A device for liquid sample collection and liquid sample analysis, including: a base plate having: at least one pedestal area in at least a portion of a sample image area; and at least one recessed area, wherein at least of a portion of the at least one pedestal area is adjacent to the at least one recessed area; a cover plate that opposes the base plate; a plurality of spacers attached to one of the base plate, the cover plate, or both, and the spacers are situated between the opposable plates; and an exterior liquid sample contact area on an exterior location of the device; wherein the base plate and the cover plate define an interior cavity in fluid communication with the exterior liquid sample contact area. Also disclosed are an apparatus including the device, a method of making the device, and a method of using the device.

A micro-droplet generation method and generation system, capable of quickly preparing a large quantity of micro-droplets. The droplet generation time is greatly shortened, operations are simple and convenient, high-precision micro-pumps and other devices are not required, the system cost is reduced, the expansion capability is high, and more micro-droplets or multiple samples can be separated by expanding the size of a micro-fluidic chip. The volume and density of the formed droplets can be precisely adjusted by controlling a gap between an upper polar plate and a lower polar plate, and the quantity, the size of the area and the positions of attraction points. Provided are the micro-droplet generation method and the micro-droplet generation system capable of quickly forming high-density micro-droplets and accurately controlling the volume and density of the formed high-density micro-droplets.

The present technology relates to a systems for quantifying rheotaxis in a sperm-containing sample. The system includes a microfluidic system having an inlet for charging fluids into a passage. One or more probes defining a confinement region suitable for retaining motile sperm are within the passage. The system further comprises an image processing computing device for obtaining a sequence of images of the confinement region of at least one of the one or more probes having motile sperm retained therein. The sequence of images of the confinement region is processed to determine a signal intensity value for said sequence of images, wherein said signal intensity value is based on a concentration of the motile sperm located in the confinement region at the flow rate. A rheotaxis quality value is determined for said sperm-containing sample based on the signal intensity value. Methods for quantifying rheotaxis in a sperm-containing sample are also disclosed.

A molecular point-of-care testing (POCT) diagnostic device for molecular detection of various diseases with sample-in-result-out principle is provided. The device has a sample tube in which a test sample is mixed with a sample buffer, a microfluidic-based reaction tube with a simple flow-based system for amplifying the sample buffer mixed with the test sample to form an amplified result, and a closed-system, disposable result interpretation using colorimetric- or lateral flow assay-based for assaying the amplified result. The device is portable and simple to use, which can help bring laboratory detection to the field.

Methods for the detection of components from biological samples are provided. In certain aspects, the methods may be used to detect and/or quantify specific components in a biological sample, such as tumor cells (e.g., circulating tumor cells). Systems and devices for practicing the subject methods are also provided.

The subject matter described herein relates to devices and methods for capturing micrometer scale objects from a fluid flow, and more particularly, to devices and methods for capturing cells. The devices generally comprise an array of posts configured and arranged to selectively direct the micrometer scale objects toward trapping channels defined between posts in which the micrometer scale objects can be trapped, and to direct smaller particles through bypass channels around the posts. Methods for using the devices to trap cells, analyze cells and treat cancer are also described.

The invention relates to a device for synthesising oligonucleotides, comprising: a reagent container receptacle (1) for holding a reagent container support (17) comprising multiple reagent containers (18); an exchangeable microfluid chip (10) comprising a synthesis chamber, fluid connectors and microfluid valves; a control device (5); fluid connecting means (2); wherein the device can be loaded with the microfluid chip (10) and the reagent container support (17) when in a loading position; a chip receptacle (3). To allow cost-effective and prompt synthesis even of small amounts of oligonucleotides, the invention provides for an actuator device (6) to be provided, with which the reagent container receptacle (1), the microfluid chip (10) and the fluid connecting means (2) can be brought from the loading position to an operating position, in which operating position the reagent container receptacle (1), the chip receptacle (3) and the fluid connecting means (2) are positioned relative to each other such that reagents can be conveyed out of the reagent containers (18) towards the synthesis chamber (14) depending on the valve position of the microfluid valves.

The present invention relates to a method for analyzing and selecting a specific droplet among a plurality of droplets (4), comprising the following steps: providing a plurality of droplets (4), for a droplet (4) among the plurality of droplets, measuring at least two optical signals, each optical signal being representative of a light intensity spatial distribution in the droplet for an associated wavelength channel, calculating a plurality of parameters from the optical signals, determining a sorting class for a droplet according to calculated parameters, sorting said droplet according to its sorting class, wherein the plurality of parameters comprises the coordinates of a maximum for each optical signal and a co-localization parameter and the at least two calculated parameters used for the determining step comprises the co-localization parameter.

Embodiments of the current disclosure are directed to systems, methods and apparatus for evaluating single cell secretion profiles. In some embodiments, the apparatus may be configured to analyze substances expressed by a biological cell and may include a first compressible substrate, and a second substrate configured for removable sealing attachment with the first substrate. In some embodiments, upon attachment of the second substrate with the first substrate, an assembly is formed such that the open side of the plurality of chambers are covered by the second substrate, and a portion of each of the plurality of capture areas are exposed in each of the chambers.

A microfluidic device for the separation and immobilization of one or more cells into sample wells based on one or more physical properties of the one or more cells is provided. Metallic film or magnets are positioned on or below the wells. Openings in the device above the sample wells accommodate a measurement system to determine one or more physical characteristics or properties of the one or more cells immobilized within the microfluidic device. A method for determining a property or one or more physical characteristics of the immobilized one or more cells is also provided.