Argos Therapeutics, Inc.

Lumos Diagnostics IP Pty Ltd

Micronics, Inc.

Other

Proteome Systems Limited

Tyrian Diagnostics Limited

Proteome Systems Intellectual Property Pty Ltd.

Perkinelmer Health Sciences, Inc.

Coimmune, Inc.

William Samuel Hunter

Simon Jonathon Spence

Simon Harris

Richard Alexander Grant

Timothy Doyle Peele

Ashraf Farid Abdelmoteleb

Robert Alister Neil

David Thomas Kneen

C Frederick Battrell

Troy D Daiber

Andrew John Sloane

Robert Alan Cole

Christopher James Hurren

Peter Kotlarski

David Ian Marlborough

Sacha Marie Dopheide

Samantha Irene Couper

Mary Louise Garcia

Joy Ji Liu

Richard John Louis Gardner

Ashraf F Abdelmoteleb

Chin Eng Yeap

Neal Arthur Welti

Embodiments generally relate to a system for reading fluorescent-labelled diagnostic assays for in-vitro diagnostic applications. The system comprises a receiving member adapted to receive a fluorescent-labelled diagnostic assay cartridge carrying a fluorescent-labelled diagnostic assay; at least one excitation module configured to illuminate the diagnostic assay, when the diagnostic assay cartridge is placed in the receiving member; a camera module for capturing an image of the illuminated diagnostic as&#x2014;say placed in the receiving member; a processor for receiving the captured image from the camera module and determining whether or not a target analyte was present in the diagnostic assay captured by the camera module; and memory storing firmware, the firmware including a brightness compensation module configured to adjust the intensity of an image of a diagnostic cartridge captured by the camera module, in order to emulate a uniform field of illumination over the diagnostic cartridge. The brightness compensation module is configured to adjust the intensity of the captured image based on an illumination compensation look-up table.

Device for reading an IVD assay

A portable in-vitro (PIV) diagnostic detector operable to perform a fluorescence assay on a sample in one or more detection chambers of a cartridge is provided. The PIV diagnostic detector comprises a first optical module which includes (i) an LED light source for emitting substantially monochromatic light to illuminate a detection zone associated with at least one detection chamber; (ii) an excitation filter interposed between said light source and said detection zone; (iii) a light detector operable to detect fluorescent light emitted by an excited fluorescent label associated with the sample and to measure an intensity of the fluoresced light; and (iv) an emission filter interposed between said light detector and said detection zone. The (PIV) diagnostic detector further comprises a microprocessor operable to process the measured intensity of the fluoresced light to determine whether an analyte is present in the sample; wherein the first optical module is configured such that a longitudinal axis of the light source extends at an oblique angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the light detector.

Portable in-vitro diagnostic detector and apparatus

Embodiments generally relate to a system for reading fluorescent-labelled diagnostic assays for in-vitro diagnostic applications. The system comprises a receiving member adapted to receive a fluorescent-labelled diagnostic assay cartridge carrying a fluorescent-labelled diagnostic assay; at least one excitation module configured to illuminate the diagnostic assay, when the diagnostic assay cartridge is placed in the receiving member; a camera module for capturing an image of the illuminated diagnostic assay placed in the receiving member; a processor for receiving the captured image from the camera module and determining whether or not a target analyte was present in the diagnostic assay captured by the camera module; and memory storing firmware, the firmware including a brightness compensation module configured to adjust the intensity of an image of a diagnostic cartridge captured by the camera module, in order to emulate a uniform field of illumination over the diagnostic cartridge. The brightness compensation module is configured to adjust the intensity of the captured image based on an illumination compensation look-up table.

A compact, microprocessor-controlled instrument for fluorometric assays in liquid samples has a floating stage with docking bay for receiving a microfluidic cartridge and a scanning detector head with on-board embedded microprocessor controlled by an optical data acquisition and processing daemon within the detector head for controlling source LEDs, emission signal amplification and filtering in an isolated, low noise, high-gain environment within the detector head. Multiple optical channels may be incorporated in the scanning head. The assay ma be validated using dual channel optics for monitoring a first fluorophore associated with a target analyte and a second fluorophore associated with a control. Molecular biological assays use PCR amplification of target nucleic acids and fluorometric assays, which may require temperature control during detection. Sensitivity and resistance to bubble interference during scanning are improved using a heating block with reflective mirror face in contact with a thermo-optical window enclosing the liquid sample.

Portable fluorescence detection system and microassay cartridge

The present disclosure generally relates to lateral flow immunoassay systems, devices and methods, for detecting analytes in biological samples. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to synthetic thread based lateral flow immunofluorescent assay systems, devices and methods. The lateral flow immunofluorescent assay devices can comprise one or more synthetic polymer threads defining at least a sample loading zone, a detection zone comprising an immobilized capture reagent that has affinity for a predetermined analyte in the sample, and an intermediate zone disposed between the sample loading zone and the detection zone, the intermediate zone comprising a fluorescent detection reagent for use in binding to a predetermined analyte in the sample to form a fluorescently labelled analyte, wherein the fluorescent detection reagent comprises fluorescently labelled microparticles that are associated, linked or coordinated to an analyte binding reagent that has affinity for a predetermined analyte in the sample, and wherein the one or more synthetic polymer threads are capable of carrying a fluid sample by capillary action from at least the sample loading zone to the detection zone.

