[Object] To provide a mixing device capable of accurately mixing a solution in a multi-well plate.

[Solving Means] A mixing device 1 is configured to be attachable to a multi-well plate 30 and includes a casing 100, a plurality of stirrers 11, a plurality of motors 12 as a drive portion, and a mounting portion 16. The casing 100 includes a main surface portion 101 facing an upper surface 301 of the multi-well plate 30. The stirrers 11 protrude from the main surface portion 101 toward wells 31 of the multi-well plate 30. The motors 12 are disposed to the casing 100 and rotate the stirrers 11 about axes thereof. The mounting portion 16 is provided to the casing 100 and is mounted to the multi-well plate 30 to position the casing 100 on the multi-well plate 30.

[Object] To provide a mixing device capable of accurately mixing a solution in a multi-well plate.

[Solving Means] A mixing device 1 is configured to be attachable to a multi-well plate 30 and includes a casing 100, a plurality of stirrers 11, a plurality of motors 12 as a drive portion, and a mounting portion 16. The casing 100 includes a main surface portion 101 facing an upper surface 301 of the multi-well plate 30. The stirrers 11 protrude from the main surface portion 101 toward wells 31 of the multi-well plate 30. The motors 12 are disposed to the casing 100 and rotate the stirrers 11 about axes thereof. The mounting portion 16 is provided to the casing 100 and is mounted to the multi-well plate 30 to position the casing 100 on the multi-well plate 30.

The present invention provides a novel target analysis chip and analysis method for directly detecting a target such as a microRNA without performing PCR.

The illustrated embodiments include a method of operating a SAW sensor to detect a sample in a fluid which includes the steps of: providing a SAW sensor with a functionalized detection lane in a handheld, portable assay device and sensor system; maintaining the functionalized detection lane of the SAW sensor dry until the sample is fluidically disposed in the detection lane; fluidically disposing the sample in the functionalized detection lane; removing fluid the functionalized detection lane to concentrate the sample in the functionalized detection lane to increase the probability of a specific antibody-antigen interaction; washing the functionalized detection lane so that substantially only the specific antigen-antibody interaction remains in the functionalized detection lane; removing fluid from the functionalized detection lane again; and measuring concentration of the sample while the functionalized detection lane is fluid-free.

The illustrated embodiments include a method of operating a SAW sensor to detect a sample in a fluid which includes the steps of: providing a SAW sensor with a functionalized detection lane in a handheld, portable assay device and sensor system; maintaining the functionalized detection lane of the SAW sensor dry until the sample is fluidically disposed in the detection lane; fluidically disposing the sample in the functionalized detection lane; removing fluid the functionalized detection lane to concentrate the sample in the functionalized detection lane to increase the probability of a specific antibody-antigen interaction; washing the functionalized detection lane so that substantially only the specific antigen-antibody interaction remains in the functionalized detection lane; removing fluid from the functionalized detection lane again; and measuring concentration of the sample while the functionalized detection lane is fluid-free.

The present invention is directed to methods and devices capable of target analyte separation and analysis, in particular highly sensitive separation and detection and free-solution analyte detection assays.

A multiplexed lateral flow assay device includes an impermeable internal reservoir having an opening to receive a sample deposition. A fluid distributor pad is arranged in fluid communication with a lower surface of the internal reservoir and divides a portion of the sample deposition substantially equally among a plurality of flow paths. Lateral flow assays having a plurality of flow lines are aligned with flow paths of the distributor pad. An impermeable paper top cover has a first window arranged over the opening of the internal reservoir, and at least a second window arranged over the test results of the lateral flow assays. A housing element houses the reservoir, the distributor pad and lateral flow assays. The housing element includes an impermeable bottom cover and a spacer element arranged between the top and bottom covers and, provides a gap between the lateral flow assays and the impermeable paper top cover.

A multiplexed lateral flow assay device includes an impermeable internal reservoir having an opening to receive a sample deposition. A fluid distributor pad is arranged in fluid communication with a lower surface of the internal reservoir and divides a portion of the sample deposition substantially equally among a plurality of flow paths. Lateral flow assays having a plurality of flow lines are aligned with flow paths of the distributor pad. An impermeable paper top cover has a first window arranged over the opening of the internal reservoir, and at least a second window arranged over the test results of the lateral flow assays. A housing element houses the reservoir, the distributor pad and lateral flow assays. The housing element includes an impermeable bottom cover and a spacer element arranged between the top and bottom covers and, provides a gap between the lateral flow assays and the impermeable paper top cover.

A micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) resonator device includes at least one functionalization material arranged over at least a central portion, but less than an entirety, of a top side electrode. For an active region exhibiting greatest sensitivity at a center point and reduced sensitivity along its periphery, omitting functionalization material over at least one peripheral portion of a resonator active region prevents analyte binding in regions of lowest sensitivity. The at least one functionalization material extends a maximum length in a range of from about 20% to about 95% of an active area length and extends a maximum width in a range of from about 50% to 100% of an active area width. Methods for fabricating MEMS resonator devices are also provided.

A micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) resonator device includes at least one functionalization material arranged over at least a central portion, but less than an entirety, of a top side electrode. For an active region exhibiting greatest sensitivity at a center point and reduced sensitivity along its periphery, omitting functionalization material over at least one peripheral portion of a resonator active region prevents analyte binding in regions of lowest sensitivity. The at least one functionalization material extends a maximum length in a range of from about 20% to about 95% of an active area length and extends a maximum width in a range of from about 50% to 100% of an active area width. Methods for fabricating MEMS resonator devices are also provided.