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.

Aiming to provide a method capable of reciprocatingly delivering various liquids without bringing air into a microchannel, a detection system and a detection apparatus for implementation of this method. In order to achieve at least one of the above aims, provided is a method of inserting a pipette tip into a liquid injection portion of a detection chip including: the microchannel; the liquid injection portion connected to one end of the microchannel; and a reservoir connected to the other end of the microchannel, injecting and aspirating the liquid by the pipette tip, and reciprocatingly delivering the liquid into the microchannel. At this time, the following steps are executed in this order, the steps including: inserting the pipette tip into the liquid injection portion up to a position at which an end of the pipette tip comes below a liquid level when the liquid is injected into the liquid injection portion; injecting the liquid from the pipette tip into the liquid injection portion; generating a negative pressure in the liquid injection portion to raise the level of the liquid in the liquid injection portion; and performing either aspiration of the liquid in the liquid injection portion by the pipette tip, or injection of the liquid into the liquid injection portion by the pipette tip and aspiration of the liquid inside the liquid injection portion.

A sample-to-answer microfluidic system and method including vertical microfluidic device and automated actuation mechanisms, such as, but not limited to, automated mechanical and/or magnetic actuation, is disclosed. In some embodiments, the sample-to-answer microfluidic system includes a vertically oriented microfluidic device and a rotating actuator in relation to the microfluidic device, and wherein the microfluidic device and the rotating actuator are operating in the XZ plane. Additionally, methods of using the sample-to-answer microfluidic system are provided.

Described are sensing devices and methods that preconcentrate an analyte in a sample for sensing by one or more sensors. Embodiments utilize a semipermeable membrane that is impermeable to the analyte or analytes of interest but permeable to other components of the sample fluid. Embodiments utilize a concentrator pump that applies a force to the sample causing at least a portion of the permeable components of the sample fluid to cross the semipermeable membrane into the pump but that leave substantially all, i.e., greater than 99%, of the analyte or analytes of interest in the preconcentrated sample fluid. Embodiments may include gating components at the inlet to the device and, optionally, at the outlet of the device. Embodiments allow for the analyte or analytes of interest to be preconcentrated to a defined amount.

The invention relates to a microfluidic chip with specifically shaped chambers to improve operability. The present invention further relates to a method of manufacturing a microfluidic chip, which has reagents embedded inside and which can perform analysis of multiple target analytes from a single test sample. Further, the invention relates to a simple analysis system that can be used by non-technical users by automating several stages of the process and providing the end user with simple feedback.

The present invention relates to a microfluidic assay system and associated reading device, as well as the individual components themselves. The present invention also relates to methods of conducting assays, using a disposable system and associated reading device, as well as kits for conducting assays.

A cartridge for collecting sample material may include a cartridge body, a filter, a fluid reservoir, and a fluid drive port. The cartridge body may define a capless sample well port configured to receive a sample material and a fluidic channel in fluid communication with the capless sample well port. The filter may be positioned between the capless sample well port and the fluidic channel. The fluidic channel may extend between the capless sample well port and the fluid reservoir. The fluid drive port may be in fluid communication with the fluidic channel. The fluid drive port may be configured to be operably connected to a pressure source such that a pressure is applied within the fluidic channel to direct the sample material towards the fluid reservoir.

The present invention relates to a system and method for moving samples, such as fluid, within a microfluidic system using a plurality of gas actuators for applying pressure at different locations within the microfluidic. The system includes a substrate which forms a fluid network through which fluid flows, and a plurality of gas actuators integral with the substrate. One such gas actuator is coupled to the network at a first location for providing gas pressure to move a microfluidic sample within the network. Another gas actuator is coupled to the network at a second location for providing gas pressure to further move at least a portion of the microfluidic sample within the network. A valve is coupled to the microfluidic network so that, when the valve is closed, it substantially isolates the second gas actuator from the first gas actuator.

A cartridge for collecting sample material may include a cartridge body and a fluid reservoir. The cartridge body may define a capless sample well port configured to receive the sample material and a fluidic channel in fluid communication with the capless sample well port. The fluidic channel may include a sample fluidic channel portion and may be configured such that an effect of gravity on the sample material within the sample fluidic channel portion does not overcome a capillary action of the fluidic channel. The fluidic channel may extend between the capless sample well port and the fluid reservoir. The fluidic channel may be configured to direct the sample material towards the fluid reservoir when a pressure is applied within the fluidic channel.

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.