Patterning a substrate can be provided. A substrate is covered by an immersion liquid and a microfluidic probe head is positioned in proximity with the surface of the substrate, so as to immerse a processing surface of the probe head in the immersion liquid. Liquid flows are generated between the processing surface of the probe head and the surface of the substrate, via the probe head. The liquid flows generated include an etching flow of an etching liquid (e.g., an acid or solvent) and a processing flow of a processing liquid (e.g., a solution or suspension).

The present invention provides devices and systems for use at the point of care. The methods devices of the invention are directed toward automatic detection of analytes in a bodily fluid. The components of the device are modular to allow for flexibility and robustness of use with the disclosed methods for a variety of medical applications.

Provided are methods and related devices for preparing a cell and tissue culture, including a hanging drop culture. Microwells are specially loaded with cell mixtures using a removable reservoir and forcing cells into the underlying microwells. The removable reservoir is removed and the cells partitioned into the individual microwells and covered by an immiscible layer of fluid. The microwells and immiscible layer is inverted and the cells in the microwells cultured. The microwells may have shape-controlling elements to control the three-dimensional shape of the culture.

Microfluidic probe head for processing a sequence of separate liquid volumes separated by spacers. The microfluidic probe head includes: an inlet, an outlet, a first fluid channel and a second fluid channel and a fluid bypass connecting the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel. The first fluid channel delivers the sequence of separate liquid volumes from the inlet toward a deposition area, the fluid bypass allows the spacers to be removed from the first fluid channel obtaining a free sequence of separate liquid volumes without spacers, the first fluid channel delivers the free sequence of separate liquid volumes to the deposition area, and the second fluid channel delivers the removed spacers from the fluid bypass to the outlet. The present invention also provides a microfluidic probe and method for processing a sequence of separate liquid volumes.

An apparatus including an integrated reference electrode and a fluid dispenser is described. The reference electrode includes a body and a tip. The fluid dispenser at least partially surrounds the tip of the reference electrode and includes an inlet, a chamber, and an outlet. The fluid dispenser is configured to receive a fluid sample from the inlet to the chamber and form a droplet of the fluid sample through the outlet so that the droplet is in fluidic contact with the tip of the reference electrode and associated with a known potential determined by the reference electrode.

Disclosed is a specimen measurement device including a nozzle having an area on a distal end side being covered by a hydrophobic coating; a measurement unit that measures a specimen dispensed into a container by the nozzle; and a drive unit that moves the nozzle so as to abut on a bottom surface of the container, in which the nozzle having a distal end surface on a discharge port side being exposed from the hydrophobic coating.

A solution attachment device includes: an ejection tool having an ejection opening that ejects a solution in a direction of gravitational force; and a solution attachment control portion for controlling attachment of the solution ejected from the ejection opening to at least one attachment subject region of the solution formed on a substrate in a state in which the at least one attachment subject region is disposed below an end surface including the ejection opening of the ejection tool in the direction of gravitational force, and, in the state, a first projection region obtained by projecting the end surface to a surface perpendicular to the direction of gravitational force substantially overlaps a second projection region obtained by projecting the at least one attachment subject region to the surface.

An apparatus including an integrated reference electrode and a fluid dispenser is described. The reference electrode includes a body and a tip. The fluid dispenser at least partially surrounds the tip of the reference electrode and includes an inlet, a chamber, and an outlet. The fluid dispenser is configured to receive a fluid sample from the inlet to the chamber and form a droplet of the fluid sample through the outlet so that the droplet is in fluidic contact with the tip of the reference electrode and associated with a known potential determined by the reference electrode.

Microfluidic probe head for processing a sequence of separate liquid volumes separated by spacers. The microfluidic probe head includes: an inlet, an outlet, a first fluid channel and a second fluid channel and a fluid bypass connecting the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel. The first fluid channel delivers the sequence of separate liquid volumes from the inlet toward a deposition area, the fluid bypass allows the spacers to be removed from the first fluid channel obtaining a free sequence of separate liquid volumes without spacers, the first fluid channel delivers the free sequence of separate liquid volumes to the deposition area, and the second fluid channel delivers the removed spacers from the fluid bypass to the outlet. The present invention also provides a microfluidic probe and method for processing a sequence of separate liquid volumes.

An integrated device for a sample collection and transfer is provided. The integrated device comprises a capillary channel disposed between a first layer and a second layer, wherein the first layer comprises a hydrophilic layer comprising a fluid inlet for receiving a sample fluid to the capillary channel, wherein the capillary channel comprises an inner surface and an outer surface; and an outlet for driving out the sample fluid. The device further comprises a third layer comprising an adhesive material such as a patterned adhesive material and a flow path, wherein the third layer is disposed on the outer surface of the capillary, at a determining position relative to the outlet, such that the capillary is in contact with the third layer and the outlet is in contact with the flow path of the third layer for allowing the sample fluid out from the integrated device.