Patents

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for monitoring hemodynamics are described. The systems and methods generally involve directing light toward an area of the body and detecting the resulting scattered light. The scattered light is detected and an electrical signal representative of the scattered light intensity is generated from the detected light. The electrical signal is analyzed by measuring temporal fluctuations of such signals to monitor pathological states over time including hemorrhagic shock, hypoxia, and tissue graft vascularization. Such monitoring can have significant benefits to patients.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for monitoring hemodynamics are described. The systems and methods generally involve directing light toward an area of the body and detecting the resulting scattered light. The scattered light is detected and an electrical signal representative of the scattered light intensity is generated from the detected light. The electrical signal is analyzed by measuring temporal fluctuations of such signals to monitor pathological states over time including hemorrhagic shock, hypoxia, and tissue graft vascularization. Such monitoring can have significant benefits to patients.

Abstract: Disclosed is a portable fluorescence correlation spectroscopy instrument that includes an excitation source, at least one of a light focusing element positioned to receive light emitted by the excitation source, a detector for detecting light, the detector positioned to receive light emitted by a sample excited by the excitation source, and a correlator coupled to the detector, the correlator for processing data received at the detector and providing data including autocorrelation data, crosscorrelation data, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The invention is based on the discovery of reduced valency carbohydrate binding ligands (CBLs) that can be used to to detect or quantitate (i.e., evaluate) carbohydrates in a sample. CBLs can be used with fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) to evaluate free carbohydrates or those within a carbohydrate containing compound.

Abstract: A system for detecting analyte that includes a sensor adapted to detect the analyte, the sensor including a polymer matrix, fluorophores and a membrane, an excitation source to excite a fluorophore of the sensor, a first detector adapted to detect light of a first wavelength emitted by the sensor, a second detector adapted to detect light of a second wavelength emitted by the sensor, and a processor for processing signals corresponding to light detected by the detectors.

Abstract: An article is disclosed that includes a core and a selectively permeable coating enclosing the core. The coating includes a monodisperse polymer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a portable fluorescence correlation spectroscopy instrument that includes an excitation source, at least one of a light focusing element positioned to receive light emitted by the excitation source, a detector for detecting light, the detector positioned to receive light emitted by a sample excited by the excitation source, and a correlator coupled to the detector, the correlator for processing data received at the detector and providing data including autocorrelation data, crosscorrelation data, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The invention features a method of assaying for the interaction of a probe and an unknown target, said method including a) exciting a sample with radiation, the sample including at least one unknown target, at least one probe, and at least one fluorescent tag, b) measuring the fluorescence from a subvolume of the sample, and c) analyzing the fluctuations of the fluorescence.

Abstract: A method of determining a suitable microreactor for a predetermined host including identifying a suitable microreactor diameter, optionally identifying a minimum second matrix thickness, and optionally identifying a microreactor having a centrally located microcapsule.

Abstract: A method of identifying an analyte-ligand binding pair that exhibits non-radiative fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) using a combinatorial library. The method includes a) obtaining an analyte binding ligand from a combinatorial library that includes ligands, and b) attaching a label at least one of the analyte binding ligand and an analyte-analogue with at least one of a first component and a second component of a non-radiative fluorescence resonance energy transfer donor-acceptor pair (FRET pair) such that FRET occurs when the analyte-analogue is bound to the analyte binding ligand, and a change in FRET occurs when the analyte-analogue is not bound to the analyte binding ligand.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a carbohydrate in a sample. The method includes providing a low valency carbohydrate binding ligand, providing a glycoconjugate which includes a label, and a carbohydrate moiety, contacting the low valency carbohydrate binding ligand and the glycoconjugate with the sample, determining the extent of binding of the low valency carbohydrate binding ligand with the glycoconjugate, the binding of the low valency carbohydrate binding ligand with the glycoconjugate being correlated with the amount of carbohydrate in the sample.

Abstract: An in vivo method and apparatus for detecting an analyte in an individual. A sensor that includes a fluorescence reagent is placed in communication with the body fluids of the individual suspected of containing the analyte in such a way that once in place said sensor does not exit the skin of the individual. The sensor is configured to retain the fluorescence reagent while allowing analyte to diffuse into and out of said sensor. The sensor is illuminated transdermally, and the fluorescence from the fluorescence reagent associated with the presence of the analyte is measured.

Abstract: A method for quantifying glucose concentration in blood, body fluids, and other samples within, below and above the normal physiological range, which relies on non-radiative fluorescence resonance energy transfer, as well as devices useful in quantifying blood glucose concentration using the present method.