Abstract: A biosensor may provide a magnetoresistive (MR) film comprising a nonmagnetic layer may be sandwiched between the two ferromagnetic layers. The MR film may be positioned on a substrate, where the edges of the MR film are in contact with leads. Additionally, the leads may be in contact with pads. The sensors may provide quasi-digital readout that enable greatly enhanced sensitivity. In some embodiments, biosensors may be arranged as array of sensors. The array of sensors may be arranged as a symmetric or asymmetric N1×N2 array, where N1 and N2 are integers, N1 represents the number of sensors linked together in series, and N2 represents the number of sensor sets in parallel, where each sensor set may comprise one or more sensors. Further, the array of sensors may be coupled to a voltmeter, which may be a single voltmeter in some cases that allows the sensors to all be probed simultaneously.

Abstract: The embodiments disclose a method including making electrodes using an electrically conductive material for impedimetric detection of analytical targets in an electrochemical sensing platform device, collecting patient samples in a solution compartment of the electrochemical sensing platform device, binding primers and aptamers to electrodes for functionalizing electrodes for detecting and binding targeted viruses and bacterial pathogens, incubating oral fluid samples in the solution compartment using a heater, measuring electrode impedance changes, recording measured electrode impedance changes in a memory device, and integrating wireless technologies into the electrochemical sensing platform device configured for transmitting recorded measured data.

Abstract: An apparatus for in-vivo measuring H2O2 oxidation within a living tissue. The apparatus includes an electrochemical probe and an electrochemical stimulator-analyzer. The electrochemical probe includes a sensing part and a handle. The sensing part includes a working electrode, a counter electrode, and a reference electrode. The working electrode includes a first biocompatible conductive needle coated with a layer of vertically aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The counter electrode includes a second biocompatible conductive needle. The reference electrode includes a third biocompatible conductive needle. The electrochemical stimulator-analyzer is configured to generate a set of electrical currents in a portion of the living tissue.

Abstract: The invention relates to an immunochromatographic device which contains a nitrous acid compound and an organic acid or an organic acid derivative and which is for detecting a detection target in an analyte wherein a sample droplet-receiving member, a labeling substance-holding member, a chromatography medium member and an absorption member are arranged in a manner that a sample develops in this order and wherein a part containing the nitrous acid compound and a part containing the organic acid or the like are at upstream positions from the labeling substance-containing part, and the part containing the nitrous acid compound and the part containing the organic acid or the like are not substantially in contact with each other in the thickness direction.

Abstract: Various fluidic structures are described that may be implemented between two portions of material, at least one of which may be made of a flexible but inelastic material, such as Mylar. Such fluidic circuits may be configured such that applying a clamping pressure zone to such fluidic circuits and then moving the clamping pressure zone along the fluidic circuit and along a particular axis may cause the fluidic circuit to operate in a particular manner, thereby driving fluids contained within the fluidic circuit around the fluidic circuit according to a desired flow sequence.

Abstract: Systems for detecting fluorescence from a molecule comprising an ion-impermeable film comprising at least one ion-conducting nanopore; a first and second liquid reservoir separated by the film; a means to induce movement of the molecule from the first reservoir to the second reservoir via the nanopore; a light source capable of exciting the molecule to emit fluorescence, wherein the light source shines into the second reservoir; a metallic layer adhered to the film by an adhesion layer and comprising a nanowell structure located adjacent to the nanopore; and a detector configured to detect the fluorescence emitted by the molecule are provided. Methods of use of the systems are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (10; 30; 50) for analysing liquid samples comprising amplified nucleic acids, said device comprising: a sample pad (16); a first (18) and a second (19) sample analysis strip configured to analyse different aspects of the nucleic acid sample wherein said segments comprise nucleic acid sequences which are complementary to the predetermined sequences of target nucleic acids whose presence or absence is analysed; and a housing (11) enclosing said sample pad and at least two elongated sample analysis strips wherein the analysis result is detectable from the outside of the housing from the combination of aligned segments of said first and second analysis strips. The invention furthermore relates to a method for determining the presence or absence of a target nucleic acid, providing confirmatory results, in combination with a predetermined sequence in a sample from a subject using the device according to the invention.

