Abstract: A coloration state of a test region is read out as image density values by a readout device. A calculation is made to find a similarity degree between template information for the test region, which template information represents a state of coloration of the test region, and which has been stored previously in a pattern storing device, and the coloration state of the test region, which coloration state has been read out by the readout device. An analysis of an analyte is performed by a judgment device in accordance with the similarity degree, which has been calculated.

Abstract: Devices and methods for the detection of antigens are disclosed. Devices and methods for detecting food-borne pathogens are disclosed.

Abstract: Medical devices, and in particular implantable medical devices, may be coated to minimize or substantially eliminate a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. The medical devices may be coated with any number of biocompatible materials. Therapeutic drugs, agents or compounds may be mixed with the biocompatible materials and affixed to at least a portion of the medical device. In each of these instances, antioxidants are utilized to prolong product integrity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a test strip for determining and/or quantifying a property of a sample, such as the concentration of an analyte, the pH, the viscosity, or the specific gravity of a fluid specimen. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved test strip and scale for determining and/or quantifying a property of a sample, such as the concentration of an analyte, the pH, the viscosity, or the specific gravity of a fluid specimen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lateral flow assay and system, including a test strip, for detection and quantification of analytes in samples, such as samples containing cells and fluid. In general, according to the present invention, a test strip for a lateral flow assay for detection of at least one analyte in a sample comprises: (1) a chromatographic strip, a sample filter, a fluid-impermeable barrier, and means for providing a mobilizable detectable agent that is capable of binding to the at least one analyte or to the capture agent after capturing the analyte to the chromatographic strip such that the mobilizable detectable agent migrates through the chromatographic strip and contacts sample that has passed through the sample filter and also has migrated through the chromatographic strip. The test strip allows detection with or without quantitation of an analyte in a sample containing whole cells.

Abstract: The invention concerns a diagnostic kit for simultaneous assay of antibiotics of different classes. The kit contains a single reaction mixture containing at least one first labelled receptor, specific of recognition of ?-lactams, a second labelled receptor, specifically and competitively identifying a tetracycline and a biotinylated nucleic acid fragment, an antisulfamide antibody and a labelled sulfamide analogue; and a recovery system in the form of a solid support comprising a nitrocellulose membrane whereon are fixed in three separate testing zones, respectively an antibiotic with ?-lactam nucleus, an avidin and an antibody capable of specifically identifying the antisulfamide antibody, so that the labelling intensity detected on the recovery system at the three testing zones results independently from a competitive recognition of each antibiotic by its labelled receptor.

Abstract: A test strip for immunochromatography comprising a sample receiving member, a label holding member, and a chromatography membrane is described. The chromatography membrane has a first detection zone and a second detection zone. The second detection zone is formed by utilizing a blocking material and the second substance. A method for producing above the test strip is also described.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a humidity indicating composition comprising (a) an organic pH indicator dye compound, (b) a Bronsted acid or base, (c) a polyol having the general formula HOCH2—(CHOH)n—CH2OH, wherein n can be 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, and (d) a solvent; wherein said components (a), (b), (c) and (d) do not contain halogen and/or heavy metals. Furthermore, the invention relates to a humidity indicator card comprising a sheet substrate and the humidity indicating composition from which the solvent has been allowed to evaporate, and to a process for preparing said humidity indicator card.

Abstract: A reversible reaction sensor provides for detecting medical, biologic or explosive airborne compounds. The sensor may be formed in semiconductor material and is activated by radiation from sources to provide sensing of particular airborne compounds optically detectable by detectors, and reversed by other radiation from a source (or removal of activating radiation) to take away such airborne compounds from the sensor. The reversible reaction sensor device has a sensing material of one or more photo-chromic or photo-biologic compounds for a specific compound(s) or analytic(s) having receptor sites which bound molecularly to specific compound(s) or analytic(s) when present, in which sensing relies only on the response time to saturation for the sensing material as measured by an optical property of the sensing material when exposed to radiation.

Abstract: This invention provides an immunochromatography detection apparatus exhibiting excellent convenience, sensitivity, and specificity, a detection method therefore, a kit using the same, and a method for producing such apparatus and kit, by constructing a solid-phase support, on which the conditions for the reaction wherein an analyte specifically binds to a labeled reagent containing a ligand that specifically binds to the analyte and those for the reaction wherein a capture reagent specifically binds to a complex of the analyte and the labeled reagent in the immunochromatography detection method are continuously optimized, and the pretreated specimens are optimized for such reactions.

