The present invention relates to a system and method for moving samples, such as fluid, within a microfluidic system using a plurality of gas actuators for applying pressure at different locations within the microfluidic. The system includes a substrate which forms a fluid network through which fluid flows, and a plurality of gas actuators integral with the substrate. One such gas actuator is coupled to the network at a first location for providing gas pressure to move a microfluidic sample within the network. Another gas actuator is coupled to the network at a second location for providing gas pressure to further move at least a portion of the microfluidic sample within the network. A valve is coupled to the microfluidic network so that, when the valve is closed, it substantially isolates the second gas actuator from the first gas actuator.

A matrix droplet extruder includes one or a plurality of reagent containers. Pneumatic connectors are each connectable to a corresponding docking station connector of a docking station that is connectable to a pneumatic generator controllable by a controller to provide pneumatic pressure to the pneumatic docking station connectors. A droplet matrix extrusion surface includes an array of perforations. A liquid management chip has a network of dispensing channels for dispensing reagents from reagent containers through the array of perforations. A pneumatic control network includes pneumatic channels and gates that are controllable by application of the pneumatic pressure to the gates via the pneumatic channels to enable or block dispensing the one or more reagents to repeatedly generate a matrix of droplets when applying the pneumatic pressure to the reagents.

Instrument for performing a diagnostic test on a fluidic cartridge A cartridge reader is for carrying out a diagnostic test on a sample contained in a fluidic cartridge inserted into the reader. The fluidic cartridge comprises a fluidic layer comprising at least one sample processing region, at least one collapsible blister containing a liquid reagent, a pneumatic interface, an electrical interface and at least one mechanical valve. The reader comprises a housing; an upper clamp occupying a fixed position relative to the reader, and a lower clamp, movable relative to the first clamp, wherein the upper clamp and the lower clamp define a cartridge receiving region therebetween. The reader comprises a thermal module comprised in the lower clamp, wherein the thermal module comprises at least one thermal stack for heating the at least one sample processing region of the cartridge inserted into the reader. The reader comprises at least one mechanical actuator for actuating the mechanical valve comprised in the cartridge inserted into the reader.

A dispensing apparatus including; a plurality of first accommodating units which are formed in communication with each other and which are configured to be able to divide and accommodate a fluid sample transferred by external force; a plurality of second accommodating units each configured to accommodate the fluid sample which has been divided into the plurality of the first accommodating units; and transfer means each configured to transfer the fluid sample, which has been accommodated in the plurality of the first accommodating units, to the second accommodating units.

A matrix droplet extruder includes one or a plurality of reagent containers. Pneumatic connectors are each connectable to a corresponding docking station connector of a docking station that is connectable to a pneumatic generator controllable by a controller to provide pneumatic pressure to the pneumatic docking station connectors. A droplet matrix extrusion surface includes an array of perforations. A liquid management chip has a network of dispensing channels for dispensing reagents from reagent containers through the array of perforations. A pneumatic control network includes pneumatic channels and gates that are controllable by application of the pneumatic pressure to the gates via the pneumatic channels to enable or block dispensing the one or more reagents to repeatedly generate a matrix of droplets when applying the pneumatic pressure to the reagents.

One or more liquids are transferred from a source array to one or more remotely positioned destination sites such as chambers by utilizing one or more movable transfer elements, such as contact pins or capillaries. The source array may include a predetermined organization of addresses at which materials are positioned. One or more materials may be selected for transfer. Based on the selection, one or more addresses may be accessed by the transfer element(s). The addresses may correspond to spots on a surface of the source array. Each spot may be a feature containing one or more (bio)chemical compounds. At the chamber(s), the material(s) may be processed, such by reaction with one or more reagents. The reaction(s) may entail synthesis of one or more desired products. Alternatively, reaction(s) may be performed at the source array, and the product(s) then transferred to the chamber(s).

A cartridge reader is configured to carry out a diagnostic test on a fluid sample contained within a fluidic cartridge. The cartridge comprises first, second and third collapsible blisters containing at least one reagent for use in the diagnostic test. The cartridge reader comprises an upper clamp, occupying a fixed position relative to the reader and a lower clamp, movable relative to the upper clamp, and wherein the upper clamp and the lower clamp are configured to receive and hold a fluidic cartridge therebetween. First, second and third blister actuators are mounted on the upper clamp, for aligning with first, second and third collapsible blisters of a fluidic cartridge inserted into the reader. The first, second and third blister actuators are movable relative to the upper clamp, between a first position in which the blister actuators are spaced apart from the collapsible blisters comprised on the fluidic cartridge received between the upper and lower clamps, and a second position in which the blister actuators depress the collapsible blisters, thereby collapsing the blisters and ejecting the reagents contained therein into a channel in the microfluidic cartridge.

Instrument for performing a diagnostic test on a fluidic cartridge A cartridge reader is for carrying out a diagnostic test on a sample contained in a fluidic cartridge inserted into the reader. The fluidic cartridge comprises a fluidic layer comprising at least one sample processing region, at least one collapsible blister containing a liquid reagent, a pneumatic interface, an electrical interface and at least one mechanical valve. The reader comprises a housing; an upper clamp occupying a fixed position relative to the reader, and a lower clamp, movable relative to the first clamp, wherein the upper clamp and the lower clamp define a cartridge receiving region therebetween. The reader comprises a thermal module comprised in the lower clamp, wherein the thermal module comprises at least one thermal stack for heating the at least one sample processing region of the cartridge inserted into the reader. The reader comprises at least one mechanical actuator for actuating the mechanical valve comprised in the cartridge inserted into the reader.

Described herein is a system for on-demand synthesis/analysis of compounds and/or diagnostic applications. In general, any application that requires a low-cost binary switch valve array for fast (<100 ms) switching of gases or liquids, in a spatially compact format, is compatible with the system described herein.

A nano-flow fractionator apparatus, comprises: one or more sources of mobile phase solvent; a source of auxiliary solvent; a sample injection valve; a chromatographic column having an inner diameter of less than or equal to 75 micro-meters, a column inlet end and a column outlet end; a solvent fraction delivery line comprising: an inlet end that is configured to receive eluate that is emitted from the column outlet end and an outlet end that is configured to dispense the eluate to each of a plurality of sample fraction containers; a fluid junction configured to receive the eluate that is emitted from the column outlet end and to receive a flow of the auxiliary solvent that is delivered from the source of auxiliary solvent and to deliver the eluate and the flow of auxiliary solvent to the solvent fraction delivery line.