A liquid evaluation system can include a cartridge including a channel configured to pull a liquid into the channel by capillary action. The cartridge can include a first plate and a second plate located in close proximity to the first plate. An internal facing surface of each plate can include a corresponding region forming the channel. Each of the regions can have an affinity for the liquid. The close proximity of the plates and the regions having an affinity for the liquid cause the liquid to be pulled into the channel by capillary action. The cartridge can include one or more additional attributes and/or the system can include one or more additional components for performing the evaluation.

A device for thermal treatment of samples includes: a base unit with a receiving region for a sample carrier; a temperature control block arranged in the receiving region; a lid; a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the temperature control block; a control unit for heating and cooling the temperature control block; and a reference element for in situ calibrating, validating and/or adjusting of the temperature sensor, which reference element is comprised of a material having at least one phase change at at least one predetermined phase change temperature in a temperature range suitable for calibrating the temperature sensor, during which phase change the material remains in the solid state.

An automated analysis instrument operates to detect inadequate dispensation of a fluidic substance on a tray. The instrument includes an image capturing device to capture an image of at least a portion of the tray including a receptacle portion and a surrounding portion around the receptacle portion. The instrument then identifies the surrounding portion of the at least the portion of the tray in the image, evaluates color components of the image corresponding to the surrounding portion of the at least the portion of the tray, and determines whether the fluidic substance is present on the surrounding portion of the at least the portion of the tray based on at least one of the color components.

A cartridge includes: a first reservoir capable of accommodating a sample liquid; a sheath liquid conduit; a sterilization filter; a mixer; a nozzle; a droplet collection member; and a check valve. The sterilization filter is provided at the sheath liquid conduit. The check valve is connected to a waste-droplet collection member. A sample liquid flow path and a sheath liquid flow path are isolated from a surrounding environment around the cartridge and are maintained in a sterile state. The sample liquid flow path extends from the first reservoir to the droplet collection member. The sheath liquid flow path extends from the sterilization filter to the droplet collection member.

Provided are electrochemical sensors for analyzing analytes. The sensors may comprise an implantable probe for analyzing a biological analyte, with those sensors described as electrochemical biosensors. Also provided are related methods of using and making the sensors. The electrochemical sensor is formed with an integrated on-chip probe body that provides for a buried microelectrode in a microfluidic channel etched in the probe body, such as a doped Si substrate. The fluidic system can, therefore, be quite small and suitable for in-vivo implantation and use, while withstanding high pressure. The fluidic system has specially-configured reagent channel to provide for periodic and convenient calibration, electrode cleaning and/or regeneration, without having to remove any sensor component from the implantation site.

Example implementations relate to a microfluidics sensing system. For example, a microfluidics sensing system may include a portable computing device to execute a microfluidics application, a microfluidic chip coupled to the portable computing device, the microfluidic chip including a microfluidic pumping and sensing region to perform a test on a biologic sample, and a printed circuit board (PCB) on a microfluidic reader to instruct the microfluidic pumping and sensing region to perform the test based on a command received from the microfluidics application.

Compositions and methods are provided for making hyper compliant polymer particles by inverse emulsification and having a predetermined mechanical compliance and a predetermined size with a monodisperse diameter. Compositions and methods are provided for use of hyper compliant polymer particles in drug delivery, assay, particle image velocimetry, ceramics, cosmetics, deconvolution, electronic paper, insulation, personal care, standards, retroreflective paint and paint applications, thickening agents, regenerative medicine, device calibration, micro-carriers and force indicators.

Techniques regarding one or more microfluidic chips with integrated electronic sensors are provided. For example, one or more embodiments described herein can regard an apparatus that can comprise a conductive plug of a reference electrode structure, the conductive plug extending from within a microfluidic channel to within a reference fluid holding chamber that is in fluid isolation from the microfluidic channel.

This patent application describes an integrated apparatus for processing polynucleotide-containing samples, and for providing a diagnostic result thereon. The apparatus is configured to receive a microfluidic cartridge that contains reagents and a network for processing a sample. Also described are methods of using the apparatus.

Systems and methods are disclosed for enhancing the consistency of performance of assays, such as multiplexed assays, by printing features in a particular pattern, such that the outer edge of the pattern has a shape that is substantially similar to the shape of the test well. For example, the pattern is a ring pattern, such that the outer edge of the ring pattern is circular or oval along the bottom of multiplexed wells. The assay substrates prepared according to the methods described result in more accurate, precise, and sensitive chemical and/or biological analyses.