Abstract: Provided is a method of focusing particles. The method includes: providing a suspension of the particles in a suspending medium; and flowing the suspension along a channel, such that the flowing suspension occupies a certain volume that has at least one cross-sectional dimension smaller than 100 ?m. The suspending medium has such viscoelastic properties, that flowing the suspension in the channel directs at least some of the particles towards a focus region, enclosed in said certain volume.

Abstract: Methods for detecting concentration target organisms in water. The methods involve adding a tagged reagent to a water sample, wherein the tagged reagent is water soluble; and determining a concentration of at least one bacteria in the water sample based on an intensity of an emission emitted from the water sample in response to exposure to light having a known wavelength. An apparatus including a reaction chamber; a reversible pump, a reagent source comprising a fluorophore-tagged reagent, a light source, an optical detector disposed to detect fluorescence emitted from the reaction chamber in response to light emitted from the light source; a processor configured to communicate with the reversible pump, the reagent source, the light source, and the optical detector, the processor being configured to determine the concentration of one or more target organisms in a water sample.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for assaying a sample to quantitatively determine the percentage of glycated hemoglobin in the sample.

Abstract: Apparatus for immunoassay includes: a cartridge, including at least one test unit; a pin-film assembly, having a second sealing film, a plurality of pierce mechanisms, and a first actuation unit; a plurality of magnetic particles; at least one first magnetic unit; and at least one second magnetic unit. The test unit includes a plurality of fluid chambers, a plurality of pin chambers, a microchannel structure, a buffer chamber, a detection chamber and a waste chamber. The first actuation unit drives the pierce mechanisms to enable a working fluid to flow into the detection chamber storing the magnetic particles. As the second magnetic unit has a magnetic force larger than that of the first magnetic unit and can move reciprocatingly between a third position and a fourth position, the magnetic particles are driven to move reciprocatingly inside the detection chamber, thereby fully mixing the magnetic particles with the working fluid.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and apparatus that use an electric field for improved biological assays. The electric field is applied across a device having wells, which receive reactants, which carry a charge. The device thus uses a controllable voltage source between the first and second electrodes, which is controllable to provide a positive charge and a negative charge to a given electrode. By controlled use of the electric field charged species in a fluid in a fluid channel are directed into or out of the well by an electric field between the electrodes. The present method involves the transport of fluids, as in a microfluidic device, and the electric field-induced movement of reactive species according to various assay procedures, such as DNA sequencing, synthesis or the like.

Abstract: Isolated non-naturally occurring populations of spermatozoa (15) having high purity and technologies to differentiate spermatozoa (28) based on characteristics such as mass, volume, orientation, or emitted light including methods of analysis and apparatus such as beam shaping optics (30) and detectors (32).

Abstract: A method of controlling nematode response in a microfluidic environment is provided comprising exposing the nematode to an electric field that induces a nematode response. In one embodiment, a method of sorting a group of nematodes based on a selected parameter is provided comprising the step of exposing the nematodes to an electric field that induces a differential response among the nematodes based on the selected parameter, wherein the differential response functions to separate the nematodes based on the selected parameter. Devices useful to achieve these methods are also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining the presence or amount of an analyte in a sample and includes the steps of contacting a faradaic working electrode to a solution comprising the optionally pre-processed sample and an electrolyte, contacting a capacitive counter electrode to the solution, supplying electrical energy between the faradaic working electrode and the capacitive counter electrode sufficient to provide for faradaic charge transfer at the faradaic working electrode, and measuring at least one of (i) light, (ii) current, (iii) voltage, and (iv) charge to determine the presence or amount of the analyte in the sample.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for detecting cells in a liquid sample, which includes: i) filtration of the liquid sample through a porous membrane which is suitable for retaining detectable cells, where at least one subregion of a support is configured as transparent supporting body and the membrane is arranged over its area on the transparent supporting body in such a way that detectable cells are retained on at least part of the surface of the membrane and that at least part of the sample liquid passes through the membrane, ii) application of a liquid optical medium which has essentially the same refractive index as the supporting body, and iii) optical measurement of at least a subarea of the membrane in order to detect detectable cells.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems for the automated imaging and evaluation of human embryos, oocytes, or pluripotent cells are described. An apparatus and method for automated dish detection and well occupancy determination are described. In addition, a multi-well culture dish and an illumination assembly for bimodal imaging are described. These inventions find use at least in identifying or in facilitating identification of embryos and oocytes in vitro that are most useful in treating infertility in humans.

