Abstract:
A proximal body portion (210) of a detection apparatus for detecting the presence of a substance on a surface includes pump portion (124, 142) and a proximal probe portion (111, 120) in fluid communication with one another. A controller (225) processes signal readings sensed by the parameter sensor (P, P1 or P2) and determines whether the signal readings are indicative of a substance (116) obstructing the passage of fluid (130) through the open port of the distal tip (112, 112′) of a distal probe portion (110) of the detection apparatus (100, 100′, 100″, 100″a, 100″b, 100″c, 100″d, 100c). The controller (225) transmits a signal that changes dynamic pressure at the distal tip (112, 112′) upon determining that the signal readings are indicative of a substance (116) obstructing the passage of fluid (130) through the open port of the distal tip (112, 112′).
Abstract:
An apparatus (100, 100′) is configured such that passage of a fluid (30) through an open port (136, 2604) of a distal probe tip (112, 112′) enables detection of a substance (116) that may be present on a surface (31, 33), e.g., a surface of a tooth, based on measurement of a signal correlating to a substance at least partially obstructing the passage of fluid (30) through the open port (136, 2604). The apparatus (100, 100′) includes a proximal pump portion (124) and at least one distal probe portion (110) configured to be immersed in another fluid (11), e.g., water in toothpaste foam. A corresponding system (3000) includes one or two such apparatuses (3100, 3200). A method of detecting the presence of a substance on a surface includes probing an interaction zone (17) for at least partial obstruction of flow of the fluid (30) through the distal probe tip (112, 112′). The distal probe tip (112, 112′) may have a structural configuration for preventing blocking of the open port (136, 2604). The distal probe tip (112, 112′) may also have a non-uniform wear profile. The at least one distal probe portion (110) may include two or multiple components to improve performance and reliability.
Abstract:
A toothbrush (10) includes a brushhead (18), a first force sensor (30A) for measuring a first force exerted by the brushhead at a first angle relative to a tooth and a second force sensor (30B) for measuring a second force exerted by the brushhead at a second angle relative to the tooth, the second angle being different than the first angle, and a processing unit (26). The processing unit is structured to: (i) receive first information indicative of the first force as measured by the first force sensor, (ii) receive second information indicative of the second force as measured by the second force sensor, and (iii) determine information regarding a current brushing angle of the brushhead based on the first information and the second information.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a micro-fluidic device for use in a micro-fluidic system. A rigid base structure is provided with a flexible membrane. An external magnetic driver moves from a first position to a second position underneath the micro-fluidic device whilst applying a magnetic field. A droplet containing magnetic particles will be attracted to the external magnetic driver. The flexible membrane is thin, and therefore the micro-fluidic device can be brought closer to the external magnetic driver, thus increasing the magnetic force incident on the fluid drop. A force will be exerted on the flexible membrane, so deflecting the flexible membrane, thus bringing the droplet containing magnetic particles closer to the external magnetic driver. The effect of the increased magnetic field is to increase the packing density of the magnetic droplet. Therefore, a droplet with higher integrity, and less susceptible to splitting, may be moved through the micro-fluidic device.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a cartridge (100) and an associated apparatus (150) for preparing a biological sample, particularly for staining a tissue or cell sample (1). The cartridge (100) comprises a reaction chamber (116) that can be closed by a substrate (140) carrying the sample (1), wherein the reaction chamber (116) is further connected to a fluidic inlet system (113,115) and a fluidic outlet system (123,125). When the substrate (140) closes the reaction chamber, the fluidic inlet system, the reaction chamber, and the fluidic outlet system constitute a fluidic system that is closed to the environment with respect to the exchange of liquids. A pressure-driven flow through the reaction chamber (116) may for example be induced by the actuation of deformable membranes (114,124).
Abstract:
An apparatus (100, 100′) is configured such that passage of a fluid (30) through an open port of a distal tip (112, 112′) enables detection of a substance (116) that may be present on a surface (31, 33), e.g., a surface of a tooth, based on measurement of a signal correlating to a substance at least partially obstructing the passage of fluid (30) through the open port. The apparatus (100, 100′) includes a proximal pump portion (124) and at least one distal probe portion (110) configured to be immersed in another fluid (11), e.g., water in toothpaste foam. A corresponding system (3000) includes one or two such apparatuses (3100, 3200). A method of detecting the presence of a substance on a surface includes probing an interaction zone (17) for at least partial obstruction of flow of the second fluid medium (30) through a distal probe tip.
Abstract:
A toothbrush (10) includes a brushhead (18), a first force sensor (30A) for measuring a first force exerted by the brushhead at a first angle relative to a tooth and a second force sensor (30B) for measuring a second force exerted by the brushhead at a second angle relative to the tooth, the second angle being different than the first angle, and a processing unit (26). The processing unit is structured to: (i) receive first information indicative of the first force as measured by the first force sensor, (ii) receive second information indicative of the second force as measured by the second force sensor, and (iii) determine information regarding a current brushing angle of the brushhead based on the first information and the second information.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method for preventing aggregation of detection particles in a test for detecting a multi-epitope target analyte comprising two or more similar or identical epitopes in a sample and/or for determining the concentration of the multi-epitope target analyte in a sample wherein the method comprises the step of applying a first capture entity which can specifically bind to at least one epitope on the multi-epitope analyte, characterized in that the first capture entity blocks the at least one epitope from binding to a detection particle. The invention further relates to a method wherein the detection of the multi-epitope target analyte comprises the use of a second capture entity, which can specifically bind to the same or similar epitope of the multi-epitope target analyte as the first capture entity. Also envisaged is a method for the detection of said multi-epitope target analyte, the performance of the method in a system comprising a sensor surface and the use of a first capture entity to block the at least one epitope from binding to a detection particle such as a magnetic detection particle.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a cartridge (100) with an inlet portion (110) that is connected to an assay chamber (120) and a suction reservoir (140). The inlet portion (110) is designed for a direct uptake of sample medium, for example of blood from a patient. During this uptake, air is trapped in the assay chamber (120), which prevents a premature entrance of the medium into the assay chamber (120). The transfer of the medium to the assay chamber (120) can thus controllably be initiated at a later time, for example by opening a vent port (121) connected to the assay chamber (120).
Abstract:
An embodiment of the invention relates to a fluidic system (200) in which a first channel (210) and a second channel (230) are separated by a fluidic stop (220), for example a region with a hydrophobic coating and/or a structure (220) with non-capillary internal dimensions. Moreover, it comprises a flexible element (240) that is deformable to enable a flow of a medium across the fluidic stop.