The present invention provides a diagnostic kit for detecting the presence or quantity of one or more test analytes within a test sample taken from a body surface of a mammal, the diagnostic kit comprising: a separate insert for a lateral flow device (200, 411) comprising a membrane (201) fixed to a rigid support (202) and, the separate insert being configured to obtain the test sample; a lateral-flow assay device configured (300, 400) to accept the separate insert (200, 411); a securing member (210) configured to releasably attach (211) the separate insert to a body surface of a mammal (213); wherein the securing member (210) comprise an expandable layer (212) configured to apply pressure to the separate insert (200, 411) thereby pressing the separate insert (200, 411) against the body surface of the mammal (213).

A microfluidic detection strip chip for multiple indicator detection of microsample and method thereof are disclosed. The microfluidic detection strip chip includes a substrate, a plurality of microfluidic pipes, and a plurality of reagent blocks, the microfluidic pipes and the reagent blocks arranged in a lattice are arranged on the substrate for detection of enzyme, chemistry, protein, polypeptide, amino acid, nucleic acid, and exocrine components in samples. The microfluidic pipes and reagent blocks are made using micro processing technology, and the reagent blocks are printed to the lattice array grooves constructed by the substrate and microfluidic pipes, thus realizing an analysis and detection effect of multiple indicators of microsample.

An apparatus (1) for detecting the presence and/or the quantity of a target component in a biological fluid in an integrated assay cartridge (52) of predetermined configuration, the assay cartridge comprising a capture component (22) at a predetermined location in the assay cartridge, the apparatus comprising: a detector (12)for detecting the amount of light scattered, transmitted or emitted by the sample to provide an indication of the presence and/or the quantity of the target component within the sample; three location positions (30), the three positions defining a location along the optical path of the detector on which to locate the cartridge of a predetermined size; wherein location positions are configured such that the capture component of the assay cartridge is located, in use, at the focal plane of the detector. Measures to ensure quality control may also be provided.

A kit for detecting a nucleic acid and a method for preparing the same are provided. The kit includes: a test area which has a lower surface formed as a concave curved surface and includes molecular beacons concentrated on a glass fiber network; a surrounding area which completely surrounds the test area; and a support area which surrounds the surrounding area, wherein the surrounding area includes a hydrophobic polymer on the glass fiber network, the test area does not include the hydrophobic polymer, and a glass fiber in the test area is functionalized.

The invention relates to a method for culturing and detecting microorganisms, comprising the steps of providing a liquid sample (S) in a barrel (10) of a device (1) for culturing and detecting microorganisms, passing the liquid sample (S) through a first filtering membrane (40) such that microorganisms contained in the liquid sample (S) are retained at a first side (41) of the first filtering membrane (40), contacting said first side (41) with a first growth medium (210) capable of supporting growth of microorganisms, incubating the first filtering membrane (40) and the first growth medium (210) at an incubation temperature, arranging a sensing surface (51) of a gas sensor (50) in fluid connection with a second side (42) of the first filtering membrane (40), detecting a metabolic gas released by the microorganisms by means of the gas sensor (50). The invention further relates to a device (1) for culturing and detecting microorganisms, comprising a barrel (10) enclosing a barrel compartment (13) for receiving a liquid sample (S), a first piston (20) which (20) is movable in said barrel (10), wherein said barrel compartment (13) is configured to be brought in fluid communication via a first filtering membrane (40) with a sensing surface (51) of a gas sensor (50) configured to detect a metabolic gas released by microorganisms, wherein the first filtering membrane (40) is configured to retain microorganisms contained in the liquid sample (S) at the first side (41) of the first filtering membrane (40). Furthermore, a sensor cartridge (4) and a kit of parts comprising the device (1) are provided.

A system for testing for an analyte includes a test strip. The test strip includes a first flow path. The test strip further includes a heating element in communication with a heating area of the first flow path, for heating a sample in the first flow path. The test strip further includes an e-gate, the e-gate in the first flow path, the e-gate separating the heating area from a detection area of the first flow path.

The device comprises a nib (12) having a working surface (16) exposed or exposable for acquiring a biological sample and a porous structure to absorb the sample thus acquired. A reservoir (28) provides fluid under pressure to the nib via a valve (29), conveying and dispensing the sample into a reaction chamber (14), where it reconstitutes a dried-down reagent (43) to perform an analytic reaction on the sample, for example, an isothermal amplification of nucleic acid released from the sample by a membrane-disrupting agent pre-functionalised in the porous nib. The nib may be initially mounted (A) in the outlet of the reservoir or (B) in the inlet to the reaction chamber, in either case with its working surface (16) initially exposed to acquire the sample before the components of the device are assembled for performing the analytical procedure.

A reagent strip and a reagent analyzer for reading the reagent strip is described. The reagent strip includes a substrate, at least one reagent pad positioned on the substrate, and a photo luminescent phosphor spot positioned at a fixed location on the substrate. The photo luminescent phosphor spot is formulated to exhibit a predetermined addressable attribute.

Provided are nanoparticles for sensing phosphate, a method for manufacturing the same, and a membrane for sensing phosphate including the same. The nanoparticles for sensing phosphate include a coordination polymer in which lanthanide metal ions and ligands are coordinated, and a polymer.

A test tube for testing fluid absorption of a sample material includes an elongated tubular portion configured to contain a test fluid and a base portion for receiving and holding the sample material. The base portion is in fluid communication with the elongated tubular portion and configured to support the elongated tubular portion when the test tube is in an upright position with the base portion placed on a surface. The test tube is configured such that when the sample material is received in the base portion and the test tube is placed in the upright position for a fluid absorption test, the test fluid contained in the elongated tubular portion makes contact with the sample material.