Abstract: A method of inhibiting excitable cells. The method includes exposing the excitable cells to a pulse of infrared light having a wavelength ranging from 700 nm to about 3 ?m and having a radiant exposure at a surface of the excitable cells ranging from 1 ?J/cm2 to 1000 J/cm2.
Type:
Application
Filed:
February 8, 2018
Publication date:
August 9, 2018
Applicant:
Government of the United States as Represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
Inventors:
Alexandra J. Walsh, Hope T. Beier, Bennett L. Ibey
Abstract: A method and an apparatus for breath analysis, the method comprising determining an isotopic composition profile, or a concentration profile of a species, of a first breath cycle; determining a threshold; determining a sampling time; and measuring the isotopic composition, or concentration of the species, during a second breath cycle at the sampling time triggered by reaching the threshold.
Abstract: Examples herein provide a method. The method includes applying an electrical potential difference over a blood sample in a testing cassette of a microfluidic device, the cassette including a microfluidic channel through which the blood sample flows. The method includes measuring, over a duration of time, an electrical signal passing through the blood sample as the blood sample flows from a first end and coagulates at a second end of the microfluidic channel to obtain a measurement function as a function of time. The method also includes correlating the measurement function to a characteristic of the blood sample.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 7, 2016
Publication date:
August 9, 2018
Inventors:
Shameed SAIT M A, Rachel M. WHITE, Chantelle DOMINGUE, Manish GIRI
Abstract: Disclosed are two endotoxin detection systems and corresponding detection methods thereof. Both of the systems integrate an optical path detection system on the basis of a conventional laser particle size detector and detect the particle size distribution characteristics of the endotoxin colloidal particles in an aqueous solution by using laser light scattering. One of the systems calculates the concentration of the endotoxin by fitting the correlation of the astigmatism with the concentration of the endotoxin according to the differences in scattering intensity of the endotoxin particles at more than three different angles via a quantitative operator.
Abstract: A drug-induced risk prediction system and associated methods are disclosed for predicting at least one of a drug-induced inotropic risk and a pro-arrhythmia risk in connection with an at least one drug, based on a select at least one contractility parameter associated with an at least one heart.
Type:
Application
Filed:
February 1, 2018
Publication date:
August 9, 2018
Applicant:
AnaBios Corporation
Inventors:
Najah Elias Abi Georges, Andrea Piero Ghetti, Paul Edward Miller
Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for performing assays for active migration and cytotoxicity of a therapeutic agent towards tumor cells, e.g., immune cell and/or drug homing, migration, and tumor cytotoxicity. The methods are performed in labware that provide opportunities for a therapeutic agent, such as an immune cell or a drug, to migrate toward tumor cells, including tumor cells growing in a 3D spheroid conformation. The methods allow for, among other uses, the investigation of the effects of a therapeutic agent, such as immune cells or a drug, on tumor cells, and enable the investigation of homing, tumor cytotoxicity, and tumor immune evasion in a single, easy-to-use, high throughput system for more in vivo-like testing.
Abstract: The present invention relates to use of inhibitors of Notch signalling pathway selected from the group consisting of 6-(4-Tert-Butylphenoxy)Pyridin-3-Amine (I3), its derivatives, in treating and/or preventing cancers.
Abstract: A method is provided for estimating or predicting, a priori, the incidence or degree of biological reaction by an individual in a population of interest when exposed to a chemical or biological agent of interest in vivo. The method uses a combination of data from in vitro experiments using the agent of interest, from in vitro experiments using a reference agent, and data obtained regarding the incidence or degree of the in vivo effects of the reference agent.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 18, 2016
Publication date:
August 9, 2018
Inventors:
Kevin P. Coyne, Shawn T. Coyne, Anh Nguyen, Ph.D.
