The University of Texas System

University of Minnesota

University of Toronto

Volcano Corporation

Taner Akkin

Thomas E Milner

Digant P Dave

John Bischof

Zhenpeng Qin

Warren Chan

H Grady Rylander, Iii

Li Zhan

John C Bischof

Assays used in conjunction with a thermal contrast reader are disclosed. In the assay, the test strip includes materials that can develop a thermal response if a target analyte is present in a sample. Linear flow assays include nanoparticles with high affinity binding to the analyte. Binding of the nanoparticles with an analyte in the sample is detected using thermal contrast. Analytes over a broad range of concentrations are detected in the linear flow assays. Methods of detecting target analytes and kits comprising lateral flow assays and thermal contrast reader are also disclosed.

Lateral flow assays with thermal contrast readers

Assays used in conjunction with a thermal contrast reader are disclosed. In the assay, the test strip includes materials that can develop a thermal response if a target analyte is present in a sample. The thermal contrast reader includes housing having an opening to receive the test strip at a test location, an energy source directed at the test location and a heat sensor directed at the test location. The heat sensor is configured to sense heating of the test strip upon activation of the heat source at the test location, if the target analyte is present in the sample. The heat sensor can provide sensor output using diagnostic circuitry coupled to the sensor output and configured to provide a diagnostic output. The diagnostic output can indicate the diagnostic condition of the patient as a function of the sensor output. The present disclosure also includes methods of detecting target analytes and kits comprising lateral flow assays and thermal contrast reader.

Thermal contrast assay and reader

Optical methods, devices, and systems for noninvasively detecting transient surface displacements in a neuron are disclosed. Methods, devices, and systems provided may employ a phase-sensitive optical low coherence reflectometer. In addition, surface displacements due to action potential propagation in neural tissues may be detected in some embodiments using back-reflected light. According to some embodiments, exogenous chemicals or reflect ion coatings are not required. Transient neural surface displacement of less then 1 nm in amplitude and 1 ms in duration may be detected and may be generally coincident with action potential arrival to the optical measurement site. The systems and methods may be used for noninvasive detection of various neuropathies such as retinal neuropathies. They may also be useful in detecting the effects of various pharmacological agents.

Measurement of neural functionality using phase sensitive optical coherence reflectometry

Optical methods, devices, and systems for non-invasively detecting transient surface displacements in a neuron are disclosed. Methods, devices, and systems provided may employ a phase-sensitive optical low coherence reflectometer. In addition, surface displacements due to action potential propagation in neural tissues may be detected in some embodiments using back-reflected light. According to some embodiments, exogenous chemicals or reflection coatings are not required. Transient neural surface displacement of less than 1 nm in amplitude and 1 ms in duration may be detected and may be generally coincident with action potential arrival to the optical measurement site. The systems and methods may be used for noninvasive detection of various neuropathies such as retinal neuropathies. They may also be useful in detecting the effects of various pharmacological agents.

Measurement of neural functionality using phase sensitive optical reflectometry

Generally, and in one form of the present invention, is a polarization-maintaining fiber-based polarization sensitive optical low coherence reflectometer for depth resolved birefringence measurement. With the present invention, linear birefringence of a sample may be measured from data recorded in a single A-Scan. In addition, the present invention provides for the simultaneous measurement of retardation and orientation of birefringent axes, wherein measured retardation is insensitive to sample rotation in the plane perpendicular to ranging.

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Minneapolis, MN, United States of America

Taner Akkin