Outlet fittings are provided. Outlet fittings of interest include an elongate structure and an opening at a proximal end for receiving a flow stream from the distal end of a flow cell. In addition, the outlet fittings described herein are configured to reduce the formation of bubbles at the interface between the outlet fitting and the flow cell. In certain cases, outlet fittings do not include a planar surface in contact with the received flow stream. Flow cytometers and methods employing the subject outlet fittings are also provided.

Outlet fittings are provided. Outlet fittings of interest include an elongate structure and an opening at a proximal end for receiving a flow stream from the distal end of a flow cell. In addition, the outlet fittings described herein are configured to reduce the formation of bubbles at the interface between the outlet fitting and the flow cell. In certain cases, outlet fittings do not include a planar surface in contact with the received flow stream. Flow cytometers and methods employing the subject outlet fittings are also provided.

A microfluidic device comprises a lower layer that is electrically conductive and transparent with respect to an incident optical beam, an upper layer, comprising first portions that are electrically conductive and second portions that are electrically insulating, adjacent and alternated to the first ones; a compartment seamlessly extending between the lower layer and the upper layer; the compartment contains a filler medium configured to emit an optical emission beam and markers dispersed in the filler medium, which are electrically charged and are adapted to move inside the compartment in all directions according to the intensity of the electrical signal applied to the first portions, the filler medium is configured to interact with the markers to increase or decrease the intensity of the optical emission beam according to the local concentration of the markers.

A system for detecting analytes in a test sample, and a method for processing the same, is provided. The system includes a cartridge reader unit that has a control unit and a pneumatic system, and a cartridge assembly that prepares the samples with mixing material(s) through communication channels. The assembly has a memory chip with parameters for preparing the sample and at least one sensor (GMR sensor) for detecting analytes in the sample. The assembly is pneumatically and electronically mated with the reader unit via a pneumatic interface and an electronic interface such that the parameters may be implemented via the control unit. The pneumatic system is contained within the unit and has pump(s) and valve(s) for selectively applying fluid pressure to the pneumatic interface of the assembly, and thus through the communication channels, to move the sample and mixing material(s) through and to sensor. The control unit activates the pneumatic system to prepare the sample and provide it to the sensor for detecting analytes, and also processes measurements from the sensor to generate test results.

The invention relates to a system (10) adapted to measure multiple biophysical characteristics of cells, the system (10) comprising: a microfluidic chip (12) provided with a microfluidic channel (14) which allows cells to flow through, the microfluidic channel (14) having an inlet (14a), an outlet (14b), and a lateral opening (14c) situated between the inlet (14a) and the outlet (14b); and a capacitive sensor (30) integrated in the microfluidic chip, adapted to obtain biophysical characteristics of a single cell in the microfluidic channel (14) by directly manipulating the single cell by sensor elements (31, 32) through the lateral opening (14c) of the microfluidic channel (14), the sensor (30) comprising a stationary part and an electrostatically driven movable part which is movable relative to the stationary part, the stationary part being fixed to the microfluidic chip (12), the movable part being arranged in the lateral opening (14c) of the microfluidic channel (14), wherein a portion of the sensor elements (31, 32) provides an interface between fluid and air in the system.

The disclosure relates to an apparatus and associated method for concentration of polarizable molecules within a fluid medium. The apparatus comprising a structure defining a cavity, having a cross-sectional dimension of 200 nm or less; at least two translocation electrodes positioned relative to the structure to enable generation of a DC electric field passing through the cavity; and at least two trapping electrodes positioned relative to the structure to enable generation of a time-varying electric field proximal to the cavity inlet.

The present invention relates to a sensor assembly (1) for body fluids. The sensor assembly (1) comprises: a measurement chamber (2) extending in an axial direction from an inlet end (3) to an outlet end (4), the measurement chamber having a transverse cross-section with side walls (5, 6) defining a chamber width in a horizontal direction, and with top and bottom walls (8, 7) defining a chamber height in a vertical direction, each of the side walls (5, 6), top wall (8) and bottom wall (7) having a respective wall wettability for aqueous solutions; a first sensor (10a-h) adapted to measure a first parameter of body fluids, the first sensor (10 a-h) having a first sensor surface (11a-h) exposed to the inside of the measurement chamber at a first axial position, the first sensor surface (11a-h) having a first wettability for aqueous solutions; and a second sensor (20) adapted to measure a second parameter of body fluids, the second sensor (20) having a second sensor surface (21) exposed to the inside of the measurement chamber (2) at a second axial position upstream or downstream from the first axial position, the second sensor surface (21) having a second wettability for aqueous solutions higher than the first wettability. At the second axial position, the chamber width exceeds the width of the second sensor surface (21), and the measurement chamber has a widening (22) in a horizontal direction as compared to the first axial position.

The techniques relate to methods and apparatus for sensing an analyte. At least one sensor element is configured to sense an analyte, the at least one sensor element comprising a first portion and a second portion. A first current electrode is attached to the first portion and a second current electrode is attached to the second portion. A first measurement electrode is attached to the first portion and a second measurement electrode is attached to the second portion.

A method for translocation of a peptide through a nanopore, wherein the method comprises translocating the peptide in the presence of an oligonucleotide translocase, wherein the peptide is comprised by a peptide-oligonucleotide complex, wherein the peptide is linked to an oligonucleotide, wherein the oligonucleotide translocase is associated to the oligonucleotide during at least part of the translocation.

Methods and devices for testing a biological sample are provided. A tape includes multiple channels or reservoirs having inlet and outlet ports. One tape having biological sample disposed in its channels is temporarily mated with another tape having reagents disposed in its channels via a serpentine belt and compression roller assembly. Pulsed fluidic operations combine the reagents and the biological sample for subsequent observation, detection, storage and/or disposal. Fluidic transfer is provided in a uniform operation or in conjunction with a sensory feedback assembly.