Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a biosensor that can detect binding of a compound with a functional protein and then assay a reaction product derived from the activity of the functional protein again.

Abstract: Each well of a multiwell plate adapted to accept a plurality of biological samples for testing for the presence of analytes in the sample is further adapted herein for immobilizing on the side walls of a well a 3D arrangement of ligand arrays. A well is formed with planar side walls and a stack of sample separators is placed within a well in positions so as to not come in contact with ligand spots in the array(s). The spacing between each pair of adjacent separators in a stack forms a sample chamber in a position corresponding to an array of the 3D arrangement of ligand arrays.

Abstract: A wave-guide having an isolated coupling interface. In one variation, a constant negative pressure is maintained around the area surrounding the wave-guide. Coupling liquid may be directed to the tip of the wave-guide to provide the coupling interface between the wave-guide and a source fluid container. The suction from the constant negative pressure may remove excess coupling liquid and isolating the coupling liquid to the area around the tip of the wave-guide. The wave-guide assembly may also include mechanisms for adjusting the volume of fluid at the tip of the wave-guide. When the position of the wave-guide is displaced, fluid compensation mechanism may increase or decrease the volume of fluids at the distal end of the wave-guide to maintain proper coupling between the wave-guide and the source fluid container. Methods for utilizing negative pressure around the distal end of the wave-guide to isolate the coupling liquid are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the detection of an analyte in a sample, comprising a) bringing the sample into contact with a first ligand which binds specifically to the analyte and which is immobilized on a substrate, and b) prior to or subsequent to step (a), bringing the sample into contact with a second ligand which binds specifically to the analyte and which includes a label: wherein the substrate comprises a holographic sensor comprising a support medium having a hologram disposed therein or thereon and the label causes an optical property of the sensor to change by interaction of the sensor with the label or, following the additional step of contacting the substrate with a reagent, by interaction of the sensor with a species produced by reaction of the label with the reagent, thereby indicating the presence of bound analyte.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biosensor, wherein non-specific adsorption on a surface that does not retain a physiologically active substance (reference unit) is suppressed. The biosensor of the invention includes a substrate having at least two types of surfaces on a single plane, wherein at least one of the surfaces does not retain a physiologically active substance, and wherein at least two types of hydrophilic compounds with different molecular weights are bound to the surface that does not retain a physiologically active substance.

Abstract: An optical waveguiding optical format enables consistent optical analysis of small sample volumes with minimal variation in light path length among optical formats. The optical format is comprised of an input guide, an output guide, and a sample cavity adapted to allow light to pass through a sample on its way from the input guide to the output guide. A lid removed from the light pathway within the format may be provided with a reagent for assisting fluid analysis.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a glucose sensor chip includes an optical waveguide layer on a main surface of a substrate, the optical waveguide layer including a pair of gratings which are separated each other, a sensing film on a surface of a portion of the optical waveguide layer between the pair of the gratings, the sensing film being constituted with a membrane polymer, a cross-linking polymer and a low-molecular compound, the sensing film including a first enzyme which oxidizes or reduces a color forming dye and a glucose, and a second enzyme which reacts with a product of the first enzyme and generates a material which produces the color forming dye.

Abstract: A grating-based sensor is disclosed that has a grating structure constructed and designed for both evanescent resonance (ER) fluorescence detection and label-free detection applications. Some embodiments are disclosed which are optimized for ER detection in an air mode, in which the sample is dry. Other embodiments are optimized for ER detection in liquid mode, in which the sample is suspended in liquid medium such as water. One and two-dimensional gratings are also disclosed, including gratings characterized by unit cells with central posts, central holes, and two-level, two-dimensional gratings. A readout system for such sensors is also disclosed. One embodiment includes a first light source optimized for collecting label-free detection data, a second light source optimized for collecting ER fluorescence amplification data, and at least one detector. In one embodiment, the detector is an imaging system and includes a CCD camera for collecting both ER and label-free data.

Abstract: An apparatus main body is loaded with a cartridge that contains a sensor and is capable of processing liquid contained in it without moving it from the inside to the outside of the cartridge. The cartridge is loaded into the apparatus main body in such a way that the direction of feeding liquid in the span of the flow channel where the sensor is arranged is vertical and the cartridge can be accessed from the apparatus main body from above.

