Abstract:
A cartridge reader controlled by processing means for carrying out a diagnostic test on a sample contained in a fluidic cartridge comprises a mechanical valve for isolating the sample with the cartridge. A system for actuating the mechanical valve comprises an actuation member configured to move the mechanical valve from an open position to a closed position and an armature connected to the actuation member. The armature is configured to engage an electromagnet, wherein the electromagnet can be switched between an active state in which it electromagnetically holds the armature and an inactive state in which it does not electromagnetically hold the armature. First biasing means are disposed between the actuation member and a bearing surface, wherein the first biasing means is configured to bias the actuation member into a first position in which it actuates a mechanical valve in a fluidic cartridge inserted into the reader.
Abstract:
A cartridge for assay of a target nucleic acid sequence in a liquid sample. The cartridge comprises: a fluidic portion through which the sample flows and in which nucleic acid amplification and detection takes place; a pneumatic portion which controls flow through the fluidic portion; and at least two electrodes which provide a potential difference for the detection of an amplified nucleic acid of interest.
Abstract:
Compounds of general formula I wherein Fc and Fc′ may be the same or different and are substituted ferrocenyl moieties having at least one ring substituent selected from sulfur-containing groups, phosphorus-containing groups, iodo, chloro, silyl, fluoroalkyl groups containing two or more fluorine atoms, heteroaryl, substituted phenyl, and cyano, wherein if present as sole substituent the cyano group is located on the proximal cyclopentadienyl ring; X is a spacer, Y is a spacer, Z is a spacer; and R is a linker group. Compound I may be used to make labelled substrates, functionalised compounds for making labelled substrates and may be used as labels in an electrochemical assay.
Abstract:
The invention provides monoferrocenyl compounds of general formula I. The invention also provides substrates labelled with the compounds, functionalised derivatives of the compounds and methods of using the compounds, functionalised derivatives and labelled substrates in electrochemical assays.
Abstract:
A cartridge reader is configured to carry out a diagnostic test on a fluid sample contained within a fluidic cartridge. The cartridge comprises first, second and third collapsible blisters containing at least one reagent for use in the diagnostic test. The cartridge reader comprises an upper clamp, occupying a fixed position relative to the reader and a lower clamp, movable relative to the upper clamp, and wherein the upper clamp and the lower clamp are configured to receive and hold a fluidic cartridge therebetween. First, second and third blister actuators are mounted on the upper clamp, for aligning with first, second and third collapsible blisters of a fluidic cartridge inserted into the reader. The first, second and third blister actuators are movable relative to the upper clamp, between a first position in which the blister actuators are spaced apart from the collapsible blisters comprised on the fluidic cartridge received between the upper and lower clamps, and a second position in which the blister actuators depress the collapsible blisters, thereby collapsing the blisters and ejecting the reagents contained therein into a channel in the microfluidic cartridge.
Abstract:
A method of detecting the presence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in a sample. The method involves detecting a first target sequence taken from the NGO1642 gene and/or a second target sequence taken from the NGO1012 gene. The method may involve a step of amplifying the target sequence, and may involve hybridising the target sequence to a nucleic acid probe and identifying hybridisation. The method may involve simultaneous detection of other target sequences, e.g. from other pathogens.
Abstract:
The invention provides a method of probing for a nucleic acid comprising: contacting a nucleic acid solution with an oligonucleotide probe labelled with an electrochemically active marker, providing conditions at which the probe is able to at least partially hybridize with any complementary target sequence which may be present in the nucleic acid solution, selectively degrading either hybridized, partially hybridized or unhybridized nucleic acid probe, and electrochemically determining information relating to the electrochemically active marker. The invention further provides novel molecules with use in methods of the invention.
Abstract:
A system and method for processing fluid in a fluidic cartridge is provided. The system comprises a fluid pathway for passing a liquid sample therethrough from an upstream end to a downstream end, a sample processing chamber within the fluid pathway having an inlet valve upstream of the sample processing chamber, a downstream sample processing region within the fluid pathway downstream of the outlet valve and a bypass channel coupled to the fluid pathway at a junction between the outlet valve and the downstream sample processing region, the valve system configured such that surplus liquid downstream of the outlet valve may be evacuated through the bypass channel when the outlet valve is closed, thereby leaving a metered volume of liquid sample between the inlet valve and the downstream sample processing region.
Abstract:
A cartridge reader is configured to carry out a diagnostic test on a fluid sample contained within a fluidic cartridge. The cartridge comprises first, second and third collapsible blisters containing at least one reagent for use in the diagnostic test. The cartridge reader comprises an upper clamp, occupying a fixed position relative to the reader and a lower clamp, movable relative to the upper clamp, and wherein the upper clamp and the lower clamp are configured to receive and hold a fluidic cartridge therebetween. First, second and third blister actuators are mounted on the upper clamp, for aligning with first, second and third collapsible blisters of a fluidic cartridge inserted into the reader. The first, second and third blister actuators are movable relative to the upper clamp, between a first position in which the blister actuators are spaced apart from the collapsible blisters comprised on the fluidic cartridge received between the upper and lower clamps, and a second position in which the blister actuators depress the collapsible blisters, thereby collapsing the blisters and ejecting the reagents contained therein into a channel in the microfluidic cartridge.
Abstract:
A cartridge for assay of a target nucleic acid sequence in a liquid sample. The cartridge comprises: a fluidic portion through which the sample flows and in which nucleic acid amplification and detection takes place; a pneumatic portion which controls flow through the fluidic portion; and at least two electrodes which provide a potential difference for the detection of an amplified nucleic acid of interest.