Abstract: The invention is a slide cleaner apparatus. The apparatus includes a cleaning chamber configured to receive a cell counting slide, at least one fluid inlet arranged to align with an inlet on a cell counting slide when located in the chamber, and configured to feed cleaning fluid into the cleaning chamber and slide, and at least one fluid outlet configured to remove cleaning fluid from the cleaning chamber and slide. The invention also includes methods of cleaning a cell counting slide.

Abstract: An electrochemical biosensor includes a working electrode modified with a redox polymer and amine-terminated capture aptamer specific for a particular detection target. The binding sequence of the capture aptamer is also complementary to part of a second ssDNA which is labeled with HRP (horseradish peroxidase). The capture aptamer will form dsDNA with the HRP-labeled ssDNA and bring HRP into electrical contact with the redox polymer and the electrode. Prior to capturing the detection target, addition of H2O2 will lead to the highest reduction current due to the redox polymer-mediated, enzyme-amplified electroreduction of H2O2.

Abstract: Mesofluidic devices for culturing cell aggregates and methods of using the same are disclosed. An exemplary mesofluidic device comprises at least one fluid inlet, at least one fluid outlet, a plurality of fluid channels, and a plurality of culture chambers. Each culture chamber can comprise at least one chamber inlet and at least one chamber outlet. The at least one chamber inlet can be in fluid communication with the at least one fluid inlet via at least one of the plurality of fluid channels. The at least one chamber outlet can be in fluid communication with the at least one fluid outlet via at least one of the plurality of fluid channels. The mesofluidic device can be configured to contain a cell aggregate in each of the plurality of culture chambers.

Abstract: A laboratory system and a method for separating interfering substances contained in test samples is presented. The laboratory system comprises separation vessels comprising solid surfaces and capturing molecules which are immobilized on the solid surfaces. The capturing molecules of the separation vessels are configured to bind interfering substances of laboratory tests of different analytical methods.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for the control of fluids and, in some cases, to systems and methods for flowing a fluid into and/or out of other fluids. As examples, fluid may be injected into a droplet contained within a fluidic channel, or a fluid may be injected into a fluidic channel to create a droplet. In some embodiments, electrodes may be used to apply an electric field to one or more fluidic channels, e.g., proximate an intersection of at least two fluidic channels. For instance, a first fluid may be urged into and/or out of a second fluid, facilitated by the electric field. The electric field, in some cases, may disrupt an interface between a first fluid and at least one other fluid. Properties such as the volume, flow rate, etc.

Abstract: Presented herein are systems, methods for collecting fluid from a surface (e.g., skin) and analyzing the fluid (e.g., to measure chemical, physical and/or biological properties of the fluid). For example, a system for fluid collection on a surface (e.g., skin) and fluid analysis includes at least one of the following modules: (i) a collection and delivery module to collect a fluid over a wet or partially wet surface and deliver it to (ii) a main sensing module to perform chemical, physical and/or biological analysis on the fluid. The system also includes (iii) a flow regulation module, for controlling fluid flow (e.g., transport) through the system and (iv) a waste module to collect and/or dispose of the fluid after analysis is complete.

Abstract: A system and method for processing and detecting nucleic acids from a set of biological samples, comprising: a molecular diagnostic module configured to receive nucleic acids bound to magnetic beads, isolate nucleic acids, and analyze nucleic acids, comprising a cartridge receiving module, a heating/cooling subsystem and a magnet configured to facilitate isolation of nucleic acids, a valve actuation subsystem including an actuation substrate, and a set of pins interacting with the actuation substrate, and a spring plate configured to bias at least one pin in a configurations, the valve actuation subsystem configured to control fluid flow through a microfluidic cartridge for processing nucleic acids, and an optical subsystem for analysis of nucleic acids; and a fluid handling system configured to deliver samples and reagents to components of the system to facilitate molecular diagnostic protocols.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a novel method for designing a primer ensuring reactivity and discriminatory power in a method for detecting a single base substitution based on an ASP-PCR method and to provide a method for easily detecting multiple point mutations within overlapping amplicons, particularly, two adjacent single base substitutions. The single base substitutions can easily be detected by using a mutant primer in which the base of the third nucleotide from the 3? end corresponds to the base of a mutant nucleotide of a single base substitution contained in a nucleic acid sample, in which the base of the second nucleotide from the 3? end is not complementary to the base of the corresponding nucleotide of the nucleic acid, and in which the bases of the other nucleotides are complementary to the bases of the corresponding nucleotides of the nucleic acid.