Abstract: There is provided a test strip for testing a fluid sample, including a sample cavity configured to receive the fluid sample and an ultrasonically-spread reagent layer arranged on at least one surface of the sample cavity. There is also provided a method for making a biosensor, including providing a substrate having a region for receiving a sample; dispensing a liquid substance on at least one surface of the region for receiving a sample; and subjecting the substrate to ultrasonic vibrations to quickly and uniformly spread the liquid substance on the at least one surface of the region for receiving a sample.

Abstract: Dipstick tests for detecting analyte are described. In a preferred embodiment, a multiple biotinylated antibody capable of binding analyte is bound to an anti-biotin antibody labeled with colloidal gold and wicked up the dipstick with test solution thought to contain analyte. Complex formed between analyte, biotinylated anti-analyte antibody, and colloidal gold labeled anti-biotin antibody is captured at a capture zone of the dipstick. Presence of colloidal gold label at the capture zone indicates the presence of analyte in the test solution. The sensitivity of analyte detection using such methods is an order of magnitude higher than for comparable methods in which biotinylated anti-analyte antibody bound to analyte is wicked up the dipstick in a first step, and a colloidal gold labeled anti-biotin antibody is wicked up the dipstick in a separate step. Kits for performing the tests of the invention are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a testing device and methods for the identification of an analyte of interest in a sample. In a preferred embodiment, the testing device includes a front panel having at least one sample application aperture; a rear panel having at least one solvent application aperture; a sample collection matrix disposed between the rear panel and the front panel, the sample collection matrix being in communication with the sample and solvent application apertures of the front and rear panels; and at least one insertable test strip containing a reagent enabling detection of the analyte of interest.

Abstract: Provided is sampling and testing device for the detection of specific molds, allergens, viruses, bacteria, fungi, and other protein containing substances. Embodiments of the device include a sampling member slideably engaged with a base that contains a lateral flow strip adapted to detect specific analytes of interest. The sampling member defines a solvent reservoir that stores an elution solvent in a fluid-tight manner before the device is used to sample and test environmental surfaces. During slideable withdrawal of the sampling member from the base, the elution solvent stored in the reservoir is automatically released to a wick assembly of the sampling member. The wick assembly includes a wick adapted to receive, distribute, and retain the elution solvent. After a user samples an environmental surface for an analyte of interest with the elution solvent wetted wick, the sampling member is returned to the base where the wick contacts the lateral flow strip contained in the base.

Abstract: Described herein are novel devices for the study of transport characteristics of complex or simple fluids, interactions among molecules in suspension, interactions between molecules in suspension and wall-bound molecules, and biochemical sensing devices made of reservoirs for fluid containment linked by a nanotubes. Also disclosed are methods of delivering medicaments and monitoring fluidic interactions of molecules or analytes.

Abstract: Novel conjugates of the pharmaceutically active metabolite of irinotecan and novel immunogens derived from this pharmaceutically active metabolite and monoclonal antibodies generated by these immunogens which are useful in immunoassays for the quantification and monitoring of the pharmaceutically active metabolite of irinotecan in biological fluids.

Abstract: A detection method and indicator are disclosed that includes quantum dots that fluoresce under illumination of a first light having a first wavelength to indicate the presence of a predetermined condition, and in particular, a corrosion condition. The quantum dots are surrounded by a shell material that under normal conditions reflect the first light and reacts in the presence of the predetermined condition to permit the first light to illuminate the quantum dot to excite the quantum dot to emit a second light having a second wavelength, which when detected, indicates the presence of the predetermined condition.

Abstract: Test kit for the detection of an analyte in an aqueous solution, including chromatographic test strips for a hapten-antihapten complex and first and second standardized vessels for receiving and positioning test strips, which include first and second hapten-coupled receptors against the analyte dried onto the interior wall for the formation of the hapten-antihapten complex, where a portion of the standardized vessels further include a known amount of analyte embedded in a glass-like layer of trehalose, which are dried onto the interior wall of the control vessel so that they dissolve during reaction of the sample with the hapten-coupled receptors. Through this standardization, analytes in unknown samples may be safely detected by immunochromatography within minutes through a hapten-antihapten complex.

