A particle sorting apparatus a channel that includes a trunk channel formed along a specific upper surface and deflection electrode pairs that sort a non-target minute particle and a target minute particle respectively in a direction substantially perpendicular to the specific upper surface and a direction along the specific upper surface by dielectrophoresis.

The invention generally relates to methods for quantifying an amount of enzyme molecules. Systems and methods of the invention are provided for measuring an amount of target by forming a plurality of fluid partitions, a subset of which include the target, performing an enzyme-catalyzed reaction in the subset, and detecting the number of partitions in the subset. The amount of target can be determined based on the detected number.

In an embodiment, the claimed invention includes an oral-fluid collection and testing device that. is simple to operate. The device includes a body assembly and a cap assembly that are easy to handle by a user. A collection sponge projects from an end of the body assembly for absorbing the oral fluid of a donor, A cap assembly is easily aligned with the body assembly by way of visual alignment indicators on both the body and the cap. Once the cap is aligned with the body, a user simply pushes the cap onto the body, which causes a first stage fluid, flow. More specifically, a buffer fluid is released from the cap and mixes with the oral fluid collected on the spongeAfter waiting a short time* the cap is rotated, then pushed again, causing a second-stage fluid flow in which the sponge is compressed such that the buffer fluid/oral fluid exits the sponge and flows toward a. pair of test strips. A user can then easily view the test results by observing a visual indication, such as a color change of the test strips through a viewing window.

Described are methods for identifying antibiotic resistant bacteria, quantifying bacteria growth, and applying an antibiotic susceptibility test (AST) in one or more biological samples containing a bacteria and chips used in these methods.

The present invention describes a device(s) and assay(s) for the isolation and analysis of individual components from a sample. The invention provides a means of both isolating a multitude of individual components into an organized array and the subsequent analysis of such components by various detection and analysis methodologies. The invention provides a significant advancement in both the number of individual components that can be individually analyzed as well as enabling the quality and number of analytical methodologies that can be applied to them.

Disclosed is a modular bio-processing unit (100) comprising: a housing (110) having one or more internal fluid paths (101), the housing having at least one inlet and at least one outlet (5,10,15,20,25,30,35,40,45,50,55,60,65,70), each in fluid communication with the fluid path or one or more of the fluid paths; one or more sensor elements (120,150,170,190) operatively associated with the or each path, said sensor(s) elements including elements of one or more of: a flow sensor, a flow rate sensor, a conductivity sensor, a pressure sensor, a pH sensor, and a light absorbance sensor such as a UV spectroscopic concentration sensor; one or more fluid flow inducing components (140) operatively associated with the or each fluid path; and plural valves (180) for preventing or reducing flow in the or each path, the housing, inlet(s), outlet(s), flow inducing component(s) and valve(s) being arranged to operate together as a bio-processing unit within or substantially within the housing.

Methods and systems are provided for isolating fetal cells from a maternal blood supply in order to perform non-invasive prenatal testing. In one example, a system for non-invasive prenatal testing includes a substrate coated with a cell-capturing surface, the cell-capturing surface including an array of pillar-like structures, each pillar-like structure including a plurality of intersecting arms.

Methods and systems are provided for isolating circulating tumor cells from a peripheral blood supply in order to diagnose early stage cancer and/or evaluate tumor status. In one example, a system for capturing circulating tumor cells includes a substrate having a cell-capturing region, the cell-capturing region having a curved, switchback-like shape and including an array of micropillar structures within the curved, switchback-like shape.

A biocompatible micropillar array substrate (MAS) and methods for preparing the biocompatible MAS are provided. In on example, the biocompatible MAS includes multiple micropillars made from a biocompatible polymer. The biocompatible MAS may be prepared using a replica fabricated based on a silicon MAS. The configuration of the multiple micropillars of the silicon MAS and a configuration of the multiple micropillars of the biocompatible MAS are the same.

Methods and systems are provided for isolating circulating tumor cells from a peripheral blood supply in order to diagnose early stage cancer and/or evaluate tumor status. In one example, a system for capturing circulating tumor cells includes a substrate having a cell-capturing region, the cell-capturing region having a curved, switchback-like shape and including an array of micropillar structures within the curved, switchback-like shape.