Two-phase flushing systems and methods. An example method includes moving a valve to a first position to fluidly connect a first reagent reservoir containing a first reagent to a flow cell and flowing the first reagent from the first reagent reservoir to the flow cell to perform a biochemical reaction. The method includes moving the valve to a second position to fluidly connect a gas to the flow cell and flowing gas into the flow cell to expel at least a portion of the first reagent from the biochemical reaction from the flow cell. The method includes moving the valve to a third position to fluidly connect a buffer reagent reservoir containing a buffer reagent to the flow cell and flowing the buffer reagent into the flow cell.

This invention relates generally to devices and methods for performing optical and electrochemical assays and, more particularly, to test devices, e.g., cartridges, methods and systems, wherein the test devices have an entry port configured to receive a test sample into a holding chamber; a first conduit having at least one lateral flow test strip; and a displacement device, such as a pneumatic pump, configured to move a portion of said test sample from said holding chamber into said first conduit. The present invention is particularly useful for performing immunoassays and/or electrochemical assays at the point-of-care.

A lateral flow assay device comprising a conjugate pad for receiving a quantity of fluid; and a membrane comprising a test line for determining whether the fluid comprises a target analyte. In a first state of the lateral flow assay device, the lateral flow assay device is configured with a removable gap between the conjugate pad and the membrane which is substantially filled with air and prevents the fluid from flowing from the conjugate pad into the membrane. In a second state of the lateral flow assay device, the removable gap is removed from between the conjugate pad and the membrane causing the conjugate pad to come in contact with the membrane, allowing the fluid to flow from the conjugate pad into the membrane and the test line by capillary action.

A microfluidic device is provided for managing fluid flow in disposable assay devices, which provides constant flow even at very low flow rates. Pumps utilizing the microfluidic device, as well as methods for manufacture and performing a microfluidic process are also provided.

A device for processing a slide specimen and a method thereof, wherein the device mainly comprises a container, a base, a heating device, a slide cover plate, a slide, a slide rack, a liquid outlet, a liquid inlet, a controller, a thermocouple, a temperature display screen, a temperature maintaining time display window and a temperature maintaining time adjustment button. A large amount of slide specimens are enable to carry out processing such as reagent loading, cleaning, heat treatment, temperature maintaining and drying in one same device, realizing that there's no need to take or transfer the slide manually during the whole process of the slide specimen processing, reducing manual intervention and interference, not only saving time but also simplifying the operation steps and reducing operation errors.

An automated system which can perform automated sample extraction from a process stream, automated analysis on the sample, and then provide output on the results to process control equipment so that parameters of the processing could be altered in response to the testing.

The present invention discloses a piezoelectric ultrasonic microinjection device based on a flexible hinge mechanism. The device includes: a cover, a flexible hinge mechanism, a base, a screw cap and an end cap fixedly assembled together, the base being provided with a pump interface; and a micropipette fixedly mounted in the base, the screw cap and the end cap and extending outward, the micropipette being in communication with the pump interface; wherein the flexible hinge mechanism comprises a housing, a piezoelectric ceramic package module encapsulated in the housing, a central shaft fixedly mounted with the piezoelectric ceramic package module and the base, and a vibration output shaft extending from the piezoelectric ceramic package module into the central shaft, a plurality of flexible hinge beams being disposed between the central shaft and the housing.

A microfluidic device for analysing a specimen comprises a loading area for loading the specimen of interest and an analytical column. The loading area is connected on two sides to a first duct and a second duct respectively, both integrated in the microfluidic device. The microfluidic device comprises a first integrated input connected to the first duct to take the specimen into the loading area, a first integrated output connected to the second duct to discharge the rest of the specimen, once it has flown through the loading area, and a second integrated output downstream the analytical column. The first integrated output is arranged for during a first loading period of time being in circuit connected to the first integrated input so as to load the sample into the loading zone of the device while preventing loss of specimen during loading of the sample into the analytical column.

A cassette may include a substrate, a die coupled to the substrate, and an electrical interconnection pad layout formed on a first side of the substrate. The electrical interconnection pad layout may include a first row of interconnect pads including at least one interconnect pad. Each interconnect pad of the first row of interconnect pads may be electrically coupled to one of a first set of vias. The electrical interconnection pad layout may also include a second row of interconnection pads including at least one interconnect pad. Each interconnect pad of the second row of interconnect pads being electrically coupled to one of a second set of vias. The second set of vias electrically coupled to the second row of interconnect pads are offset relative to an alignment of the interconnect pads of the first and second rows.

An example device includes a microfluidic channel and a movable element retained in the microfluidic channel to move from a first position to a second position by fluid flow through the microfluidic channel. The device includes a sensor to take a sensor reading to determine fluid flow through the microfluidic channel. The device includes a microfluidic pump to return the movable element from the second position to the first position. The device includes a controller to actuate the microfluidic pump and to determine a flow rate of the fluid flow through the microfluidic channel based on the sensor reading.