Abstract: A device and method is disclosed for improving the detection of a ligand by a receptor by concentrating microbes by removing particulates from fluid-borne samples and/or causing selective aggregation of concentrated microbes. The device may be configured as a multipath valve capable purifying/concentrating a sample in one orientation and delivering the concentrated sample in another orientation. In one embodiment, the device includes a body that defines a plurality of chambers and pathways and supports a pathogen capture unit that houses a receptor that exhibits specificity for a ligand. In another embodiment, the capture unit houses a plurality of antibody coated generally spherical particles capable of binding to a ligand.

Abstract: A surface plasmon resonance biosensor device and system are provided. The simplicity of SPR biosensor design allows easy integration with both QCM and electrochemistry techniques, not found in current SPR biosensor devices. In some embodiments, the surface plasmon resonance biosensor device has a dual SPR/QCM sample holder which allows simultaneous detection by both surface plasmon resonance and also quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) techniques. In additional embodiments, the surface plasmon resonance biosensor device and/or the dual SPR/QCM technique can be integrated with electrochemistry techniques by incorporate reference and counter electrodes in the SPR or SPR/QCM sample holder. Methods of using the device and system to determine whether an analyte of interest is present in a sample are also provided.

Abstract: A sensor unit is retained on an assay stage of a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assay apparatus. The sensor unit includes a prism having a sensing surface, disposed on an upper surface thereof, for detecting reaction of a sample. A flow cell is secured to the upper surface, and has a flow channel for flow of sample fluid containing the sample to the sensing surface. The sensor unit is set removably on the assay apparatus for optically measuring reaction of the sample. In sensor holding, the sensor unit is set on a stage surface of the assay stage by directing down the prism. In a pushing step, a lower surface of the prism is pushed on the stage surface in a first direction upright relative to the stage surface. Two holders push an upper face of the first and second ridges of the prism in the first direction.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for detecting biomolecular interactions. The use of labels is not required and the methods can be performed in a high-throughput manner. The invention also provides optical devices useful as narrow band filters.

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 metallic nanoparticle coated water-soluble polymeric substrate and the process for preparing and using the same is described.

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: The invention relates to compositions and methods for detecting biomolecular interactions. The detection can occur without the use of labels and can be done in a high-throughput manner. The invention further relates to self-referencing colorimetric resonant optical biosensors and optical devices.

Abstract: A device includes a planar optical waveguide, as part of a sensor platform, and, connected to the platform directly or by means of a sealing medium, a sealing layer. The sealing layer forms either directly or by means of a sealing medium a tightly sealing layer. The sealing layer includes a multitude of recesses at least open towards the sensor platform, which form a corresponding multitude of sample compartments in a 2-dimensional arrangement.

Abstract: A sensing device able to do concurrent real time detection of different kinds of chemical, biomolecule agents, or biological cells and their respective concentrations using optical principles. The sensing system can be produced at a low cost (below $1.00) and in a small size (˜1 cm3). The novel sensing system may be of great value to many industries, for example, medical, forensics, and military. The fundamental principles of this novel invention may be implemented in many variations and combinations of techniques.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for detecting biomolecular interactions. The use of labels is not required and the methods can be performed in a high-throughput manner. The invention also provides optical devices useful as narrow band filters.

Abstract: A substrate for forming a target substance detecting device includes a supporting member, an underlying layer disposed on a surface of the supporting member, and a metal pattern layer, disposed on a surface of the underlying layer, for being bound to a target substance trapping substance capable of trapping a target substance in a specimen solution at least containing water as a liquid medium to detect the target substance by utilizing plasmon resonance. The underlying layer has a refractive index nb satisfying the following relationship: 0.90 na?nb?1.05 na, wherein na represents a refractive index of water.

Abstract: The metal fine particles 33 are sparsely fixed on the surface of the transparent substrate 32, and the acceptor 35 for attaching the specific ligand is immobilized on the transparent substrate 32 or the metal fine particles 33. The prism 36 is closely attached to the lower surface of the transparent substrate 32, and the excitation light enters the transparent substrate 32 through the prism 36. The incident light is totally reflected at the surface of the transparent substrate 32, and the evanescent light generated at the surface and the metal fine particles 33 locally plasmon resonate. As the evanescent light and the metal fine particles locally plasmon resonate, a strong electric field is enclosed in the vicinity of the metal fine particles.

