Devices and methods for the detection of analytes are disclosed. Devices and methods for detecting food-borne pathogens are disclosed.

A fluidic testing platform and methods of its operation are described. The fluidic cartridge includes a first fluidic channel and a wheel assembly coupled to the first fluidic channel. The wheel assembly includes a center portion coupled to the first fluidic channel and designed to deliver fluid through one or more second fluidic channels that radiate outward from the center portion. The wheel assembly also includes a third fluidic channel arranged in a closed loop and one or more capillaries coupled to an outer surface of the third fluidic channel and arranged to radiate outward from the center portion. The wheel assembly is designed to rotate such that fluid is forced outward from the center portion through the one or more capillaries.

A coagulation test device for measuring clotting time and clot characteristics of a whole blood sample under different hemostatic conditions. Results of the test are used as an aid in management of patients with coagulopathy of unknown etiology in order to help the physician determine appropriate clinical action to arrest bleeding in a patient.

Provided herein, among other aspects, are methods and apparatuses for analyzing particles in a sample. In some aspects, the particles can be analytes, cells, nucleic acids, or proteins and can be contacted with a tag, partitioned into aliquots, detected by a ranking device, and isolated. The methods and apparatuses provided herein may include a microfluidic chip. In some aspects, the methods and apparatuses may be used to quantify rare particles in a sample, such as cancer cells and other rare cells for disease diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment.

A nucleic acid inspection apparatus has an installer to install a nucleic acid inspection device, the installer comprising a storage unit to store at least a specimen sample, an amplifier to amplify nucleic acid contained in the specimen sample stored in the storage unit, a first flow passage to move the specimen sample from the storage unit to the amplifier, an inspection unit, and a second flow passage to move the specimen sample from the amplifier to the inspection unit, a first opening/closing unit to open/close the first flow passage, a second opening/closing unit to open/close the second flow passage, a heater to heat the amplifier, and a controller to control the first and second opening/closing units so as to open/close in a predetermined order and to control the heater so as to heat the amplifier in conjunction with opening/closing operations of the first and second opening/closing units.

A particle separation device comprises a first flow path including a flow inlet, a second flow path connected to the first flow path, and a plurality of branch flow paths. Each of the plurality of branch flow paths is connected to the second flow path, and includes a flow outlet. The first flow path includes a bending unit, a first unit, and a second unit. In the bending unit, a direction in which a flow path extends is bent in a planar view. The first unit is located adjacent to the bending unit and closer to a flow inlet than the bending unit. The second unit is located adjacent to the bending unit and closer to a second flow path than the bending unit. A width of the second unit in the first flow path is smaller than a width of the first unit in the first flow path.

The present disclosure provides microfluidic devices, systems and methods for sample preparation and/or analysis. A microfluidic device can include a first channel having a sequence of (n) chambers each having a first volume (v). The first channel can include one or more valves at opposing ends of the first channel that fluidically isolate the first channel. The microfluidic device can further include a second channel in fluid communication with the first channel. The second channel can include at least one second chamber having a total second volume that is at least equal to the total volume of the first channel (n*v). The second channel can include one or more valves at opposing ends of the second channel that fluidically isolate the second channel from the first channel.

Methods are provided for separating magnetically responsive beads from a droplet in a droplet actuator. Droplet operations electrodes and a magnet are arranged in a droplet actuator to manipulate a bead-containing droplet and position it relative to a magnetic field region that attracts the magnetically responsive beads. The droplet operations electrodes are operated to control the droplet shape and transport it away from the magnetic field region to form a concentration of beads in the droplet. The continued transport of the droplet away from the magnetic field causes the concentration of beads to break away from the droplet to yield a small, concentrated bead-containing droplet immobilized by the magnet.

A liquid handling system and method, e.g., for testing blood samples. The system comprises a cartridge, and a transfer device couplable to a liquid reservoir. The cartridge comprises compartments with an inlet, closed by a seal, and an outlet, closed by a gas-permeable liquid-tight filter. Keying portions define a relative position and orientation of the cartridge and the transfer device. Penetrating elements of the transfer device penetrate the seal of each compartment, the penetrating elements having lumina for fluidly connecting the reservoir and each compartment cavity of the cartridge.

A blood sample collection and/or storage device includes a two-piece housing that encompasses a port at which a fingertip blood sample is collected. After the sample is taken, the two-piece housing is moved to a closed position to protect the sample for storage and optionally process the sample within the housing. The housing may also be opened to access the stored sample for further processing.