Integrated devices that include a sample preparation component integrated with a detection component are disclosed. The sample preparation component may be a digital microfluidics module or a surface acoustic wave module which modules are used for combing a sample droplet with a reagent droplet and for performing additional sample preparation step leading to a droplet that contains beads/particles/labels that indicate presence or absence of an analyte of interest in the sample. The beads/particles/labels may be detected by moving the droplet to the detection component of the device, which detection component includes an array of wells.

A microfluidic delivery device and method of dispensing a fluid composition from a microfluidic die are provided. The method includes generating air flow from a fan; directing a first portion of the air flow through a first air outlet in a housing; directing a second portion of the air flow through a second air outlet in the housing; jetting a fluid composition from a microfluidic die through a fluid orifice in the housing; directing the second portion of air flow adjacent to the microfluidic die and out the fluid outlet, wherein the first portion of the air flow directs the fluid composition jetted out of the fluid outlet into the air.

A pipette includes an end section, a first section, a second section and a third section aligned along a central axis of the pipette tip. The end section comprises an orifice for aspirating and dispensing a fluid. A first kink is formed in an inner surface of the pipette tip between the first section and the second section, such that an angle between the inner surface of the first section and the central axis is smaller than an angle between the inner surface of the second section and the central axis. A second kink is formed in the inner surface of the pipette tip between the second section and the third section, such that the angle between the inner surface of the second section and the central axis is smaller than an angle between the inner surface of the third section and the central axis.

A biological sample reaction vessel comprising a reagent storage portion and a push rod movable relative to the reagent storage portion is provided. The reagent storage portion comprises at least one reagent containing cavity, and the reagent containing cavity is sealed by a sealing element; and the push rod is connected to the sealing element, and the push rod is used for cooperation with an external device to separate the sealing element from the reagent storage portion. In reaction, the biological sample reaction vessel cooperates with a test cassette. By inserting the biological sample reaction vessel into the external device, the reagent in the reagent storage portion can be released rapidly.

A method of vascularising a cell aggregate on a microfluidic device, microfluidic cell culture devices comprising perfusable vascular networks and kits and assays using the microfluidic cell culture devices are described. The microfluidic devices comprise one or more capillary pressure barriers allowing for formation of an extracellular matrix gel within a confined area of the network, in which cells can be cultured for different uses.

Zebrafish are a powerful model for investigating cardiac repair due to their unique regenerative abilities, scalability, and compatibility with many genetic tools. However, characterizing the regeneration process in live adult zebrafish hearts has proved challenging because adult fish are opaque and explanted hearts in conventional culture conditions experience rapid declines in morphology and physiology. To overcome these limitations, we fabricated a fluidic device for culturing explanted adult zebrafish hearts with constant media perfusion that is also compatible with live imaging. Unlike hearts cultured in dishes for one week, the morphology and calcium activity of hearts cultured in the device for one week were largely similar to freshly explanted hearts. We also cultured injured hearts in the device and used live imaging techniques to continuously record the revascularization process over several days, demonstrating how our device enables unprecedented visual access to the multi-day process of adult zebrafish heart regeneration.

Microfluidic devices and methods for focusing components in a fluid sample are described herein. The microfluidic devices feature a microfluidic chip having a micro-channel having a constricting portion that narrows in width, and a flow focusing region downstream of the micro-channel. The flow focusing region includes a positively sloping bottom surface that reduces a height of the flow focusing region and sidewalls that taper to reduce a width of the flow focusing region, thereby geometrically constricting the flow focusing region. The devices and methods can be utilized in sex-sorting of sperm cells to improve performance and increase eligibility.

A system and associated method for concentrating and separating components of different densities from fluid containing cells using a centrifuge includes a syringe and a syringe holder, the syringe having a proximal top with a luer port, a sidewall extending from the top forming a syringe tube, and a plunger slidably disposed inside the syringe tube, the plunger forming a sealing engagement with the sidewall, the syringe holder defining a cavity for receiving the syringe, wherein a distal end of the syringe tube is at least partially closed by the syringe holder after the plunger is placed inside the syringe tube. The method includes receiving a fluid containing cells in the syringe; placing the syringe and syringe holder into a centrifuge; exposing the syringe and syringe holder to elevated g force in the centrifuge, the syringe holder being in physical contact with the sidewall on the distal end to provide support and prevent fluid from leaking outside the syringe; removing the syringe from the centrifuge; and extracting separated layers containing cells using the luer port of the syringe as an access port.

Provided is a centrifugal separation container for separating a material from tissue and body fluids by using a centrifugal force, including: a first container; a second container; a first piston positioned in the inside of the first container and configured to be movable up and down in the inside of the first container; an elastic body positioned below the first piston in the inside of the first container and configured to elastically bias the first piston upward; a first connecting duct having one end connected to the first container and the other end connected to the second container; and a first control valve operating by a centrifugal force and configured to open and close the first connecting duct.

We describe a microfluidic structure for spacing out droplets, the structure comprising: a main channel for guiding droplets in a spacing fluid; a first inlet for introducing droplets into the main channel; and a second inlet for introducing a spacing fluid into the main channel, wherein a cross-sectional area of the main channel decreases downstream from the first inlet. We also describe a method of spacing out droplets using a microfluidic structure.