In one aspect, a microfluidic device for multiple reactions is provided, which comprises a reaction channel comprising multiple reaction chambers connected to a closed chamber or an elastic balloon outside of the microfluidic device, wherein a wall of the closed chamber is an elastic membrane; and a control channel comprising an elastic side wall, wherein the intersections between the side wall of the control channel with the reaction channel form multiple pneumatic microvalves. In another aspect, a method for conducting multiple reactions using the microfluidic device is provided, which comprises: a) filling the reaction chambers with a sample; and b) applying pressure to the control channel to expand the elastic side wall of the control channel, wherein the expanded elastic side wall forms a pneumatic microvalve that separates the reaction chambers.

The present disclosure provides microfluidic devices, systems and methods for sample preparation and/or analysis. A microfluidic device can include a first channel having a sequence of (n) chambers each having a first volume (v). The first channel can include one or more valves at opposing ends of the first channel that fluidically isolate the first channel. The microfluidic device can further include a second channel in fluid communication with the first channel. The second channel can include at least one second chamber having a total second volume that is at least equal to the total volume of the first channel (n*v). The second channel can include one or more valves at opposing ends of the second channel that fluidically isolate the second channel from the first channel.

A method of manufacturing a microfluidic chip includes: providing an upper mold having multiple upper ribs extending along a second direction, and a lower mold having multiple lower ribs extending along a first direction different from the second direction; forming a forming material in a filling space defined by the upper and lower molds to provide a channeled plate having multiple upper microfluidic channels complementary in shape to the upper ribs, lower microfluidic channels complementary in shape to the lower ribs, and multiple thin film valves formed at intersections where the upper microfluidic channels intersect the lower microfluidic channels; separating the upper and lower molds; and covering the lower and upper microfluidic channels.

A fluidic device includes a valve configured to adjust a fluid flow in a first direction of a flow path. The fluidic device includes: a diaphragm of the valve; a first substrate having a groove that constitutes the flow path and a protrusion part at a position facing the diaphragm in the groove; and a second substrate to which the diaphragm is fixed at a first fixation part and a second fixation part, wherein a length from a first end part of the protrusion part to a second end part of the protrusion part seen in the first direction is greater than a length from the first fixation part to the second fixation part.

A method of manufacturing a microfluidic chip includes providing an upper mold having multiple upper ribs extending along a second direction, and a lower mold having multiple lower ribs extending along a first direction different from the second direction, forming a forming material in a filling space defined by the upper and lower molds to provide a channeled plate having multiple upper microfluidic channels complementary in shape to the upper ribs, lower microfluidic channels complementary in shape to the lower ribs, and multiple thin film valves formed at intersections where the upper microfluidic channels intersect the lower microfluidic channels, separating the upper and lower molds, and covering the lower and upper microfluidic channels.

A fluidic manifold cartridge includes a plurality of source fluid inlets and fluid outlets. A plurality of fluid input flow channels are provided. Each fluid inlet is in fluid communication with a fluid input flow channel. Each fluid input flow channel directs fluid from the fluid inlet past a plurality of valves. A plurality of fluid output flow channels are in fluid communication with a fluid outlets. Each valve includes a valve seat, a portion of membrane, and a control fluid opening. Each valve has an open and closed condition. The valve in the open condition directs fluid from a fluid input flow channel to a fluid output flow channel. The control fluid opening directs control fluid to move the membrane so as to change the valve between the open and closed conditions. Systems and methods for fluidic manifold are also disclosed.

A microchip controlling system comprises a microchip which is configured by adhesion of an elastic sheet and a plate/sheet member, and on which a flow path is provided as an inadhesive section between the elastic sheet and the plate/sheet member; and a microchip controlling apparatus comprising a valve mechanism which is inflated or deflated so as to control the flow path to be opened or closed.

An electrically passive device and method for in-situ acoustic emission, and/or releasing, sampling and/or measuring of a fluid or various material(s) is provided. The device may provide a robust timing mechanism to release, sample and/or perform measurements on a predefined schedule, and, in various embodiments, emits an acoustic signal sequence(s) that may be used for triangulation of the device position within, for example, a hydrocarbon reservoir or a living body.

The disclosure relates to a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt for treatment of hydrocephalus, comprising a valve having an inlet port and an outlet port, which ports are for draining CSF, and a control port for regulating the drainage of CSF through the valve according to a hydrostatic pressure provided to the control port, which hydrostatic pressure is dependent on the body position of the patient. The disclosure further relates to a method for treatment of hydrocephalus comprising regulating drainage of CSF based on a hydrostatic pressure that is dependent on the body position of the patient.

The present invention provides microfluidic devices and methods for using the same. In particular, microfluidic devices of the present invention are useful in conducting a variety of assays and high throughput screening. Microfluidic devices of the present invention include elastomeric components and comprise a main flow channel; a plurality of branch flow channels; a plurality of control channels; and a plurality of valves. Preferably, each of the valves comprises one of the control channels and an elastomeric segment that is deflectable into or retractable from the main or branch flow channel upon which the valve operates in response to an actuation force applied to the control channel.