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.

Methods that allow independently applied pressures to a BGE reservoir and a sample reservoir for pressure-driven injection that can inject a discrete sample plug into a separation channel that does not require voltage applied to the sample reservoir and can allow for in-channel focusing methods to be used. The methods are particularly suitable for use with a mass spectrometer.

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.

Film seal assemblies that seal one or more reagents within a sample cartridge, which allow for single lid cartridge designs. Such film seal assemblies can include one or more layers, a bottom-most layer that permanently seals with a sample cartridge having multiple chambers for one or more reagents, and top-most layer that releasably seals vent opening(s) in the film seal assembly and is removable by the end user. This configuration allows use of a single lid, which can be integrally formed with cartridge body or a separate component attached atop the cartridge body. The film seal assembly can include peelable liner(s) or can releasably attached to an underside of the single lid. Such film assemblies can include multiple layers that include a polypropylene layer for permanently sealing to a rigid propylene cartridge body and polyester top layers for releasably and hermetically sealing with a liner or the lid.

A hand-portable test apparatus includes an in-the-field test processing assembly, and a lab-on-a-chip test cartridge having a neutralising zone, a specific reagent mixing zone, and a testing chamber. It has a convective heating loop for thermal cycling. There are two passive self-actuating valves that allow the test chamber volume to fill with solution, but then close to meter and trap the solution. The apparatus has external illumination ports, and an optical sensing port. Each cartridge is uniquely identified. It has smooth surfaces that allow adhesive membranes to be used to permit the pre-loading of reagents, prevent evaporation, and permit preservation of results. The test apparatus includes a holder for the cartridge with a heater, illumination, and optical sensor units closely positioned relative to the holder. There is a wiring circuit board, a processor, and a power supply. All of the items are contained within a unitary housing.

A lateral flow assay test device providing a structure for the lateral flow assay reactions provides for a continuous flow path of bibulous material provided in separate but contiguous regions of the device in which the bibulous layers are in fluid contact with each other thereby providing flow control of the timing and speed of the assay reaction. Increased flow control results in increasing reliability of use, increasing sophistication of reactions and increases the range of molecules or diagnosis that can be identified. Such flow control can extend processing times and allow users or test givers to manually delay test processing providing enhanced test results.

Devices and methods are provided for electrically lysing cells and releasing macromolecules from the cells. A microfluidic device is provided that includes a planar channel having a thickness on a submillimeter scale, and including electrodes on its upper and lower inner surfaces. After filling the channel with a liquid, such that the channel contains cells within the liquid, a series of voltage pulses of alternating polarity are applied between the channel electrodes, where the amplitude of the voltage pulses and a pulsewidth of the voltage pulses are effective for causing irreversible electroporation of the cells. The channel is configured to possess thermal properties such that the application of the voltage produces a rapid temperature rise as a result of Joule heating for releasing the macromolecules from the electroplated cells. The channel may also include an internal filter for capturing and concentrating the cells prior to electrical processing.

A microfluidic device, particularly of the lab-on-chip type, for the detection of biological and/or medical targets of interest in biological samples, as well as for the operations of extraction of such targets from native or non-native biological samples, of purification, concentration, and injection in buffer solutions, all adapted to optimize the detection thereof.

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.

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.