The present invention provides devices and systems for use at the point of care. The methods devices of the invention are directed toward automatic detection of analytes in a bodily fluid. The components of the device are modular to allow for flexibility and robustness of use with the disclosed methods for a variety of medical applications.

A diagnostic transdermal patch which utilizes a microneedle array and an integrated biochemical assay to detect the presence of biomolecules which are associated with a specific condition or disease, such as mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI).

The present disclosure is directed to relates to systems and methods for evaluating tissue using high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) energy. In one embodiment, for example, a system for treating a patient comprises an ultrasound source configured to deliver HIFU energy to a target tissue mass of the patient and a function generator operably coupled to the ultrasound source for initiating a pulsing protocol for delivering the HIFU energy. The system further comprises a controller configured to perform operations comprising applying HIFU energy to induce cavitation in the target tissue mass and cause a biomarker to be released, comparing a baseline concentration of the biomarker from a first fluid sample to a concentration of the biomarker in a second fluid sample within 2 hours after applying HIFU, and repeating the applying and comparing until the concentration of the biomarker in the fluid sample falls below a threshold value.

Methods, kits and systems described herein provide collecting, preparing, processing and/or analyzing a clinical sample, such as a blood. The methods, kits and systems may use a biocompatible solution comprising water and a stabilizing solvent, such as isopropanol, for accurate testing of the presence and/or amount of dmg, nutrient, or metabolite.

The present invention relates to a method for screening a pain-inhibiting substance, said method comprising the steps of: (a) inserting a microdialysis probe into the L1 site of a spinal cord dorsal horn of a neuropathic pain animal model; (b) collecting a first test sample from the L1 site by microdialysis; (c) administering a pain-inhibiting candidate substance into the body of the animal model; (d) after having administered the pain inhibiting candidate substance, then collecting a second test sample from the L1 site by microdialysis; (e) measuring the concentrations of a pain indicator substance in the first test sample and second test sample respectively; and (f) comparing the concentrations of the pain indicator substance in the first test sample and second test sample.

The invention provides a method for determining a psychiatric disorder, as well as a marker for determining a psychiatric disorder, such as depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or dementia with high reliability (accuracy and precision). The method involves measuring amounts of (A) anthranilic acid and (B) tryptophan, kynurenine, or 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid in a sample, calculating a ratio of the amounts (A) and (B), and determining a psychiatric disorder based on the ratio of the amounts (A) and (B).

A biological sample collection system can include a sample collection vessel having a closed first end and an open second for receiving a biological sample. The system can additionally include a sealing cap configured to associate with the sample collection vessel, a reagent chamber secured within an interior space of the sealing cap and retaining a measure of sample preservation solution, a shim circumferentially associated with a proximal end of the reagent chamber and spanning the distance between the reagent chamber and the interior sidewall of the sealing cap, and a plug having a diaphragm configured to selectively engage the shim and form a seal for retaining the sample preservation solution within the reagent chamber. Associating the sealing cap with the sample collection vessel displaces the diaphragm from the shim and breaks the seal formed therebetween, opening a fluid path between the reagent chamber and the sample collection chamber.

A detection system can include a device, a circuit, and at least one indicator. The device can include polymer needle having a distal end and a proximal end. A needle lumen can be extended along a longitudinal axis of the polymer needle. The distal end can include an insertion tip. An elongate sleeve can include a first end and a second end. The polymer needle can be located within an inner bore of the elongate sleeve. The insertion tip of the polymer needle can be disposed at a distance from the elongate sleeve. A first electrode can be coupled to the device and a second electrode can be electrically isolated from the first electrode. The circuit can be configured to provide a signal based on an electrical characteristic between the first electrode and the second electrode. At least one indicator can be communicatively coupled to the circuit and configured to provide an output based on the signal.

An apparatus includes a housing that defines a fluid reservoir and includes a port that is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir. An inlet adapter is removably coupleable to the housing. A user can engage an actuator to move a plunger from a first position in which the fluid reservoir has a first volume, to a second position in which the fluid reservoir has a second volume greater than the first volume, which draws bodily fluid into the fluid reservoir via the inlet adapter. The actuator modulates a plunger rate of motion below a threshold as the plunger is moved. When a predetermined volume of bodily fluid is transferred into the fluid reservoir, a volume indicator transitions from a first state to a second state and the inlet adapter can then be removed to transfer the predetermined volume into a sample bottle external to the housing via the port.

A label free single or multi-photon optical excitation fluorescence spectroscopy for measuring the differences between the levels of fluorophores from tryptophan, collagen, reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), and flavins exist in brain samples from a of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and in normal (N) brain samples with label-free fluorescence spectroscopy. Relative quantities of these molecules are shown by the spectral profiles of the AD and N brain samples at excitation wavelengths and multi photons about 266 nm, 300 nm, 400 nm and 500 nm. The emission spectral profile levels of tryptophan and flavin were much higher in AD samples, while collagen emission levels were slightly lower and NADH levels were much lower in AD samples. These results yield a new optical method for detection of biochemical differences in animals and humans for Alzheimer's disease. These molecules in AD and N tissues and cells can be excited by 1PEF, 2PEF, 3PEF, 4 PEF using fs and ps pulses