Abstract: The present disclosure relates to use of GDF-15 as a safety biomarker for determining a toxicological effect of a Mdm2 inhibitor; an ex vivo method for determining a toxicological effect of a Mdm2 inhibitor in a subject, in particular for determining a likelihood of developing thrombocytopenia in a subject in response to administration of a dose of a Mdm2 inhibitor; methods of using a Mdm2 inhibitor in the treatment of cancer in a subject; a kit for use in predicting the likelihood that a patient having cancer will develop thrombocytopenia in response to a treatment with a dose of a Mdm2 inhibitor; a kit for use in treating a patient having cancer and related disclosure embodiments.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 3, 2016
Publication date:
August 9, 2018
Inventors:
Nelson Guerreiro, Christophe Meille, Jens Wuerthner
Abstract: An in vitro microfluidic gut-on-chip is described herein that mimics the structure and at least one function of specific areas of the gastrointestinal system in vivo. In particular, a multicellular, layered, microfluidic culture is described, allowing for interactions between lamina propria-derived cells and gastrointestinal epithelial cells and endothelial cells. This in vitro microfluidic system can be used for modeling inflammatory gastrointestinal tissue, e.g., Crohn's disease, colitis and other inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders. These multicellular, layered microfluidic gut-on-chip further allow for comparisons between types of gastrointestinal tissues, e.g., small intestinal deuodejeum, small intestinal ileium, large intestinal colon, etc., and between disease states of gastrointestinal tissue, i.e. healthy, pre-disease and diseased areas.
Type:
Application
Filed:
November 21, 2017
Publication date:
August 9, 2018
Inventors:
S. Jordan Kerns, Jenifer Obrigewitch, Michael Salmon, Magdalena Kasendra, Benjamin Richards Umiker
Abstract: The present invention generally relates to nanoscale wires, nanoscale sensing elements, and/or injectable devices. In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to electronic devices that can be injected or inserted into soft matter, such as biological tissue or polymeric matrixes. For example, the device may be passed through a tube into the medium. To avoid or minimize crumpling, the device may exit the tube at substantially the same rate that the tube is withdrawn from the medium. Other components, such as fluids or cells, may also be injected or inserted. In addition, in some cases, the device, after insertion or injection, may be connected to an external electrical circuit, for example, by printing a conductive path on a medium or on a flexible substrate. The path may be printed using conductive inks, e.g., containing carbon nanotubes or other suitable materials.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 4, 2016
Publication date:
August 9, 2018
Applicant:
President and Fellows of Harvard College
Inventors:
Charles M. Lieber, Guosong Hong, Tian-Ming Fu, Jinlin Huang, Tao Zhou
Abstract: Provided herein are methods and kits for measuring a level of a 5-hydroxymethylcytosine in a nucleotide sequence from a subject, wherein the subject is a subject having a cancer or suspected of having cancer.
Type:
Application
Filed:
February 23, 2017
Publication date:
August 9, 2018
Applicants:
The Children's Medical Center Corporation, The United States of America, As Represented by the Secretary, Department of Health & Human Servi
Abstract: A complex comprises a CRBN having a europium-anti-his antibody on the N-terminus of the CRBN, and a Cy5-conjugated small molecule, wherein the Cy5-conjugated small molecule binds the CRBN, and uses thereof for identifying therapeutic compounds.
Type:
Application
Filed:
February 2, 2018
Publication date:
August 9, 2018
Inventors:
Philip Paul CHAMBERLAIN, Mary MATYSKIELA, Godrej KHAMBATTA
Abstract: A method for detecting renal disease or a method for assisting diagnosis of renal disease that is superior in sensitivity and specificity, as well as a kit that can be used therefor is provided. The present invention provides a method for detecting renal disease or a method for assisting diagnosis of renal disease comprising a step of detecting or quantifying free AIM in a biological sample derived from a test subject, as well as a kit for examining or assisting diagnosis of renal disease comprising an antibody that binds to free AIM.
