An embodiment for a microfluidic device is provided. The device comprises two areas, arranged side-by-side, and a trigger channel. They include a first area, which is delimited by a first liquid pinning barrier, and a second area, which is delimited by a second liquid pinning barrier. The latter extends parallel to the first liquid pinning barrier to delimit a corridor. The trigger channel extends through the corridor between the two areas. In addition, the trigger channel connects the first liquid pinning barrier with the second liquid pinning barrier, allowing a first liquid pinned at the first liquid pinning barrier and a second liquid pinned at the second liquid pinning barrier to be contacted, each, by a reverse flow of the second liquid in the trigger channel and thereby start mixing at a level of the corridor, in operation. The invention is further directed to related methods of operation.

An analyzer system includes a cartridge configured to receive a sample. The cartridge has a plurality of chambers for isolating a target analyte of the sample and collecting a quantity of a first label that is proportional to a quantity of the target analyte in the sample. The system includes an analyzer with a first electromagnetic radiation source a first detector and a controller. The first electromagnetic radiation source is configured to provide electromagnetic radiation to form an interrogation space within a detection chamber of the cartridge. The first detector is configured to detect electromagnetic radiation emitted in the interrogation space by the first label if the first label is present in the interrogation space. The controller is configured to identify the presence of the target analyte in the sample based on electromagnetic radiation detected by the first detector.

A biosensor for detecting analytes present in fluid includes one or more plates configured on a substrate to form at least one channel such that one or more containment chambers are formed in the channels. The channel are mechanically, separated from each other by spacers, and the containment chambers are fluidically separated from adjacent chamber by a discontinuity such that the fluid flows between adjacent chambers only after an application of a predefined pressure on the plate. The multiple chambers allows the fluid to undergo pre-processing using different set of reagents provided at different chambers, to mitigate effects of interferents and to efficiently distribute load of the reagents on the chambers. Further, some of containment chambers allows detection of analytes in the fluid using detection reagents.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for controlling the shape and/or position of a moveable fluid-fluid meniscus, and methods of use, in particular a method to control the shape of a moveable fluid-fluid meniscus in an apparatus in which the meniscus is caused to align along a stable capillary barrier or phaseguide.

A microfluidic apparatus for delivering droplets of a first fluid to droplets of a second fluid, comprising a main channel, with a carrier fluid carrying droplets of the second fluid, an auxiliary channel, fluidly coupled to the main channel at a first intersection via a first orifice with a first fluid interface, and at a second intersection downstream to the first intersection via a second orifice with a second fluid interface, wherein a flow of the carrier fluid induces a difference of pressure between the first and second orifice generating a balance condition such that a meniscus of the second fluid interface is maintained in the auxiliary channel, at the vicinity of the second orifice, wherein a balance deviation triggers a release of a volume of the first fluid from the second fluid interface into the main channel.

A lateral flow device for analysing a sample of liquid has a first lateral flow strip configured to respond to a first volume of sample and a second lateral flow strip configured to respond to a second volume of the sample, wherein the second volume is greater than the first volume. The lateral flow device comprises a first well configured to receive the first volume of the sample and a second well configured to receive the second volume of the sample. Each well has a flow restriction outlet located adjacent its lateral flow strip. The lateral flow device comprises a pre-actuation configuration and an actuated configuration. The first and second flow restriction outlets are configured such that, in use, in the pre-actuation configuration, a first surface tension of the first volume of the sample within the first well prevents the first volume of the sample passing through the first flow restriction outlet and a second surface tension of the second volume of the sample within the second well prevents the second volume of the sample passing through the second flow restriction outlet. In the actuated configuration, (a) the first flow restriction outlet is located sufficiently proximate the first lateral flow strip such that the first volume of the sample makes contact with the first lateral flow strip and is drawn along the first lateral flow strip thereby overcoming the first surface tension; and (b) the second flow restriction outlet is located sufficiently proximate the second lateral flow strip such that the second volume of the sample makes contact with the second lateral flow strip and is drawn along the second lateral flow strip thereby overcoming the second surface tension.

There is provided a device for analysis of sample liquid, the device comprising a microfluidic test card, and a microfluidic chip for processing the sample liquid presented from the microfluidic test card and return processed sample fluid to the microfluidic test card. The microfluidic test card comprises a sample inlet, configured for receiving sample liquid, first and second pre-processing test reagent channels having first and second test reagent outlets, respectively, for presenting test reagent to the microfluidic chip, a pre-processing sample channel fluidically communicating with the sample inlet for receiving sample liquid therefrom, and having a sample liquid outlet for presenting the sample liquid to the microfluidic chip, first and second processed sample analysis channels for receiving processed sample liquid from the microfluidic chip, wherein the first and the second processed sample analysis channels comprising a first and second analysis zone, respectively, for analysing the processed sample liquid, and a microfluidic chip contacting zone comprising said sample liquid outlet and first and second test reagent outlets, configured for connection and fluidic communication with the microfluidic chip.

An apparatus may include a first microfluidic valve coupled between a first reservoir and a fluid channel. The first microfluidic valve may include a fluid agitator to break a meniscus formed at an air-fluid interface and release fluid from the first reservoir into the fluid channel in response to an electrical signal. The apparatus may also include a second microfluidic valve coupled between a second reservoir and the fluid channel. Fluid from the first reservoir and fluid from the second reservoir mix in the fluid channel.

Devices and methods for analyzing a sample are disclosed. In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides devices and methods for preparing a serial dilution of a sample. In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides devices and methods for preparing a serial dilution of a sample and conducting sample analysis. In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides a cartridge device and a reader instrument device. The reader instrument device receives, operates, and/or actuates the cartridge device to prepare a serial dilution of a sample and conduct sample analysis.

A biochip for the integration of all steps in a complex process from the insertion of a sample to the generation of a result, performed without operator intervention includes microfluidic and macrofluidic features that are acted on by instrument subsystems in a series of scripted processing steps. Methods for fabricating these complex biochips of high feature density by injection molding are also provided.