Systems and methods for analysis of samples, and in certain embodiments, microfluidic sample analyzers configured to receive a cassette containing a sample therein to perform an analysis of the sample are described. The microfluidic sample analyzers may be used to control fluid flow, mixing, and sample analysis in a variety of microfluidic systems such as microfluidic point-of-care diagnostic platforms. Advantageously, the microfluidic sample analyzers may be, in some embodiments, inexpensive, reduced in size compared to conventional bench top systems, and simple to use. Cassettes that can operate with the sample analyzers are also described.

A flow control device comprises a laminate structure of an electroactive material layer and a non-actuatable layer. An array of orifices is formed in one of the layers wherein the orifices are open in one of the rest state and actuated state and the orifices are closed in the other of the rest state and actuated state. Actuation of the electroactive material layer causes orifices to open and close so that flow control function may be implemented.

Extracting and concentrating particles from a first fluid sample includes: providing the first fluid sample to a fluid exchange module of a microfluidic device, providing a second fluid sample to the fluid exchange module, in which the first fluid sample and the second fluid sample are provided under conditions such that particle-free portions of the first fluid sample are shifted, and an inertial lift force causes the particles in the first fluid sample to cross streamlines and transfer into the second fluid sample; passing the second fluid sample containing the transferred particles to a particle concentration module under conditions such that particle-free portions of the second fluid sample are shifted, and such that the particles within the second fluid sample are focused to a streamline within the particle concentration module.

A liquid handling device having an axis of rotation about which the device can be rotated to drive liquid flow. The device includes a vented upstream chamber having an outlet port and an unvented chamber including an inlet port to receive liquid from the outlet port of the upstream chamber and an outlet port radially outward the inlet port. The device further includes a vented downstream chamber having an inlet port to receive liquid from the outlet port of the unvented chamber. A downstream conduit connects the outlet port of the unvented chamber to the inlet port of the downstream chamber and includes a bend radially inward of the outlet port of the unvented chamber. An upstream conduit connects the outlet port of the upstream chamber to the inlet port of the unvented chamber.

Examples include microfluidic devices. Example microfluidic devices include a first microfluidic channel, a second microfluidic channel, and a third microfluidic channel fluidly coupled to the first microfluidic channel and the second microfluidic channel via a fluid junction. A fluid actuator is disposed in the third microfluidic channel to actuate to thereby pump a first fluid and a second fluid into the third microfluidic channel.

A substrate structured to define thereon a fluid flow channel and/or a fluid control feature is described. The substrate may additionally comprise a capture zone and/or a test zone, for use as a test strip for determining presence or absence of an analyte of interest, such as an infectious agent or a biomarker. Reagents are deposited in the capture zone and/or test zone as an array of drops.

Disclosed is a liquid sending method for sending liquid to a sample processing chip having a flow path formed therein, the method including: measuring a flow of a second liquid which is different from a first liquid which is introduced into the flow path in the sample processing chip; controlling the flow of the second liquid on the basis of the measured flow; and introducing the first liquid into the flow path in the sample processing chip by means of the second liquid of which flow is controlled.

An assay cartridge for detecting a target component in a liquid sample is provided. The cartridge comprises: a sample collection unit configured to introduce the liquid sample into the cartridge; a fluid pathway commencing at its proximal end at the sample collection unit and extending distally through the cartridge including: one or more capture components immobilised within the fluid pathway; one or more detection reagents provided proximally of or level with the capture components each contained within a liquid droplet.

The present invention discloses a detection apparatus, comprising a base layer, wherein the base layer comprises a groove for containing a testing element and a sample chamber for collecting a fluid sample. The detection apparatus can achieve fast, efficient and accurate detection of analytes in liquid samples, make operators to perform testing conveniently and freely, without causing incorrect results. In some preferred modes, the sample chamber comprises a liquid channel.

A threaded fluidic fitting may include a fluid passage, at least one fluid port, a threaded fitting portion, an engageable body portion, and an electro-fluidic leak detection element. The fluid passage extends from the fluid port of the threaded fluidic fitting. The threaded fitting portion comprises a helical thread, extends from a leak detection face of the engageable body portion, and is configured to rotate with the engageable body portion to enhance a fluidically sealed engagement of one of the fluid ports with a complementary fluidic component. The electro-fluidic leak detection element is positioned on the leak detection face of the engageable body portion or on a drip edge portion of a face extending from the leak detection face. A fluid handling system may include a plurality of threaded fluidic fittings and a leak detecting computing hub in communication with the plurality of threaded fluidic fittings.