Cal Poly Corporation

California Polytechnic State University Corporation

Andres Martinez

Nathaniel Martinez

Philip J Costanzo

Haydn T Mitchell

Samantha J Carlton

Chad E Immoos

An assay device including a loading zone for a sample that may contain an analyte, an activator in communication with the loading zone from which at least one activator is displaced by presence of the analyte, an amplifier in an inactive state in communication with the activator that becomes activated in the presence of the activator, a biomatrix barrier in communication with the activated amplifier that is degraded or modified by the activated amplifier, and an indicator responsive to the degradation or modification of the biomatrix barrier, which in turn reflects a concentration of the analyte in the sample loaded on the device. The selection of analyte or displacement of the activator by presence of the analyte may occur off-platform and/or may rely on use of non-covalent interactions. The activator may include an enzyme or other reagent that activates the amplifier. Also, associated methods.

Assay devices and methods

A reagent-loaded pencil, method of preparing a reagent-loaded pencil, and a system that uses reagent-loaded pencils are disclosed. The reagent-loaded pencil or pencils include a matrix of at least a soluble carrier, a hardening substance, and a reagent. The pencils also include a sheath disposed around at least a portion of the matrix. The soluble carrier may include poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether. The hardening substance may leave a visible mark when abraded against a writing surface. One example of such a substance includes graphite. The sheath may be the outside of a wooden pencil or a mechanical pencil. A system that uses reagent-loaded pencils or compressed matrices may include a computer-controlled plotter that holds and plots with at least one of the reagent-loaded pencils or matrices.

Reagent-loaded pencils and methods

A membrane-based device for multi-step assays including one or more reagents pre-dried on the device, and one or more one fluid storage zones intended to enable the automated sequential delivery of the reagents to a test zone from addition of a fluid to the device. Addition of the fluid to the device may include a single addition of the fluid to the device. The fluid storage zones may fill with the fluid when the fluid with a sample is added to the device, and then the fluid may be released to the device at a later time. In some cases, the fluid from the sample zone is wicked into both the test zone and the fluid storage zones. Preferably, the device includes multiple layers. At least one porous membrane may be disposed between at least two of the layers. Also, associated methods are disclosed.

Growing community of inventors

Pismo Beach, CA, United States of America

Andres Martinez