Abstract: Multiplex binding assay assemblies are disclosed. The assemblies include at least one assay bar that has a top side, a bottom side, and at least one well accessible from the top side of the assay bar, with each well including a side surface, a bottom surface, an open top end. Each well also includes at least one secondary container, with each secondary container including a capillary tube that (i) begins at a location within an interior volume of the well and (ii) ends at a location beneath the bottom side of the assay bar. The assemblies further include a guiding track, which includes a set of two rails, with each rail having its own separate groove. Such grooves are configured to run parallel to each other with a distance between such grooves, with a first groove configured to receive a protruding element (or an end) of a first side of the assay bar, and a second groove configured to receive a protruding element (or an end) of a second side of the assay bar.

Abstract: A system for sample preparation and analyte detection includes a cartridge, with a fluidic channel, a waveguide, and a capture spot. The system further includes a force field generator, an imaging system, and a fluid, which includes a sample potentially containing a target analyte, first type particles, which include binding moieties specific for the target analyte and are responsive to a force field, and second type particles, which include binding moieties specific for the target analyte and are capable of generating a signal. When the sample contains the target analyte, specific binding interactions between the target analyte and binding moieties link first and second type particles via the target analyte to form multiple-particle complex capturable at a capture spot. The force field allows manipulation of the particles and multiple-particle complex such that the detected signal from the second type particles is indicative of the target analyte within the sample.

Abstract: A method and device for periodically perturbing the flow field within a microfluidic device to provide regular droplet formation at high speed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detection of anything to which an antibody can be raised, or to which a chemical receptor can be fashioned, based on surface plasmon resonance. The apparatus and method have the capability to detect proteins, viruses, bacteria, toxins, pathogens, contaminants, chemical compounds, or nucleic acids based on surface plasmon resonance and surface receptor technologies which may include antibodies or chemical receptors. The device is field deployable and utilizes a single use sample holder card which includes the sample to be tested, test channels, waste reservoir and a functionalized test surface.

Abstract: Provided are a PCR module and a multiple PCR system using the same. More particularly, provided are a PCR module with a combined PCR thermal cycler and PCR product detector, and a multiple PCR system using the same.

Abstract: A cuvette for use with a spectophotometer having a capillary sample chamber having a volume of from 1 microliter to 1 femtoliter.

Abstract: The subject of this invention is a process for detection of analytes from biological samples comprising the following process steps: a) Preparation of a reversible binding partner 1 that is immobilized on a solid phase, to which an analyte binder is reversibly bonded via a reversible binding partner 2 that is bonded to the analyte binder, whereby the analyte binder is immobilized by binding between the reversible binding partners 1 and 2, b) Addition of the biological sample and binding of the analyte to the reversible immobilized analyte binder in the case that the biological sample contains the analytes, c) Separation of the biological sample, d) Addition of a dissolving buffer, which dissolves the binding between the reversible binding partners 1 and 2, whereby the binding of the analyte to the analyte binder remains optional, and e) Detection of the analyte in the dissolving buffer in the case that the biological sample contains the analytes and determination of the absence of the analyte in the case t

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for single molecule based nucleic acid amplification and subsequent detection of nucleic acid molecules, and particularly to the determination of SNPs, mutations, and to the diagnosis of diseases associated with the changes of these nucleic acid molecules.

Abstract: A point-of-care, screening kit for use by a heath care worker to create custom test strips for screening the bodily fluids of an individual for various, medical conditions includes: (a) a plurality of reagents (12), (b) a substrate (18) configured to: i) receive one of the reagents and react with it so as to cause it to acquire a first characteristic color, and, ii) upon the addition of the individual's bodily fluid to the substrate, acquire, as a result of the formulation of each of the reagents, a second, dichotomous characteristic color when the individual has a specific one of the various, medical conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for analyzing the excitation spectra of fluorescent particles in a flowing stream. The system uses a white light laser and color separation optics to provide a spatially-distributed, continuous color-spectrum excitation light system that is used to illuminate a region of a flowing stream. A particle that passes through the detection region traverses the full dispersed spectrum of excitation light, and the fluorescence emissions from the particle are continuously measured as it passes through the detection region. The measured fluorescence emissions at each wavelength of excitation light, which changes through full spectrum of the excitation light as the particle passes through the detection region, provides the excitation spectrum of the particle.

