An automated in situ heat induced antigen recovery and staining method and apparatus for treating a plurality of microscope slides. The process of heat induced antigen recovery and the process of staining the biological sample on the microscope slide are conducted in the same apparatus, wherein the microscope slides do not need to be physically removed from one apparatus to another. The reaction conditions for treating a slide can preferably be controlled independently, including the individualized application of reagents to each slide and the individualized treatment of each slide.

The present invention relates to a detector matrix for detecting at least one analyte in a sample, preferably a sample of a body fluid, comprising at least one enzyme active in the presence of said at least one analyte and at least one indicator reagent changing at least one optical property dependent on the activity of said enzyme, wherein said detector matrix further comprises up-converting phosphor particles, preferably UV-emitting up-converting phosphor particles. The invention further relates to a test element and a test device for detecting at least one analyte in a sample comprising the detector matrix of the invention, as well as to a method for the manufacture of a detector matrix, a method for the manufacture of a test element, and to a method for detecting an analyte in a sample, comprising contacting a detector matrix according to the invention with a sample suspected to comprise said analyte.

A self-contained apparatus and methods for detecting the presence of any specified substance in any medium. A sample of the medium is placed in a capsule, along with a solvent and a sensor configured to test for a target analyte. The solvent comes into contact with the medium in the capsule, and the capsule is agitated to create a dispersion in the solvent of a portion of any target analyte present in the medium. A release mechanism configured to cause conduction of the dispersion to the sensor, so that the sensor produces an indication of presence of the target analyte if the target analyte is present in the medium. The apparatus uses a disposable capsule where the medium in question is placed and the disposable capsule is placed inside a reader and analyzed for presence of the harmful substance.

A method of controlling auto white balance settings of a mobile device with a camera and preset auto white balance modes for performing a color based measurement comprising the steps of capturing an image of at least part of one or more gray fields of a color reference card, determining, for a region of interest within the image, a number of gray fields for which the color information for a first color and a second color shows overexposure as a first overexposure-number and a second overexposure-number, respectively, the first color relating to a smaller wavelength than the second color, and re-capturing the image with a warmer white balance mode if the first overexposure number is greater than the second overexposure number or re-capturing the image with a cooler white balance mode if the first overexposure number is smaller than the second overexposure number.

The present disclosure relates to a novel method for lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) by utilizing plasmonic enhancement strategy. More specifically, the present disclosure provides a plasmonic enhanced lateral flow sensor (pLFS) concept by introducing a liposome-based amplification of the colorimetric signals on the lateral flow platform for ultrasensitive detection of pathogens.

The present invention relates to a detector matrix for detecting at least one analyte in a sample, preferably a sample of a body fluid, comprising at least one enzyme active in the presence of said at least one analyte and at least one indicator reagent changing at least one optical property dependent on the activity of said enzyme, wherein said detector matrix further comprises up-converting phosphor particles, preferably UV-emitting up-converting phosphor particles. The invention further relates to a test element and a test device for detecting at least one analyte in a sample comprising the detector matrix of the invention, as well as to a method for the manufacture of a detector matrix, a method for the manufacture of a test element, and to a method for detecting an analyte in a sample, comprising contacting a detector matrix according to the invention with a sample suspected to comprise said analyte.

The present invention refers to a Lateral Flow Immunoassay (LFIA) test consumable and a corresponding reader device. The LFIA test consumable (10) comprises a casing (12) and two or more LFIA test strips (14), which are assembled on different side surfaces (A . . . D) of the casing (12) is provided. The corresponding reader device (20) for the LFIA test consumable (10) comprises a casing (22) and a measurement module (30) being assembled within the casing (22) and including (i) a measurement channel (32) adapted for accepting the LFIA test consumable (10); (ii) two or more optical units (34a . . . 34d) assembled on different side surfaces (A . . . B) of the measurement channel (32), each optical unit (34a . . . 34d) comprising at least one light source (36a . . . 36d) and at least one light sensor (38a . . . 38b) adapted for providing an optical signal at a signal output; and (iii) an evaluation module (40) being assembled within the casing (22), connected to the signal output of each optical unit (34a . . . 34d) and adapted for evaluating the test results of an LFIA test consumable (10). Further, a process for LFIA testing is provided.

An oral fluid sample collection device (sampler) for animals includes a member with an external layer that can be held in an animal's mouth, a recessed layer that encloses an absorbent test strip, and an aperture in the external layer, wherein oral fluids pass through the aperture to be in fluid contact with the test strip, while the recessed layer is not in direct physical contact with the animal's mouth. A sampler including a compressible external layer. A sampler including a carrying case with test strip enclosures attached, the carrying case inserted in the member. A sampler including an internal layer that supports test strips which everts when an animal's mouth applies pressure to the external layer.

A system and method for detecting harmful substances within a consumable sample comprising: receiving a consumable sample at a first chamber of a test container; transforming the consumable sample into a homogenized sample upon processing of the consumable sample; delivering the homogenized sample to a second chamber of the test container, wherein the second chamber is configured to receive the homogenized sample comprises an outlet port; mixing the homogenized sample with a process reagent within the second chamber, thereby producing a dispersion; transmitting a volume of the dispersion to an analysis chamber, of the test container, configured to position a detection substrate proximal the port of the second chamber and comprising a detection window that enables detection of presence of the allergen; and detecting presence of the allergen within the consumable sample by way of an optical sensor configured to detect signals indicative of the allergen through the detection window.

A urine test kit includes a container configured to contain urine; a paper strip guide including a groove and a paper strip which is formed in the groove and whose color is changed by the urine; and an air pump configured to enable the urine to flow to the paper strip. Wherein the paper strip guide is attached to one surface of the container to form a flow path between the groove in the paper strip guide and the one surface of the container.