Among other things, the present invention is related to devices and methods for improving optical analysis of a thin layer of a sample sandwiched between containing between two plates.

Described herein are methods and apparatus for spectroscopic analysis of samples. In many embodiments, an apparatus for providing spectroscopic analysis of a sample comprises a sample holder. For example, the sample holder may comprise a consumable single use sample holder that can be readily coupled to and removed from a measurement apparatus such as a spectrometer. The sample holder may comprise a measurement surface configured to receive the sample during measurement, wherein the measurement surface may comprise a porous mesh. The porous mesh can receive the sample to optimally configure the sample for spectroscopic measurement, as described in further detail herein.

The present invention relates to a device for a light-spectroscopic analysis of a sample, wherein said sample is, for example, a liquid sample. Said sample can be detected and/or analyzed photometrically, spectrophotometrically, fluorometrically, spectrofluorometrically and/or with the aid of phosphorescence or luminescence by means of such a device.

The present disclosure relates to a novel absorbance-based colorimetric device system, and to methods of using the novel absorbance-based colorimetric device system.

An apparatus for loading and imaging a microfluidic chip can comprise a housing having walls that define a vacuum chamber and a first receptacle disposed within the vacuum chamber, the first receptacle defining a space for receiving one or more microfluidic chips. The apparatus can also include a negative pressure source, a light source, and an optical sensor coupled to the housing. The negative pressure source can be configured to reduce pressure within the vacuum chamber, the light source can be positioned to illuminate at least a portion of the space for receiving the chip(s), and the optical sensor can be positioned to capture an image of at least a portion of the space for receiving the chip(s).

Among other things, the present invention is related to devices and methods for improving optical analysis of a thin layer of a sample sandwiched between containing between two plates.

Among other things, the present invention is related to devices and methods for improving optical analysis of a thin layer of a sample sandwiched between containing between two plates.

A sample holder (10) comprises: an upper layer (20); a lower layer (40); a middle layer (30) between the upper and lower layers; and a sample chamber (33) formed by a through-hole in the middle layer (30), covered at its upper extent by a portion of the bottom surface of the upper layer (20), and at its lower extent by a portion of the top surface of the lower layer (40), wherein at least part of the bottom surface of the upper layer (20) overlapping a portion of a top periphery of the sample chamber (33) comprises a hydrophobic surface, wherein the hydrophobic surface is sufficiently hydrophobic that a contact angle of a water droplet on the hydrophobic surface would exceed 110.

The present disclosure provides a microfluidic chip, including: first base substrate and a second base substrate opposite to each other; first electrode and second electrode between the first base substrate and the second base substrate and configured to control droplet to move between the first base substrate and the second base substrate according to voltages applied on the first electrode and the second electrode; light guide component configured to guide light propagating in the first base substrate to the droplet; shading component and detection component, shading component having light transmission regions spaced from each other, light transmission regions being configured to transmit light passing through the droplet to the detection component, wherein detection component is on second base substrate and is configured to obtain property of the droplet according to an intensity of the light passing through droplet and received from the light transmission regions.

Apparatus for performing multiple different measurements on a small specimen sample, enabling testing and diagnoses in real time at the point of care are described. The core of the apparatus includes an ultrasonic resonator cavity where acoustic resonances are used to determine the speed of sound and sound attenuation in a single droplet. Acoustic measurements are made in the reflection mode using electrical impedance of a small piezoelectric crystal transducer that operates in the thickness longitudinal mode. Combination of this technology with electromagnetic, electrical, and magnetic fields permits multiple types of measurements to be made using the same resonator cavity.