Sample preparation systems and methods are described having pump control, valve configurations, and control logic that facilitate automatic, inline preparation dilutions of a sample according to at least two dilution operating modes. A system embodiment includes, but is not limited to a first pump configured to drive a carrier fluid; a second pump configured to drive a diluent; and a plurality of selection valves fluidically coupled with the first pump and the second pump, the plurality of selection valves being configured to direct fluid flows from the first pump and the second pump according to at least two modes of operation to provide a single-stage sample dilution according to a first operating mode and to provide a dual-stage sample dilution according to a second operating mode.

Rotary valves and methods of using, manufacturing, and storing the same are provided herein. The rotary valve includes a rotor and a stator, biased toward one another to form a fluid tight seal. In some implementations, the rotor comprises an integrated flow channel containing a porous solid support. Frequently, the interface between rotor and stator is made fluid-tight using a gasket. Some implementations of the rotary valve include a displaceable spacer to prevent the gasket from sealing against at least one of the rotor and stator prior to operation, wherein when the spacer is displaced, the gasket seals the rotor and stator together in a fluid-tight manner.

It discloses a system for deep sediment flow culture simulating in-situ water pressure, comprising a flow culture apparatus, an inflow pressurizer and an outflow depressurizer, wherein the inflow pressurizer comprises a pressure tank, an air inlet pipe, a pressure regulating valve, a pressure-resistant container and a first support, wherein the pressure tank is connected with an air inlet of the pressure-resistant container through the air inlet pipe, the pressure regulating valve is arranged on the air inlet pipe, and the pressure-resistant container containing in-situ overlying water added with isotopes is placed on the first support, a water outlet of the pressure-resistant container being connected with a water inlet pipe of the flow culture apparatus; the outflow depressurizer comprises a porous medium pipe, a second support, a depressurized water outlet pipe and a water catcher.

An open microfluidic system is provided. The open microfluidic system including the extreme wettability of exclusive liquid repellency (ELR), open microchannels with high lateral resolution and low profile, various valve arrangements, capable of a broad range flow rates, and capable of spatially and temporally trapping particles in open fluid.

A system for detecting analytes in a test sample, and a method for processing the same, is provided. The system includes a cartridge reader unit that has a control unit and a pneumatic system, and a cartridge assembly that prepares the samples with mixing material(s) through communication channels. The assembly has a memory chip with parameters for preparing the sample and at least one sensor (GMR sensor) for detecting analytes in the sample. The assembly is pneumatically and electronically mated with the reader unit via a pneumatic interface and an electronic interface such that the parameters may be implemented via the control unit. The pneumatic system is contained within the unit and has pump(s) and valve(s) for selectively applying fluid pressure to the pneumatic interface of the assembly, and thus through the communication channels, to move the sample and mixing material(s) through and to sensor. The control unit activates the pneumatic system to prepare the sample and provide it to the sensor for detecting analytes, and also processes measurements from the sensor to generate test results.

Rotary valves and methods of using, manufacturing, and storing the same are provided herein. The rotary valve includes a rotor and a stator, biased toward one another to form a fluid tight seal. In some implementations, the rotor comprises an integrated flow channel containing a porous solid support. Frequently, the interface between rotor and stator is made fluid-tight using a gasket. Some implementations of the rotary valve include a displaceable spacer to prevent the gasket from sealing against at least one of the rotor and stator prior to operation, wherein when the spacer is displaced, the gasket seals the rotor and stator together in a fluid-tight manner.

The present invention relates to a chemical vapor-sensor bag with an integrated sensor array to verify the presence of specific chemical vapors inside a sealed bag. In an exemplary embodiment, a device can be sealed within a vapor-sensor bag to allow the device to be transported to and tested for contaminants at the point of use by an end user of the device. In another exemplary embodiment, a device can be coupled to a gas port on a vapor-sensor bag to allow gas within the device to be tested for contaminants. In another exemplary embodiment, gas from a device can be streamed through vapor-sensor bag by coupling the device to a first gas port on a vapor-sensor bag and allowing gas to exit the bag through a second gas port.

Methods of detecting the presence of an analyte in a query sample include providing a sensor that includes biomolecules disposed on a polymer-coated surface of a giant magnetoresistance (GMR) sensor. Modes of operation remove or add magnetic beads from the vicinity of the sensor surface by interactions with the biomolecules. The methods feature detecting the presence of the analyte in the query sample by measuring resistance change of the GMR sensor based on determining resistance before and after passing magnetic particles over the sensor.

A fluidic device can include: a plurality of fluid conduits, each fluid conduit including a first conduit portion separated from a second conduit portion; and at least one transport body that is movably positioned between the first conduit portion and the second conduit portion of each fluid conduit. The at least one transport body can include: at least one port adapted to be aligned with a first conduit portion and a second conduit portion of at least one first conduit so as to fluidly couple the first conduit portion with the second conduit portion; and at least one blocking body portion adapted to be aligned with a first conduit portion and a second conduit portion of at least one second conduit so as to fluidly isolate the first conduit portion from the second conduit portion of the at least one second conduit.