Abstract: Surface-modified silica microparticles that are functionalized with stabilized phospholipid vesicles are described herein. These stabilized vesicles can be functionalized with either transmembrane receptors or membrane associated receptors and used for affinity pull-down assays or other chromatographic separation modalities to provide affinity capture/concentration of low abundance ligands in complex mixtures with minimal sample preparation. Further described are methods and apparatus for forming polymer frits in a fused silica capillary. The capillary containing a monomer solution is placed between one or more heat sources connected to each other via a jig and operatively coupled to a temperature controller. The polymer frits are synthesized via thermal polymerization of the monomer solution using the heat sources, which allows for placement of the polymer frits at a spatially-defined location in the capillary.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 9, 2016
Publication date:
August 9, 2018
Inventors:
Craig A. Aspinwall, Jinyan Wang, Kendall Sandy, Steven Scott Saavedra, Christopher Baker, Elyssia S. Gallagher
Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of evaluation of molecular binding interactions at a sensing surface, and more particularly to a method for evaluation of screening data obtained from an interaction between an analyte in a fluid sample and a ligand immobilized on a sensor surface of a biosensor that is independent of interaction models. Preferably the biosensor is a SPR biosensor. The invention also relates to a biosensor system arranged to perform the method and a computer program arranged to control the operation of the biosensor system.
Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for the production of novel antibodies that bind specifically to a target antigen. These methods and compositions are particularly useful for producing antibodies having the antigen binding specificity of a reference antibody but with improved properties (e.g., binding affinity, immunogenicity, and thermodynamic stability) relative to the reference antibody.
Type:
Application
Filed:
December 19, 2017
Publication date:
August 9, 2018
Inventors:
Yan CHEN, Tod M. WOOLF, Richard W. WAGNER
Abstract: To provide a device for operating magnetic particles capable of treating large quantity, and retaining a gel-like medium layer stably, a vessel is formed so that an area perpendicular to a longitudinal direction in a large-diameter part packed with a liquid layer is larger than an area perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in the small-diameter part packed with a gel-like medium layer. Therefore, in the vessel, it is possible to reduce the diameter of the small-diameter part while keeping the capacity of the large-diameter part large. As a result, in the vessel, it is possible to treat large quantity in the liquid layer, and it is possible to retain the gel-like medium layer stably.
Abstract: A tag for detecting an analyte can include a radio frequency identification tag including a sensor portion, the sensor portion configured to change resistivity when the radio frequency identification tag contacts or interacts with an analyte, whereby the resistivity change alters an output of the radio frequency identification tag, wherein the sensor portion includes a circuit, and wherein the sensor portion is configured to activate the circuit or deactivate the circuit when contacted or having interacted with the analyte, where the sensor portion includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes associated with a chemically-degradable polymer. In certain embodiments, the chemically degradable polymer can be a metallo-supramolecular polymer.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 8, 2017
Publication date:
August 9, 2018
Applicant:
MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Inventors:
Timothy Manning Swager, Joseph Michael Azzarelli, Shinsuke Ishihara
Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods, devices, reagents, and kits for the detection of one or more target molecules that may be present in a test sample. The described methods, devices, kits, and reagents facilitate the detection and quantification of a non-nucleic acid target (e.g., a protein target) in a test sample by detecting and quantifying a nucleic acid (i.e., an aptamer) where the aptamer-aptamer interactions are significantly reduced or eliminated while maintaining the aptamer-target interaction.
Type:
Application
Filed:
November 30, 2017
Publication date:
August 9, 2018
Inventors:
Glenn Sanders, Stephan Kraemer, Evaldas Katilius
Abstract: Lateral flow immunoassay devices for determining the concentration of an analyte in a sample and methods for measuring analyte concentration in sample using such lateral flow immunoassay devices.
Abstract: Lateral flow immunoassay devices for determining the concentration of an analyte in a sample and methods for measuring analyte concentration in sample using such lateral flow immunoassay devices.
Abstract: Disclosed are immunomodulatory polypeptides that elicit an unusual induced cytokine profile, compositions comprising such polypeptides, compositions comprising antibodies that specifically bind to such polypeptides, and methods of using the same, including in cancer treatment, in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, in organ transplantation and for reducing graft rejection, for promoting fertility, and for identifying a neutrophil subset and/or other cellular subset including by flow cytometry. Pharmaceutical compositions and kits, and treatment methods are also disclosed.