Abstract: A spectrometry device includes a light source, an integrator configured to have an internal space in which a long afterglow emission material is disposed and output detection light from the internal space, a spectroscopic detector, an analysis unit configured to analyze a photoluminescence quantum yield of the long afterglow emission material, and a control unit configured to control switching between presence and absence of input of excitation light to the internal space and an exposure time in the spectroscopic detector. The control unit controls the light source so that the input of the excitation light to the internal space is maintained in a first period and the input of the excitation light to the internal space is stopped in a second period, and controls the spectroscopic detector so that an exposure time in the second period becomes longer than an exposure time in the first period.

Abstract: A test device is provided that can comprise: a housing accommodating a chromatography support, wherein the housing comprises: a supporting part that supports a container accommodating a liquid used for chromatography. A method is provided for performing chromatography using the test device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antisense oligonucleotides that modulate the expression of and/or function of Tumor Suppressor genes, in particular, by targeting natural antisense polynucleotides of Tumor Suppressor genes. The invention also relates to the identification of these antisense oligonucleotides and their use in treating diseases and disorders associated with the expression of Tumor Suppressor genes.

Abstract: A dispensing device which has a dispensing channel extending between a supply opening and an output opening into the course of which a pump, a selection valve and a dispensing valve are connected. The selection valve is also connected to a pressurised air source. The dispensing device allows a dispensed output of a fluid, wherein a buffer channel portion is filled by the pump in a pump dispensing phase, to which buffer channel portion pressure is applied from the pressurised air source during a pressurised air dispensing phase such that a precise fluid output is subsequently possible by clocked actuation of the dispensing valve until the target fluid amount has been reached.

Abstract: An optofluidic diagnostic system and methods for rapid analyte detections. The system comprises an optofluidic sensor array, a test plate and an optical detection cartridge. The sensor array supports one or more distinct sensor units, each having a reactor section designed to temporarily enter a series of different kinds of wells in the test plate. One kind of well is a sample reservoir that holds reagent solution to be transferred into the reactor section. Another kind of well is a drainage chamber that removes reagent solution from the reactor section. A third kind of well is a colorant reservoir that holds a colorant reagent transferable into a reactor section. Finally, the sensor unit is transferred to the optical detection cartridge where it is placed into an isolation booth during the optical detection process so that its flat observation face is stationed in a viewing window opposite an optical detector lens.

Abstract: Among other things, the present invention is related to devices and methods of performing biological and chemical assays, particularly an easy sample manipulation and/or a rapid change or a rapid thermal cycling of a sample temperature is needed (e.g. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for amplifying nucleic acids).

Abstract: This invention relates to sequence specific electrochemically-labeled oligonucleotide probes for the detection of nucleic acids and methods associated therewith.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for performing assays. In particular, provided herein are systems and methods for performing sensitive and rapid immunoassays.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a molecule detecting device includes a capturing section, a releasing section, and a detecting section. The capturing section is configured to, by combining a target molecule and a solubilizing agent with each other and thereby creating a composite body, capture the target molecule in a carrier liquid. The releasing section is configured to make the composite body release the target molecule therefrom in the carrier liquid. The detecting section is configured to carry out detection of the target molecule in the carrier liquid.

Abstract: Method of analysis. In the method, a first emulsion and a second emulsion substantially separated from one another by a spacer fluid may be formed. The first emulsion, the spacer fluid, and the second emulsion may be flowed in a channel from a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet of a heating and cooling station having two or more temperature-controlled zones, such that each emulsion is thermally cycled to promote amplification of a nucleic acid target in droplets of the emulsion. Amplification data may be collected from individual droplets of each emulsion downstream of the heating and cooling station. A level of the nucleic acid target present in each emulsion may be determined based on the amplification data collected from the individual droplets of the emulsion.

