A microfluidic device for detection of an analyte in a fluid is described. The microfluidic device comprises a substrate having a first surface defining entrances to one or more chambers defined in the substrate, surfaces of the chambers defining a second surface of the substrate, the first surface being modified for selective targeting and capture of at least one analyte to operably effect a blocking of the entrance to at least one of the chambers, and wherein a response characteristic of the microfluidic device is operably varied by the blocking of the entrance to the at least one of the chambers, thereby providing an indication of the presence of the analyte within the fluid.

A device for manipulating microdroplets using optically-mediated electrowetting comprising: a first composite wall comprising: a first transparent substrate; a first transparent conductor layer on the substrate having a thickness of 70 to 250 nm; a photoactive layer activated by electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range 400-1000 nm on the conductor layer having a thickness of 300-1000 nm; and a first dielectric layer on the conductor layer having a thickness of 120-160 nm; a second composite wall comprised of: a second substrate; a second conductor layer on the substrate having a thickness of 70 to 250 nm; and an A/C source to provide a voltage across the first and second composite walls connecting the first and second conductor layers; at least one source of electromagnetic radiation having an energy higher than the bandgap of the photoexcitable layer; and means for manipulating the points of impingement of the electromagnetic radiation on the photoactive layer.

An apparatus for biological reactions is provided. The apparatus includes a substrate and a plurality of reaction sites within the substrate. A surface of the substrate is configured to have a first hydrophilicity and each surface of the plurality of reaction sites is configured to have a second hydrophilicity to load a substantial number of reaction sites with a sample volume. The sample volume of each loaded reaction site is substantially confined to its respective reaction site. The sample volume is configured to undergo a biological reaction within the reaction site.

Devices and methods for measuring analytes and target particles in a sample are disclosed. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides a cartridge device. In other embodiments, the disclosure provides a method of using a cartridge device as disclosed herein for analyzing analytes and target particles in a sample. In further embodiments, the disclosure provides an analyzer including a cartridge device and a control unit device. The control unit device is configured to receive, operate, and/or actuate the cartridge device. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides a method of using an analyzer as disclosed herein for analyzing analytes and target particles in a sample.

Provided herein is a method of loading wells with a liquid droplet, or a portion thereof, wherein each liquid droplet comprises solid supports and a detergent or surfactant, such that the detergent or surfactant reduces the contact angle between the liquid droplet and the wells. Also provided is a method of detecting and quantifying an analyte of interest in a sample, which involves loading wells in an array with a liquid droplet according to aforementioned method, wherein the liquid droplet comprises an analyte captured on a solid support.

A second device includes a first surface, a second surface in contact with a first device, and a first hole extending through and between the first surface and the second surface and being continuous with a groove on the first device. A third device includes a third surface in contact with the first surface, a second hole open in the third surface and continuous with the first hole, and a flow path continuous with the second hole and open in the third surface. As viewed in a first direction from the first surface to the second surface, the first hole includes at least one vertex surrounded by the second hole, and a pair of sides joined to the at least one vertex and widening toward the flow path to define a minor angle.

An apparatus for biological reactions is provided. The apparatus includes a substrate and a plurality of reaction sites within the substrate. A surface of the substrate is configured to have a first hydrophilicity and each surface of the plurality of reaction sites is configured to have a second hydrophilicity to load a substantial number of reaction sites with a sample volume. The sample volume of each loaded reaction site is substantially confined to its respective reaction site. The sample volume is configured to undergo a biological reaction within the reaction site.

Proposed is a simple disease diagnosis tool including a base plate made of a material that is hydrophilic and spreads water sufficiently, and pattern display panels made of a material that is also hydrophilic and spreads water sufficiently and each adhered to one side surface of the base plate, wherein a reagent is applied to one side of the base plate, and wherein the pattern display panels include a plurality of disease test display portions each configured to have one end in contact with the reagent of the base plate or to be spaced apart from the reagent of the base plate by predetermined intervals, and diagnosis checking lines each marked to surround the outside of the disease test display portions while being spaced apart from the disease test display portions at predetermined intervals.

Devices that includes a first portion, the first portion including at least one fluid channel; a fluid actuator; an analysis sensor disposed within the fluid channel; a conductivity sensor disposed within the fluid channel; and an introducer; a second portion, the second portion comprising: at least one well, the well containing at least one material, wherein one of the first or second portion is moveable with respect to the other, wherein the introducer is configured to obtain at least a portion of the material from the at least one well and deliver it to the fluid channel, and wherein the fluid actuator is configured to move at least a portion of the material in the fluid channel.

The disclosure provides a spacing-changeable device and a method using both lateral flow and compressed open flow for assaying a liquid sample. The device includes a first plate, a second plate, and an exterior liquid sample contact area. The spacing between the two plates are changeable to form different configurations including a first and second configurations. In the first configuration, the two plates face each other and form at least two gaps including a spacing-1 and a spacing-1′. The spacing height of the spacing-1′ has a size that allows a liquid sample to flow into the spacing-1′. In the second configuration, the two plates are pressed, which changes spacing-1 and spacing-1′ to spacing-2 and spacing-2′, respectively, and the spacing-2′ has a spacing height larger than that of spacing-2. In the second configuration, the sample flows and spreads in areas of spacing-2 and spacing-2′.