Instruments and methods for amplifying nucleic acids in a sample provided in a flexible, self-contained, substantially closed sample container.

The microfluidic device has a first reservoir that preferably includes a first liquid. The first liquid is being held by a capillary stop valve in the first reservoir. A second reservoir is in fluid communication with the first reservoir. The second reservoir has a second liquid and a sample support disposed therein. The second reservoir has an inlet opening defined therein. A draining unit is adjacent to the second reservoir. The draining unit is in fluid communication with the second reservoir. The draining unit has a first absorption member disposed therein.

A container assembly prevents a situation in which an aqueous liquid layer is contaminated by a component of another aqueous liquid layer even when stored for a long time. A container assembly has a structure in which an adsorption container, a reaction container, a washing container, and an elution container are joined to form a flow channel through which the target nucleic acid is moved. The washing container may include a first washing container, a second washing container, and a third washing container. The washing containerseal-tightly holds a first washing liquid, a second washing liquid, a third washing liquid, a first oil, a second oil, a third oil, and a fourth oil, the first oil, the second oil, the third oil, and the fourth oil being immiscible with the first washing liquid, the second washing liquid, and the third washing liquid. The first washing liquid, the second washing liquid, and the third washing liquid are liquids with which a magnetic bead on which a nucleic acid is adsorbed is washed. The elution container seal-tightly holds an eluent and a fluid that is immiscible with the eluent. The eluent is a liquid with which the target nucleic acid is eluted from the magnetic bead.

A biological detecting cartridge adapted to gather a detected fluid includes a collection port, a first flowing layer structure communicating with the collection port and a second flowing layer structure communicating with the first flowing layer structure. The first and the second flowing layer structures are disposed in different levels in the biological detecting cartridge. A flowing method of a detected fluid in a biological detecting cartridge is further provided.

An assay device includes: a liquid sample zone; a reagent zone downstream and in fluid communication with the sample zone that includes a reagent cell having a line of symmetry in the direction of fluid flow; a reagent material in the reagent cell, wherein the reagent material includes a first reagent material located at the axis of symmetry and is left-right symmetric, and a second and third reagent material having a substantially identical shape and volume and located in mirror locations from the line of symmetry; a detection zone in fluid communication with the reagent zone; and a wicking zone in fluid communication with the detection zone having a capacity to receive liquid sample flowing from the detection zone. The sample addition zone, the detection zone and the wicking zone define a fluid flow path.

Devices and methods for biological sample preparation are provided herein. Components of such devices include a plurality of plungers that can be actuated for metering and/or mixing one or more agents. Methods of manufacturing such devices using 3D printing are also provided.

A major challenge for the general use of “lab-on-a-chip” (LOAC) systems and point-of-care (POC) devices has been the generally complex and need for sophisticated peripheral equipment, such that it is more difficult than anticipated to implement low cost, robust and portable LOAC/POC solutions. It would be beneficial for chemical, medical, healthcare, and environmental applications to provide designs for inexpensive LOAC/POC solutions compatible with miniaturization and mass production, and are potentially portable, using compact possibly hand-held instruments, using reusable or disposable detectors. Embodiments of the invention address improved circuit elements for self-powered self-regulating microfluidic circuits including programmable retention valves, programmable trigger valves, enhanced capillary pumps, and flow resonators. Additionally embodiments of the invention allow for the flow direction within a microfluidic circuit to be reversed as well as for retention of reagents prior to sale or deployment of the microfluidic circuit for eased user use.

A substance purification device ensures that the interface between an aqueous liquid layer and an oil-based liquid layer is maintained in a stable manner. The substance purification device includes a washing flow channel, and an elution flow channel that communicates with the washing flow channel, the washing flow channel including a first part, and a second part that is smaller than the first part as to the cross-sectional area in a plane that is orthogonal to the direction in which the washing flow channel extends, an interface between a washing liquid and a fluid that is immiscible with the washing liquid being situated within the second part, the elution flow channel including a third part, and a fourth part that is smaller than the third part as to the cross-sectional area in a plane that is orthogonal to the direction in which the elution flow channel extends, an interface between an eluent and a fluid that is immiscible with the eluent being situated within the fourth part, the washing liquid being a liquid with which a substance-binding solid-phase carrier on which a substance is adsorbed is washed, and the eluent being a liquid with which the substance is eluted from the substance-binding solid-phase carrier.

A sample extraction chip and a biological reaction device are disclosed according to the present disclosure. The sample extraction chip includes a chip body and a sample extraction module provided on the chip body, the sample extraction module includes a sample-loading lysis unit, a liquid release-control unit, an extraction unit, a liquid switch-control unit, a liquid collection unit and a sample collection unit, which are connected through flow channels in a sequence of extraction. The liquid release-control unit is configured to store and release liquid reagents, and the liquid switch-control unit is configured to switch between communication of the liquid collection unit and the extraction unit and communication of the sample collection unit and the extraction unit. The sample collection unit includes a front collection portion and a rear collection portion which are both in communication with the liquid switch-control unit.

A microfluidic device is disclosed having an enclosed chamber containing a filter for purifying biological or chemical analytes from a complex biological sample, said chamber housing a plurality of ports in addition to said filter, as follows: a first port enabling gas communication of the chamber with a vacuum generator, via a first flow path; a second port enabling liquid communication of the chamber with one or more reservoirs, via a second flow path; a third port enabling gas and liquid communication of the chamber with both one or more receiving containers and a vacuum generator, via a third flow path; and a filter located between the third port and both the first and second port, so that a fluid entering the chamber through the first and/or second port and exiting the chamber through the third port flows through the filter. The invention also relates to a method using the microfluidic device.