Genefluidics, Inc.

The United States of America As Represented by the Department of Health

Kotura, Inc.

Genegluidics, Inc.

Jen-Jr Gau

Arvin T Chang

Arvin Trung Chang

Michael Tomasek

Chris Wiita

An assay is performed so as to identify a pathogen in a sample taken from a patient. The identity of the pathogen in the patient sample is used to select an antimicrobial for treatment of the patient. The antimicrobial can be selected in less than 7 hours after the patient sample is taken from the patient. For instance, when the sample is blood, the antimicrobial can be selected in less than 7 hours after the patient sample is taken from the patient. When the sample is urine, the antimicrobial can be selected in less than 4 hours after the patient sample is taken from the patient.

Generation of data for use with antimicrobials

A device includes multiple components that are independent from one another but are configured to be detachably coupled with one another so as to form a cartridge. One of the components is a clamp that is configured to hold the other components such that they are coupled together. The cartridge has one or more reservoirs, one or more functional chambers, and one or more channels configured to transport a liquid stored in at least one of the one or more reservoirs into the one or more functional chambers.

Modular cartridge for liquid transport

The cartridge includes a sensor structure that has multiple sensors positioned on a substrate. The cartridge also includes a common channel defined in the substrate such that a fluid flowing in the common channel contacts each of the sensors as a result of the fluid flowing from an inlet of the common channel to an outlet of the common channel.

Cartridge for liquid transport

Performing an electrokinetic treatment on different samples includes identifying an electrical signal that is appropriate for use in the treatment of each sample. The identification of the electrical signals results in different electrical signals being identified for different samples. The electrokinetic treatment of a sample results in that sample being exposed to the electrical signal identified for that sample. Accordingly, different samples are exposed to different electrical signals. An electrokinetic treatment employs one or more electrokinetic phenomena to cause movement of one or more agents within the sample relative to the sample. In some instances, the method also includes using each of the electrokinetically treated samples to generate an electrochemical sample and then performing an electrochemical analysis on each of the electrochemical samples.

Sample dependent selection of parameters for use in electrokinetic treatment of the sample

A system includes one or more electrochemical sensors. Each sensor includes at least two electrodes. The system also includes an interface configured to provide communication between the one or more electrochemical cells and a computer. The interface includes a circuit board with plurality of sensor circuits. Each sensor circuit is configured to operate a different electrochemical sensor and includes a plurality of electrode lines that are each configured to be in communication with a different electrode on an electrochemical sensor.

Efficient interface between electrochemical sensor and computer

The assay system includes at least one thermally responsive medium positioned so as to transfer thermal energy to a solution constrained in a solution constraining region. The assay system further includes a beam distribution system configured to distribute an energy beam to a thermally responsive medium. The thermally responsive medium interacts with the energy beam so as to elevate the temperature of the thermally responsive medium.

Elevated temperature assay system

The system includes a wash source configured to concurrently generate a plurality of streams that are each incident on a sensor structure configured to detect a presence and/or amount of a compound on the sensor structure. The sensor structure has electrodes on a substrate. The wash source generates the streams such that each one of the streams is incident on a different one of the electrodes. Each of the streams is incident on one of the electrodes at an angle that is non-perpendicular to the sensor.

System for washing a sensor structure

The cartridge can include a mixing component for mixing different solutions so as to form a product solution. A mixture of different solutions can be transported into the mixing component where they combine to form a product solution. The mixing component includes a plurality of variable volume reservoirs in liquid communication with one another. The product solution can be repeatedly transported from one of the variable volume reservoirs to another of the variable volume reservoirs until the desired degree of mixing is achieved. Once the desired degree of mixing is achieved, the product solution can be transported directly to a product chamber within the cartridge or can be treated further before being transported to the product chamber.

Cartridge having variable volume reservoirs

The chip includes electrodes on a substrate. The electrodes include a working electrode, a reference electrode, and a counter electrode. The reference electrode is constructed so as to not have an intrinsic potential. A self-assembly monolayer is positioned on the reference electrode. The self-assembly monolayer includes spacers and active probes. The active probes are configured to have a higher affinity for a capture probe than the spacers have for the capture probe.

Chip assay having improved efficiency

A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and integrated circuit (IC) based biosensor capable of sensing or detecting various ionic molecules and macromelecules (DNA, RNA or protein). The MEMS based biosensor utilizes a hybridization and enzyme amplification scheme and an electrochemical detection scheme for sensitivity improvement and system miniaturization. The biosensor or biosensors are incorporated on a single substrate. Preferably, the biosensor system includes at least two electrodes. The electrodes includes a working electrode, a reference electrode and a counter (auxiliary) electrode. The biosensor or biosensors also provide an apparatus and method for confinement of reagent and/or solution in the biosensor or biosensors using surface tension at small scale. The confinement system provides controlled contacts between the reagent(s) and/or solution(s) with the components (i.e., electrodes) of the biosensor or biosensors using controllable surface properties and surface tension forces. The confinement system allows for incorporation of the biosensor or biosensors into a portable or handheld device and is immune to shaking and/or flipping. The invention also provides for a biosensor and/or sensors that are integrated with integrated circuit (IC) technologies. Preferably, the entire sensor system or systems are fabricated on a single IC substrate or chip and no external component and/or instrument is required for a complete detection system or systems. Preferably, the sensor system or systems are fabricated using the IC process and on a silicon substrate.

Biological identification system with integrated sensor chip

A cartridge is disclosed. The cartridge includes an independent storage component and transport component. The storage component can be coupled with the transport component. The storage component includes one or more pockets that each contain a solution to be used in an assay. The transport component is configured to transport the solutions from the pockets of the storage component to a sensor positioned in the transport component.

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Pasadena, CA, United States of America

Jen-Jr Gau