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.

A method for carrying out nucleic acid amplification reactions using a microfluidic device is described. Amplification primers and other amplification reagents are deposited at a plurality of reaction sites in the device, a sample solution containing amplifiable polynucleotides is introduced into the reaction sites, and amplification is carried out.

A device enables a user to detect biomarkers, and includes an element that defines a multiplicity of microfluidic channels that communicate between an inlet duct and an outlet duct, the inlet duct communicating with an inlet port into which a user can introduce a drop of body fluid; the outlet duct communicating with an outlet port. A resilient bladder is connected to the outlet port to provide suction. Each microfluidic channel defines a reaction chamber containing a biomarker-sensitive reagent which provides a color or a change of color in the presence of a biomarker, there being a multiplicity of different biomarker-sensitive reagents, one such biomarker-sensitive reagent being provided in each of the multiplicity of different microfluidic channels. At least part of the element is transparent so the color within the reaction chamber can be seen. The device includes a cover with magnifying lenses above the reaction chambers. The device may be used in conjunction with a smart phone.

Microfluidic chips and cartridges and systems that include such chips are disclosed. In some embodiments, the chips include a microfluidic channel disposed in a substrate with the channel comprising at least one expansion region. The channel is configured to generate a vortex within the at least one expansion region in response to fluid through the microfluidic channel to trap cells or particles. The substrate in which the channel is formed may be relatively rigid to resist deformation.

A centrifugal rotor device includes a first chamber configured to hold a fluid, and a second chamber configured to receive the fluid from the first chamber. The centrifugal rotor device also includes a conduit coupled to the first chamber at a conduit inlet and coupled to the second chamber at a conduit outlet, the conduit configured to permit movement of the fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber. The conduit includes a first channel and a second channel formed adjacent to the first channel. The second channel is in fluid communication with the first channel and has a dimension smaller than the smallest dimension of the first channel. The conduit also includes one or more obstructive features present in the second channel configured to impede movement of the fluid in the second channel.

A method for determining a treatment agent and dosage level for a biologic material includes the biologic sample is pumped into each of a first plurality of parallel pathways from the first reservoir using a micro-pump. A separate treatment agent of the plurality of treatment agents is applied within each of the first plurality of parallel pathways. The treatment agent providing a best treatment efficacy for the predetermined biologic material within the biologic sample is determined. A second portion of the biologic sample is pumped into a selected second parallel pathway associated with the determined treatment agent of a second plurality of parallel pathways from the first reservoir using a second micro-pump. The determined treatment agent at a plurality of different dosage levels is applied within the selected second parallel pathway. A dosage level of the plurality of different dosage levels of the determined treatment agent is determined.

An automatic analyzer cartridge, spinnable around a rotational axis, has aliquoting and metering chambers, a connecting duct there between, and a vent connected to the metering chamber and nearer to the rotational axis than the metering chamber. The metering chamber has side walls that taper away from a central region. Capillary action next to the side walls is greater than in the central region. A circular arc about the rotational axis passes through a duct entrance in the aliquoting chamber and a duct exit in the metering chamber. The cartridge has a downstream fluidic element which is part of a fluidic structure for processing a biological sample into the processed biological sample. A valve connects the metering chamber to the fluidic element, which is fluidically connected to the fluidic structure. The fluidic structure receives the biological sample and has a measurement structure for enabling measurement of the processed biological sample.

A microfluidic device with reduced risk of bubble formation at a capillary junction between two conduits is provided. In some embodiments, the microfluidic device comprises a supply reservoir, a first conduit and a second conduit. The first conduit is configured such that liquid flows by capillary effect from the supply reservoir into the first conduit. The second conduit is connected to the first conduit through an opening in a wall of the first conduit and is configured such that liquid flows from the first conduit to the second conduit by capillary effect. A width of the second conduit, along a direction of liquid flow in the first conduit, is greater than a depth of the second conduit and a depth of the second conduit is less than a depth of the first conduit.

A microfluidic cartridge includes first and second sides and at least one flow channel and an inlet to the flow channel(s) for feeding a liquid sample, the flow channel(s) include a plurality of first optical detection sites. A detector assembly includes a slot for inserting the microfluidic cartridge and a first fixed light source with a beam path and an optical reader for reading out optical signals from at least one of the first optical detection site(s). When the microfluidic cartridge is inserted to a first predetermined position into the slot, one of the first optical detection sites of the microfluidic cartridge is positioned in the beam path of the first light source, and when the cartridge is inserted to a second predetermined position into the slot, another one of the first optical detection sites of the microfluidic cartridge is positioned in the beam path of the first light source.

The present invention relates to a microfluidic assay system and associated reading device, as well as the individual components themselves. The present invention also relates to methods of conducting assays, using a disposable system and associated reading device, as well as kits for conducting assays.