Abstract: A light source module for use in an analytical instrument for analyzing at least one sample is disclosed. The light source module includes at least one light-emitting diode and at least one light guiding rod adapted to guide and shape light emitted by the light-emitting diode. The light source module further includes at least one memory device. The memory device has stored therein at least one driving parameter set, for driving the light-emitting diode in such a way that desired emission properties of light provided by the light source module are generated.

Abstract: System and method includes a body having a central microchannel separated by one or more porous membranes. The membranes are configured to divide the central microchannel into a two or more parallel central microchannels, wherein one or more first fluids are applied through the first central microchannel and one or more second fluids are applied through the second or more central microchannels. The surfaces of each porous membrane can be coated with cell adhesive molecules to support the attachment of cells and promote their organization into tissues on the upper and lower surface of the membrane. The pores may be large enough to only permit exchange of gases and small chemicals, or to permit migration and transchannel passage of large proteins and whole living cells. Fluid pressure, flow and channel geometry also may be varied to apply a desired mechanical force to one or both tissue layers.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides aromatic-cationic peptide compositions and methods of using the same. The methods comprise use of the peptides in electron transport and electrical conductance.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, kits, and compositions for the highly sensitive detection of molecules. The methods, kits, and compositions are useful in determining concentrations of molecules in samples to levels of 1 femtomolar, 1 attomolar, or lower. The methods, kits, and compositions also allow the determination of concentration over a wide range, e.g., 7-log range, without need for sample dilution.

Abstract: A multilayered optical sensing patch, for the measurement of conditions, such as pH, oxygen level, etc, within containers, is provided. The multilayered optical sensing patch of the present invention is comprised of a heat sealable polymer substrate layer, and a polymeric sensing membrane later attached thereto. The polymer sensing membrane layer is formed of a porous polymer support membrane, and an optical sensing composition (comprising a reactive indicator) covalently bonded thereto. The heat sealable polymer substrate layer is capable of being securely bonded to the inner layer of bioreactor bags, as well as the porous polymer support substrate layer. Further, the porous polymer support membrane layer provides a firm supporting structure for the polymeric sensing layer, thereby protecting the optical sensing composition disposed therein from degradation/damage.

Abstract: A detection apparatus and method for the automatic detection of particles, in particular biological particles, in a sample. The detection apparatus comprises a detection device for recording the particles, and a fluidic device for automatically conveying the sample to the detection device. The fluidic device comprises a treatment device for the automatic treatment of the particles for the purpose of detection, and the detection device comprises a flow cytometer for recording at least one physical parameter of the treated particles. The detection method includes operations performed by the detection device, the fluidic device, the treatment device and the flow cytometer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for determining the antibiotic-resistance status of microorganisms. The invention further provides methods for determining the antibiotic-resistance status of microorganisms in situ within a single system.

Abstract: There is provided a microparticle analysis apparatus including a light detection unit configured to detect forward-scattered light generated from a microparticle that is an analysis target. The light detection unit includes a circuit having a high-pass filter that removes low frequency noise included in light entering the light detection unit and switches to the high-pass filter according to a predetermined frequency of the forward-scattered light.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and to a system for selecting embryos for in vitro fertilization based on the timing, and duration of observed cell cleavages and associated cell morphology. One embodiment of the invention relates to a method for determining embryo quality comprising monitoring the embryo for a time period, and determining one or more quality criteria for said embryo, wherein said one or more quality criteria is based on the extent of irregularity of the timing of cell divisions when the embryo develops from four to eight blastomeres, and/or wherein said one or more quality criteria is based on determining the time of cleavage to a five blastomere embryo (t5) and wherein t5 is between 48.7 hours and 55.

Abstract: A culture container includes a first transparent member being capable of keeping a predetermined temperature; a second transparent member facing to the first transparent member; a housing member to which the first transparent member and the second transparent member are adhered forming a culture space being capable of housing a well plate together with the first transparent member and the second transparent member; and a sealing member for sealing a liquid injected into the culture space between the first transparent member and the housing member.

Abstract: A method of determining invasion potential of a tumor cell includes exposing a tumor cell to an activity sensor; after exposing the tumor cell to the activity sensor, stimulating the tumor cell to cause a response in the cell that is reported by the activity sensor; detecting the level of response after stimulation of the tumor cell; and determining the invasion potential of the tumor cell based on the response. A system for determining the invasion potential of a tumor cell includes a sample stage that supports the tumor cell; a stimulator that focuses energy on the tumor cell to stimulate the tumor cell; and an imaging apparatus that observes an effect of the beam on the tumor cell.

