Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided for evacuating and for filling an array at the point of use.

Devices, containers, and methods are provided for performing biological analysis in a closed environment. Illustrative biological analyses include nucleic acid amplification and detection and immuno-PCR.

A PCR vessel (1) is mainly constituted of a vessel body (11) having a reaction chamber (12) storing and reacting a specimen and a reagent at the time of PCR on a bottom portion (14) thereof, a lid body (6) fittable with the vessel body (11), and a reagent cassette (16) stored in a portion between a lower surface (7) of the lid body (5) and the reaction chamber (12) in the vessel body (11). The reagent cassette (16) has at least one reagent storing portion capable of sealing the reagent with sealing means such as paraffin solid before PCR and melted by heating in PCR. When structuring the PCR vessel in this manner, the sealing means is melted by heating in PCR and the reagent storing portion is opened when storing a specimen necessary for PCR in the vessel body and performing PCR in a state previously storing and sealing the reagent in the reagent storing portion. Then, the specimen and the reagent move to the lower reaction chamber.

A high-reliability analyte detection device, includes: a bottom shell ; a sensor, with the sensor being assembled on the bottom shell, the sensor including a signal output end and a detection end, wherein the signal output end is provided with at least two mutually insulated first electrical connection areas, and the signal output end is curved or bent toward the bottom surface of the bottom shell; a transmitter, with the transmitter and the bottom shell being engaged with each other, and the transmitter being provided with at least two mutually insulated second electrical connection areas which correspond to the first electrical connection areas, wherein the first electrical connection areas are electrically connected to the corresponding second electrical connection areas; and an elastic member, with the signal output end being in contact with the elastic member.

The method is for preparing a sample in a microfluidic device. A microfluidic device is provided that has a first reservoir in fluid communication with a second reservoir in fluid communication with and adjacent to a draining unit that has a first absorbing member disposed therein. The first reservoir contains a first liquid that is held in the first reservoir by a capillary stop valve connecting the first and second reservoirs. The second reservoir has a sample support disposed therein. A second liquid, containing substances, is added to the second reservoir. The second liquid contacts the first liquid and the first absorbing member. The first absorbing member absorbs the second liquid and the first liquid. The substances adhere to the sample support.

In situ-generated microfluidic isolation structures incorporating a solidified polymer network, methods of preparation and use, compositions and kits therefor are described. The ability to introduce in real time, a variety of isolating structures including pens and barriers offers improved methods of micro-object manipulation in microfluidic devices. The in situ-generated isolation structures may be permanently or temporarily installed.

A body fluid analyte detection device, includes: a transmitter, provided with at least one first fastener part; a bottom case, provided with at least one second fastener part corresponding to the first fastener part, and the bottom case including at least one fixed portion and at least one force-receiving portion. When separating the bottom case and the transmitter, the fixed portion is fixed and a force is applied to the force-receiving portion in one direction, separating the bottom case and the transmitter. The body fluid analyte detection device further includes a sensor connected with the transmitter to transmit the parameter signal; and a battery assembled in the bottom case or in the transmitter. The part holding the battery is the battery portion. A force is applied to the force-receiving portion in only one direction to make the bottom case fail and thereby separating the transmitter and the bottom case, simplifying user action and enhancing user experience.

The present invention is directed to the fabrication and use of phase-change material (PCM) membranes in microvalves for microfluidic systems. The microvalve may be fabricated by using a tissue-sectioning instrument to slice a thin membrane of PCM off of a block of PCM. The membrane may then be sandwiched between a plurality of microfluidic flow sections to act as a microvalve. At room temperature, the membrane may exist in a solid state to act as a zero-leakage seal and microvalve. Applying heat to the membrane may bring the membrane to a melting point, causing it to reach a liquid state. The microvalve in the liquid state may experience a surface tension effect by a material of the microfluidic flow sections, causing it to displace from a flow path and allow a fluid to pass from one microfluidic flow section to another.

Disclosed herein are devices configured for the amplification and detection of multiple targets from a sample, and methods of using the same. The devices disclosed herein comprise microfluidic cartridges have a first stage (amplification) and a second (detection) stage. The two-stage design of the cartridges enables testing for multiple targets within a sample, i.e., from a single nucleic acid amplification reaction. Methods for the amplification and detection of a plurality of target nucleic acids from a sample are also disclosed herein.

Biological chemicals, potentially found in blood are measured by collecting sweat and determining the concentration or meaning of the selected chemical in sweat. The sweat can be collected using a time based, interval collector and analyzed using an external device. It can also be collected on a one time basis, using a flexible, chemical capacitor, or on a continuous basis using a chemical, field effect transducer.