A method for detecting bacteria and determining the concentration thereof in a liquid sample includes the steps of taking an optical section through a container holding a volume of the liquid sample at a predetermined field of view and at a predetermined focal plane depth or angle and after a period of time has elapsed to allow non-bacteria in the sample to settle to the bottom of the container. Since bacteria auto arranges in the liquid sample, forming a lattice-like grid pattern, an optical section through the volume of auto-arranged bacteria may be used to measure the quantity of bacteria residing in that section. A container for holding the liquid sample has particular structure which aids in separating the non-bacteria from the bacteria.

The microfluidic chip according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a plate, a bridge channel formed in intaglio on one side of the plate, an inlet formed through the plate to communicate with one end of the bridge channel, an outlet formed through the plate to communicate with the other end of the bridge channel, and at least one well extending in an outward direction of the plate from the bridge channel to provide a space, wherein the bridge channel may be in the form of a curved line, a bent line, an arc, a circle, a spiral, or a polygon.

Systems and methods for light based heating of light absorbing sources for modification of nucleic acids through fast thermal cycling of polymerase chain reaction are described.

Systems and methods for light based heating of light absorbing sources for modification of nucleic acids through fast thermal cycling of polymerase chain reaction are described.

Microdevices are disclosed to efficiently, accurately, and rapidly isolate and enumerate rare cells, such as circulating tumor cells, from liquids such as whole blood. The system employs multiple parallel meandering channels having a width on the order of 1-2 cell diameters. The microdevices can be produced at low-cost, may readily be automated, and in many instances may be used without pre-processing of the sample. They may be used to isolate and enumerate rare cells, including for example the detection and diagnosis of cancers, cancer staging, or evaluating the effectiveness of a therapeutic intervention, or detecting pathogenic bacteria. The device may optionally be used to nondestructively capture and later to release target cells.

The invention concerns a method of analyzing the content of drops, involving then following step: providing a plurality of drops (6) contained in a carrier fluid, at least one of the drops (6) comprising at least one aggregate (10) of particles defining an object extending along a main axis, at least some of the drops (6) containing at least one target element capable of attaching to the aggregate (10). The method involves a step in which a physical parameter characteristic of the attachment of the target element to the aggregate (10) is measured.

A multiplex slide plate device and an operation method thereof are provided. The multiplex slide plate device includes a slide plate and a sacrificial layer. The slide plate has reaction vessels arranged in an array, wherein each of the reaction vessels has an opening portion and a bottom portion. The sacrificial layer has a microfluidic channel, wherein the microfluidic channel has an injection channel, a main channel and a distal channel connected to each other. The sacrificial layer is assembled to the slide plate, wherein the main channel faces the opening portion. A sample solution is injected into the injection channel, such that the sample solution flows from the injection channel through the main channel to the distal channel, wherein the sample solution loads into each of the reaction vessels while flowing through the main channel.

A centrifuge device and method for use are presented. The centrifuge device includes a housing, a chamber, a channel, and a cover. The housing includes a first port and a vent opening and is designed to rotate about an axis passing through a center of the housing. The chamber is defined within the housing and is coupled to the first port. A first portion of the chamber has a width that tapers between a first width at a first position and a second width at a second position within the chamber, the first width being greater than the second width. The channel is coupled to the second position of the chamber and arranged such that a path exists for gas to travel from the channel to the vent opening. The cover provides a wall that seals the chamber.

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.

A biological fluid sampling transfer device adapted to receive a multi-component blood sample is disclosed. After collecting the blood sample, the biological fluid sampling transfer device is able to separate a plasma portion from a cellular portion. After separation, the biological fluid sampling transfer device is able to transfer the plasma portion of the blood sample to a point-of-care testing device. The biological fluid sampling transfer device also provides a closed sampling and transfer system that reduces the exposure of a blood sample and provides fast mixing of a blood sample with a sample stabilizer. The biological fluid sampling transfer device is engageable with a blood testing device for closed transfer of a portion of the plasma portion from the biological fluid sampling transfer device to the blood testing device. The blood testing device is adapted to receive the plasma portion to analyze the blood sample and obtain test results.