Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring binding between a plurality of molecules of a first type and a plurality of molecules of a second type is presented. Apparatus utilizes a sensor possessing a waveguide to which have been attached in close proximity to its surface, features resembling molecules of said first type. Light is injected into said waveguide so as to produce an evanescent field at its surface. Molecules of said second type are tagged with a tag belonging to that class of chemicals which alters a characteristic of light, when said light passes through said chemical tag. Apparatus utilizes a rapid means of monitoring the change in optical signal coming from said waveguide as binding proceeds between tagged molecules of type 2 and the feature resembling molecules of type 1 on said waveguide. This allows direct measurement of binding and dissociation rates between the two types of molecules.

Abstract: The invention is a fluorescent sensor element for detecting concentration changes of oxygen in an atmosphere suitable for high temperature applications such as automotive exhaust gases. It comprises an optical fiber, preferably silica, coated on at least a portion of its surface with a sol-gel processed porous uniform mixture of (1) matrix material of alumina, zirconia, titania, or silica or a mixture of any of them with (2) ceramic fluorescent indicator like Cu-ZSM-5 zeolite incorporated therein. In use of the sensor element in a system, a light source excites fluorescence in the indicator which is responsive to varying oxygen concentration in the contacted exhaust gas.

Abstract: A device for detecting the presence of an antigen including (1) a cell having antibodies which are expressed on the surface of the cell and are specific for the antigen to be detected, where binding of the antigen to the antibodies results in an increase in calcium concentration in the cytosol of the cell, the cell further having a emitter molecule which, in response to the increased calcium concentration in the cytosol, emits a photon; (2) a liquid medium for receiving the antigen and in which the cell is immersed; and (3) an optical detector arranged for receiving the photon emitted from the cell.

Abstract: The measurement of the wavelength shifts in the reflectometric interference spectra of a porous semiconductor substrate such as silicon, make possible the highly sensitive detection, identification and quantification of small analyte molecules. The sensor of the subject invention is effective in detecting multiple layers of biomolecular interactions, termed “cascade sensing”, including sensitive detection of small molecule recognition events that take place relatively far from the semiconductor surface.

Abstract: An analytical apparatus comprises a biosensor device (3) which forms the base of a sample chamber. A stirrer (8) extends into the sample chamber and moves within the chamber so as to homogenize a sample contained within the chamber in contact with the biosensor (3). Movement of the stirrer (8) is preferably reciprocal movement along an axis perpendicular to the surface of the biosensor (3).

Abstract: An improved absorbance or detection cell for a microfluid device, and in accordance with an aspect of the invention, the absorbance cell comprises a bottom plate having a channel bearing surface in which a channel having a fluid inlet and fluid outlet is defined, a top plate having a channel facing surface bound to the channel bearing surface of the bottom plate and first and second reflecting elements formed on opposed sides of the channel to form a waveguide through which the channel extends such that radiation propagating along the waveguide makes multiple passes across the channel, the waveguide having a radiation input end and a radiation output end.

Abstract: An extended fibre point (1) is coated with photbiotin and irradiated with U.V. light, causing the photobiotin to bind with the fibre pint. The fibre point is then brounght into contact with streptavidin and submerged in a solution containing dyed copies of the DNA molecule to be sequenced. Biotin is also bonded to the 5′ end of the dyed DNA molecules (4A). the biotin coupled to individual DNA molecules binds with the streptavidin at the fibre point. Light is coupled into the fibre to detect the thus obtained bonds. The evanescent field of said light excites a dyed DNA molecule to emit fluorescent light as soon as it binds with the fibre point. When a bond is deteccted, the fibre is immediately remvoded from the solution, and the fibre point is inserted into a microcapillary (5). The microcapillary is filled with a buffer solution containing exonucleases which decompose the DNA colecule base after base.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the interaction of molecular species utilizes a sensor device comprising a substrate (1) with a waveguide (2) formed on the surface thereof. A grating (3) is formed in one of the surfaces of the waveguide (2). A beam of light (6) is incident on the grating (3) and the angle of incidence at which maximum reflection occurs is monitored. A first molecular species is immobilized on the waveguide (2). Changes in the angular position of the reflection maximum provide an indication of interaction of the first molecular species with a second molecular species contained in a sample brought into contact with the sensor device.

