Disclosed is an analyzing method, for analyzing a blood specimen, which includes: mixing a blood specimen and a thrombin-containing reagent to coagulate the blood specimen, and obtaining a coagulation waveform; obtaining a value of a parameter concerning differentiation of the coagulation waveform, based on the coagulation waveform; and obtaining information concerning an amount of antigen of fibrinogen based on the obtained value of the parameter.

Embodiments described herein may be useful in the detection of analytes. The systems and methods may allow for a relatively simple and rapid way for detecting analytes such as chemical and/or biological analytes and may be useful in numerous applications including sensing, food manufacturing, medical diagnostics, performance materials, dynamic lenses, water monitoring, environmental monitoring, detection of proteins, detection of DNA, among other applications.

A portable rapid diagnostic test reader system includes a mobile phone having a camera and one or more processors contained within the mobile phone and a modular housing configured to mount to the mobile phone. The modular housing including a receptacle configured to receive a sample tray holding a rapid diagnostic test. At least one illumination source is disposed in the modular housing and located on one side of the rapid diagnostic test. An optical demagnifier is disposed in the modular housing interposed between the rapid diagnostic test and the mobile phone camera.

A system for processing a sample includes a chamber for receiving a sample, at least one light source, and an imager array configured to generate a sample image of the sample in the chamber. The system can be used to process a sample in a multiplexed manner. For example, one variation of a method for processing a sample includes identifying one or more features of interest in the sample based at least in part on the forms and/or darkness shift of one or more marker particles depicted in the sample image. Another variation of a method includes illuminating the sample with light having a wavelength outside a wavelength detection window of the imager array, to thereby induce at least a portion of the sample to fluoresce light within the wavelength detection window.

Analyzers and methods for making and using analyzers are described such as a method in which multiple absorption readings of a liquid assay are obtained by a photodetector using multiple light sources having at least three separate and independent wavelength ranges and with each of the absorption readings taken at a separate instant of time. Using at least one processor and calibration information of the liquid assay, an amount of at least two analytes within the liquid assay using the multiple absorption readings is determined.

According to one embodiment, a method of detecting or quantifying a detection target in a specimen includes: irradiating a reaction mixture with light to cause a flow of a liquid part of the reaction mixture, the reaction mixture containing: an affinity material including a carrier and an affinity substance that is carried on the carrier and has affinity to the detection target; a nanostirrer including a metal nanoparticle; and the specimen; and detecting or quantifying the detection target based on a complex composed of the affinity material and the detection target.

According to one embodiment, a method of detecting or quantifying a detection target in a specimen includes: irradiating a reaction mixture containing composite particles and the specimen with light to promote binding between the composite particles and the detection target; and performing measurement on the reaction mixture irradiated with the light to detect or quantify the detection target. The composite particles each include a carrier particle including two or more regions having different physical properties on a surface, and an affinity substance carried on the carrier particle and having affinity to the detection target. The light can be absorbed by at least one of the two or more regions.

Analyzers and methods for making and using analyzers are described such as a method in which multiple absorption readings of a liquid assay are obtained by a photodetector using multiple light sources having respective first and second wavelengths within at least two separate and independent wavelength ranges and with each of the absorption readings taken at a separate instant of time. Using at least one processor and calibration information of the liquid assay, an amount of at least one analyte within the liquid assay using the multiple absorption readings is determined.

A fluid test cartridge, a fluid test apparatus, and a method for controlling the same. The fluid test apparatus includes a housing, and a fluid test cartridge that is accommodated in the housing. The fluid test cartridge includes at least one chamber in which a fluid sample to be tested and a drying reagent can be accommodated. The fluid test apparatus includes a light emitter configured to emit light to the at least one chamber, a light sensor, and a processor configured to detect a concentration of a first material in the fluid sample. The drying reagent includes a non-metallic particle bound to a second material that specifically binds to the first material. Tests can thus be carried out over a wider range of wavelengths, and testing errors can be reduced.

A test reagent includes a reactant and a sheet-shaped member. The reactant is in a dry state and specifically reacts with a test substance. The sheet-shaped member holds the reactant and disperses in a solvent solution in which the reactant dissolves.