A separation container for extracting a portion of a sample for use or testing and method for preparing samples for downstream use or testing are provided. The separation container may include a body defining an internal chamber. The body may define an opening, and the body may be configured to receive the sample within the internal chamber. The separation container may further include a seal disposed across the opening, such that the seal may be configured to seal the opening of the body, and a plunger movably disposed at least partially inside the internal chamber. The plunger may be configured to be actuated to open the seal and express the portion of the sample.

A system for processing a biological sample can include a droplet generation assembly comprising a plurality of first reservoirs configured to contain an aqueous sample and a plurality of second reservoirs configured to contain a carrier fluid immiscible with the aqueous sample. The plurality of first reservoirs and the plurality of second reservoirs can be arranged to be in respective flow communication in pairs of reservoirs comprising a first reservoir of the plurality of first reservoirs and a second reservoir of the plurality of second reservoirs constituting a plurality of pairs of reservoirs. The droplet generation assembly can further include a flow control system configured to control a pressure in the plurality of pairs of reservoirs so as to generate a flow of a series of volumes of the aqueous sample separated by the carrier fluid. The system can further include a thermocycling system.

A cartridge reader controlled by processing means for carrying out a diagnostic test on a sample contained in a fluidic cartridge comprises a mechanical valve for isolating the sample with the cartridge. A system for actuating the mechanical valve comprises an actuation member configured to move the mechanical valve from an open position to a closed position and an armature connected to the actuation member. The armature is configured to engage an electromagnet, wherein the electromagnet can be switched between an active state in which it electromagnetically holds the armature and an inactive state in which it does not electromagnetically hold the armature. First biasing means are disposed between the actuation member and a bearing surface, wherein the first biasing means is configured to bias the actuation member into a first position in which it actuates a mechanical valve in a fluidic cartridge inserted into the reader.

Provided herein, among other aspects, are methods and apparatuses for analyzing particles in a sample. In some aspects, the particles can be analytes, cells, nucleic acids, or proteins and contacted with a tag, partitioned into aliquots, detected by a ranking device, and isolated. The methods and apparatuses provided herein may include a microfluidic chip. In some aspects, the methods and apparatuses may be used to quantify rare particles in a sample, such as cancer cells and other rare cells for disease diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment.

A system and method for processing and detecting nucleic acids from a set of biological samples, comprising: a capture plate and a capture plate module configured to facilitate binding of nucleic acids within the set of biological samples to magnetic beads; a molecular diagnostic module configured to receive nucleic acids bound to magnetic beads, isolate nucleic acids, and analyze nucleic acids, comprising a cartridge receiving module, a heating/cooling subsystem and a magnet configured to facilitate isolation of nucleic acids, a valve actuation subsystem configured to control fluid flow through a microfluidic cartridge for processing nucleic acids, and an optical subsystem for analysis of nucleic acids; a fluid handling system configured to deliver samples and reagents to components of the system to facilitate molecular diagnostic protocols; and an assay strip configured to combine nucleic acid samples with molecular diagnostic reagents for analysis of nucleic acids.

A microfluidic device for moving fluid through a microfluidic channel of the device includes a microfluidic channel and a positive displacement pump having a chamber connected to the microfluidic channel. When the positive displacement pump is actuated, fluid within the chamber is displaced into the microfluidic channel. The device further includes a fluid reservoir connected to the positive displacement pump to provide a source of fluid to re-fill the chamber of the positive displacement pump after the positive displacement pump has been actuated. The fluid within the fluid reservoir is sealed within the device.

A system for buoyant separation includes a separation container. Additionally or alternatively, the system can include an automated instrument, one or more processing components, and/or any other components. A method for buoyant separation can include any or all of: manipulating the separation container; adding materials to the separation container; removing materials form the separation container; otherwise processing the separation container; and/or any other processes.

A microfluidic diagnostic device comprises a base and at least one switch coupled to a portion of the base, the switch comprising a flap that is pivotable with respect to the base from a first position spaced away from the base a first distance to a second position where the flap is spaced away from the base a second distance. Both the base and the switch comprise one or more channels that permit passive transportation of an aqueous solution. The switch may be formed by bending or deforming a strip to cause the flap to be in the first position when there is less than a predetermined amount of fluid within the channel of switch. When a predetermined amount of fluid is in the channel of the switch, the flap pivots to the second position, which may be achieved through power from gravity, capillarity, and/or inherent elastic energy.

According to the present invention there is provided an assembly comprising, a needle unit comprising n hollow needles wherein n is greater than one, and wherein each hollow needle can receive a respective sample fluid; a flow cell unit comprising m flow cells wherein m is greater than one, each flow cell having an input and an output, and a test surface on which ligands can be provided located between the input, and output; a means for consecutively moving sample fluids, from each of said n hollow needles respectively, into all said m flow cells, so that said sample fluids flow consecutively through the same flow cells. There is further provided a corresponding method of screening a sample fluid for molecules which can bind to predefined ligands.

Methods and systems for processing polynucleotides (e.g., DNA) are disclosed. A processing region includes one or more surfaces (e.g., particle surfaces) modified with ligands that retain polynucleotides under a first set of conditions (e.g., temperature and pH) and release the polynucleotides under a second set of conditions (e.g., higher temperature and/or more basic pH). The processing region can be used to, for example, concentrate polynucleotides of a sample and/or separate inhibitors of amplification reactions from the polynucleotides. Microfluidic devices with a processing region are disclosed.