Fluidic devices, systems, and methods for analyzing an analyte are described. In an embodiment, the fluidic devices include a housing defining a lysis chamber shaped to receive a biological sample; a lysis buffer storage chamber disposed within the housing and carrying a lysis buffer configured to lyse cells of the biological sample; a cap configured to cooperatively couple to the housing; a compressor configured to compress the lysis buffer storage chamber and expel the lysis buffer from the lysis buffer storage chamber and into the lysis chamber when the cap is uncoupled from the housing; and a porous membrane in selective fluidic communication with the lysis chamber.

The present invention relates to the field of microfluidics and in particular to devices and methods for sorting objects in microfluidic channels. These devices and methods allow for fast and robust sorting in two-way and multi-way setups. They also enable sorting over extended periods of time.

Methods are provided for separating magnetically responsive beads from a droplet in a droplet actuator. Droplet operations electrodes and a magnet are arranged in a droplet actuator to manipulate a bead-containing droplet and position it relative to a magnetic field region that attracts the magnetically responsive beads. The droplet operations electrodes are operated to control the droplet shape and transport it away from the magnetic field region to form a concentration of beads in the droplet. The continued transport of the droplet away from the magnetic field causes the concentration of beads to break away from the droplet to yield a small, concentrated bead-containing droplet immobilized by the magnet.

The present disclosure is related to a method of producing a microfluidic sorting apparatus. The method includes providing an injection-molded substrate comprising a network of channels; bonding an insulating film to an upper surface of the substrate to cover the network of channels; and depositing a conductive film on the insulating film. The substrate can be separated from the conductive film.

A tiltable stage assembly includes a base and a tiltable stage operably coupled to the base and pivotable relative to the base. The tiltable stage is moveable between an initial position and a tilted position, wherein the tiltable stage is parallel with the base in the initial position and is oriented at an angle to the base when in the tilted position. The tiltable stage is biased to the initial position.

A microfluidic sensor for the detection of analytes in objects includes a contact surface that may be attached to a surface of the object, an inlet hole in the contact surface for the entry of fluids emitted by the object, and a first reservoir which stores an ionic fluid in the form of a polymer matrix. The polymer matrix includes a reactive substance which changes colour when it enters into contact with the analytes of the fluids emitted by the object. It further includes at least one first microfluidic duct which connects the inlet hole to the first reservoir. A system for the detection of analytes, a method for the manufacture of the microfluidic sensor and the use of the microfluidic sensor for the detection of analytes in works of art are also related.

An article of manufacture for a reusable specimen transport tube rack cap that secures specimen collection swabs inside of transport tubes is disclosed. The reusable specimen transport tube rack cap includes a top surface connecting a plurality of specimen tube caps in a row, a bottom surface having a circular inner wall and a circular outer wall creating a specimen retention ridges defining a cap for each specimen tube, and access hole through each reusable specimen transport tube rack cap between the inner wall and the outer wall for providing access for a pipette into a specimen tube.

There is provided a microfluidic device for reversing a flow through a microfluidic channel. The microfluidic device comprises a first microfluidic channel extending between a first inlet and a first outlet, a second microfluidic channel which fluidically connects a first point of the first microfluidic channel to a second outlet via a first valve, a third microfluidic channel which fluidically connects a second point of the first microfluidic channel to a second inlet via a second valve, the second point being located between the first point and the first outlet, and at least one circuit for opening the first valve and the second valve. The first and the second valves are arranged to be initially closed, Upon opening of the first and the second valve during use, the flow direction through the first microfluidic channel between the first point and the second point is reversed.

Provided herein is a valve manifold comprising (a) an elastomer sheet attached to a plurality of magnetic pistons, wherein the magnetic pistons project from a first side of the elastomer sheet; (b) a foot component comprising a first surface and a plurality of shafts that orthogonally pass through the first surface; and (c) a body component comprising a second surface, a groove that laterally passes along the second surface, and a plurality of reservoir channels that orthogonally pass through the second surface, wherein the elastomer sheet is compressed between the foot component and the body component.

Fluidic systems and reagent carriers suitable for storing reagents in a desirable manner are generally provided. In some embodiments, a reagent carrier stores a liquid film comprising a solid reagent and/or stores different reagents in different locations. In some embodiments, a fluidic system comprises a reagent carrier constrained such that it comprises an elongated axis positioned within 30° of a vertical axis of the fluidic reservoir.