Devices and methods for withdrawing bodily fluid from a patient are disclosed herein. A handheld device configured in accordance with the present technology can include a housing having an opening, a skin-piercing assembly located at least partially within the housing, and an actuator movable relative to the housing along a deployment direction. The skin-piercing assembly can include a skin-piercing feature and a biasing member. The biasing member can be coupled to the skin-piercing feature to bias the skin-piercing feature along the deployment direction. Movement of the actuator along the deployment direction to a predetermined position can increase a load on the biasing member to at least a partially loaded state. Movement of the actuator along the deployment direction beyond the predetermined position can release the load on the biasing member so that the biasing member actively drives the skin-piercing feature along the deployment direction.

A container assembly is disclosed including an outer container, a hollow inner member, and a closure. The outer container has a closed bottom, an open top, and a sidewall extending therebetween. The hollow inner member is disposed within the outer container and has an inner surface defining at least one capillary channel. The inner member includes a first end adjacent to the open top of the outer container and has an outer periphery seated against the sidewall of the outer container. The closure has a proximal end and a distal end. The closure proximal end is seated at least partially within the first end of the inner member to seal the outer container and inner member and define a fluid collection chamber. The closure distal end defines a recessed area shaped to direct fluid under capillary action to the at least one capillary channel in the inner member.

A personal hygiene device may have a main body with an absorbent material configured to absorb a fluid, a sensor disposed within the main body, and a controller configured to communicate with the sensor. The sensor has a conductor and an insulator containing at least a portion of the conductor, and the sensor is configured to detect a first electrical value and a second electrical value that is different from the first electrical value. The sensor is also configured to transmit a signal to the controller upon detection of the second electrical value.

The invention generally relates to enclosed desorption electrospray ionization probes, systems, and methods. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a source of DESI-active spray, in which a distal portion of the source is enclosed within a transfer member such that the DESI-active spray is produced within the transfer member.

A device uses push-initiated force to collect, meter, filter and store a blood sample. In one implementation, the push-initiated force may be provided in a cassette-type housing that also collects, meters, filters and/or stores the blood sample.

Methods and systems are provided for isolating fetal cells from a maternal blood supply in order to perform non-invasive prenatal testing. In one example, a system for non-invasive prenatal testing includes a substrate coated with a cell-capturing surface, the cell-capturing surface including an array of pillar-like structures, each pillar-like structure including a plurality of intersecting arms.

Methods and systems are provided for isolating circulating tumor cells from a peripheral blood supply in order to diagnose early stage cancer and/or evaluate tumor status. In one example, a system for capturing circulating tumor cells includes a substrate having a cell-capturing region, the cell-capturing region having a curved, switchback-like shape and including an array of micropillar structures within the curved, switchback-like shape.

A biocompatible micropillar array substrate (MAS) and methods for preparing the biocompatible MAS are provided. In on example, the biocompatible MAS includes multiple micropillars made from a biocompatible polymer. The biocompatible MAS may be prepared using a replica fabricated based on a silicon MAS. The configuration of the multiple micropillars of the silicon MAS and a configuration of the multiple micropillars of the biocompatible MAS are the same.

Methods and systems are provided for isolating circulating tumor cells from a peripheral blood supply in order to diagnose early stage cancer and/or evaluate tumor status. In one example, a system for capturing circulating tumor cells includes a substrate having a cell-capturing region, the cell-capturing region having a curved, switchback-like shape and including an array of micropillar structures within the curved, switchback-like shape.

Methods and systems are provided for isolating fetal cells from a maternal blood supply in order to perform non-invasive prenatal testing. In one example, a system for non-invasive prenatal testing includes a substrate coated with a cell-capturing surface, the cell-capturing surface including an array of pillar-like structures, each pillar-like structure including a plurality of intersecting arms.