Abstract: A unit for measurement of absorbance using a microchip has a microchip with a continuous cavity, a sample chamber, a reagent chamber, a reagent mixing chamber and a chamber for measuring absorbance, which is arranged in a straight line in the area of the continuous cavity. The microchip is located in a chip holder which has a capillary part which is arranged such that the light used to measure absorbance is delivered through the capillary part to the chamber for measuring absorbance, the capillary part having a smaller opening diameter than the diameter of the cross section which is perpendicular to the optical axis of the chamber for measuring absorbance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for detecting analytes in a medium, and more particularly the present invention relates to an assay based on light diffraction which appears or changes upon the binding of analytes to their specific receptors laid out in patterns on a substrate, which has high sensitivity due to the appropriate choice of such patterns. The present invention is based on the principle that the pattern of recognition elements, which gives rise to the diffraction of the incident light in a diffraction-based assay, can be chosen in such a way so as to facilitate detection, and to enhance the signal to be detected compared to known gratings such as parallel straight lines. In one aspect the substrate itself has a surface topography designed to enhance the diffraction pattern signals. In another aspect the substrate is a diffractive optic element having the analyte-specific receptors affixed to the optic element.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting one or more substances includes a radiation source emitting a beam of radiation and also includes a material capable of reflecting the beam of radiation with a first characteristic and capable of reflecting the beam of radiation with a second characteristic when the material interacts with the one or more substances. The apparatus also includes two or more radiation detectors to detect the first and second characteristics of the beam of radiation. A first one of the two or more radiation detectors is adjustably aligned to detect the first and second characteristics of the beam of radiation reflected from a first region of the material. A second one of the two or more radiation detectors is adjustably aligned to detect the first and second characteristics of the beam of radiation reflected from a second region of the material.

Abstract: The instant invention provides compositions and methods for determining cell interactions that are faster than conventional methods and that require the use of fewer reagents than conventional methods.

Abstract: The optical sensor contains an optical waveguide (1) with a substrate (104), waveguiding material (105), a cover medium (106) and a waveguide grating structure (101-103). By means of a light source (2), light can be emitted to the waveguide grating structure (101-103) from the substrate side and/or from the cover medium side. (101-103). With means of detection (11), at least two differing light proportions (7-10) radiated from the waveguide (1) can be detected. For carrying out a measurement, the waveguide can be immovably fixed relative to the light source (2) and the means of detection (11). The waveguide grating structure (101-103) itself consists of one or several waveguide grating structure units (101-103), which if so required can be equipped with (bio-)chemo-sensitive layers. The sensor permits the generation of absolute measuring signals.

Abstract: A target substance detection method for detecting a target substance in a specimen, comprises the steps of contacting with a specimen a target substance detecting element comprised of a base, a metal structure and a first capturing body for capturing a target substance; contacting with the target substance detecting element a labeling material comprised of a labeling substance and a second capturing body for capturing a target substance; and acquiring an absorption spectrum (A) of the target substance detecting element contacted with the specimen and the labeling material, wherein the employed labeling substance is a substance that a slope of a tangent of an absorption spectrum (C) of the labeling substance at a peak wavelength (?z) of an absorption spectrum (B) of the target substance detecting element is larger than zero.

Abstract: A droplet sample holder, especially a sample holder for use in a measuring instrument utilizing surface plasmon resonance. The sample holder reduces or minimizes the measurement distortion result of the droplet “pherpheral concentration effect” by surrounding the analysis zone with a wettable (hydrophilic) zone that captures the periphery of the droplet to keep the pheriphery of the droplet and the increased concentration of the analyte out of the analysis zone. The wettable zone is surrounded by a nonwettable (hydrophobic) zone that restricts the periphery of the droplet to analysis zone and the wettable zone.

Abstract: The apparatus for measuring concentrations of fuel mixtures using depth-resolved laser-induced fluorescence is a fluorometer equipped with a sample container holder that is movable in the path of the beam from the light source. Fluorescent emissions from the sample mixture pass at 90° to the excitation light path through a slit that is narrow enough that the emission intensity is effectively produced by a thin layer of the sample and focused on a monochromator, with successive thin layers receiving nonuniform excitation radiation due to reduction of intensity along the excitation light source path with increasing depth penetration and due to reabsorption of emitted fluorescence from adjacent layers. The method has a first mode in which the emission spectrum is scanned at a fixed depth, and a second mode in which the sample is moved relative to the emission monochromator slit to vary the depth while keeping the emission wavelength fixed.

