The invention relates to a method of manipulating droplets in a channel area, comprising: providing a flow of carrier fluid in the channel area; providing at least one droplet of a first fluid and at least one droplet of a second fluid within the carrier fluid, the first fluid and the second fluid being immiscible with the carrier fluid; displacing the droplet of first fluid and the droplet of second fluid along the channel area, successively (a) by a flow of carrier fluid in a first direction and at a first flow rate; and (b) by a flow of carrier fluid in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and at a second flow rate different from the first flow rate.

The present invention provides a biological sample holder and handler system for cell-based liquid biopsies. The system is useful for performing diagnostic assays, based on a simple blood sample. For example, the system is useful for delivering precision cancer diagnoses that improve patient outcomes by optimizing treatment options, monitoring therapy efficacy, characterizing metastasis and assessing treatment toxicity

The present application discloses a plurality of embodiments and associated inventions, with respect to microfluidic systems for at least one of identifying, imaging, orientating, and sorting particles, in particular, biological cells, and more particularly, X and Y sperm cells. In some embodiments, a module system with functional connectors is provided, each module being connected by a connector that can provide additional functionality aside from enabling fluid flow between modules. The present disclosure also is directed to microfluidic systems which include particle delivery tubes configured to orient particles (e.g., X and Y sperm cells), as well as microfluidic systems for generating a static, spatial patterns within the microfluidic channel.

Optical systems for DNA sequencing and other assays are described. Microscope designs may include a light source configured to emit an excitation beam and an objective lens disposed to receive the excitation beam, direct the excitation beam to a specimen, and receive emission light emitted by the specimen in response to the excitation beam. A plurality of detection channels includes optics configured to receive at least a portion of the emission light. A first dichroic filter can be disposed to reflect the excitation beam into the objective lens and to transmit the emission light, and a second dichroic filter can be disposed to receive the transmitted emission light, transmit a first portion of the transmitted emission light to a first channel of the plurality of channels, and reflect a second portion of the transmitted emission light to a second channel of the plurality of channels. Imaging or detection performance may further be improved by a reduced angle of incidence between the emission light and some or all of the dichroic filters, and/or by linearly polarizing the excitation beam such that the excitation beam is s-polarized with respect to the first dichroic filter.

Optical systems for DNA sequencing and other assays are described. Microscope designs may include a light source configured to emit an excitation beam and an objective lens disposed to receive the excitation beam, direct the excitation beam to a specimen, and receive emission light emitted by the specimen in response to the excitation beam. A plurality of detection channels includes optics configured to receive at least a portion of the emission light. A first dichroic filter can be disposed to reflect the excitation beam into the objective lens and to transmit the emission light, and a second dichroic filter can be disposed to receive the transmitted emission light, transmit a first portion of the transmitted emission light to a first channel of the plurality of channels, and reflect a second portion of the transmitted emission light to a second channel of the plurality of channels. Imaging or detection performance may further be improved by a reduced angle of incidence between the emission light and some or all of the dichroic filters, and/or by linearly polarizing the excitation beam such that the excitation beam is s-polarized with respect to the first dichroic filter.

A method for manufacturing a fluidic device is provided. The method comprises providing a capillary, providing a structure having a fluidic channel and an opening, reducing an outer diameter of a portion of the capillary to be smaller than the opening of the structure. Furthermore, the method comprises inserting, at least partly, the portion of the capillary through the opening of the structure into the fluidic channel and applying heat to the structure to expand the inserted portion of the capillary to fit the capillary to the structure.

Bodily fluid sample collection systems, devices, and method are provided. The device may comprise a first portion comprising at least a sample collection channel configured to draw the fluid sample into the sample collection channel via a first type of motive force. The sample collection device may include a second portion comprising a sample container for receiving the bodily fluid sample collected in the sample collection channel, the sample container operably engagable to be in fluid communication with the collection channel, whereupon when fluid communication is established, the container provides a second motive force different from the first motive force to move a majority of the bodily fluid sample from the channel into the container.

Micro-valve system includes two or more superimposed tubes and a pressing device for fluid control in miniaturized capillary connections. The micro-valve system and method of fabrication can be tailored to the requirements of a wide range of applications; composition, sturdiness and thickness of plastic tubes; and capable of been adapted to the resilient of mechanical pressure and the passing and transport of fluid types.

Articles and systems for separating micro-sized analytes.

An apparatus and methods for performing blood coagulation assays using whole blood or plasma samples in a small portable handheld device.