A microfluidic group includes a female connector and a male needle connector. The female connector has a connector chamber in a containment body; a duct extending in the containment body to a duct opening on a first face of the connector chamber; a needle entry hole extending from a lateral face of the containment body to a second face, not facing the first face of the connector chamber; and a gasket arranged in the connector chamber. The gasket has a side wall internally delimiting a cavity and extending in part adjacent to the second face of the connector chamber. The cavity of the gasket faces the first face of the connector chamber.

The present invention provides an extraction cassette, which includes an extraction module and a liquid receiving module. The liquid receiving module communicates with the extraction module. The liquid receiving module includes a receiving module body, a sample compartment, a sealing member, an alcohol compartment and a first path. The receiving module body includes a first side, a second side and a sample feeding hole. The sample compartment is formed on the receiving module body. The sample compartment communicates with the sample feeding hole, the sample compartment includes a first sample compartment connection hole and a second sample compartment connection hole. The sealing member is adapted to seal the sample feeding hole. The alcohol compartment is formed on the receiving module body. The alcohol compartment communicates with the first sample compartment connection hole of the first sample compartment via the first path.

A system for detecting analytes in a test sample, and a method for processing the same, is provided. The system includes a cartridge reader unit that has a control unit and a pneumatic system, and a cartridge assembly that prepares the samples with mixing material(s) through communication channels. The assembly has a memory chip with parameters for preparing the sample and at least one sensor. The assembly, pneumatic system, and control unit operate together to prepare the sample and provide the prepared sample to the sensor for detecting analytes, and also process measurements from the sensor to generate test results.

Modular active surface devices for microfluidic systems and methods of making same is disclosed. In one example, the modular active surface device includes an active surface layer mounted atop an active surface substrate, a mask mounted atop the active surface layer wherein the mask defines the area, height, and volume of the reaction chamber, and a substrate mounted atop the mask wherein the substrate provides the facing surface to the active surface layer. In other examples, both facing surfaces of the reaction chamber include active surface layers. Further, the modular active surface device can include other layers, such as, but not limited to, adhesive layers, stiffening layers for facilitating handling, and peel-off sealing layers. Further, a large-scale manufacturing method is provided of mass-producing the modular active surface devices. Further, a method is provided of using a plasma bonding process to bond the active surface layer to the active surface substrate.

Microfluidic devices and methods of quantifying fatty acids and/or specialized pro-resolving mediators and/or fatty acid metabolites present in a fluid sample on a microfluidic device are described herein. The methods include extracting fatty acid esters containing fatty acids from the fluid sample, combining the extracted fatty acid esters with a hydrolyzing agent to cleave the fatty acids from the extracted fatty acid esters and form free fatty acids, and quantifying the free fatty acids by performing a bioassay specific to the free fatty acids. Microfluidic devices and methods of quantifying fatty acid metabolites present in a fluid sample on a microfluidic device are also described herein.

Spectrophotometric measurements on highly absorbing turbid samples face technical challenges that can be solved by reducing a path length of an optical chamber used during measurement. Reducing the path length requires exceptional control of variables that may be difficult to achieve in unit-use and inexpensive cuvettes. The invention provides a precise inexpensive method for producing an optical cavity useful in making spectrophotometric measurements on high attenuation liquid samples. Two components are shaped such that, when in contact, a central optical chamber and peripheral groove are formed. Liquid adhesive dispensed into the groove wicks around the interface perimeter, sealing the components together when cured. This results in a short precisely controlled path length that reduces chances of mechanical induced distortions (that arise with other bonding methods). The invention provides for manufacturing of a consistent optical chamber with very short path length within a diagnostic cartridge or cuvette.

A cartridge of the present invention is to be used in combination with a channel chip including a channel through which a liquid flows. The cartridge includes a reservoir for storing a liquid, in which a through hole configured to be connected to the channel is opened into a bottom part of the reservoir; a liquid discarding part for discarding the liquid in the reservoir; and a connection part which is disposed above the through hole, and connects the reservoir and the liquid discarding part to each other.

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.”

Some embodiments of the disclosure disclose manifolds, microfluidic systems and methods that provide control over fluid flow distribution to an array of bio-scaffolds contained within the manifolds. In some embodiments, multiple perfusates may be injected into the manifold via multiple inlets where the manifold contains a bio-assembly with a substrate having a bio-scaffold disposed thereon. Biological investigations of the perfusates may then be conducted in the vascular components and chambers of the bio-scaffold.

A liquid handling device includes: a cartridge including a first reservoir part in which a first reagent that is preservable in a non-frozen state is stored; and a channel chip including a second reservoir part in which a second reagent that should be preserved in a frozen state is stored, and a channel connected to the second reservoir part. The cartridge is attachable and detachable to and from the channel chip. The first reservoir part is connected to the channel when the cartridge is mounted in the channel chip.