The invention provides systems, devices, methods, and kits for performing an integrated analysis. The integrated analysis can include sample processing, library construction, amplification, and sequencing. The integrated analysis can be performed within one or more modules that are fluidically connected to each other. The one or more modules can be controlled and/or automated by a computer. The integrated analysis can be performed on a tissue sample, a clinical sample, or an environmental sample. The integrated analysis system can have a compact format and return results within a designated period of time.

According to the invention there is a microfluidic chip 1 that includes at least two layers 10 forming a stack of layers, each layer of which has at least one flow channel 14; a bore 16 extending through the layers and communicating with a plurality of flow channels; and a valve 20, which has a shaft 22 with a recess 222 in a side of the shaft for fluid to flow through. The shaft is rotatably mounted in the bore, and has a first position in which the recess is aligned with each of at least two flow channels of the plurality of flow channels thereby providing a flow path between said at least two flow channels, and a second position in which the recess is unaligned with at least one of said at least two flow channels the flow path between said at least two flow channels thereby being closed. This allows a fluid flow path between two flow channels to be open and closed by rotation of the shaft so that fluid in the microfluidic chip can be redirected to allow the chip to have greater capability and by using a minimal amount of space on the chip to do so.

A valve for use in connection with microfluidic devices includes a safety feature such that flow is controlled even in the case of a loss of power, thus having applications in critical applications such as the precise delivery of drugs overtime. The valve may be used in connection with multiple tubes delivering drugs, and may be used with a pump, such as an electrochemical pump, to provide the force to move the fluids containing drugs for delivery. In certain applications, more than one medicine may be delivered and metered independently using a single pump with multiple reservoirs and valves.

Disclosed is a system including a flow control assembly. The system may include a flow regulating shunt system, for various purposes. The flow control assembly may be controlled according to selected parameters and methods.

A method of diagnosing a valve is described, which has an electrodynamic actuator, which includes a magnet arrangement for generating a magnetic field and a control element which is movable relative to the magnet arrangement and is coupled to a movably arranged coil. At least one electrical variable of the electrodynamic actuator is measured over a measurement period to detect a time course of the electrical variable. The time course of the electrical variable is evaluated over an evaluation period to determine at least one induction-dependent valve variable which is assigned to the motion profile of the electrodynamic actuator. A diagnosis module and a valve are furthermore described.

Provided is a rotatable microfluidic device for conducting simultaneously two or more assays. The device includes a platform which can be rotated, a first unit which is disposed at one portion of the platform and detects a target material from a sample using surface on which a capture probe selectively binds to the target material is attached, and a second unit which is disposed at another portion of the platform and detects a target material included in the sample by a different reaction from the reaction conducted in the first unit.

The present invention describes a device consisting of a rotor, a holding-down device, and a base plate. The base plate is normally a fluidic system, a planar fluidic system for example or a fluidic system with several fluidic ports for a directed guidance of liquids or gases through different channels, channel systems, cavities or tubing, for the combination liquid and gas streams, or for prevention of liquid flows.

The present invention describes a device consisting of a rotor, a holding-down device, and a base plate. The base plate is normally a fluidic system, a planar fluidic system for example or a fluidic system with several fluidic ports for a directed guidance of liquids or gases through different channels, channel systems, cavities or tubing, for the combination liquid and gas streams, or for prevention of liquid flows.

A fluidic system having a first volume, a second volume and a membrane geometrically separating the two volumes, which has an open-pore microstructure for the passage of a first medium and a second medium. There is a contact angle (Θ) between the interface of the media and the pore surface. A first electrical field in the region of the membrane and a first electromagnetic radiation and a first heating of the membrane define a first state (Z.sub.1), in which the membrane is not wetted or is less wetted by the first medium and is more heavily wetted by the second medium such that a first contact angle Θ.sub.1>90° is formed between the pore surface and the interface. The first medium and the second medium and the pore surface have a surface energy of which at least one surface energy can be reversibly changed in such a way that a second contact angle Θ.sub.2<Θ.sub.1 occurs between the pore surface and the interface in a second state (Z.sub.2).

An implantable body fluid drainage system includes a metering shunt having a housing with an internal chamber. A movable barrier divides the chamber into a first section and a second section, and the barrier can be displaced by a differential pressure. A first powered inlet valve providing a fill path to the first section of the chamber, and a first powered drain valve providing a drain path from the first section of the chamber. A CSF inlet conduit connects a CSF space to the first powered inlet valve. A CSF outlet conduit connects the first powered outlet valve to a discharge location. A controller opens the first powered inlet valve and close the first powered drain valve to fill the first section to a volume defined by the barrier and chamber geometry and closes the first powered inlet valve and opens the first powered drain valve to discharge the filled volume from the first section through the outlet conduit.