A method according to one or more aspects may be a method of measuring a detection material contained in a sample by using a cartridge including: chambers each capable of housing at least one of the detection material and a reagent; and a path through which the detection material is transferred between the chambers. The method may include: moving at least one of the chambers and the path to a measurement position and an image capturing range by rotating the cartridge about a rotational shaft; measuring the detection material in the measurement position; and capturing an image of a monitoring target comprising at least one of the chambers and the path in the image capturing range.

A microfluidic device comprising a microfluidic network is described. The device comprises a base, a microfluidic channel and a cover, and the base comprises a diaphragm forming at least part of an inner surface of the microfluidic channel. The device finds use in methods for assessing mechanical strain induced in or by cells, such methods also being described.

Method for handling at least one first microdrop and at least one second microdrop in a microfluidic system including a capillary trap that has a first trapping zone and a second trapping zone, the method including steps consisting of: (i) trapping the first microdrop in the first trapping zone, and (ii) trapping the second microdrop in the second trapping zone, the first and the second trapping zone being arranged such that the first and the second microdrops are in contact with each other, the first and the second trapping zones being adapted such that the trapping forces returned to one of the microdrops are different.

A pressure regulator module for a chip-based microfluidic platform is provided. The module includes a microfluidic channel for passing flowable material from the inlet region through the outlet region and into a downstream compartment; one or more microvalves fluidly connected to the microfluidic channel and upstream of the outlet region; and one or more reservoirs fluidly connected to the microvalves, for receiving flowable material diverted by the microvalves, where a flow of flowable material passing from the inlet region toward the downstream compartment is at least partially diverted by the microvalves into the reservoirs as a result of a pressure increase in the microfluidic channel. In some versions, the microvalves are capillary burst valves. A microfluidic chip containing the module and a method of using the module are provided.

The present disclosure is drawn to microfluidic chips. The microfluidic chips can include an inflexible material having an elastic modulus of 0.1 gigapascals (GPa) to 450 GPa. A microfluidic channel can be formed within the inflexible material and can connect an inlet and an outlet. A working electrode can be associated with the microfluidic channel and can have a surface area of 1 μm.sup.2 to 60,000 μm.sup.2 within the microfluidic channel. A bubble support structure can also be formed within the microfluidic channel such that the working electrode is positioned to electrolytically generate a bubble that becomes associated with the bubble support structure.

Microfluidic structures and methods for manipulating fluids, fluid components, and reactions are provided. In one aspect, such structures and methods can allow production of droplets of a precise volume, which can be stored/maintained at precise regions of the device. In another aspect, microfluidic structures and methods described herein are designed for containing and positioning components in an arrangement such that the components can be manipulated and then tracked even after manipulation. For example, cells may be constrained in an arrangement in microfluidic structures described herein to facilitate tracking during their growth and/or after they multiply.

A sample analysis substrate rotatable to transfer a liquid includes a substrate including a rotation shaft, a first holding chamber, a second holding chamber holding a first liquid discharged from the first holding chamber, a main chamber holding the first liquid discharged from the second holding chamber, a first flow path with the first holding chamber and the second holding chamber, and a second flow path having a third opening and a fourth opening respectively connected with the second holding chamber and the main chamber. The first holding chamber includes a portion farther from the rotation shaft than a position thereof connected with the first opening. The second holding chamber includes a portion farther from the rotation shaft than a position thereof connected with the second opening. In the second flow path, the third opening is closer to the rotation shaft than the fourth opening.

A test system for analyzing a sample of a bodily fluid is provided and comprises: at least one test strip comprising at least one capillary channel comprising an inlet opening configured to receive the sample; a vent opening configured to provide an air vent to the capillary channel; and at least one zone consisting of a detection zone and a reagent zone; at least one measuring device configured for interacting with the test strip, the measuring device comprising at least one sealing element for hermetically sealing the vent opening from an ambient atmosphere; and at least one suction device adapted to provide an underpressure to the vent opening; wherein the measuring device further comprises at least one valve or is connectable to the valve, wherein the valve is configured to vent the vent opening of the test strip when the measuring device interacts with the test strip.

The present invention relates to sample-to-answer systems, devices, cartridges, and method of using the same for detecting the presence of microorganisms in a sample, such as bacteria.

A pressure regulator module for a chip-based microfluidic platform is provided. The module includes a microfluidic channel for passing flowable material from the inlet region through the outlet region and into a downstream compartment; one or more microvalves fluidly connected to the microfluidic channel and upstream of the outlet region; and one or more reservoirs fluidly connected to the microvalves, for receiving flowable material diverted by the microvalves, where a flow of flowable material passing from the inlet region toward the downstream compartment is at least partially diverted by the microvalves into the reservoirs as a result of a pressure increase in the microfluidic channel. In some versions, the microvalves are capillary burst valves. A microfluidic chip containing the module and a method of using the module are provided.