In a channel structure of a channel device, first confluence channels of a plurality of first channels include a plurality of first confluence channels arranged along a second board front surface, first confluence portions of the first channels in each of first boards are configured of a plurality of first confluence portion through-holes that penetrate the first board, and second first-liquid introduction channel and second second-liquid introduction channels of a plurality of second channels are arranged along the second board front surface and are located in an area that is deviated from the first confluence channels in a view in a direction along a stacking direction of the first board and the second board.

The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for detecting polynucleotides in a sample and for quantifying polynucleotide load in a sample. The polynucleotides can be associated with a disease, disorder, or condition. In some applications, methylated DNA is quantified, e.g., in order to determine the load of polynucleotides in a sample. The present disclosure also provides methods and compositions for determining the load of fetal polynucleotides in a biological sample, e.g., the load of fetal polynucleotides (e.g., DNA, RNA) in maternal plasma. The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for detecting cellular processes such as cellular viability, growth rates, and infection rates. This disclosure also provides compositions and methods for detecting differences in copy number of a target polynucleotide. In some embodiments, the methods and compositions provided herein are useful for diagnosis of fetal genetic abnormalities, when the starting sample is maternal tissue (e.g., blood, plasma). The methods and materials described apply techniques for allowing detection of small, but statistically significant, differences in polynucleotide copy number.

Microfluidic devices having a construct formed from perfluoropolyether and poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate. The construct includes an inlet for receiving a continuous phase fluid, an inlet for receiving a dispersed phase fluid, and a plurality of channels extending through the construct. The plurality of channels are in fluid communication with both the inlet of the continuous phase fluid and the inlet of the dispersed phase fluid. The construct further includes a plurality of microdroplet generators configured to produce microdroplets, each of the microdroplet generators in fluid communication with the plurality of channels. Additionally, the construct includes an outlet formed in the construct and in fluid connection with the plurality of microdroplet generators.

This invention provides compositions and methods for detecting differences in copy number of a target polynucleotide. In some cases, the methods and compositions provided herein are useful for diagnosis of fetal genetic abnormalities, when the starting sample is maternal tissue (e.g., blood, plasma). The methods and materials described apply techniques for allowing detection of small, but statistically significant, differences in polynucleotide copy number.

A system, mixing-enhanced microfluidic container, and methods for small volume sample collection and/or analysis is disclosed. Namely, the invention is directed to a small volume sample collection system that includes a mixing-enhanced microfluidic container and a durable reusable actuation chuck. The mixing-enhanced microfluidic container is used to collect small volumes of sample fluid and includes a means for mixing the sample fluid with reagents disposed within the microfluidic container. The mixing means utilize an array of surface-attached structures (e.g., a micropost array). The application of an “actuation force,” such as a magnetic or electric field, actuates the surface-attached structures into movement, wherein the actuation chuck in close proximity to the mixing-enhanced microfluidic container provides the “actuation force.”

A system for creating an oxidation reduction potential (ORP) in water employs a plurality of ozone supply units housed in separate enclosures. The ozone supply units feed into a manifold that contains a plurality of fluid paths and has one or more ozone intake ports. The ozone intake ports are fluidically coupled to one or more ozone output ports of each ozone supply unit. The manifold includes a plurality of flow switches configured to transmit control signals to one or more controllers of each ozone supply unit in response to sensing a flow of water through the fluid paths in order to cause the ozone supply units to generate ozone. The manifold also includes a plurality of fluid mixers that are fluidically coupled to the ozone intake ports and configured to introduce the ozone generated by the ozone supply units into the water flowing through the fluid paths.

A stirring apparatus for foods includes an endless conveyer, a plurality of cups, and a rotation mechanism. The endless conveyer has a conveying surface circulating in an endless manner and is arranged to be inclined. The cups are attached to the endless conveyer to be perpendicular to the conveying surface. The rotation mechanism rotates the cups. The rotation mechanism includes a rotation shaft, a driven magnet, a driving magnet, and a rotation driving device. One end of the rotation shaft is fixed to a bottom plate of the cup. The driven magnet is provided at the other end of the rotation shaft. The driving magnet faces the driven magnet at a predetermined interval. The rotation driving device rotates the driving magnet.

A method and system for forming a liquid mixture utilizes a mixing tank with a tank inlet oriented and configured to create a swirling liquid flow that forms a vortex within the tank. A portion of the swirling liquid is discharged through an outlet formed by an opening in a lower wall of the tank. At least a portion of the opening is offset to one side of a central axis of the lower wall. Liquid is circulated and reintroduced into the tank inlet. A material to be mixed is introduced into the swirling liquid flow within the tank interior to form a liquid mixture.

There is provided an inline saturator system and method for gas exchange with an aqueous-phase liquid. The system includes a pressure vessel, configured to receive a first liquid and a first gas from external sources and to discharge a second liquid and a second gas from the pressure vessel, and a gas infusion device situated within the pressure vessel. The gas infusion device is configured to receive the first liquid and first gas, to facilitate gas exchange therebetween, producing the second liquid and the second gas, and to discharge the second liquid and second gas into the pressure vessel. The system further includes a recirculation system configured to direct a portion of liquid within the pressure vessel back into the saturator device, where injection of the redirected liquid into the gas infusion device forces the first liquid into the gas infusion device for the gas exchange.

A system, mixing-enhanced microfluidic container, and methods for small volume sample collection and/or analysis is disclosed. Namely, the invention is directed to a small volume sample collection system that includes a mixing-enhanced microfluidic container and a durable reusable actuation chuck. The mixing-enhanced microfluidic container is used to collect small volumes of sample fluid and includes a means for mixing the sample fluid with reagents disposed within the microfluidic container. The mixing means utilize an array of surface-attached structures (e.g., a micropost array). The application of an “actuation force,” such as a magnetic or electric field, actuates the surface-attached structures into movement, wherein the actuation chuck in close proximity to the mixing-enhanced microfluidic container provides the “actuation force.”