A method and device for performing direct quantitative real time PCR in a crude sample, wherein said sample is subjected to a centrifugal force sufficient to separate components of the sample into a supernatant and a pellet, and wherein said at least one light source and said at least one detector are positioned so that the excitation light impinges on the sample in a position above said pellet, and said detector detects light emitted from a position above said pellet.

A microfluidic apparatus mounted on a rotation driving unit for inducing a fluid to flow due to a centrifugal force includes: a target chamber that houses a first fluid; a first chamber that houses a second fluid and is disposed closer to a rotation center of the microfluidic apparatus in a radius direction than the target chamber, the first chamber being connected to the target chamber by a first channel; a first valve that prevents a flow of the second fluid through the first channel; and a second chamber disposed closer to the rotation center in the radius direction than the target chamber and connected to the target chamber by a second channel, wherein the first fluid is transported to the second chamber by supplying the second fluid to the target chamber by the centrifugal force.

The present invention provides a microfluidic device which comprises a drive module and a microfluidic platform. The drive module further comprises a rotary unit and a vibration unit for driving the microfluidic platform, and the microfluidic platform further comprises multiple microfluidic elements for performing tests. The present invention also provides a method for operating a microfluidic device. The method comprises steps using the rotary unit and steps using the vibration unit to distribute sample in a microfluidic structure.

Described are systems, devices, and methods which related to various aspects of assays for detecting and/or determining a measure of the concentration of analyte molecules or particles in a sample fluid. In some cases, the systems employ an assay consumable comprising a plurality of assay sites. The systems, devices, and/or methods, in some cases, are automated. In some cases, the systems, devices, and/or methods relate to inserting a plurality of beads into assay sites, sealing assay sites, imaging assay sites, or the like.

A method for performing microscopy-based imaging of samples comprises: loading a sample holder (100) onto a support (50) configured to receive the sample holder (100); moving the sample holder (100) in a first direction, from a starting position on a first strip of the sample holder (100), to move the sample holder (100) relative to an imaging line of a line camera (10), to capture an image of the first strip of the sample holder (100); monitoring a focal plane using an autofocus system (15) as the sample holder (100) is moved in the first direction; in response to a signal from the autofocus system (15), moving an objective lens (25) along the optical axis to adjust the focal plane; and moving the sample holder (100) in a second direction, to align the imaging line of the line camera (10) with a position on a second strip of the sample holder (100).

A method of evaluating an asphaltene inhibitor includes providing a centrifugal microfluidic system including: a disc mounted to rotate about an axis; a microfluidic device mounted on the disc, the device having sample, solvent, inhibitor, and precipitant reservoirs and an analysis chamber in fluid communication with the sample, solvent, inhibitor, and precipitant reservoirs; and an optical detection system coupled to the analysis chamber and configured to measure the optical transmission of fluid in the analysis chamber. The method includes filling the sample, solvent, inhibitor, and precipitant reservoirs, respectively, with a sample, solvent, inhibitor, and precipitant; rotating the disc to generate centrifugal force to cause the sample, solvent, inhibitor, and precipitant to travel radially outward to the analysis chamber; and measuring the optical transmission of a mixture of the sample, solvent, inhibitor, and precipitant in the analysis chamber as a function of radial distance of the analysis chamber.

Provided is a rotatable microfluidic device for conducting simultaneously two or more assays. The device includes a platform which can be rotated, a first unit which is disposed at one portion of the platform and detects a target material from a sample using surface on which a capture probe selectively binds to the target material is attached, and a second unit which is disposed at another portion of the platform and detects a target material included in the sample by a different reaction from the reaction conducted in the first unit.

A method for the storage of biological samples is disclosed. The method includes the steps of coupling a storage device to a biological sample collection apparatus capable of collecting a biological sample from a subject, introducing a biological sample from the biological sample collection apparatus to the storage device, and drying the biological sample on the storage device. In another embodiment, the storage device used by the method may include a collection medium having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a predetermined size and shape, the top surface comprising a position marker and at least one binding site operable to bind a biological sample; and a protective facing substantially impermeable to the biological sample, the protective facing coupled to the top surface of the collection medium and having a size and shape substantially similar to the predetermined size and shape of the collection medium.

A fluidic module rotatable about a center of rotation includes a first compression chamber having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a second compression chamber having a fluid inlet, a first fluid channel connected to the first chamber via the fluid inlet of the first chamber, and a second fluid channel connecting the fluid outlet of the first chamber to the fluid inlet of the second chamber. Due to rotation of the fluidic module a liquid may be centrifugally driven into the first chamber and the second fluid channel through the first fluid channel, and thereby a compressible medium may be entrapped and compressed within the second chamber. By lowering the rotary frequency and due to the resultant expansion of the compressible medium, liquid may be driven out of the second fluid channel into the first chamber, out of the first chamber into and through an outlet channel.

A drive system for aligning a detection zone of a cartridge With an image capture device is provided. The drive system can include a first motor configured for the purpose of spinning the cartridge to drive centrifugal flow of a liquid in the cartridge. The drive system can further include a second motor coupled to a cartridge-aligned member, configured for the purpose of aligning the detection zone with the image capture device. Advantageously, each motor can be adapted for its specific purpose.