In one embodiment, the present invention includes a system for detecting a target analyte which includes a microfluidic device having least one microfluidic channel with a binding surface positioned in the microfluidic channel with further include a first electrode and a second electrode. The system may further include a detector and a voltage supply. Also included is a method to detect a target analyte using a described microfluidics device, introducing solution with a target analyte to a binding surface, and binding the target analyte to the binding surface by applying an electrical potential between the first and second electrodes during at least a portion of the binding step, which enhances the rate of binding of the target analyte molecules to the binding molecules. The method then includes the steps of detecting a reporter molecule which corresponds to the amount of the bound target analyte molecules, which correlates with the amount of target analyte in the original sample. The method may also include multiple applications of sample to the binding surface prior to the detection step.

In one embodiment, the present invention includes a system for detecting a target analyte which includes a microfluidic device having least one microfluidic channel with a binding surface positioned in the microfluidic channel with further include a first electrode and a second electrode. The system may further include a detector and a voltage supply. Also included is a method to detect a target analyte using a described microfluidics device, introducing solution with a target analyte to a binding surface, and binding the target analyte to the binding surface by applying an electrical potential between the first and second electrodes during at least a portion of the binding step, which enhances the rate of binding of the target analyte molecules to the binding molecules. The method then includes the steps of detecting a reporter molecule which corresponds to the amount of the bound target analyte molecules, which correlates with the amount of target analyte in the original sample. The method may also include multiple applications of sample to the binding surface prior to the detection step.

A method and system for performing single molecule proteomics utilizing a nanopore sensor to measure an electronic signature of protein or peptide being transported through the nanopore from a first chamber to a second chamber. The protein's electronic signature is a function of ionic current over time. The method and system utilizing an agent, such as guanidinium chloride, to bind to the nanopore's interior and provide an electroosmotic force within the nanopore. The electroosmotic force, in some embodiments, enables stretching and unfolding of the protein during transport through the nanopore. The agent may also or alternatively induce the unfolding of the protein before transport through the nanopore and/or provide force moving the protein through the nanopore.

Methods and apparatus for detection and/or identification of analytes including bacteria using dielectrophoresis and electroosmotic traps. Switching between different frequencies of an applied electric field results in movement of the analyte between dieiectrophoresis and electroosmotic trapping states. The use of edge-based sensing techniques enables the use of electrodes with a larger form factor than nanowire sensors. Signal modulation based on analyte contact with the electrode edge is also described.

The present invention discloses a path-type liquid medicine delivery electro-osmosis pump that can be applied to a wearable medicine device. An electro osmosis pump according to the present invention includes: a connector provided with a liquid medicine inlet and a liquid medicine outlet; a check valve assembly combined to one side of the connector; and a driver that is connected to the other side of the connector and moves the liquid medicine toward the liquid medicine outlet by applying pressure to the liquid medicine while being separated from the liquid medicine, which passes through the check valve assembly.

A hand-held microfluidic testing device is provided that includes a housing having a cartridge receiving port, a cartridge for input to the cartridge receiving port having a sample input and a channel, where the channel includes a mixture of Raman-scattering nanoparticles and a calibration solution, where the calibration solution includes chemical compounds capable of interacting with a sample under test input to the cartridge and the Raman-scattering nanoparticles, and an optical detection system in the housing, where the optical detection system is capable of providing an illuminated electric field, where the illuminating electric field is capable of being used for Raman spectroscopy with the Raman-scattering nanoparticles and the calibration solution to analyze the sample under test input to the cartridge.

A microfluidic chip configuration wherein injection occurs in an upwards vertical direction, and fluid vessels are located below the chip in order to minimize particle settling before and at the analysis portion of the chip's channels. The input and fluid flow up through the bottom of the chip, in one aspect using a manifold, which avoids orthogonal re-orientation of fluid dynamics. The contents of the vial are located below the chip and pumped upwards and vertically directly into the first channel of the chip. A long channel extends from the bottom of the chip to near the top of the chip. Then the channel takes a short horizontal turn that nearly negates any influence of cell settling due to gravity and zero flow velocity at the walls. The fluid is pumped up to a horizontal analysis portion that is the highest channel/fluidic point in the chip and thus close to the top of the chip, which results in clearer imaging. A laser may also suspend cells or particles in this channel during analysis which prevents them from settling.

A test device is configured for diagnostic testing and includes an optical readable medium, in turn including a pattern of spots of material arranged on a surface of the device. Several patterns may be provided. The patterns accordingly formed may be human and/or machine readable. They may notably encode security information, e.g., indicating whether the device has already been used. The spots may notably be inkjet spotted. In addition, a method is provided for decoding information encoded in a pattern of such a test device. In embodiments, liquid is introduced in the device, which comprises additional spots having a substantially different solubility than spots forming the actual pattern. Thus, the additional spots get solubilized in and flushed by the liquid as the latter wets them, and an initially hidden pattern may be read, which is formed of the remaining spots (not solubilized). Encoding methods are also provided.

Methods, devices, and systems for analyte analysis using a nanopore are disclosed. The methods, devices, and systems utilize a first and a second binding member that each specifically bind to an analyte in a biological sample. The method further includes detecting and/or counting a cleavable tag attached to the second binding member and correlating the presence and/or the number of tags to presence and/or concentration of the analyte. Certain aspects of the methods do not involve a tag, rather the second binding member may be directly detected/quantitated. The detecting and/or counting may be performed by translocating the tag/second binding member through a nanopore. Devices and systems that are programmed to carry out the disclosed methods are also provided. Also provided herein are instruments that are programmed to operate a cartridge that includes an array of electrodes for actuating a droplet and further includes an electrochemical species sensing region. The instrument may be used to analyse a sample in a cartridge that includes an array of electrodes for actuating a droplet and further includes a nanopore layer for detecting translocation of a tag/second binding member through nanopore. An instrument configured to operate a first cartridge that includes an array of electrodes for actuating a droplet and further includes an electrochemical species sensing region and a second cartridge that includes an array of electrodes for actuating a droplet and further includes a nanopore layer for detecting translocation of a tag/second binding member through nanopore is disclosed. An instrument configured to operate a cartridge that includes an array of electrodes for actuating a droplet, an electrochemical species sensing region, and a nanopore layer for detecting translocation of a tag/second binding member through nanopore is disclosed.

There is provided a system and method for angstrom confinement of trapped ions. The method including: receiving water molecules and ionic compounds in a first reservoir, an angstrom confinement assembly is positioned between the first reservoir and a second reservoir, the angstrom confinement assembly defining angstrom conduits; and repeatedly applying an electric field across a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode on a same side of the angstrom confinement assembly as the first reservoir and the second electrode on a same side of the angstrom confinement assembly as the second reservoir, the electric field applied such that, when the electric field is applied, positive ions of the ionic compounds are induced to flow through the angstrom conduits, and wherein, when the electric field is not applied, water molecules flow into the angstrom conduits due to capillary forces to confine the positive ions in the angstrom conduits.