Abstract: In the present invention, it is demonstrated for the first time, the influence of electrical current on the ability of surface plasmons to amplify fluorescence signatures. An applied direct current across silver island films (SiFs) of low electrical resistance perturbs the fluorescence enhancement of close-proximity fluorophores. For a given applied current, surface plasmons in “just-continuous” low resistance films are sparsely available for fluorophore dipole coupling and hence the enhanced fluorescence is gated as a function of the applied current.

Abstract: The sample container has a two-layer membrane filter comprising a first layer as an upper layer serving as a hydrophilic membrane filter and a hydrophobic membrane filter as an underlying second layer capable of filtering an aqueous solution without the use of a wetting agent and by means of a formed negative pressure. Using this sample container, a large amount of an aqueous sample solution is filtered by means of a negative pressure formed by a suction portion to capture microbes in the aqueous sample solution by the hydrophilic membrane filter. Then, the negative pressure is restored to normal pressure, and a microbial dissolution solution is then added to the membrane filter to retain the microbial dissolution solution for a given time on the hydrophobic membrane filter. Then, the microbial dissolution solution is dispensed to a reaction container containing a luminescent reagent, and luminescence is detected to detect the microbes.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for monitoring chemical reaction processes in or near real-time. One method may include containing a fluid within a flow path, the fluid having a chemical reaction occurring therein, optically interacting at least one integrated computational element with the fluid, thereby generating optically interacted light, and producing an output signal based on the optically interacted light that corresponds to a characteristic of the chemical reaction.

Abstract: The present teachings provide a detection cell for a biological material and methods for detecting biological material including a photosensitive material optically coupled to an interior volume containing the biological material so to avoid optical components or an external light source.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing eggs based upon a characteristic such as gender are provided. Material is extracted from each of a plurality of live eggs, the extracted material is assayed to identify eggs having the characteristic, and then eggs identified as having the characteristic are processed accordingly.

Abstract: A device for monitoring particulates includes a means for correlating measurements of pressure across at least one filter, flow rate of a sample through the filter, or a combination thereof to the properties of particulates in a solution. More particularly, the device can be used for monitoring particulates in a reacting system to provide signals to the user or control input to the reacting system to alter the course of the reaction according to a desired path.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic system for controlling a concentration profile of molecules capable of stimulating a target, for example formed by an assembly of living cells, this system comprising: -a microfluidic device (1) comprising at least one microfluidic channel (4) equipped with at least one inlet orifice (21) and with at least one outlet orifice (22) for at least one fluid; -at least one means for supplying the microfluidic channel (4) with at least one fluid comprising molecules capable of stimulating the target; -at least one chamber (8) or another microfluidic channel comprising a base (6) intended to receive the target; and -at least one microporous membrane (5) separating the chamber (8) or the other microfluidic channel from the microfluidic channel (4), said microporous membrane (5) being positioned away from the base (6) so that when the supply means provides the microfludic channel (4) with said at least one fluid flowing in laminar flow in contact with the microporous membrane (5)

Abstract: The present invention provides optical systems and methods for determining a characteristic of a cell, such as cell type, cellular response to a biochemical event, biological state and the like. The methods typically involve using interferometry to observe membrane properties in a cell and then use this information to determine one or more characteristics of a cell. The methods of the invention are useful for applications such as drug screening as well as diagnostic techniques.

Abstract: A sample processing system 101 that may be automated and methods are disclosed where sample(s) 198 are arranged on a carrier element 197 and a process operation control system 171 automatically processes the sample(s) perhaps robotically according to an desired aggregation of event dictated by an input 173. Alteration of an initial aggregated event topology may be accepted while the system is processing an initial aggregation and varied-parameter robotic control simulation functionalities 606 may be accomplished to determine an enhanced sequence for processing. Suggested operator actions may be displayed that might further enhance the scheduling of the altered aggregated event topology together with an automatic operator need prompt 608 that may inform an operator of a need for a particular action in order to accomplish the desired tasks.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and devices for generating optical pulses in one or more waveguides using a spatially scanning light source. A detection system, methods of use thereof and kits for detecting a biologically active analyte molecule are also provided. The system includes a scanning light source, a substrate comprising a plurality of waveguides and a plurality of optical sensing sites in optical communication with one or more waveguide of the substrate, a detector that is coupled to and in optical communication with the substrate, and means for spatially translating a light beam emitted from said scanning light source such that the light beam is coupled to and in optical communication with the waveguides of the substrate at some point along its scanning path. The use of a scanning light sources allows the coupling of light into the waveguides of the substrate in a simple and cost-effective manner.

