A system and process may be used to test water samples to measure ATP and/or estimate a microbial population, for example using an adenosine triphosphate (ATP) based assay. The system includes a device that is use in combination with single-use or disposable cartridges. The cartridge receives the water sample and is pre-loaded with one or more reagents. The device receives the cartridge and contains physical, electronic and/or mechatronic devices that interact with cartridge. One or more actions such as metering, mixing and conveying are performed automatically by elements of the device and/or cartridge. A sensor in the device measures light produced in the cartridge from a reaction with ATP in the water sample. Optionally, the cartridge also contains a pre-loaded amount of ATP, which is used to provide an internal reference or calibration measurement.

Disclosed are a microfluidic chip (1000) and a manufacturing method therefor. The microfluidic chip comprises a substrate (100) and a detection area (2) located on the substrate (100), the substrate (100) is provided with a first liquid storage groove (11) and a second liquid storage groove (12), the first liquid storage groove (11) and the second liquid storage groove (12) are in liquid communication with the detection area (2), the first liquid storage groove (11) is provided with a first opening (51) for liquid to flow out, and the second liquid storage groove (12) is provided with a second opening (52) for liquid to flow out; and when the microfluidic chip (1000) is used for sample detection, along with rotation of the microfluidic chip (1000), a rear end of the liquid flowing out of the first liquid storage groove (11) reaches the detection area (2) earlier than a front end of the liquid flowing out of the second liquid storage groove (12).

A cell culture system includes: a plurality of cell culture channels each of which includes a fluidic device in which cells are cultured, a pump which makes a liquid flow into the fluidic device, a detection unit which detects a state of the cells that are cultured, and a controller which controls the pump and the detection unit; a measurement unit that measures culture environment of the cells which are cultured in the plurality of cell culture channels; and an information processing apparatus that adjusts the culture environment such that an absolute value of a difference between evaluation values for the states of the cells that are cultured in the plurality of cell culture channels is a threshold value or less, on the basis of the state of the cells detected by the detection unit and the culture environment of the cells measured by the measurement unit.

A fluorescent in-situ hybridization imaging system, including a flow cell to contain a sample to be exposed to fluorescent probes in a reagent; a plurality of reagent reservoirs, each reagent reservoir including a container to hold a liquid reagent; a valve system to control flow from one of a plurality of reagent reservoirs to the flow cell; a pressure source coupled to each of the plurality of reagent reservoirs to apply a positive pressure to liquid reagent in the container and urge the liquid reagent to flow toward the flow cell; and a fluorescence microscope including a variable frequency excitation light source and a camera positioned to receive fluorescently emitted light from the sample.

An analysis unit formed by an analysis body housing an analysis chamber and having a sample inlet and a supply channel configured to fluidically connect the sample inlet to the analysis chamber. Dried assay reagents are arranged in the analysis chamber and are contained in an alveolar mass. For instance, the alveolar mass is a lyophilized mass formed by excipients and by assay-specific reagents.

The present invention provides an apparatus for collecting and detecting liquid samples comprising a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber is used for collecting liquid samples for initial detection, and the second chamber is used for collecting liquid samples for second confirmatory detection. The first chamber and second chamber of the apparatus are detachable. When a second confirmatory detection is necessary, the second chamber can be separated from the first chamber, and then sent to a detection agency for confirmatory detection. It can avoid the contamination of liquid samples caused by contacting with test strip of a traditional apparatus; thus, it can effectively reduce the space required for storing liquid samples and greatly reduce the risk of leakage of liquid sampled during transportation.

Systems and methods are provided for producing isolated microfluidic droplets. In one aspect, a microfluidic system comprises a droplet isolation device and an injection system. The droplet isolation device includes at least one isolation unit and at least one capillary valve. The isolation unit has at least one chamber configured to receive at least two different aqueous solutions without mixing prior to entering the at least one chamber based at least in part on pressure levels of the at least two different aqueous solutions. The injection system includes an aqueous inlet, a non-aqueous inlet, a bypass outlet, a working fluid outlet, and a loading chamber. The injection system is configured to allow for a predetermined amount of each of the at least two different aqueous solutions to be delivered to the droplet isolation device sequentially.

A device for preparing a solution from a sample and a reagent, the device includes a microfluidic array having a sample supply inlet, a reagent supply inlet, a discharge outlet, a solution collection outlet, a sampling zone to which the inlets are connected, first and second preparation chambers connected to the sampling zone, arranged to either side of the sampling zone such that the liquid flowing from one preparation chamber to the other flows through the first sampling zone, the first preparation chamber having a volume that is variable between a minimum volume and a calibrated volume. The device includes valves interrupting the flow of the fluid at least at the two inlets and the collection and discharge outlets.

A method of identifying the presence of an analyte may include providing an in vitro test device and a test swab; obtaining a sample using the test swab; transitioning the locking member from the first configuration to the second configuration; advancing the plunger into the housing to pierce the one or more reagent pouches in the reagent region to cause reagent therein to be released and mix; inserting the test swab with obtained sample into the interior of the plunger; rotating the in vitro test device and disposing it on its plunger base; and determining whether the analyte is present. The in vitro test device may include a plunger, a housing, one or more reagent pouches disposed in the housing, a lateral flow test strip, and a locking member having configurations that either allow or prevent reagent in the one or more reagent pouches from being released.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a microfluidic device. The device comprises a flow path structure that includes an inlet microchannel and chambers. The flow path structure is configured as an arborescence extending from the inlet microchannel to the chambers. Thus, liquid introduced in said inlet microchannel can potentially enter the chambers via respective flow paths to remain essentially confined in the chambers, in operation. The device further comprises substances in selected ones of the chambers. That is, a subset of the chambers is loaded with substances adapted for interacting with liquid to yield a detectable change in a property of the liquid and/or the substance in each of the chambers of said subset, in operation. The invention is further directed to related devices, and methods of operation and conditioning.