In an example implementation, a method of dispensing fluid from a fluid dispensing device, includes receiving a dispense head at a receiving station, and receiving a notification that a supply slot in the dispense head has been filled with fluid. The method includes vibrating the dispense head to move fluid through a microfluidic channel from the supply slot into an ejection chamber of the dispense head, and providing a dispense signal to cause an ejection mechanism disposed within the chamber to eject an amount of the fluid from the dispense head.

The invention, provides a method, apparatus and system for separating blood and other types of cellular components, and can be combined with holographic optical trapping manipulation or other forms of optical tweezing. One of the exemplary methods includes providing a first flow having a plurality of blood components; providing a second flow; contacting the first flow with the second flow to provide a first separation region; and differentially sedimenting a first blood cellular component of the plurality of blood components into the second flow while concurrently maintaining a second blood cellular component of the plurality of blood components in the first flow. The second flow having the first blood cellular component is then differentially removed from the first flow having the second blood cellular component. Holographic optical traps may also be utilized in conjunction with the various flows to move selected components from one flow to another, as part of or in addition to a separation stage,

The disclosure relates to an apparatus for segregating particles on the basis of their ability to flow through a stepped passageway. At least some of the particles are unable to pass through a narrower passageway bounded by a segregating step, resulting in segregation of the particles. The breadth of the leading edge of at least one step of the apparatus is significantly greater than the overall width of the passageway in which the step occurs, permitting high and rapid sample throughput. The apparatus and methods described herein can be used to segregate particles of a wide variety of types. By way of example, they can be used to segregate circulating tumor cells from a human blood sample.

A device includes a collimated light source operable to generate a collimated light source beam, which includes a beam direction. The device includes a first channel in a first plane and a second channel in a second plane different from the first plane. The second channel communicates with the first channel and includes a flow direction. The second channel is oriented to receive the collimated light source beam. The device includes a third channel in a third plane different from the second plane and communicates with the second channel. The collimated light source beam is oriented to enter a cross-section of the first channel, then to pass through the second channel, and then to enter a cross-section of the third channel such that the beam direction is opposite to the flow direction in the second channel. The device includes a focused particle stream nozzle operably connected to the first channel.

A precursor to an elastomeric composition with improved properties is disclosed. The precursor comprises a cross-linkable rubber, a thermoplastic vulcanizate, and a cross-linking agent. An elastomeric composition produced by cross-linking of the rubber in the precursor and methods for manufacture of the precursor and the elastomeric composition are disclosed as well.

A cell detection method and a cell detection system capable of performing target cell detection satisfactorily without interference and reducing the time required for detection of target cells are provided. The cell detection method includes a separation step of step S1 to obtain a sample containing target cells by removing at least a part of the non-target cells from a biological sample including target cells and non-target cells based on a difference in forces acting on target cells and non-target cells; a concentration step of step S3 of obtaining a measurement sample having a target cell concentration increased from the sample containing target cells; a detection of step S4 of detecting target cells by subjecting the measurement sample to an imaging flow cytometer.

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.

Techniques are provided for a completely programmable fluidic manipulation without requiring any external control elements or electricity. A chip includes multiple microfluidic channels separated from an outside of the chip by an outer flexible substrate. An apparatus includes a plurality of actuators rotatably connected to a support structure with a recess for receiving the chip. Each actuator includes a plurality of teeth protruding outward, and is positioned so that at least in some angle of rotation a tooth of the actuator extends sufficiently into the recess to compress a microfluidic channel in a chip disposed in the recess. An optional punch card guide is included for guiding a card to contact the actuators. A system or kit includes a punch card on which is formed a plurality of punch features, each configured to engage a tooth of an actuator. Different microfluidic protocols are executed by simply changing the punch card.

There are provided methods, and devices for assaying for a binding interaction between a protein, such as a monoclonal antibody, produced by a cell, and a biomolecule. The method may include retaining the cell within a chamber having an aperture; exposing the protein produced by the cell to a capture substrate, wherein the capture substrate is in fluid communication with the protein produced by the cell and wherein the capture substrate is operable to bind the protein produced by the cell; flowing a fluid volume comprising the biomolecule through the chamber via said aperture, wherein the fluid volume is in fluid communication with the capture substrate; and determining a binding interaction between the protein produced by the cell and the biomolecule.

Described here is a microfabricated particle sorting device that uses a transient pulse of fluidic pressure to deflect the target particle. The transient pulse may be generated by a microfabricated (MEMS) actuator, which pushes a volume of fluid into a channel, or sucks a volume of fluid from the channel. The transient pressure pulse may divert a target particle into a sort channel.