University of Washington

Elain S Fu

Paul Yager

Melissa S Hasenbank

Barry R Lutz

Peter C Kauffman

Lisa Kathryn Lafleur

Joshua Davis Bishop

Samantha A Byrnes

Kjell E Nelson

Maxwell Wheeler

Sujatha Kumar

Tinny Liang

Joshua Buser

Bhushan Toley

Xiaohong Zhang

Shivani Dharmaraja

Gina Fridley

Jared Houghtaling

Huy Quang Le

The present technology is directed to capillarity-based devices for performing chemical processes and associated system and methods. In one embodiment, for example, a device can include a porous receiving element having an input region and a receiving region, a first fluid source and a second fluid source positioned within the input region of the receiving element; wherein the first fluid source is positioned between the second fluid source and the receiving region, and wherein, when both the first and second fluid sources are in fluid connection with the input region, the device is configured to sequentially deliver the first fluid and the second fluid to the receiving region without leakage.

Sequential delivery of fluid volumes and associated devices, systems and methods

The present technology describes various embodiments of devices for processing, analyzing, detecting, measuring, and separating fluids. The devices can be used to perform these processes on a microfluidic scale, and with control over fluid and reagent transport. In one embodiment, for example, a device for performing chemical processes can include a porous wick comprising a pathway defined by an input end, an output end, and a length between the input end and the output end. The pathway is configured to wick fluid from the input end to the output end by capillary action. The device can further include a reagent placed on the pathway. The reagent can be placed in a pattern configured to control a spatial or temporal distribution of the reagent along the pathway upon wetting of the pathway.

Reagent patterning in capillarity-based analyzers and associated systems and methods

The invention provides a method, apparatus and system for detecting electrochemical oxidoreduction activity mediated by a redox enzyme at a site remote from the enzyme. In one embodiment, the method comprises immobilizing the redox enzyme on a first region of a conductive surface and contacting a substrate capable of producing a detectable signal upon oxidation or reduction with a second region of the conductive surface. The second region is electrically coupled with the first region and the redox enzyme is not present in the second region. The method further comprises exposing the immobilized redox enzyme to conditions that effect oxidation or reduction of the enzyme, and detecting oxidation or reduction of the substrate at the second region. The invention can be adapted for detecting a plurality of analytes.

Chemical sensor enhanced by direct coupling of redox enzyme to conductive surface

The present invention provides methods and compositions for amplifying the detection signal in surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based flow systems. The signal amplification methods comprise the use of well established marker systems that provide a precipitate. The marker systems include, for example, enzyme and nucleation systems. Enzymes suitable for use as a marker system include peroxidases and phosphatases. The amplification system is useful in any SPR-based detection system including microfluidic systems, e.g., 'lab on a chip' systems and the like. The methods can comprise any SPR-based assay format, including typical immunoassay formats. The immunoassay formats can include competitive and sandwich assays. Analyte capture agents can include antibodies, lectins, carbohydrates, polynucleotides, receptor proteins, and the like.

Signal amplification method for surface plasmon resonance-based chemical detection

This invention provides methods, devices and device components for sensing, imaging and characterizing changes in the composition of a probe region. More particularly, the present invention provides methods and devices for detecting changes in the refractive index of a probe region positioned adjacent to a sensing surface, preferably a sensing surface comprising a thin conducting film supporting surface plasmon formation. In addition, the present invention provides methods and device for generating surface plasmons in a probe region and characterizing the composition of the probe region by generating one or more surface plasmon resonances curves and/or surface plasmon resonance images of the probe region.

Wavelength tunable surface plasmon resonance sensor

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Seattle, WA, United States of America

Elain S Fu