Synthetic thread based lateral flow immunoassay

Processing containers include a first member having a substantially rigid body with a plurality of regions defining spaced apart workstations and a flexible barrier member sealably attached to the first member to define a closed chamber over the plurality of workstations. The flexible barrier is substantially impermeable and includes or is a manipulation tool that is sealably attached to the barrier. The manipulation tool has a first internal interface that resides in the closed chamber under the flexible barrier and a second external interface that resides outside the closed chamber. The processing containers are particularly suitable for automated processing of nucleic acids and other samples. The manipulation tool can cooperate with or include a pipette head. When the barrier is sealed, the barrier separates the contents of the container from a robotic arm or other manipulation device.

Methods of processing samples

Processing containers

An instrument for fluorometric assays in liquid samples is disclosed. The instrument may include multiple optical channels for monitoring a first fluorophore associated with a target analyte and a second fluorophore associated with a control. The disclosed instrument finds utility in any number of applications, including microfluidic molecular biological assays based on PCR amplification of target nucleic acids and fluorometric assays in general.

Portable high gain fluorescence detection system

An apparatus for transfer of a liquid using a diaphragm that separates a working fluid volume from a working air volume and can controllably induce a change pressure to draw or expel a target fluid into a tube. The apparatus is particularly suitable for automated processing of nucleic acids and other samples includes a disposable container comprising a tray and a flexible barrier. The barrier is configured to seal with a top edge of the tray, providing a closed, aseptic work area within the sealed tray. A pipette head and/or other sample manipulation device can be attached to the inside of the barrier under the diaphraghm, and the barrier can include an interface for a robotic arm or other device. When the barrier is sealed over the tray, the barrier separates the contents of the tray from the robot or other manipulation device.

Apparatus for transfer of liquid for processing samples

Disclosed is a compact, microprocessor-controlled instrument for fluorometric assays in liquid samples, the instrument having a floating stage with docking bay for receiving a microfluidic cartridge and a scanning detector head with on-board embedded microprocessor for controlling source LEDs, emission signal amplification and filtering in an isolated, low noise, high gain environment within the detector head. Multiple optical channels may be incorporated in the scanning head. In a preferred configuration, the assay is validated using dual channel optics for monitoring a first fluorophore associated with a target analyte and a second fluorophore associated with a control. Applications include molecular biological assays based on PCR amplification of target nucleic acids and fluorometric assays in general, many of which require temperature control during detection. Sensitivity and resistance to bubble interference during scanning are shown to be improved by use of a heating block with reflective mirror face in intimate contact with a thermo-optical window enclosing the liquid sample.

A system and method for automated processing of nucleic acids and other samples includes a disposable container comprising a tray and a flexible barrier. The barrier is configured to seal with a top edge of the tray, providing a closed, aseptic work area within the sealed tray. A pipette head and/or other sample manipulation device can be attached to the inside of the barrier, and the barrier can include an interface for a robotic arm or other device. When the barrier is sealed over the tray, the barrier separates the contents of the tray from the robot or other manipulation device. The barrier can be flexible, and allow the robotic arm to move the pipette head throughout the work area of the tray. All samples, reagents, pipette tips and other tools or devices for processing nucleic acid samples may remain within the closed compartment provided by the container during processing.

Methods for processing samples in a closed container

A method and apparatus for use in a flow through assay process is disclosed. The method is characterised by a 'pre-incubation step' in which the sample which is to be analyzed (typically for the presence of a particular protein), and a detection analyte (typically one or more antibodies bound to colloidal gold or a fluorescent tag) which is known to bind to the particular protein may bind together for a desired period of time. This pre-incubation step occurs before the mixture of sample and detection analyte come into contact with a capture analyte bound to a membrane. The provision of the pre-incubation step has the effect of both improving the sensitivity of the assay and reducing the volume of sample required for an assay. An apparatus for carrying out the method is disclosed defining a pre-incubation chamber for receiving the sample and detection analyte having a base defined by a membrane and a second membrane to which a capture analyte is bound. In one version the pre-incubation chamber is supported above the second membrane in one position but can be pushed into contact with the membrane carrying the capture analyte thus o permitting fluid transfer from the incubation chamber through the capture membrane. In another version the membrane at the base of the incubation chamber is hydrophobic and its underside contacts the capture membrane and when a wetting agent is applied to the contents of the pre-incubation chamber fluid transfer occurs.

Growing community of inventors

Jan Juc, Australia

William Samuel Hunter