Various devices, systems and methods for detecting a susceptibility of an infectious agent to an anti-infective are described herein. A method comprises introducing a fluid sample to a first surface and a second surface; exposing the first surface to a first solution; exposing, the second surface to a second solution, wherein the second surface comprises an anti-infective; sampling the first solution after exposing the first solution to the first surface; sampling the second solution after exposing the second solution to the second surface; monitoring a first electrical characteristic of a first electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor (EIS) sensor exposed to the first solution sampled; monitoring a second electrical characteristic of a second EIS sensor exposed to the second solution sampled; and comparing the first electrical characteristic and the second electrical characteristic to assess the susceptibility of the infectious agent to the anti-infective.

Microfluidic diatomaceous earth analytical devices (DADs) comprising highly porous photonic crystal biosilica channels are disclosed. The DADs can simultaneously perform on-chip chromatography to separate small molecules from complex samples and acquire the surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectra of the target chemicals with high specificity. The ultra-small dimensions of the diatomaceous earth microfluidic channels and the photonic crystal effect from the fossilized diatom frustules allow unprecedented sensitivity down to ppb-level.

Oral fluid for drug testing has several advantages over other specimens: (1) It may be collected noninvasively and under direct supervision; (2) its drug concentration reflects blood-drug concentrations; and (3) it can be processed by conventional drug screening and confirmation methods. This technology provides a system that measures the quantity of a drug (without needing a priori knowledge of the drug) in an oral fluid specimen and translates this level to a blood plasma chug concentration. The method first measures the concentration of a drug in an oral fluid sample. Next, a processor calculates the blood plasma concentration from the measured oral fluid drug concentration. Finally, this blood plasma drug level is utilized to calculate a total body drug concentration.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a solid-state zinc sensor. A non-limiting example of the sensor includes a semiconductor substrate. The sensor can also include an assembly surface on the semiconductor substrate. The sensor can also include a zinc detection monolayer chemically bound to the assembly surface. The sensor can also include a power supply electrically connected to the semiconductor substrate.

Method for predicting the bioavailability of a radioelement in an animal living organism following the contamination of the organism by the radioelement, the method comprising the steps of: (a) producing a gel imitating 5 the area of contamination in the animal living organism and in which the radioelement is uniformly distributed; (b) bringing the gel produced in the step (a) into contact with a solution imitating a biological fluid associated with the area of contamination in the animal living organism, then stirring the mixture; and (c) measuring the quantity of the radioelement in the solution at a given moment t, the measurement allowing the 10 prediction of the bioavailability of the radioelement in the animal living organism. The invention also relates to the use of such a method for identifying a molecule exhibiting chelating properties in relation to a given radioelement and/or for characterising the chelating properties of a molecule.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a solid-state zinc sensor. A non-limiting example of the sensor includes a semiconductor substrate. The sensor can also include an assembly surface on the semiconductor substrate. The sensor can also include a zinc detection monolayer chemically bound to the assembly surface. The sensor can also include a power supply electrically connected to the semiconductor substrate.

The application relates to a chemical monitoring system comprising a skin patch for detecting an analyte in perspiration and a processor adapted to receive parameter data and to return an output indicative of a presence of an analyte in a subject's body based on the parameter data. The skin patch (100) includes a first layer (105) permeable to perspiration; a second layer (110) coupled to the first layer, the second layer being adapted to receive the perspiration; wherein a property of the second layer changes upon receiving the analyte; an electrical detector coupled to the second layer, adapted to detect parameter data indicative of the property o f the second layer; and a flexible electronic circuit (140) coupled to the second layer, comprising a readout circuit for reading parameter data from the electronic detector and a transmitter adapted to transmit the parameter data to a processor.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a solid-state zinc sensor. A non-limiting example of the sensor includes a semiconductor substrate. The sensor can also include an assembly surface on the semiconductor substrate. The sensor can also include a zinc detection monolayer chemically bound to the assembly surface. The sensor can also include a power supply electrically connected to the semiconductor substrate.

Devices and systems and methods for concentrating and electrochemically detecting an analyte in an aqueous sample are provided. These devices, systems, and methods are useful for detecting an analyte, which as naturally found or produced, occurs at a concentration below that which can be measured using conventional methods.

A vapor sensor comprises a housing with an inlet opening in fluid communication a sensor element within the housing. Standoff member(s) are positioned to maintain a gap between the inlet opening and a skin site. An operating circuit is in electrical communication with the sensor element and communicatively coupled to and output member. In use, the output member generates a sensory output indicative to an operator regarding concentration of alcoholic vapor in the ambient atmosphere proximate the skin site upon receiving communication from the operating circuit.