Abstract: Optical detection of molecules using a biochip having at least one reagent immobilizing area designed to receive one or more reagents and at least one calibration structure with a predetermined height to provide a height reference for optical measurement is disclosed. When the calibration structure is illuminated by a probe beam of light, a first reflected beam of light is reflected off the calibration structure, and a second reflected beam of light is reflected off the reagent immobilizing area. The first reflected beam and the second reflected beam are compared to determine a height at the reagent immobilizing area.

Abstract: The invention relates to a light source for irradiating molecules present in a detection volume with one or more selected wavelengths of light and directing the fluorescence, absorbance, transmittance, scattering onto one or more detectors. Molecular interactions with the light allow for the identification and quantitation of participating chemical moieties in reactions utilizing physical or chemical tags, most typically fluorescent and chromophore labels. The invention can also use the light source to separately and simultaneously irradiate a plurality of capillaries or other flow confining structures with one or more selected wavelengths of light and separately and simultaneously detect fluorescence produced within the capillaries or other flow confining structures. In various embodiments, the flow confining structures can allow separation or transportation of molecules and include capillary, micro bore and milli bore flow systems.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to improve the Boyden chamber used in cellular biological measurements, allowing quantitative optical microscopy of biological cells in situ without using fluorescent probes or optical staining. In the preferred embodiment, a thin porous membrane separating top and bottom reservoirs includes an array of precisely positioned micropores pores manufactured using a laser-based photo-machining (ablation) process. The membrane may be composed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate, polyimide, polyether ether ketone (PEEK) or other appropriate material. The pores formed in the membrane may have diameters in the range of 1 to 15 microns and spaced apart at a distance ranging from 10 to 200 microns. A plurality of upper and lower reservoirs may be provided to form a multi-well plate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting bacteria and bacterial spores are disclosed in which a sample is assessed for the presence of bacteria and/or bacterial spores by reference to horizontally polarized fluorescent light.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a system for sorting target particles from a flow of particles. The system has a microscope, a light source, a CCD camera, microfluidic chip device with microfluidic channels, a detection apparatus for detecting the target particles with predefined specific features, a response generating apparatus for generating a signal in response to the detection of the target particles, and an optical tweezing system for controlling movement of optical traps, the optical tweezing system is operably linked to the response signal.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed in which particles sorted by a flow cytometer may be deposited directly into a deposition layer formed on the surface of an optical disc, and information regarding measurements made of the particle, as well as the storage location of the particle, can be written to the recording layer of the optical disc.

Abstract: An explosion tester system comprising a body, a lateral flow membrane swab unit adapted to be removeably connected to the body, a first explosives detecting reagent, a first reagent holder and dispenser operatively connected to the body, the first reagent holder and dispenser containing the first explosives detecting reagent and positioned to deliver the first explosives detecting reagent to the lateral flow membrane swab unit when the lateral flow membrane swab unit is connected to the body, a second explosives detecting reagent, and a second reagent holder and dispenser operatively connected to the body, the second reagent holder and dispenser containing the second explosives detecting reagent and positioned to deliver the second explosives detecting reagent to the lateral flow membrane swab unit when the lateral flow membrane swab unit is connected to the body.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simple and highly reliable cell collection system with high throughput and improved in cell collection efficiency. In the present invention, one or more pores are formed in a cell collection plate. One surface of the plate can be directly introduced in e.g., a petri dish, so as to be in contact with a solution containing cells. In this case, means for obtaining an optical image of collected cells from its rear surface is provided to improve reliability and convenience during a cell collection process. Alternatively, the vicinities of the pores in the cell collection plate are only hydrophilized and the other region is made water repellent to improve the efficiency of cell collection.

Abstract: A specimen holding and positioning apparatus operable to substantially non-movably maintain a specimen (e.g., an excised tissue specimen) in a fixed or stable orientation with respect to the apparatus during imaging operations (e.g., x-ray imaging), transport (e.g., from a surgery room to a pathologist's laboratory), and the like for use in facilitating accurate detection and diagnosis of cancers and/or other abnormalities of the specimen.