An apparatus for performing microfluidic-based biochemical assays, the apparatus includes a microfluidic device, wherein the microfluidic device comprises at least a microfluidic feature comprising at least a reservoir configured to contain at least a fluid, and at least an alignment feature for positioning and attaching a sensor device, wherein the at least an alignment feature is not contacting the at least a microfluidic feature, at least a sensor device configured to be in sensed communication with the at least a fluid and detect at least a sensed property, and at least a flow component fluidically connected to the at least a microfluidic feature configured to flow the at least a fluid through the at least a sensor device.

Disclosed is a test strip device, comprising a strip body and a blocking element. The strip body has a first face and a second face. The strip body has an injection opening, a flow channel and a reaction receptacle. The injection opening reaches the first face, the flow channel is in fluid communication between the injection opening and the reaction receptacle, and the flow channel is in fluid communication with the injection opening through a flow channel opening. The blocking element is vertically movably disposed in the injection opening, and the blocking element selectively closes the flow channel opening. Therefore, the back flow of a sample can be prevented, so as to ensure chemical reaction of the sample and a reagent and thus improve accuracy of the test results.

A specimen transfer device adapted to receive a blood sample is disclosed. The specimen transfer device includes a housing and an actuation member. A deformable material is disposed within the housing and is deformable from an initial position in which the material is adapted to hold the sample to a deformed position in which at least a portion of the sample is released from the material. A viscoelastic member is disposed within the housing between the material and the housing and between the material and the actuation member. The viscoelastic member is engaged with the actuation member and the material such that movement of the actuation member from a first position to a second position deforms the material from the initial position to the deformed position.

A specimen transfer device adapted to receive a blood sample is disclosed. The specimen transfer device includes a housing and an actuation member. A deformable material is disposed within the housing and is deformable from an initial position in which the material is adapted to hold the sample to a deformed position in which at least a portion of the sample is released from the material. A viscoelastic member is disposed within the housing between the material and the housing and between the material and the actuation member. The viscoelastic member is engaged with the actuation member and the material such that movement of the actuation member from a first position to a second position deforms the material from the initial position to the deformed position.

In situ-generated microfluidic isolation structures incorporating a solidified polymer network, methods of preparation and use, compositions and kits therefor are described. The ability to introduce in real time, a variety of isolating structures including pens and barriers offers improved methods of micro-object manipulation in microfluidic devices. The in situ-generated isolation structures may be permanently or temporarily installed.

Disclosed is a test strip device, comprising a strip body and a blocking element. The strip body has a first face and a second face. The strip body has an injection opening, a flow channel and a reaction receptacle. The injection opening reaches the first face, the flow channel is in fluid communication between the injection opening and the reaction receptacle, and the flow channel is in fluid communication with the injection opening through a flow channel opening. The blocking element is vertically movably disposed in the injection opening, and the blocking element selectively closes the flow channel opening. Therefore, the back flow of a sample can be prevented, so as to ensure chemical reaction of the sample and a reagent and thus improve accuracy of the test results.

A chip that does not require high-accuracy discharge amount control for a liquid delivery pump and can suppress entrainment of air bubbles, including: a first flow path; a second flow path; a merging portion provided on a downstream end portion side of the first flow path and merge the first fluid and the second fluid; a first connection flow path connecting the first flow path and the second flow path at the merging portion and have a liquid delivery resistance higher than the first flow path; a degassing flow path connecting to the second flow path on a downstream side of the first connection flow path; a third flow path provided on a downstream side of the merging portion; and a second connection flow path connecting the first flow path and the third flow path and have a liquid delivery resistance higher than the first flow path.

A specimen mixing and transfer device adapted to receive a sample is disclosed. The specimen mixing and transfer device includes a housing, a material including pores that is disposed within the housing, and a dry anticoagulant powder within the pores of the material. In one embodiment, the material is a sponge material. In other embodiments, the material is an open cell foam. In one embodiment, the material is treated with an anticoagulant to form a dry anticoagulant powder finely distributed throughout the pores of the material. A blood sample may be received within the specimen mixing and transfer device. The blood sample is exposed to and mixes with the anticoagulant powder while passing through the material.

A method of detecting passage of a particle into a target location includes receiving a sample on a die including a microfluidic chamber, the microfluidic chamber including a microfluidic path coupling a reservoir to a foyer, and moving the sample from the reservoir to the foyer by firing a nozzle fluidically coupled to the foyer. The method further includes detecting passage of a particle of the sample from the reservoir to the foyer via a first sensor disposed within the microfluidic path, and detecting passage of the particle into the target location via a second sensor disposed between the first sensor and the nozzle. The method includes recording in a dispense map, an indication of whether the target location includes a single particle or multiple particles based on signals measured by the first sensor and the second sensor.