A microfluidic device includes multiple microfluidic assay units arranged on a substrate, with each assay unit including multiple scaffold regions each containing a three-dimensional scaffold with associated cells, and a media channel surrounding a fluid-permeable boundary portion of at least a second scaffold region, wherein a fluid-permeable interface between the media channel and the second scaffold region comprises a curved shape spanning an arc of more than 90 degrees. A third scaffold region may be provided. Boundaries between different scaffold regions, and between a scaffold region and the media channel, may include microposts that may be spaced apart in a curved configuration. A method for performing an assay utilizing such a device is further provided.

The present invention relates to systems and methods for the arrangement of droplets in pre-determined locations. Many applications require the collection of time-resolved data. Examples include the screening of cells based on their growth characteristics or the observation of enzymatic reactions. The present invention provides a tool and related techniques which addresses this need, and which can be used in many other situations. The invention provides, in one aspect, a tool that allows for stable storage and indexing of individual droplets. The invention can interface not only with microfluidic/microscale equipment, but with macroscopic equipment to allow for the easy injection of liquids and extraction of sample droplets, etc.

The present disclosure relates to water dispersible or soluble diagnostic assay methods, devices, kits, and methods of manufacture.

A semiconductor sensor-based near-patient diagnostic system and related methods.

An apparatus and method to detect disease-specific antigens assists in disease diagnosis. Point-of-care (POC) micro biochip incorporates at least one hydrophilic microchannel for controlled and self-driven flow of body fluid. Metallic nano-interdigitated electrodes disposed within the channels give enhanced sensitivity detection. Microchannel controls flow and amplifies a capillary effect. Electrodes are fabricated on microchannel surface to detect biomolecular interactions. When a sample flows through microchannel, disease-specific antigens from the sample form antigen-antibody complex with antibodies immobilized on electrodes. Antigen-antibody interaction is detected via an electrical change in the biochip's nano circuit. Each electrode may include a different antibody to detect different antigens. Capacitance during antigen-antibody interaction without microfluidic flow is higher than with microfluidic flow due to immobilized antibodies instability on sensing surface caused by shear stress. POC biochip provides nano level detection of many disease-specific antigens of any type based on micro volume or single drop sized sample.

A liquid application unit and a liquid application apparatus are provided, for which a liquid material can be readily resupplied or replaced. A liquid application unit includes: a plurality of application needle units each including an application needle and a liquid material container in which the liquid material is stored and from which the liquid material is supplied to the application needle; and a first driving unit configured to move the application needle relative to a target and the liquid material container in a first direction. The plurality of application needle units are integrally attachable to and detachable from the first driving unit.

The present invention is directed to a recirculation system for use in microfluidic centrifugal disc platforms for reusing and mixing an entire sample. The present invention features a system comprising a reservoir, an input channel, a detection array, a pressure chamber, and a recirculation channel connecting the pressure chamber to the reservoir. The recirculation channel may have a resistance lower than the channel upstream resistance. When the CD platform spins at a high RPM, the liquid may be directed from the reservoir into the pressure chamber. When the RPM of the CD platform decreases rapidly, the liquid may be from the pressure chamber through the channel and through the recirculation channel to the reservoir, such that the liquid travels through the recirculation channel faster than the liquid travels through the channel.

An electrowetting system is disclosed. The system includes electrodes configured to manipulate droplets of fluid in a microfluidic space. Each electrode is coupled to circuitry operative to selectively apply a driving voltage to the electrode. The system includes a dielectric stack including a first dielectric pair comprising a first layer having a first dielectric constant and a second layer having a second dielectric constant. The second dielectric constant is larger than the first dielectric constant. The dielectric stack includes a second dielectric pair comprising a third layer having a third dielectric constant and a fourth layer having a fourth dielectric constant. The fourth dielectric constant is larger than the third dielectric constant. A ratio of a thickness of the fourth layer to a thickness of the third layer (T.sub.4:T.sub.3) is in the range from about 2:1 to about 8:1. The second dielectric pair is thinner than the first dielectric pair.

A chip for biochemical reactions comprising: a first body including a plurality of first through openings arranged according to an arrangement pattern; a second body, having a hydrophilic surface, coupled to the first body on the hydrophilic surface; and an intermediate layer, which extends over the hydrophilic surface and forms a coupling interface between the first and the second bodies. The intermediate layer is of hydrophobic material, extends continuously over the hydrophilic surface, and has a plurality of second through openings through which respective regions of the hydrophilic surface are exposed. The hydrophilic regions may be functionalized for carrying out a PCR.

A microfluidic device can include a base an outer surface of which forms one or more enclosures for containing a fluidic medium. The base can include an array of individually controllable transistor structures each of which can comprise both a lateral transistor and a vertical transistor. The transistor structures can be light activated, and the lateral and vertical transistors can thus be photo transistors. Each transistor structure can be activated to create a temporary electrical connection from a region of the outer surface of the base (and thus fluidic medium in the enclosure) to a common electrical conductor. The temporary electrical connection can induce a localized electrokinetic force generally at the region, which can be sufficiently strong to move a nearby micro-object in the enclosure.