Abstract: An automatic liquid transfer optimization pipetting apparatus and method is disclosed. Namely, a liquid handling apparatus includes a pump supplying a nozzle (i.e., a pipette tip) via a conduit, one or more pressure sensors, and an electronic controller, and wherein the pipette tip is submerged in a liquid. Further, a method of automatic liquid transfer optimization pipetting includes the steps of actuating the pump to move a designated volume of liquid and then allowing the system to settle to a steady state after completion of pump actuation.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for rapid screening of individuals who may have been exposed to and carrying biological agents potentially contagious or otherwise harmful to the general public.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a convective PCR apparatus by using a transparent conductive thin film to replace the traditional metal heater. The PCR reaction is activated when the container with reagents contacted the heated transparent conductive thin film and the temperature inside the container raised to initiate the convective circulation. Also, the present invention could apply for a quantitative PCR reaction by adding a specific probe, a fluorescent dye, a light source, or a photon receiver.

Abstract: The present invention describes an integrated apparatus that enables identification of migratory cells directly from a specimen. The apparatus only requires a small number of cells to perform an assay and includes novel topographic features which can reliably differentiate between migratory and non-migratory cell populations in a sample. Both the spontaneous and chemotactic migration of cancer cells may be measured to distinguish between subpopulations within a tumor sample. The migratory cells identified using the apparatus and methods of the present invention may be separated and further analyzed to distinguish factors promoting metastasis within the population. Cells in the apparatus can be treated with chemotherapeutic or other agents to determine drug strategies to most strongly inhibit migration. The use of optically transparent materials in some embodiments allows a wide range of imaging techniques to be used for in situ imaging of migratory and non-migratory cells in the apparatus.

Abstract: A cell evaluation device includes: a porous membrane having a first main face and a second main face; a first passage having a first passage portion facing a first area on which cells are placed in the first main face of the porous membrane; a second passage having a second passage portion facing a second area in the second main face of the porous membrane, the second area being positioned backside of the first area; and a first electrode provided in the first passage portion and a second electrode provided in the second passage portion, the first electrode and the second electrode being positioned across the first area and the second area. In the cell evaluation device, tight junctions are formed among the cells by cell cultivation. With the cell evaluation device, any increase in the electric resistance occurring due to the formation of the tight junctions can be easily measured.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method include a pump to deliver vapor including airborne contaminants including organic compounds including a target analyte; a collector to transfer the airborne contaminants by autonomous liquid extraction into a mobile organic liquid phase; a micro-fluidic chamber including immobilized biorecognition elements that bind to analytes delivered from the mobile organic liquid phase; a mechanism to introduce the mobile organic liquid phase to a buffer containing a plurality of substrates causing a series of biochemical reactions that create a change corresponding to a concentration of the target analyte; and a detector to perform real-time analysis that correlates to a concentration of the organic compounds to determine a presence of the target analyte.

Abstract: A heat pump that includes a thermoelectric device(s) and a heat sink having a raised portion with a top surface for thermally coupling with a planar face of the thermoelectric device(s). The raised portion of the heat sink includes an outer periphery and a raised central region surrounded by a void region to provide more uniform thermal conductivity when clamped within an assembly. The raised central region is shaped in an any shape corresponding to a shape of uneven thermal conductivity due to clamping pressure applied to the heat sink. The void region can be substantially contiguous and entirely circumscribe the central raised region. The device can optionally include discrete supports formed of a less thermally-conductive material within the void region. The supports can be elastomeric, such as O-rings, and disposed within pockets defined within the void region.

Abstract: A system for sex sorting of mosquitoes generally comprises: (i) a plate or similar receptacle that includes multiple wells, with each of the multiple wells configured to receive a mosquito; and (ii) an imaging subsystem, including a camera for capturing images of the mosquito in each of the multiple wells and a computer for analyzing the captured images to determine whether each mosquito is male or female. Mosquitoes have distinct anatomical areas for identification, which are captured in the images and are used to determine if a mosquito is male or female. Furthermore, in some implementations, the system includes a suction device or other means for exterminating the unwanted mosquitoes after the determination of whether each mosquito is male or female.