Abstract: Identification of autoantibodies associated with Crohn's disease useful in diagnosis and management using an innovative protein array technology, namely nucleic acid programmable protein arrays (NAPPA) and applications relating thereto. Overall, reactivity of IgG autoantibodies was stronger than that of IgA autoantibodies; however, IgA autoantibodies showed greater differential reactivity between cases and controls. Four IgA autoantibodies against SNRPB, PRPH, PTTG1 and SNAI1 were newly identified with sensitivities above 15% at 95% specificity, among which anti-SNRPB-IgA had the highest sensitivity of 24.0%. Autoantibodies associated with specific disease subtypes were also found.
Type:
Application
Filed:
February 9, 2018
Publication date:
August 9, 2018
Inventors:
Haoyu Wang, Ji Qiu, Joshua LaBaer, Jonathan Leighton, Shabana Pasha
Abstract: A biorecognition element for rapid detection of fuel biocontamination. The biorecognition element is SEQ. ID No. 10, SEQ. ID No. 13, SEQ. ID No. 22, SEQ. ID No. 27, SEQ. ID No. 31, SEQ. ID No.40, SEQ. ID No.67, SEQ. ID No. 68, SEQ. ID No. 69, SEQ. ID No. 70, SEQ. ID No. 71, or SEQ. ID No.72.
Type:
Application
Filed:
February 6, 2018
Publication date:
August 9, 2018
Applicant:
Government of the United States, as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
Abstract: The present invention refers to the use of gene sequences or portions thereof characterized in that the same belong to the classes of in vitro and ex vivo induced, repressed or conserved genes in Mycobacterium tuberculosis currently infected human macrophages and to corresponding peptides or consensus peptides or proteins for the preparation of specific bio-markers for the diagnosis and prevention of active or latent disease.
Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for extending the dynamic range of assay methods and systems used for determining the concentration of analyte molecules or particles in a fluid sample. In some embodiments, a method comprises spatially segregating a plurality of analyte molecules in a fluid sample into a plurality of locations. At least a portion of the locations may be addressed to determine the percentage of said locations containing at least one analyte molecule. Based at least in part on the percentage, a measure of the concentration of analyte molecules in the fluid sample may be determined using an analog, intensity-based detection/analysis method/system and/or a digital detection/analysis method/system. In some cases, the assay may comprise the use of a plurality of capture objects.
Type:
Application
Filed:
November 10, 2017
Publication date:
August 9, 2018
Applicant:
Quanterix Corporation
Inventors:
David M. Rissin, David Fournier, David C. Duffy
Abstract: The present invention, in some aspects, relates to systems and methods for determining oxidized proteins, including glutathionylated proteins such as S-glutathionylated proteins. The systems and methods of the invention can be used in vitro (e.g., in cell or tissue culture) or in vivo, for example, to diagnose a person having an oxidative stress condition. For instance, in some cases, the invention can be used to spatially determine the location and/or concentration of oxidized proteins within cells and/or tissues (e.g., through visual detection). In one set of embodiments, a glutathionylated or otherwise oxidized moiety on a protein may be reacted with a detection entity, which may be, for example, fluorescent, radioactive, electron-dense, able to bind to a signaling entity or a binding partner in order to produce a signal, etc.
Type:
Application
Filed:
February 1, 2018
Publication date:
August 9, 2018
Applicants:
The University of Vermont and State Agricultural College, Universiteit Maastricht
Inventors:
Yvonne M. Janssen-Heininger, Niki Reynaert
Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of using certain biomarker expression profiles in the detection, diagnosis, prognosis, or development of treatment regimens for various cellular hyperproliferative disorders of the bowel. For example, pre-diagnostic methods comprise detecting whether the concentration of at least BAG4 in a test biological sample from a subject is elevated as compared to a control.
Abstract: The present invention relates to the diagnosis of prostate disease and the identification of biomarkers in biological samples which can be used in the detection of prostate disease. The invention further relates to the use of the biomarker glycipan-1 (GPC-1) in combination with other biomarkers in diagnostic methods which differentiate between prostate cancer and non-cancerous forms of prostate disease such as benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Type:
Application
Filed:
July 22, 2016
Publication date:
August 9, 2018
Applicant:
MINOMIC INTERNATIONAL LTD.