Abstract: A humidity indicator including a coloration composition, which contains a deliquescent material, supported on a porous base material, wherein the adhesion of the coloration composition, which has been once printed and thus adhered to the base material, to a member or the like of a printer is inhibited in a production process to thereby reduce printing errors and the maintenance frequency of the printer. Furthermore, blocking which occurs in stacking multiple humidity indicators can be prevented. Beads not reacting with the constituting components of the coloration composition are dispersed into the coloration composition to form convex portions. Further, the coloration composition is coated with a top coat layer including beads dispersed in a resin.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods of using same where hybrid substrate materials are provided with a substantially uniform surface to provide uniformity of properties, including interaction with their environments. Uniform surfaces are applied as coatings over, e.g., hybrid metal/silica, metal/polymer, metal/metal surfaces to mask different chemical properties of differing regions of the surface and to afford a protective surface for the hybrid structure.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods of using same where hybrid substrate materials are provided with a substantially uniform surface to provide uniformity of properties, including interaction with their environments. Uniform surfaces are applied as coatings over, e.g., hybrid metal/silica, metal/polymer, metal/metal surfaces to mask different chemical properties of differing regions of the surface and to afford a protective surface for the hybrid structure.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods of using same where hybrid substrate materials are provided with a substantially uniform surface to provide uniformity of properties, including interaction with their environments. Uniform surfaces are applied as coatings over, e.g., hybrid metal/silica, metal/polymer, metal/metal surfaces to mask different chemical properties of differing regions of the surface and to afford a protective surface for the hybrid structure.

Abstract: A reagent cup device 1 includes a plurality of individually sealed reagent cup compartments 7, each holding a reagent cup 8 having an open end and an inner surface, at least part of which is coated with a chemical reagent. Each reagent cup compartment 7 is closed and has a first end covered by a first breakable seal 5 and a second end covered by a second breakable seal 10. Since the reagent cup compartments 7 are individually sealed by the breakable seals 5, 10, it is possible to gain access to the interior of a reagent cup compartment 7, and thereby to the reagent cup 8 held therein, without breaking the sealing of the remaining reagent cup compartments 7. Thereby degradation of the chemical reagent in the reagent cups 8 is reduced, and the expected lifetime of the reagent cups 8 is accordingly increased. The breakable seals 5, 10 may be provided with weakened zones in order to easier break the seals 5, 10 when access is desired.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drug detection device for detecting the presence of a date rape drug in a beverage comprising: a straw; and a chemical reagent, where said chemical reagent coats the surface of the straw and changes color upon contact with a date rape drug. In one exemplary embodiment, the drug detection device may be used to test for Gamma Hydoxybutyrate (GHB) or ROHYPNOL® (Flunitrazepam). A stirring straw may be used as a component of the drug detection device as opposing to a conventional straw. The present invention also includes a method of date rape drug detection comprising the steps of: coating a stirring device with a chemical reagent; inserting the stirring device in a beverage; and observing the stirring device to determine an indication of the presence of a date rape drug.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing silver films having large nanoparticles caused by cracking during anaerobic annealing to provide surfaces that exhibit increased metal enhanced fluorescence. Preferably the annealing process is conducted on a silver film having a thickness from about 14 to 17 nm for about an hour at a temperature of approximately 190° C. to about 210° C. resulting in the conversion of the just-continuous films into large particulate films, not readily assessable by other chemical deposition techniques.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of analyzing the age and/or quality of certain natural products, for example foods. The invention also relates to devices for analyzing said age and/or quality as well as to methods for preparing such devices, to methods for analyzing natural products and to their use.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for studying transport of an agent across a membrane comprising the steps a) providing at least one surface with a bilayer structure tethered to the surface, said bilayer structure comprising a detection volume, b) contacting the bilayer with at least one agent to be analysed, and c) detecting a change in refractive index in the detection volume resulting from transportation of the agent across the membrane. Further there is provided a device comprising a) at least one surface, b) at least one bilayer structure tethered to the surface, and c) at least one sensor capable of detecting a change in refractive index in a detection volume, wherein the bilayer structure encloses a first volume of the detection volume and wherein the volume not enclosed by the bilayer structure but within the detection volume is a second volume and wherein the ratio between the first volume and second volume is above about 0.001.

Abstract: A fluid sensor comprises a formed plastic body and a reagent. The body has a top face with an integral first surface. The body also has a bottom face opposed to the first surface and a sidewall that extends from the periphery of the top face. The first surface is adapted to accept a fluid sample. The reagent is disposed on the integral first surface and causes a color change detectable on the bottom face when the reagent reacts with an analyte in the fluid sample.