Abstract: The inventions cover systems and methods for generation of emulsions having suitable clarity without requiring refractive index matching between emulsion components. Systems can include: a substrate including a set of openings; a reservoir facing the substrate at a first side and containing a sample fluid configured for droplet formation upon interacting with the set of openings of the substrate; and a collecting container facing the substrate at a second side and containing a set of fluid layers configured with a density gradient and suitable immiscibility characteristics. One or more components of the system(s) can support methods for emulsion generation, in relation to enabling interactions between multiple continuous phases and a dispersed droplet phase to generate clear emulsions. Applications of the inventions(s) can include performance of droplet-based digital PCR in an improved manner (e.g., without requiring implementation of correction factors based upon Poisson statistics).

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting at least two genomic alleles associated with corneal dystrophy in a sample from a human subject are disclosed in which cells (e.g., epithelial) of the subject are adhered to a tip of a substrate. The tip of the substrate is agitated in a lysis solution that lyses cells adhered to the substrate. The substrate is removed from the lysis solution upon completion of this agitation. The resulting lysis solution is incubated and then genomic DNA from the lysis solution is isolated to form a gDNA solution. From this, identity of at least two nucleotides present in the human TGF?I gene is determined using at least two oligonucleotide primer pairs and the gDNA solution. These at least two nucleotides are located at respective independent positions of the TGF?I gene corresponding to respective independent single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with corneal dystrophy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and a device for analysing single molecules, particularly to the parallel analysis of a plurality of single molecules. It is suitable for detecting interactions, e.g. binding between single molecules and/or reactions, e.g. elongation or degradation of single molecules. Particularly, the process of the invention relates to the sequencing of single nucleic acid molecules. The single molecule to be analysed is present in free form, i.e. dissolved or suspended in a liquid medium, within a reaction space formed around the sample spot. According to the present invention, an electrical field is applied across the reaction space, whereby a concentration of single molecules, at the sample spots is effected.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods of synthesizing DNA using topoisomerase-mediated ligation, by adding single nucleotides or oligomers to a DNA strand in the 3? to 5? direction.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes two or more rows of heating elements, two or more columns of heating elements, and a plurality of sensing areas. Each sensing area is between two adjacent rows of the rows of heating elements and between two adjacent columns of the columns of heating elements and includes a bio-sensing device and a temperature-sensing device.

Abstract: A lateral flow assay (LFA) device includes a capillary pad and a sample port that holds the sample fluid before a hole is made in a cavity surface of the sample port. The LFA device includes a breaker with a tip to make a hole in the cavity wall of the sample port causing the sample fluid held inside the compartment to be applied to the capillary pad after the start of a test.

Abstract: A microfluidic mixing device comprising two bellows pumps (105, 115), microfluidic cartridges comprising the same and methods for use of the same are provided. The disclosed device enables efficient mixing of samples at the microfluidic scale.

Abstract: Described herein are devices and methods of use thereof, the devices comprising: a sample conduit providing a path for fluid flow extending from a sample inlet to a sample outlet; a thermal housing enclosing the sample conduit, the thermal housing comprising a plurality of measurement regions; and a motorized stage translatable along the thermal housing so as to align a detector with one or more of the plurality of measurement regions. The devices can continuously flow a fluid precursor sample from the sample inlet to the sample outlet, the fluid precursor sample comprising a first precursor and a second precursor, such that the first precursor reacts with the second precursor as the fluid precursor sample continuously flows from the sample inlet to the sample outlet to form the sample before reaching the sample outlet, wherein the sample comprises a plurality of particles or an organic molecule.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes two or more rows of heating elements, two or more columns of heating elements, and a plurality of sensing circuits. Each sensing circuit is between two adjacent rows of the rows of heating elements and between two adjacent columns of the columns of heating elements, in a same silicon layer as the rows of heating elements and the columns of heating elements, and configured to generate a bio-sensing signal and a temperature-sensing signal.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes an interconnection structure, first and second sensing pixels over the interconnection structure, and an isolation layer over the first and second sensing pixels. Each of the first and second sensing pixels includes a bio-sensing device, a temperature-sensing device, one or more heating elements adjacent to the bio-sensing device and the temperature-sensing device, and a sensing film over the bio-sensing device. The isolation layer includes a first opening configured to expose the sensing film of the first sensing pixel without exposing the sensing film of the second sensing pixel and a second opening configured to expose the sensing film of the second sensing pixel without exposing the sensing film of the first sensing pixel.