Inventors:
Bradley WALSH, Douglas CAMPBELL, Julie SOON
Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for using one or more polypeptide probes to profile an immune response. The polypeptide probe can be used to detect one or more antibodies from a sample. Furthermore, the present disclosure provides methods and compositions for characterizing a cancer based on the detection of one or more antibodies, such as autoantibodies.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 23, 2018
Publication date:
August 9, 2018
Inventors:
Arul M. Chinnaiyan, Xiaoju Wang, Alex Tsodikov, Jeanne Ohrnberger
Abstract: A method for determining a subject's probability to suffer from pancreatic cancer, wherein the level of Platelet Glycoprotein V (GP5), or a peptide fragment thereof is used as a biomarker. An increased level of GP5, or a peptide fragment thereof, is indicative for an increased probability to suffer from pancreatic cancer.
Abstract: A hybridoma cell line NM002-1 secreting an anti-human pancreatic cancer monoclonal antibody and deposited under CCTCC Accession NO: C201173. Also, an anti-human pancreatic cancer monoclonal antibody NJ002-1 secreted by the hybridoma cell line NM002-1 and use thereof.
Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to determining the risk of developing breast cancer. In particular, the present disclosure provides materials and methods for determining whether a subject diagnosed with a non-cancerous breast tumor will develop cancer based on expression of multiple oncogenic biomarkers in the non-cancerous breast tumor. The present disclosure also provides a cancer risk score to determine whether a subject has low risk, intermediate risk, or high risk of developing cancer, thereby permitting selection of appropriate therapies to treat the subject. The present disclosure addresses the need for improved diagnostic assessment of early hyperplastic lesions, the presence of which in a subject is a significant indicator that a subject will eventually develop invasive breast cancer.
Abstract: Dried dye reagent devices are provided. Aspects of the devices include a container having positioned therein one or more dried dye compositions that include one or more dyes stably associated with a high surface area solid support. Aspects of the invention further include methods of making and using the devices, e.g., in analyte detection applications, as well as kits containing the devices.
Type:
Application
Filed:
February 1, 2018
Publication date:
August 9, 2018
Inventors:
Margaret Inokuma, Hema Shah, Rachna Sehgal
Abstract: This disclosure provides methods and compositions for detecting intramolecular and intermolecular interactions, such as protein-protein interactions. These methods detect such interactions at sub-diffraction distances, and thus are referred to as super-resolution detection and imaging methods.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 5, 2016
Publication date:
August 9, 2018
Inventors:
Juanita M. Lara Gutierrez, Maier S. Avendano Amado, Peng Yin
Abstract: The method describes rapid screening of whole blood samples, pin prick and blood spot cards, subjected to MALDI—ToF Mass spectrometry. The spectra is generated and compared to those from normal healthy controls. Characteristic spectra are indicative of the presence of a hemoglobinopathy and the method can be used to screen/diagnose all sickle cell diseases, alpha and beta Thalassemias.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 27, 2015
Publication date:
August 9, 2018
Inventors:
Raymond Kruse Iles, Jason Kruse Iles, Thomas Abban, Suzanne Margaret Elizabeth Docherty, Mahmoud Naase
Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods for diagnosing the presence or the risk of development or the therapy control of spondyloarthritis (Spa), in particular, of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and undifferentiated spondyloarthritis in a subject, in particular in mammals. In addition, the present invention relates to test kits for use in the diaposis of the presence or the risk of development, or for the therapy control of Spa, like AS and undifferentiated spondyloarthritis, in a subject. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for diagnosing the presence or the risk of development, or for the therapy control of Spa, like AS and undifferentiated spondyloarthritis, it a subject analysing for the presence of autoantibodies against CD74 and/or IKBKB in a subject. The presence of autoantibodies against CD74 and/or IKBKB is indicative for the presence or the risk of development, or for the therapy control of Spa, like AS and undifferentiated spondyloarthritis.
