In an embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a method of performing circulating tumor cell (CTC) analysis. In general, the method includes flowing a sample through a CTC microfluidic platform, deforming a CTC within the sample, measuring CTC deformation through an imprint of the deformed CTC, processing data related to the measuring, and at least one of identifying or characterizing parameters related to the data that enables at least one of detection of CTCs, enumeration of CTCs in the sample, characterization of biophysical properties, CTC cell size, CTC cell membrane deformability, stresses on CTC cell membranes, adhesion stress on CTC cells, normal stress of CTC cells, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the flowing includes passing the sample through at least one channel of the CTC microfluidic platform having a constricted section.

Disclosed is a method for determination of the metastatic and/or invasive potential of a malignant neoplasm The method comprises measuring the electric activity of cells from the neoplasm and ranking the measured activity relative to measurement values of electric activity in cancer cells from cancers with known metastatic activity and/or invasiveness. Thereby the electric activity functions as a surrogate measure for metastatic activity and/or invasiveness.

A method of analysis using mass spectrometry and/or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed. The method comprises: using a first device to generate smoke, aerosol or vapour from a target comprising or consisting of a microbial population; mass analysing and/or ion mobility analysing said smoke, aerosol or vapour, or ions derived therefrom, in order to obtain spectrometric data; and analysing said spectrometric data in order to analyse said microbial population.

A particle occurrence sensing circuit for microfluidic particle sensing includes a set of particle event indicators, each of which includes: a Coulter counter having a sensing electrode exposable to a fluid within a microfluidic channel and configured for providing a particle sensing signal; an input stage configured for providing an extracted particle sensing signal; and a particle event detector configured for providing a set of particle event occurrence signals. Each of the set of particle event occurrence signals indicates a sensed occurrence of a particle greater than or equal to a given reference particle size during fluid flow through the microfluidic channel to which the sensing electrode is exposed. The particle event detector includes a successive approximation (SA) analog-to-digital converter (ADC) configured for generating a plurality of reference particle size threshold values and successively comparing the extracted particle sensing signal amplitude with reference particle size threshold values.

A probe assembly and a method of manufacturing a probe assembly. In one aspect there is a method of manufacturing a probe assembly comprising providing an electrode carrier carrying a plurality of electrodes, the electrode carrier comprising a top wherein the plurality of electrodes are exposed relative to the top and a bottom having a plurality of electrical contacts in electrical communication with the plurality of electrodes respectively; moulding a body around the electrode carrier to retain the electrode carrier whilst leaving the plurality of electrodes exposed. The invention also extends to a biomass monitoring system comprising a flexible enclosure including a probe assembly and support arrangement for receipt of the probe assembly in an engaged configuration.

An aspect of the invention relates to a method for detecting amyloid aggregates (40) in blood. The method comprises providing a blood sample (20) comprising one or more red blood cells and performing an analysis of a surface layer (22) of the blood sample (20) by an atomic force microscope (10) to detect amyloid aggregates on the surface of the red blood cells and to image detected amyloid aggregates. Further aspects relate to a corresponding atomic force microscope and a corresponding computer program product.

A method, computer program product, and apparatus are provided for controlling components of a detection device. The device may detect turbidity of liquid with sensors such as a density sensor and/or nephelometric sensor. A light modulation pattern may reduce or eliminate interference in sensor readings. Readings may be performed during off cycles of an illumination light to reduce interference but to provide improved visibility of a tube. Dark and light sensor readings may be performed with an emitter respectively off or on to account for ambient light in subsequent readings. Readings from the density sensor and/or nephelometric sensor may be used to calculate McFarland values. The device may be zeroed based on an emitter level that results in a sensor reading satisfying a predetermined criterion.

A method is disclosed comprising providing a biological sample on a swab, directing a spray of charged droplets onto a surface of the swab in order to generate a plurality of analyte ions, and analysing the analyte ions.

Method and device according to the method for determining intracellular and/or extracellular, in particular macromolecular fractions of fluids, preferably of body fluids of living organisms, with the steps: coupling-in a measurement signal through an electrically non-conductive wall into the fluid to be measured; coupling-out an electrical measurement value that is thereby generated in the fluid to be measured; detecting the coupled-out electrical measurement value at a plurality of different frequencies of the electrical measurement signal; determining the intracellular and/or extracellular, in particular macromolecular fractions of the fluid to be measured by means of evaluation of the detected electrical measurement value at a plurality of frequencies of the measurement signal.

The invention relates to a probe for measuring the biomass content in a medium having a suspending fluid and cells. The probe has at least three electrodes, wherein two of the electrodes are configured as excitation electrodes for transmitting an excitation signal through a medium. Two of the electrodes are configured as signal electrodes for receiving an excitation signal that has passed through the medium. The or each signal electrode is located between the two excitation electrodes at a position where a high current density is generated. The probe can have two excitation electrodes and four signal electrodes. The signal electrodes are configured substantially in parallel and arranged in couples adjacent each other, at positions between the excitation electrodes. The signal electrodes are configured such that (i) a first couple of signal electrodes are arranged between the closest end points of the excitation electrodes at one side of the probe, and (ii) a second couple of signal electrodes are arranged between the closest end points of the excitation electrodes at the other side of the probe.