Abstract: An adhesive device may include a first adhesive surface configured to be adhered to skin of a user, and a second adhesive surface opposite the first adhesive surface and configured to be adhered to a medical device. The adhesive device may also include an intermediate region between the first adhesive surface and the second adhesive surface, where the intermediate region includes a detector compound embedded in the intermediate region configured to change based on interaction of the detector compound with a target molecule.

Abstract: To provide an automated analyzer capable of shortening analysis time. The automated analyzer includes a vessel which contains a mixed solution of a specimen and a reagent; and a control unit which controls a first operation performed on the vessel, a second operation performed on the vessel after the first operation, and a third operation performed on a predetermined mechanism of the automated analyzer before the second operation, in which the control unit performs the first operation and the third operation in parallel. Alternatively, the automated analyzer includes a control unit which controls a first operation performed on the vessel, a second operation performed on the vessel after the first operation, and a third operation performed on a predetermined mechanism of the automated analyzer after the first operation, in which the control unit performs the second operation and the third operation in parallel.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a waveguide structure to form a solid-core waveguide from a waveguiding layer may include etching a fluid channel into the waveguiding layer, etching a first air-gap and a second air gap into the waveguiding layer, wherein etching the first and the second air-gaps creates a solid-core waveguide in the waveguiding layer between the first air-gap and the second air-gap. A method for fabricating a waveguide structure to form a solid-core waveguide may include forming a first trench, a second trench, and a third trench in a substrate layer, and depositing a waveguiding layer on the machined substrate layer, wherein depositing the waveguiding layer creates a hollow core of a fluid channel in a location corresponding to the first trench, and a solid-core waveguide portion in the waveguiding layer in a location corresponding to an area between the second trench and the third trench.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for analysing nucleic acids includes a pump unit with a pumping volume, a filter unit for receiving a lysate, and a reaction chamber. The pump unit, the filter unit and the reaction chamber are arranged in the stated order in a pump direction of the pump unit. The microfluidic device is configured to pump an elution medium via the pump unit into the filter unit for elution and subsequently into the reaction chamber for further treatment.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a plurality of sensing pixels, each sensing pixel including a sensing film portion, a bio-sensing device configured to generate a first signal responsive to an electrical characteristic of the sensing film portion, a first switching device coupled between the bio-sensing device and a first signal path, a temperature-sensing device configured to generate a second signal responsive to a temperature of the sensing film portion, and a second switching device coupled between the temperature-sensing device and a second signal path.

Abstract: Devices and methods are described herein for directly and accurately measuring sweat flow rates using miniaturized thermal flow rate sensors. The devices (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500) include the flow rate sensors (220, 320, 420, 520, 620, 720, 820, 920, 1020, 1120, 1220, 1320, 1420) in or adjacent to a microfluidic component (230, 330, 430, 530, 630, 730, 830, 930, 1030, 1130, 1230, 1330, 1430, 1530) of a wearable sweat sensing device. The devices and methods optimize the sensitivity of the flow rate sensors, while minimizing the presence of noise, in order to accurately and directly measure sweat flow rates.

Abstract: A microfluidic system comprising a chamber closed by movable elements and connected to at least one channel. The system has at least one structured component and at least one component attached to the structured component. The chamber is used such that the movable element can be moved into the chamber as well as out of the chamber by a movement of the movable element. Liquids or gases can be moved via one or more channels connected to the chamber by the movement and dispensed or received out of the structured component via a connection of the channel. A liquid reagent reservoir is connected to the pump chamber via the sample supply channel. Thus, the system can be used to receive, pump, dilute, mix, and dispense liquids or gases.