Abstract: A chemical sensor based on an indicator dye wherein a light transmissive element containing the indicator dye is made of a hygroscopic polymer. The polymer may be, for example, a polyimide or PMMA or other polymer. In an alternative embodiment the light transmissive element is doped with metal nanocolloidal particles. One embodiment may include a reference photodiode and differential amplifier to compensate for the fluctuations of the intensity of the light source. The light source may be pulse modulated. The sensor may include calibration means comprising a reference sample of the chemical to be detected and a precision delivery means. A method of fabricating the polymer and metal nanocolloid is disclosed wherein the nanocolloid is produced by generating a pulsed laser plasma in a suspension of metal particles and an organic solvent and adding the resulting solvent colloid to a solution containing the polymer.

Abstract: Apparatus and method employing gel electrophoresis and optical imaging techniques to measure the amount of biomaterial that attaches to specified locations on a detector slide and to determine the molecular weight of the molecules at those locations.

Abstract: The invention makes it possible to measure binding of a biochemical substance with a high throughput and with high sensitivity using a small cell capable of being filled with a small amount of chemical solution. A space between a first substrate and a second substrate such that probes are immobilized on their mutually facing planes is used as a cell that houses a specimen solution. Light is irradiated from a first substrate side, and reflected light is subjected to spectroscopy. Binding of the target with the probe is detected by a wavelength shift in the refection spectrum.

Abstract: An encoded carrier includes a code region having a code, and a reaction region separate from the coded region, the reaction region having a variation in its refractive index or dielectric constant in a direction generally parallel to the surface of the reaction region.

Abstract: An optical waveguide type antibody chip includes a transparent substrate, an incident-side optical element and an emitting-side optical element placed at a distance from each other on a primary face of the substrate, a water repellent resin film formed on the primary face of the substrate including an optical waveguide layer formed between the optical elements, the water repellent resin film includes a reaction hole having exposed the optical waveguide layer on its bottom and a frame-shaped trench surrounding the reaction hole, a rectangular frame-shaped cell wall which is fixed in the trench of the water repellent resin film and which forms a cell capable of infusion and discharge of a specimen solution together with the reaction hole, and an antibody immobilization layer formed on the bottom of the reaction hole, the surface of the antibody immobilization layer being masked with at least a buffer agent and a salt.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a biosensor having excellent preservation stability. The present invention provides a biosensor wherein a first hydrophilic polymer layer is immobilized on a self-assembled membrane applied onto the surface of a metal substrate, a second hydrophilic polymer layer is applied onto the first hydrophilic polymer layer, and the total film thickness of the first hydrophilic polymer layer and the second hydrophilic polymer layer in a dry state is between 20 nm and 100 nm.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and systems for detecting biomolecular binding events using gigahertz or terahertz radiation. The methods and systems use low-energy spectroscopy to detect biomolecular binding events between molecules in an aqueous solution. The detected biomolecular binding events include, for example, nucleic acid hybridizations, antibody/antigen binding, and receptor/ligand binding.

Abstract: A sensor platform for use in sample analysis comprises a substrate (30) of refractive index (n1) and a thin, optically transparent layer (32) of refractive index (n2) on the substrate, (n2) is greater than (n1). The platform incorporates one or multiple corrugated structures in the form of periodic grooves (31), (33), which defines one or more sensing areas each for one or more capture elements. The grooves are so profiled, dimensioned and oriented that when coherent light is incident on the platform it is diffracted into individual beams or diffraction order resulting in reduction of the transmitted beam and an abnormal high reflection of the incident light thereby creates an enhanced evanescent field at the surface of the or each sensing area. The amplitude of this field at the resonant condition is greater by an order of approximately 100 than the field of prior art platforms so that the luminescence intensity created from samples on the platform is also increased by a factor of 100.

Abstract: An optical waveguiding optical format enables consistent optical analysis of small sample volumes with minimal variation in light path length among optical formats. The optical format is comprised of an input guide, an output guide, and a sample cavity adapted to allow light to pass through a sample on its way from the input guide to the output guide. A lid removed from the light pathway within the format may be provided with a reagent for assisting fluid analysis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lateral flow quantitative assay method which can measure one or more analyte species at the same time, with high sensitivity. Also, the present invention relates to a strip which can measure one or more analyte species at the same time, with high sensitivity and a package in which the strip is integrated with a laser-induced surface fluorescence detector. The present invention can quantify multiple analytes with a minimum detection limit of pg/ml. Therefore, the present invention provides an advantage capable of quantifying a plurality of analytes at the same time using a simple lateral flow assay strip.

