The disclosure provides devices, systems and methods for the generation of encapsulated reagents and the partitioning of encapsulated reagents for use in subsequent analyses and/or processing, such as in the field of biological analyses and characterization.

A tissue sample processing system and associated methods is disclosed and described. The tissue sample processing system (100) can include a microfluidic separating system (110). The microfluidic separating system (110) can include a fluid channel to receive a carrier fluid (104) and a tissue sample (102), and a plurality of outlets. Flow of the carrier fluid (104) and the tissue sample (102) in the fluid channel can facilitate segregation of materials in the tissue sample (102) based on size into a plurality of size fractions, such that each one of the plurality of outlets receives a different size fraction of the materials in the tissue sample. In addition, the sample processing system (100) can comprise a cryopreservation system (120) associated with at least one of the plurality of outlets to freeze the material in the tissue sample (102) associated with the at least one of the plurality of outlets.

The invention relates to an apparatus for the inline trace analysis of a liquid, preferably of an aqueous process solution, comprising: a housing (1); a micro-channel (2) through which the liquid to be examined is allowed to flow and into which light of a light source (3) is coupled; a detector (4) for light emerging from the micro-channel (2); and a user interface (5) for monitoring and/or operating the apparatus. The micro-channel (2), the detector (4) and/or the user interface (5) are arranged in the housing (1) and/or are integrated into the housing (1), and the housing (1) has a connection (6) for feeding the liquid in the micro-channel (2) and a connection (7) for power supply of the apparatus.

The present invention provides a novel target analysis chip and analysis method for directly detecting a target such as a microRNA without performing PCR.

A column-based device and method for retrieving cells of interest were enclosed. The said device comprises a column comprising (i) an inner wall defining an inner chamber with inlet and outlet openings, (ii) a perforated plug disposed adjacent to the outlet opening, (iii) a sleeve insert with a channel and disposed within the chamber and adjacent to the perforated plug, and (iv) a filtering means housed within sleeve insert sandwiched between two sealing means. In particular, Tumor-derived endothelial cell clusters (TECCs) as characterized multiple nuclei, expression of endothelial markers (PECAM1, VWF and CDH5), and non-expression of leukocyte, megakaryocyte and platelets markers, may be retrieved using the disclosed device. Also encompassed are methods, reagents and kits for the diagnosis and prognosis of cancers by detecting for the presence of TECCs isolated from blood samples using the claimed device.

A method of microfluidic detection can include detecting, using an impedance sensor, an impedance of a fluid to indicate whether a threshold amount of fluid has been received in a reservoir of a microfluidic chip. The method can include initiating a test performed by the microfluidic chip on the received fluid when the threshold amount of fluid has been received.

A microfluidic diagnostic chip may comprise a main fluid channel comprising a main pump, a secondary fluid channel branching off from the main fluid channel, and a secondary pump within the secondary fluid channel wherein the secondary pump is to pull a particle of analyte of a first size from a fluid passing through the main channel, the fluid comprising particles of analyte of the first size and of a number of larger sizes. A method of analyzing an analyte on a microfluidic chip may comprise pumping, with a main microfluidic pump, a fluid comprising an analyte particle through a main microfluidic channel fluidly coupled to a fluid slot and sorting the analyte particle within the fluid through a secondary microfluidic channel by pulling the analyte particle into the secondary microfluidic channel with a secondary microfluidic pump.

Fluid may be pumped within a microfluidic channel across a cell/particle sensor using a microscopic resistor. The microscopic resistor may be selectively actuated so as to heat the fluid within the microfluidic channel to a temperature below a nucleation energy of the fluid so as to regulate a temperature of the fluid for at least when the cell/particle sensor is sensing the fluid.

Methods, devices and systems for analyzing precious samples of cells, including single cells are provided. The methods, devices, and systems in various embodiments of the invention are used to assess genomic heterogeneity, which has been recognized as a central feature of many cancers and plays a critical role in disease initiation, progression, and response to treatment. The methods devices and systems are also used to analyze embryonic biopsies for reimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). In one embodiment, the devices, systems and methods provided herein allow for the construction of genomic and RNA-seq libraries without a pre-amplification step.

A system and method for sorting sperm is provided. The system includes a housing and a microfluidic system supported by the housing. The system also includes an inlet providing access to the microfluidic system to deliver sperm to the microfluidic system and an outlet providing access to the microfluidic system to harvest sorted sperm from the microfluidic system. The microfluidic system provides a flow path for sperm from the inlet to the outlet and includes at least one channel extending from the inlet to the outlet to allow sperm delivered to the microfluidic system through the inlet to progress along the flow path toward the outlet. The microfluidic system also includes a filter including a first plurality of micropores arranged in the flow path between the inlet and the outlet to cause sperm traveling along the flow path to move against through the filter and gravity to reach the outlet.