Type:
Application
Filed:
January 30, 2018
Publication date:
August 9, 2018
Applicant:
MEDIZINISCHE HOCHSCHULE HANNOVER
Inventors:
Niklas Thomas BAERLECKEN, Torsten WITTE
Abstract: The present invention provides a method of predicting and determining a therapeutic effect (especially whether complete remission is reached) or the level of improvement prior to administration of a biological formulation such as an anti-IL-6 agent or an anti-TNF-? agent, which is simple and cost-effective, and accurate. Sgp130, IP-10, sTNFRI, sTNFRII, GM-CSF, IL-1?, IL-2, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-9, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-15, Eotaxin, VEGF, MCP-1, TNF-?, IFN-?, FGFbasic, PDGF-bb, sIL-6R, MIP-1? and the like can be utilized as a specific marker used in the method. Since a therapeutic effect (level of improvement in a symptom or possibility of remission) on a rheumatoid arthritis patient can be determined prior to the administration of a biological formulation using such a specific marker, rheumatoid arthritis therapy is possible at a precision that could not be achieved conventionally.
Abstract: The present invention relates to endothelial cell biomarkers and diagnostic and prognostic methods for vascular diseases, including cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The invention also provides compositions for detecting endothelial cell biomarkers (e.g., endothelial cell-derived exosome biomarkers) as well as compositions and methods useful for treating vascular diseases (e.g., atherosclerotic cerebrovascular disease).
Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for monitoring, diagnosis, prognosis, and determination of treatment regimens in appendicitis patients and in patients at risk for appendicitis. In particular, the invention relates to using assays that detect one or more biomarkers as diagnostic and prognostic biomarker assays in such patients.
Type:
Application
Filed:
June 17, 2016
Publication date:
August 9, 2018
Applicants:
ASTUTE MEDICAL, INC., CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER CORPORATION
Inventors:
Paul McPHERSON, James Patrick KAMPF, Thomas KWAN, Richard BACHUR, Hanno STEEN
Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating a subject in need thereof comprising classifying the subject into functional group FG1, FG2 or FG3, wherein i) when the subject is classified into the FG1 functional group, (A) the level of OPN or the activity of OPN in said subject is increased; (B) the subject is not treated with a brace; or (C) a combination of (A) and (B); and ii) when the subject is classified into the FG2 or FG3 functional group, (A) the level of OPN or the activity of OPN in said subject is decreased; (B) the subject is treated with a brace; or (C) a combination of (A) and (B).
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 2, 2018
Publication date:
August 9, 2018
Inventors:
Alain Moreau, Marie - Yvonne Akoume Ndong
Abstract: A method for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease (AD) includes: obtaining a blood sample from a human subject suspected of having AD; determining a G72 protein level in the blood sample; determining an SLC7A11 mRNA expression level in the blood sample; comparing the G72 protein level with a first predetermined standard; comparing the SLC7A11 mRNA expression level with a second predetermined standard; and diagnosing the human subject with AD when the G72 protein level is higher than the first predetermined standard and the SLC7A11 mRNA expression level is higher than the second predetermined standard. An effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition may be administered to the diagnosed human subject for treating AD.
Abstract: The present invention relates to novel lateral flow devices using two dimensional features, preferably, uniform two dimensional test and control features, and the methods for detecting an analyte using the lateral flow devices, and processes for making the lateral flow devices.
Abstract: The present invention is related to novel methods for identifying a population of subjects that are at risk for developing of atopic allergic diseases, such as atopic dermatitis, and to the prevention and treatment of these allergic diseases.
Type:
Application
Filed:
February 7, 2018
Publication date:
August 9, 2018
Inventors:
Donald Y.M. Leung, Elena Goleva, Evgeny Berdyshev
Abstract: Devices, systems and methods including a sonicator for sample preparation are provided. A sonicator may be used to mix, resuspend, aerosolize, disperse, disintegrate, or de-gas a solution. A sonicator may be used to disrupt a cell, such as a pathogen cell in a sample. Sample preparation may include exposing pathogen-identifying material by sonication to detect, identify, or measure pathogens. A sonicator may transfer ultrasonic energy to the sample solution by contacting its tip to an exterior wall of a vessel containing the sample. Multipurpose devices including a sonicator also include further components for additional actions and assays. Devices, and systems comprising such devices, may communicate with a laboratory or other devices in a system for sample assay and analysis. Methods utilizing such devices and systems are provided. The improved sample preparation devices, systems and methods are useful for analyzing samples, e.g. for diagnosing patients suffering from infection by pathogens.