Abstract: A biosensor, sensor array, sensing method and sensing apparatus are provided in which individual cells or randomly mixed populations of cells, having unique response characteristics to chemical and biological materials, are deployed in a plurality of microwells formed at the distal end of individual fibers within a fiber optic array. The biosensor array utilizes an optically interrogatable encoding scheme for determining the identity and location of each cell type in the array and provides for simultaneous measurements of large numbers of individual cell responses to target analytes. The sensing method utilizes the unique ability of cell populations to respond to biologically significant compounds in a characteristic and detectable manner. The biosensor array and measurement method may be employed in the study of biologically active materials, in situ environmental monitoring, monitoring of a variety of bioprocesses, and for high throughput screening of large combinatorial chemical libraries.

Abstract: A measuring device for measuring or examining physiological parameters on biocomponents includes an FET sensor 5 whose electrical protective layer 12 is roughened or has a structured coating 15. The structuring of the active sensor contact surface 12 is adapted to the outer contour and topography of the biocomponent in question, so that a better possibility is available for anchoring the biocomponents to the contact surface 24 forming the FET protective layer of the sensor 5.

Abstract: The present invention is a photodeposition methodology for fabricating a three-dimensional patterned polymer microstructure. A variety of polymeric structures can be fabricated on solid substrates using unitary fiber optic arrays for light delivery. The methodology allows micrometer-scale photopatterning for the fabricated structures using masks substantially larger than the desired dimensions of the microstructure.

Abstract: A micro sensor device for measuring a concentration of a substance within a sample comprises an integrated sensor head having a tip portion adapted to be inserted into a sample, a light source for emitting a beam of light into and through the tip portion with the tip portion capable of interacting with a substance within a sample to produce a reflected pattern of light, and a detector for receiving the reflected pattern of light, and a body portion coupled to the integrated sensor head, the body portion comprising a processor operatively connected to the light source and the detector, the processor for controlling the light source for emitting the beam of light, for receiving the pattern of reflected light from the detector, and for processing the reflected pattern of light to determine the concentration of a substance within a sample.

Abstract: A method for the detection of an analyte is described which is characterized in that the binding of the analyte to a solid phase is determined by the independent analysis of the signals from a plasmon resonance measurement and a fluorescence measurement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improvement in a detection system used for continuously measuring the release of a drug from a pharmaceutical dosage form having a singular dissolution vessel or multiple dissolution vessels containing a dissolution medium and a measuring device for detecting the amount of drug released at a given time, the improvement being a mixing shaft and a probe placed within the mixing shaft or outside the individual dissolution vessels, the probe capable of measuring the dissolution characteristics using UV, IR, near-IR, fluorescence, electrochemical, and Raman spectroscopy techniques. The present invention also relates to a method for predicting the dissolution curve provided by a controlled release pharmaceutical dosage form by taking continuous measurements of the amount of drug released from a dosage form for a portion of the time over which the drug is expected to be released and predicting the remainder of the dissolution curve based on the values obtained.

Abstract: Receptor molecules are anchored on a solid or fluid flat substrate, these being able to selectively bind other atoms or molecules. The substrate surface is then ellipsometrically measured in that the change of the state of polarization, undergone by the linearly polarized light with the reflection on the substrate, is acquired. Subsequently, the substrate with the receptor molecules anchored thereon, for coupling the atoms or molecules to be determined, are exposed to the latter, after which an ellipsometrical measurement is again effected. The changes in the state of polarization are compared to values evaluated by way of reference samples, after which a qualitative and quantitative determination of the coupled atoms or molecules is effected.