Abstract: The invention relates to self-contained assay cassette for detecting a ligand in a sample. The assay cassette provides for turbulent flow and mixing of the sample with assay components, including receptors that bind to a ligand, optional microspheres capable of binding the receptors or to which other secondary receptors are attached, and liquid crystalline materials. The assay cassette also provides for laminar flow of the mixed sample into a detection chamber where complexes between a receptor, ligand, and optional microspheres, is detected as transmission of polarized light through the detection chambers. The invention also relates to methods for detecting a ligand in a sample using turbulent flow to mix the sample with assay components, including liquid crystalline materials, and laminar flow of the mixed sample such that the liquid crystalline material assumes an ordered conformation in absence of a ligand.

Abstract: A fluid content monitor including a cuvette, a calorimeter adapted to generate a signal indicative of contents of a fluid sample contained in the cuvette, a container for holding a reagent, and a pump assembly for delivering reagent from the container to the cuvette. The pump assembly includes a tube extending from the container to the cuvette, check valves preventing reverse flow in the tube, and a hammer driven by a solenoid for repetitively compressing the tube to pump reagent to the cuvette. The cuvette can be removed for cleaning and replacement.

Abstract: An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in reaction receptacles. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a sample, incubating the sample, preforming an analyte isolation procedure, ascertaining the presence of a target analyte, and analyzing the amount of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the reaction receptacles from one station to the next. A method for performing an automated diagnostic assay includes an automated process for isolating and amplifying a target analyte, and, in one embodiment, a method for real-time monitoring of the amplification process.

Abstract: A fiber switching mechanism of a lighting system for passing a light through one of n optical fibers corresponding to n channels sequentially is provided midway in n optical fibers of the lighting system corresponding to n channels such that lights from n optical fibers of a receiving system can be commonly received by a single spectroscope. With the fiber switching mechanism of the lighting system, it is possible to obtain measuring data of reflection spectrum of n optical thin film sensor portions by the single spectroscope.

Abstract: A biosensor includes a substrate member with a pattern of active areas of receptive material and a pattern of blocking material layers. The receptive material and blocking material are attached to the substrate member with a photo-reactive crosslinking agent activated in a masking process. The receptive material is specific for an analyte of interest.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improved measurement of absorbance/transmission through fluidic systems are described. Specifically, in one set of embodiments, optical elements are fabricated on one side of a transparent fluidic device opposite a series of fluidic channels. The optical elements may guide incident light passing through the device such that most of the light is dispersed away from specific areas of the device, such as intervening portions between the fluidic channels. By decreasing the amount of light incident upon these intervening portions, the amount of noise in the detection signal can be decreased when using certain optical detection systems. In some embodiments, to the optical elements comprise triangular grooves formed on or in a surface of the device. The draft angle of the triangular grooves may be chosen such that incident light normal to the surface of the device is redirected at an angle dependent upon the indices of refraction of the external medium (e.g., air) and the device material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biochemical detection system that comprises an exchangeable cartridge unit with light guiding tubes pre-coated with capture agent(s) and an optical detection unit. Upon flowing the liquid or gaseous sample containing the target(s) through the cartridge unit, the target(s) bind(s) to the capture agent(s) and is (are) detected by the amount of light or the variation of its properties while guided through the tubes. The optical detection unit is comprised of a light emitting element(s), a light connecting element(s) and a light detecting element(s) that delivers the amount of target(s) in the sample under investigation.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical sensor for detecting chemical reaction activity, including, e.g., enzyme activity and catalytic or reactive molecule activity. An optical sensor of the invention includes a porous photonic film that produces a predetermined spectral reflectance response. In preferred embodiments, the film has a chemical coating (such as a hydrophobic layer) within its pores with an affinity for the reaction product(s) of the catalytic or otherwise reactive analyte A coating can also act as a protective layer in preferred embodiment. A thin substrate susceptible to reaction by at least one analyte of interest is on the surface of the thin film to block pores of the thin film. A method of detecting chemical reaction activity of the invention exposes the optical sensor to an analyte of interest, such as an enzyme or otherwise catalytic or reactive molecule.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to suppress variations in measurement values when measuring a specific binding reaction between a physiologically active substance and a tested substance using a surface plasmon resonance measurement device, so that binding detection data with high reliability is obtained. The present invention provides a method for measuring a change in surface plasmon resonance, which comprises: using a surface plasmon resonance measurement device comprising a flow channel system having a cell formed on a metal film and a light-detecting means for detecting the state of surface plasmon resonance by measuring the intensity of a light beam totally reflected on the metal film; and exchanging the liquid contained in the above flow channel system, wherein a major axis of the metal film is 0.