Described herein are microfluidic devices and systems for high density cell culture and/or high throughput cell assays. Methods of using the same are also provided herein. In some embodiments, the microfluidic devices and systems described herein provide rapid and automated trapping of single embryos in ordered arrays.

The object of the invention is to avoid a decrease in dispensing accuracy of a sample, a reagent, or the like as a temperature changes. In an automatic analyzer, a dispensing nozzle sucks the sample from a sample container holding the sample and discharges the sample to a reaction container. A syringe pump controls an amount of change in a volume of water. A first pipe connects the dispensing nozzle and the syringe pump. An electromagnetic valve flows or stops the water. A second pipe connects the electromagnetic valve and the syringe pump. A branch pipe branches the water. A third pipe connects the electromagnetic valve and the branch pipe. A case accommodates at least the syringe pump, the first pipe, the electromagnetic valve, the second pipe, the branch pipe, and the third pipe. Further, the third pipe includes a heat exchange unit that performs heat exchange of the water.

A rotatable platform is provided for use in Lab-on-disc (LoD) applications. A LoD microfluidic device has the rotatable platform and is suitable for analysis of a fluid sample. Real-time monitoring of cells is also provided, using a centrifugal microfluidic platform. A mobile LoD device is provided, which can be used in remote destinations and for point of care applications. A method for monitoring microorganisms under the constant supply of nutrients includes the step of inoculating the cells in a culture chamber in a rotatable microfluidic platform, rotating the platform such that liquid in a reservoir connected to or located on the platform, the liquid comprising nutrients for the cells, is constantly supplied to the cells in the culture chamber by means of shear/centrifugal force resulting from rotating the platform, and continuously monitoring the cells during rotation of the platform by means of imaging, electrochemical and/or electrical measurements.

An automated system for preparing, detecting and analyzing a first fluid sample containing biological species, the preparation, detection and analysis system including at least one fluidic cartridge that includes at least one fluidic concentration and lysis module and one fluidic detection module including an array of several amplification chambers arranged in parallel, an apparatus including a mechanical assembly comprising at least one movable rod fastened to the frame and comprising a free end arranged to cooperate with a flexible membrane of the fluidic concentration and lysis module, an optical measurement system for measuring fluorescence through one or more amplification chambers of the fluidic detection module of the cartridge, a control and processing unit.

A microfluidic system includes a microfluidic cartridge and a detector assembly. The microfluidic cartridge includes a first and second side and at least one flow channel and an inlet to flow channel(s) for feeding a liquid sample, the flow channel(s) includes a plurality of first optical detection sites. The detector assembly includes a slot. The detector assembly and the microfluidic cartridge are constructed such that when the microfluidic cartridge is inserted to a first predetermined position into the slot, one of the first optical detection sites of the microfluidic cartridge is positioned in the beam path of the first light source, and when the cartridge is inserted to a second predetermined position into the slot, another one of the first optical detection sites of the microfluidic cartridge is positioned in the beam path of the first light source.

The object of the invention is to avoid a decrease in dispensing accuracy of a sample, a reagent, or the like as a temperature changes. In an automatic analyzer, a dispensing nozzle sucks the sample from a sample container holding the sample and discharges the sample to a reaction container. A syringe pump controls an amount of change in a volume of water. A first pipe connects the dispensing nozzle and the syringe pump. An electromagnetic valve flows or stops the water. A second pipe connects the electromagnetic valve and the syringe pump. A branch pipe branches the water. A third pipe connects the electromagnetic valve and the branch pipe. A case accommodates at least the syringe pump, the first pipe, the electromagnetic valve, the second pipe, the branch pipe, and the third pipe. Further, the third pipe includes a heat exchange unit that performs heat exchange of the water.

Devices, methods and systems are provided for reducing the sample volume required for analysis. Inserts placed within a sample container, and substitute sample containers having smaller volume sample chambers are provided. Methods are provided for detection and quantification of target substances in reduced volume samples. Methods include placing a small-volume of sample in a small-volume insert. Methods include diluting a small-volume sample, and placing the diluted sample in a small-volume insert. Methods include reducing the volume of sample, and: increasing illumination; increasing dye concentration or amount; increasing the amount of an enzyme substrate; increasing the amounts, concentration, or labeling of antibodies for detection; increasing optical detector sensitivity; increasing the path length of light passing through the sample; decreasing the separation between sample and detector; altering the wavelength, or polarization, or number of wavelengths, passing through the sample; increasing electronic amplification of electrical signals; altering assay temperature; and other alterations.

A joint point-of-care testing (POCT) analyzer, and a system comprising an analyzer and a cartridge, for measuring one or more analyte quantities per unit volume of blood and one or more formed element quantities per unit volume of blood, is described. Examples of formed elements of blood are red blood cells and white blood cells, and cell counts are determined by imaging using a two-dimensional multi-channel detector. Examples of analytes are hemoglobin and bilirubin, and hemoglobin and bilirubin concentrations are determined by spectroscopy using a one-dimensional multi-channel detector. Other examples of analytes are electrolytes, and electrolyte concentrations may be determined using biosensors incorporated in the cartridges.

An example system includes an array of retaining features in a microfluidic cavity, an array of thermally controlled releasing features, and a controller coupled to each releasing feature in the array of releasing feature. Each retaining feature in the array of retaining features is to position capsules at a predetermined location, the capsules having a thermally degradable shell enclosing a biological reagent therein. Each releasing feature in the array of releasing features corresponds to a retaining feature and is to selectively cause degradation of the shell of a capsule. Each releasing feature is to generate thermal energy to facilitate degradation of the shell. The controller is to selectively activate at least one releasing feature in the array of thermally controlled releasing features to release the biological reagent in the capsules positioned at the retaining feature corresponding to the activated releasing feature.

The present invention contemplates use of encapsulated aqueous and non-aqueous reagents, solutions and solvents and their use in laboratory procedures. These encapsulated aqueous or non-aqueous reagents, solutions and solvents can be completely contained or encapsulated in microcapsules or nanocapsules that can be added to an aqueous or non-aqueous carrier solution or liquid required for medical and research laboratory testing of biological or non-biological specimens.