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 MEMS-based particle manipulation system which uses a particle manipulation stage and optical confirmation of the manipulation. The optical confirmation may be camera-based, and may be used to assess the effectiveness or accuracy of the particle manipulation stage. In one exemplary embodiment, the particle manipulation stage is a microfabricated, fluid valve, which sorts a target particle from non-target particles in a fluid stream. The optical confirmation stage is disposed in the microfabricated fluid channels at the input and output of the microfabricated sorting valve. Deep learning techniques are brought to bear on the camera output to increase speed, accuracy and reliability.

A molecular cryptographic sampling device is disclosed including at least one unique identifying indicia disposed on the molecular cryptographic sampling device, a substrate including at least one depression disposed in or protrusion disposed on a surface of the substrate, at least one polymeric sorbent coating disposed on the at least one depression or protrusion, and at least one molecular encrypted code disposed on the at least one polymeric sorbent coating. The at least one molecular encrypted code includes at least one molecular tag, wherein the at least one molecular encrypted code is uniquely associated with the at least one unique identifying indicia in a database or by a predetermined algorithm.

It is provided an arrangement and a method for measuring at least one constituent of a liquid sample, in particular comprising serum, plasma and/or urine, the arrangement comprising: a first portion adapted to partly delimit a reception space for the sample at a first side and comprising at least one measurement area; a second portion comprising: a reception space wall section, the second portion being coupled to the first portion such that the reception space wall section partly delimits the reception space at a second side; and a sample input cup delimiting a sample input region into which the sample is fillable, wherein the sample input region is in fluid communication with the reception space, wherein the reception space wall section and at least a portion of the sample input cup are integrally formed.

Devices, kits, and methods are disclosed for use in detecting a concentration of an analyte of interest in a patient's liquid test sample. The devices, kits, and methods employ the use of one or more solid reagent zones that includes at least one analytical reagent for detection of an analyte of interest. The solid reagent zone(s) also includes at least one dye for determining whether results obtained from the diagnostic assay for the at least one analyte of interest are biased or inaccurate due to a loss of volume of a liquid reagent during the dispensing of the liquid reagent.

Techniques regarding one or more microfluidic chips with integrated electronic sensors are provided. For example, one or more embodiments described herein can regard an apparatus that can comprise a conductive plug of a reference electrode structure, the conductive plug extending from within a microfluidic channel to within a reference fluid holding chamber that is in fluid isolation from the microfluidic channel.

Methods of calibration are provided. A method comprises introducing a material with cell-like properties and a known mass into a sensor on a measurement instrument to generate a calibration reading and adjusting an output module of the measurement instrument until the measurement instrument calibrates to the known mass for the material.

Thermal control devices and methods to provide improved control, speed and efficiency in temperature cycling are provided herein. Such thermal control device and methods can include one or more active elements, such a thermoelectric cooler device, that is controlled by an algorithm that regulates a temperature distribution of an adjacent reaction-vessel according to a temperature distribution command trajectory and estimated reaction-vessel temperature distribution. Some embodiments include two active elements that are bilaterally applied to opposing sides of the reaction-vessel. In some embodiments, the estimated reaction-vessel temperature is determined based on a state of power electronics of the element and a temperature output of one or more sensors of a portion of the element and/or an ambient environment of the reaction-vessel. Methods of calibration of such systems utilizing a thermal calibrator as a proxy for the reaction-vessel are also provided herein.

According to one embodiment, a standard sample container includes a soft container, a discharging mechanism, and a chamber. The soft container is adapted to contain a standard sample for use in preparing a calibration curve or managing accuracy for an automatic analyzer. The discharging mechanism is adapted to discharge the standard sample present in the soft container into a reaction container via a dispensing nozzle. The chamber is adapted to accommodate the soft container.

A method and apparatus for assay sample volume normalization for a fluid sample applied to a diagnostic assay membrane to confirm the application of the sample fluid. The method can be used in manual, semi-automated, and automated analyser systems by applying a volume of a fluid sample having a fluorescence disruptor to a sample addition area of a membrane of an assay device having a fluorescent reporter and quantifying the change in fluorescence. Confirmation of sample fluid deposit and sample fluid volume calculation can be done by imaging the sample addition area to detect the disruption to fluorescence in the deposit area prior to running an assay.