A cell processing system, fluidics cartridge, and methods for using actuated surface-attached posts for processing cells are disclosed. Particularly, the cell processing system includes a fluidics cartridge and a control instrument. The fluidics cartridge includes a cell processing chamber that has a micropost array therein, a sample reservoir and a wash reservoir that supply the cell processing chamber, and a waste reservoir and an eluent reservoir at the output of the cell processing chamber. A micropost actuation mechanism and a cell counting mechanism are provided in close proximity to the cell processing chamber. A method is provided of using the cell processing system to collect, wash, and recover cells. Another method is provided of using the cell processing system to collect, wash, count, and recover cells at a predetermined cell density.

A system, mixing-enhanced microfluidic container, and methods for small volume sample collection and/or analysis is disclosed. Namely, the invention is directed to a small volume sample collection system that includes a mixing-enhanced microfluidic container and a durable reusable actuation chuck. The mixing-enhanced microfluidic container is used to collect small volumes of sample fluid and includes a means for mixing the sample fluid with reagents disposed within the microfluidic container. The mixing means utilize an array of surface-attached structures (e.g., a micropost array). The application of an actuation force, such as a magnetic or electric field, actuates the surface-attached structures into movement, wherein the actuation chuck in close proximity to the mixing-enhanced microfluidic container provides the actuation force.

A flow cell is provided that includes surface-attached structures in a chamber. The structures are movable in response to a magnetic or electric field. A target extraction or isolation system includes the flow cell and a driver configured for applying a magnetic or electric field to the interior of the flow cell to actuate movement of the structures. The flow cell may be utilized to extract or isolate a target from a sample flowing through the flow cell. Further, a microfluidic system is provided that includes surface-attached structures and a microarray, wherein actuated motion of the surface-attached structures is used to enhance flow, circulation, and/or mixing action for analyte capture on the microarray.

Magnetic-based actuation mechanisms for and methods of actuating magnetically responsive microposts in a reaction (or assay) chamber is disclosed. Namely, a microfluidics system is provided that includes a microfluidics device (or cartridge) that includes the reaction (or assay) chamber in which a field of surface-attached magnetically responsive microposts is installed. The presently disclosed magnetic-based actuation mechanisms are provided in close proximity to the magnetically responsive microposts wherein the magnetic-based actuation mechanisms are used for actuating the magnetically responsive microposts. Namely, the magnetic-based actuation mechanisms generate an actuation force that is used to compel at least some of the magnetically responsive microposts to exhibit motion. Additionally, methods of using the presently disclosed magnetic-based actuation mechanisms for actuating the magnetically responsive microposts are provided.