle for holding the object in position during a manufacturing or assembly operation.

Abstract: A wire tensioning apparatus and method tensions one or more wires by moving the tensioning function from a wire module to an apparatus external to the wire module. Externally to the wire module, a wire is attached to a fixed end and a movable end. Tension is placed on the wire, and the tension in the wire or the vibrational frequency of the wire is detected and compared to a desired value. If the tension in, or the vibrational frequency of, the tensioned wire does not correspond to the desired value, the tension is further adjusted until the desired value is met. Once the desired tension or the vibrational frequency is met, the wire is secured in the wire module in order to maintain the achieved tension and/or vibrational frequency.

Abstract: A wire tensioning apparatus and method tensions one or more wires by moving the tensioning function from a wire module to an apparatus external to the wire module. Within the wire module, the wire is placed between a movable member and a stationary member. Tension is placed on the wire and adjusted until the desired tension and/or vibrational frequency is met. Once the desired tension and/or vibrational frequency is met, the wire is clamped between the movable and stationary members within the wire module in order to maintain the achieved tension and/or vibrational frequency.

Abstract: An agitator designed to continuously move powdered material into flights of a metering auger using vanes at various radii within a hopper. The agitator includes three vertically oriented stirring blades located at various radii of the hopper, the blades having differing lengths of extension into a lower portion of the supply hopper. Preferably, the blades are angled at substantially a 75.degree. angle relative to a plane normal to a longitudinal axis of rotation.