A method of determining thermal properties of a sample using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), the method comprises injecting a first separation fluid, a sample plug, and a second separation fluid into a sample cell. The first separation fluid and the sample plug have a first separation interface, and the sample plug and the second fluid have a second separation interface. The method further comprises injecting a reference fluid into a reference cell, heating the sample cell and reference cell, and determining thermal properties of the sample using DSC analysis.

A multiplexer for controlling a fluid in a microchannel by controlling pneumatic pressure in the microchannel in a microfluidics chip includes: a first pneumatic channel; and a second pneumatic channel forming a cross point which is in communication with the first pneumatic channel, wherein the cross point is in communication with the microchannel of the microfluidics chip, and predetermined pneumatic pressure is provided to the microchannel by using a combination of providing of the pneumatic pressure to the first and second pneumatic channels, channel closing, or channel opening.

A microscope slide staining system has a chamber, a plurality of slide support elements, a plurality of spreading devices positionable in association with microscope slides supported on the slide support elements so the spreading devices define a gap between the spreading device and the microscope slide and so the spreading device and the microscope slide are movable relative to one another to spread at least one reagent on the microscope slide independent of the other spreading devices and microscope slides.

A system for orienting particles in a microfluidic system includes one or more radiation pressure sources arranged to expose particles to radiation pressure to cause the particles to adopt a particular orientation in the fluid. A system for sorting particles in a microfluidic system includes a detection stage arranged to detect at least one difference or discriminate between particles in the fluid flow past the detection stage, and one or more radiation pressure sources past which the particles move sequentially and a controller arranged to switch radiation energy to cause a change in direction of movement of selected particles in the fluid flow to sort the particles. The particles may be biological particles such as spermatazoa. The radiation pressure may be optical pressure and may be from one or more waveguides which may extend across a channel of the microfluidic system.

A microfluidic device is disclosed having an enclosed chamber containing a filter for purifying biological or chemical analytes from a complex biological sample, said chamber housing a plurality of ports in addition to said filter, as follows: a first port enabling gas communication of the chamber with a vacuum generator, via a first flow path; a second port enabling liquid communication of the chamber with one or more reservoirs, via a second flow path; a third port enabling gas and liquid communication of the chamber with both one or more receiving containers and a vacuum generator, via a third flow path; and a filter located between the third port and both the first and second port, so that a fluid entering the chamber through the first and/or second port and exiting the chamber through the third port flows through the filter. The invention also relates to a method using the microfluidic device.

A device for handling a particle suspension, in particular a cell suspension, which includes at least one channel for flowing the particle suspension, a pumping unit configured to move a driving fluid and control element for controlling the pumping unit. Also, a method for handling a particle suspension, which includes flowing the particle suspension in or out of at least one channel using a driving fluid for driving the particle suspension in the channel.

Disclosed herein are microfluidic devices and methods to deliver concentration gradients to biological material such as oocytes and embryos for the purpose of cryopreparation, cryopreservation, or thawing. Cryopreservation methods, such as vitrification, involve the use of cryoprotectants to reduce formation of damaging ice crystals in cells during freezing. Microfluidic devices and methods described herein improve cell viability and efficiency during handling and cryopreservation of biological materials.

A mechanism that provides an improved method of loading and unloading a row of disposable pipette tips onto a handheld multichannel pipettor. A single button fur tip load and unload operations is simpler than the current method of using a separate mechanism for ejecting the tips. The tips are configured in a rigid collar which is held by a clamp on the pipettor. An upward force combined with a sealing gasket that mates with the top of the pipette tips is used to provide the seal between the tips and the pipettor. This eliminates the requirement to “press downward” with excessive force in order to force the pipette tips onto a protruding sealing part. The loading and unloading of tips will be more reliable and repeatable, this providing better pipetting results. The low forces of the loading and unloading operations reduce the chance of repetitive stress injury for the operator.

A microfluidic system includes a microfluidic chip having a plurality of fluid channels, each fluid channel having an opening providing access to an interior of the fluid channel, and a gasket disposable on the microfluidic chip in an aligned configuration, the gasket including a first side configured to face the microfluidic chip in the aligned configuration, a second side opposite the first side, and an aperture extending through the gasket from the first side to the second side, the aperture being sized and positioned to allow a communication of pressure from the second side of the gasket to the openings of at least two fluid channels when the gasket is in the aligned configuration.

A dissolution device for measuring a dissolution rate of a test sample in a fluid, the device comprising a first cavity and a second cavity, wherein each of the first and second cavities has a fluid inlet for connection to a fluid supply, and wherein the device comprises an opening between the first and second cavities, and the device comprises a sample support configured to position the test sample across the opening.