The present invention provides methods, systems and apparatus in which one fluid passes through an orifice or orifices and mixes with another fluid as it flows through a microchannel.

A method for analysis of biological samples, implemented in a reversed open microwell system which includes an array of open microwells, a microchannel, an input port for reagents and/or biological samples and an output port. The ports are in microfluidic communication with the microchannel. The microchannel has a cross-section area of micrometric dimensions and provides fluid to the microwells. The microwell system is inserted in an automated management system that includes: an incubator at controlled temperature, humidity and CO2, fluid dispensing system, phase-contrast and fluorescence image acquisition. A kit introduces fluids in a microfluidic device that includes a tip. A microfluidic device and system include a microchannel and an input region having a vertical channel. The tip and the vertical channel are dimensioned to produce an interference coupling. A discharge region includes: a discharge container connected with the microfluidic device through a discharge channel and an output port.

Disclosed herein is a cell harvesting instrument suitable for concentrating cells from a source suspension of cells and/or washing said cells, the instrument comprising: a housing for accommodating mechanical elements including at least one fluid pump, at least one valve; and a processing kit removably insertable into the housing, said kit including a generally flat frame having or supporting plural sealed fluid paths arranged in a generally flat plane and such that fluids in the paths do not contact said mechanical elements, wherein at least portions of the fluid paths comprise flexible tubes, or outer surfaces of which are manipulateable by the or each fluid pump, to provide fluid flow in one or more of the pats and/or by the or each valve to restrict fluid flow in one or more of the paths. In an embodiment, the kit comprises also a fluid processing reservoir and a filter suitable for separating cells from fluid in said paths. A transfer mechanism for moving and weighing the fluid processing reservoir is disclosed also.

Methods are provided for the large-scale high-content analysis of biological samples. In some embodiments, the methods are implemented in a reversed open microwell system that includes an array of open microwells, at least one microchannel, at least one input port and at least one output port In certain embodiments, the reversed open microwell system can be inserted in an automated management system which includes an incubator at controlled temperature, humidity and CO2 levels, a fluid dispensing system, and is capable of phase-contrast and fluorescence image acquisition.

Also provided are kits for introducing fluids into a microfluidic device and systems for discharging one or more fluids in a microfluidic device.

A reaction processor includes: a vessel installation unit for installing a reaction processing vessel provided with a channel formed in a substrate; a high temperature heater and a medium temperature heater for adjusting the temperature of the channel of the reaction processing vessel; a vessel alignment mechanism for adjusting the position of the reaction processing vessel 10; and a housing that has a housing main unit and a cover portion capable of being opened and closed with respect to the housing main unit and that houses the vessel installation unit, the high temperature heater, the medium temperature heater, and the vessel alignment mechanism. In conjunction with the state of the cover portion being changed from an open state to a closed state, the vessel alignment mechanism aligns the reaction processing vessel such that the reaction processing vessel can be heated by the high temperature heater and the medium temperature heater.

Described herein is a highly effective route towards the controlled and isotropic reduction in size-scale, of complex 3D structures using silicone network polymer chemistry. In particular, a class of silicone structures were developed that once patterned and cured can shrink micron scale additive manufactured and lithographically patterned structures by as much as 1 order of magnitude while preserving the dimensions and integrity of these parts. This class of silicone materials is compatible with existing additive manufacture and soft lithographic fabrication processes and will allow access to a hitherto unobtainable dimensionality of fabrication.

Described herein is a highly effective route towards the controlled and isotropic reduction in size-scale, of complex 3D structures using silicone network polymer chemistry. In particular, a class of silicone structures were developed that once patterned and cured can shrink micron scale additive manufactured and lithographically patterned structures by as much as 1 order of magnitude while preserving the dimensions and integrity of these parts. This class of silicone materials is compatible with existing additive manufacture and soft lithographic fabrication processes and will allow access to a hitherto unobtainable dimensionality of fabrication.

Disclosed is a microfluidic cartridge that can perform highly accurate lab quality DNA tests and other amplification based tests at the point of care. The cartridge may have slanted channels that angle downward from the inlet well, where the sample is deposited, to the reaction well, where the sample will flow down to and initiate the reaction. In some examples, the cartridge may be fabricated from specific materials that enhance passive flow through the channels. Additionally, the reaction wells have an access port that allows ventilation to the reaction wells that enhances the flow of the sample from the inlet to the reaction well. The access ports allow convenient access for depositing the reaction mixture into the reaction wells after the cartridge is fabricated.

A method of manufacturing an electrowetting device includes dispensing a first liquid on a surface of a support plate and dispensing a second liquid to adjoin the first liquid. The first liquid is a solution. A first portion of the first liquid transfers into the second liquid to form a first layer of liquid and a second layer of liquid substantially immiscible with the first layer. The first layer comprises a second portion of the first liquid and the second layer comprises the second liquid and the first portion.

A method for fabricating an electrowetting display may include disposing an etching barrier on a substrate to delineate a first region and a second region of the substrate, the etching barrier covering the second region of the substrate; etching the first region of the substrate to form an etched first region of the substrate, wherein at least a portion of the second region of the substrate is a protrusion formed in response to the etching of the first region; removing the etching barrier; disposing a black matrix on the second region of the substrate; and forming a spacer over the black matrix disposed on the second region of the substrate.