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.

The specification generally discloses systems and methods for mixing and delivering fluids in microfluidic systems. The fluids can contain, in some embodiments reagents that can participate in one or more chemical or biological reactions. Some embodiments relate to systems and methods employing one or more vent valves to controllably flow and/or mix portions of fluid within the microfluidic system. Advantageously, fluid control such as a sequence of fluid flow and/or a change in flow rate, can be achieved by opening and closing one or more vent valves and by applying a single source of fluid flow (e.g., a vacuum) operated at a substantially constant pressure. This can simplify the operation and use of the device by an intended user.

Assay cartridges are described that have purification, reaction, and detection zones and other fluidic components which can include sample chambers, waste chambers, conduits, vents, reagent chambers, reconstitution chambers and the like. The assay cartridges are used to conduct multiplexed nucleic acid measurements. Also described are kits including such cartridges, methods of using the same, and a reader configured to analyze an assay conducted using an assay cartridge.

A pipetting arrangement includes at least two sets of pipettes (9a; 9b; 9c; 9d). Each set of pipettes (9a; 9b; 9c; 9d) is operationally connected, via a controllable ON/OFF valve (11a; 11b; 11e; 11d) to a common aspiration port (7). Latter is connectable to a pumping arrangement. The valves (11a; 11b; 11e; 11d) are controlled by a timing-control unit (15) conceived to establish, by control of the valves (11a; 11b; 11e; 11d), the operational connections of the at least two sets of pipettes (9a; 9b; 9c; 9d) to the aspiration port (7) in a time-multiplexed manner.

The invention concerns a filtration assembly (1) for microbiological testing and a method of using the filtration assembly for that purpose. The filtration assembly (1) comprises a ring-like membrane support (10) holding a filtration membrane (11), a cylindrical reservoir (20) of which opposite axial ends have openings and one axial opening is removably and fluid-tightly attachable to the membrane support (10) to define a sample volume adjacent to the filtration membrane (11) on one axial side of the membrane support (10); and a drain member (30) removably and fluid tightly attachable to the membrane support (10) to define a drain channel space adjacent to the filtration membrane (11) on an opposite axial side of the membrane support (10).

A microfluidic sensing device, for conducting measures on liquid samples, is disclosed, which includes a housing having: a first opening defining an inlet and/or an outlet for a liquid sample; a detection chamber including a sensor; a first microfluidic path connecting the first opening to the detection chamber, such that the detection chamber can be filled in with the liquid sample; a second opening designed so as to allow the application of a negative and/or positive pressure within the housing; a second microfluidic path connecting the second opening to the detection chamber; a third opening designed so as to allow the application of a negative and/or positive pressure within the housing; a third microfluidic path connecting the third opening to the first microfluidic path; and a waste chamber arranged in the second microfluidic path.

A fluid handling device has fluidic structures having inlet and outlet chambers and a connecting duct fluidically connecting the two. In a first state, the inlet chamber is completely or partly filled with at least a liquid and partly filled with a compressible medium, and the outlet chamber is at least partly filled with the compressible medium. One of the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber has such a venting duct that a flow resistance/volume product of venting of the chamber for the compressible medium amounts to at least 6700 N.Math.s/m.sup.2, the other of the inlet chamber and of the outlet chamber being vented. An actuator for actuating the fluidic structures is to cause a pressure difference of at least 30 Pa between the compressible media within the inlet and outlet chambers, so as to thereby switch a valve device implemented into the connecting duct.

The present invention provides systems, devices and methods for detecting the presence and/or absence of one or more allergens in a sample particularly a food sample. The detection system includes a separate sample pickup, one or more disposables for receiving and processing a test sample and a detection device that can execute an allergen detection testing in minutes. The present detection system and device is compact and portable.

The present technology provides for a microfluidic substrate configured to carry out PCR on a number of polynucleotide-containing samples in parallel. The substrate can be a single-layer substrate in a microfluidic cartridge. Also provided are a method of making a microfluidic cartridge comprising such a substrate. Still further disclosed are a microfluidic valve suitable for use in isolating a PCR chamber in a microfluidic substrate, and a method of making such a valve.

A reaction processing apparatus includes: a reaction processing vessel; a temperature control system; and a liquid feeding system. The liquid feeding system includes : a pump having a discharge port; a first air channel; a second air channel; a first three-way valve capable of being switched between a state in which a first air communication port communicates with the discharge port and a state in which the first air communication port is opened to the atmospheric pressure; a second three-way valve capable of being switched between a state in which a second air communication port communicates with the discharge port and a state in which the second air communication port is opened to the atmospheric pressure; and a CPU that controls these components.