A bridge (30) comprises a first inlet port (31) at the end of a capillary, a narrower second inlet port (32) which is an end of a capillary, an outlet port (33) which is an end of a capillary, and a chamber (34) for silicone oil. The oil is density-matched with the reactor droplets such that a neutrally buoyant environment is created within the chamber (34). The oil within the chamber is continuously replenished by the oil separating the reactor droplets. This causes the droplets to assume a stable capillary-suspended spherical form upon entering the chamber (34). The spherical shape grows until large enough to span the gap between the ports, forming an axisymmetric liquid bridge. The introduction of a second droplet from the second inlet port (32) causes the formation of an unstable funicular bridge that quickly ruptures from the, finer, second inlet port (32), and the droplets combine at the liquid bridge (30). In another embodiment, a droplet (55) segments into smaller droplets which bridge the gap between the inlet and outlet ports.

A flowcell device, including a flow pathway and an optical subassembly, has a flowcell body that is continuous with a sample being analyzed and a temperature controlled surface. The flowcell body can be disposed between a thermalplate, actively regulated by a thermoelectric cooler, and an insulating member. The flowcell device can be employed in a bioreactor monitoring system.

The object of the present invention is to provide (1) a cell sorter, (2) a flow cytometer capable of detecting sideward scattered light, (3) a method for accurately measuring cell concentration, (4) a method for multicolor staining analysis without a fluorescence correction, and the like, which satisfy requirements that carry-over and cross contamination of samples do not occur. The object can be solved by an apparatus for separating particles comprising: a flow cell wherein a flow path is formed in a flat substrate, an illumination unit configured to illuminate the particles in a sample liquid flowing through the flow path, a detection unit configured to detect particles of interest by detecting scattered light or fluorescence from the particle when the particle is illuminated, and identifying the particle based on its signal intensity, a constant-pressure pump which applies a pressure pulse to the particles in the sample liquid flowing through the flow path in the flow cell, and an electromagnetic valve connected thereto, and
a control unit configured to control the movement of the electromagnetic valve based on the signal from the detection unit.

The invention relates to a particle detection device and a method for detecting particles in a fluid by means of separation. A channel structure is arranged for separating an incoming flow into a major flow comprising a minor portion of particles above the first predetermined size and a minor flow comprising a major portion of particles above the predetermined size. One or more detectors are arranged for detecting particles in the major flow and minor flow. The channel structure further comprises a choked flow restriction arranged for enabling a constant flow independent of pressure conditions.

A technique is provided for incorporating pneumatic control in centrifugal microfluidics. The technique involves providing a chip controller that has pressurized fluid supply lines for coupling one or more pressurized chambers of the controller with ports of a microfluidic chip. At least part of the chip controller is mounted to a centrifuge for rotation with the chip. A flow control device is provided in each supply line for selectively controlling the pressurized fluid supply, and is electrically controlled. Bubble mixing, on and off-chip valving, and switching are demonstrated.

The present disclosure provides microfluidic devices, systems and methods for sample preparation and/or analysis. A microfluidic device can include a first channel having a sequence of (n) chambers each having a first volume (v). The first channel can include one or more valves at opposing ends of the first channel that fluidically isolate the first channel. The microfluidic device can further include a second channel in fluid communication with the first channel. The second channel can include at least one second chamber having a total second volume that is at least equal to the total volume of the first channel (n*v). The second channel can include one or more valves at opposing ends of the second channel that fluidically isolate the second channel from the first channel.

A method includes providing a cartridge and the cartridge includes a slot for receiving a microfluidic chip having a set of first channels. The cartridge also includes a set of second channels and each channel of the set of second channels is coupleable to a different channel of the set of first channels during use with the microfluidic chip. The cartridge also includes an indent configured for engagement and alignment of the cartridge during use. The method also includes inserting the cartridge into a device, such that the cartridge engages a first biasing member of the device configured for alignment of the cartridge in a first direction. The first biasing member is configured to bias movement of the cartridge into locking position with a notch of the device.

A point of use analyzer includes pump, valve, port, and storage channel. The storage channel may hold multiple assay packets composed of reagent aliquots separated by bounding slugs. The storage channel may define an elongated lumen having two ends with each of the ends coupled to the valve. A sampling device for use with the analyzer engages the port and may include a recurrent coaxial tube having a separation medium. A method of using the analyzer with the sampling device includes steps of pumping a fluid to displace a sample into the separation medium and out through the opposed connection.

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.

Methods of maintaining narrow residence time distributions in continuous flow systems, particularly applicable to virus inactivation such as during a protein purification process. Fluid sample is introduced into an axial flow channel and caused to flow therein in discrete packets or zones to minimize residence time distribution and axial dispersion. Embodiments described herein obviate or minimize the need for using large tanks or reservoirs for performing virus inactivation during a protein purification process; reduce the overall time required for virus inactivation, and/or reduce the overall physical space required to perform the virus inactivation operation during a protein purification process, which in turn reduces the overall footprint for the purification process.