A variety of devices and methods are provided for separating or enriching circulating tumor cells in a biological sample such as whole blood. In some aspects, the devices are multi-stage devices including at least (i) a filtering stage, (ii) a sheath flow stage for ferrohydrodynamic separation of magnetically labelled white blood cells, and (iii) a focusing stage for marker-independent and size-independent focusing of magnetically labeled particles so as to separate or enrich unlabeled rare cells in the biological sample. The devices and methods are, in some aspects, capable of high throughput in excess of 6 milliliters per hour while achieving high separation (>95%) of the unlabeled rare cells.

The disclosure describes an integrated fluid sample test strip comprising: an inlet for receiving solutions comprising a fluid sample and a substrate solution, the inlet comprising a retention valve for temporarily retaining each solution to thereby reduce air flow through the valve; a reaction chamber to receive the solutions via the retention valve, the chamber functionalized with bioreceptor(s); a capillary pump to receive from the reaction chamber the solution(s), the pump comprising vent hole(s); a test chamber to receive the substrate solution from the reaction chamber, the test chamber comprising test electrodes for a biosensing test of the substrate solution; a hydrophobic vent hole coupled to the test chamber to allow a flow of solution from the reaction chamber into the test chamber when the vent hole is unsealed and to allow a flow of solution from the reaction chamber to the capillary pump when the vent hole is sealed.

Provided are microfluidic sorting devices comprising: a sample inlet, a single column comprising a plurality of bumping features configured for lateral displacement situated in a microfluidic channel, and a plurality of outlets, wherein the single column creates a main channel and a secondary channel in the microfluidic channel, wherein the sample inlet, the plurality of outlets, and the main channel and secondary channel are in fluid connection.

Described herein is a microfluidic chip comprising a first channel in fluid communication with an adjacent second channel through a opening, wherein the height of the first channel and the second channel are chosen to generate sufficient surface tension at the opening such that a liquid injected into the first channel or the second channel is substantially confined within the first channel or the second channel, respectively, or that flow of the liquid therebetween is controlled, the surface tension producing a non-physical microfluidic barrier that limits or selectively controls passage of the liquid. Also described are in vitro microphysiological systems that use such microfluidic chips in modeling the structure and functions of human organs, such as a blood-brain barrier, and studying in vivo-like physiological responses of such organs to various investigative or therapeutic agents.

Disclosed is a nanostructure purification device which is connected to microfluidic systems or microfluidic flow, which allows the nanostructures in the microfluidic systems or flow to accumulate on a surface during flow and thus used for separation, purification, washing or enrichment of nanostructures.

A detection cassette for detecting a sample is provided. The sample includes a first component and a second component. The detection cassette includes a sample injection hole, first and second separation tanks communicated with the sample injection hole, and first and second detection tanks communicated with the first and second separation tanks. A part of the sample enters the first separation tank from the sample injection hole and separated into the first component and the second component in the first separation tank. Another part of the sample enters the second separation tank from the sample injection hole and separated into the first component and the second component in the second separation tank. The first component separated in the first separation tank flows to the first detection tank and the second component separated in the second separation tank flows to the second detection tank for detections. A detection system is provided.

The present invention relates to a spiral microfluidic device and module for CTC separation from blood, a manufacturing method. When a blood sample and a body fluid sample are respectively injected into the inlet of the device by the method described below, viable CTCs can be isolated and used for the development of specific cancer cell lines. The device has two inlets with a radius of 10 mm or less, a two-loop helical microchannel having a uniform height of a radial inner portion and a radial outer portion, and a rectangular cross-section in which the width of the upper portion is equal to the width of the base, and the two-loop helical microchannel is branched from the CTC and two outlets through which blood cells are separately discharged. The present invention can provide a spiral microfluidic device and module for CTC isolation, a manufacturing method, which can lead to the development of a reported specific cell line by making it possible to isolate viable CTCs by a spiral microfluidic device for CTC isolation derive an effect.

A method of sample preparation for streamlined multi-step assays is provided. The method includes the step of providing a microfluidic device including a reservoir defined by a surface configured to repel an aqueous solution. A dried reagent is provided on a portion of the surface and the reservoir is filled with an oil. A first droplet formed from the aqueous solution is positioned on the dried reagent so to pick-up and re-dissolve the dried reagent therein so as to expose the portion of the surface. In addition, a second droplet of an aqueous solution may be deposited on a hydrophilic spot patterned on the surface. A magnetic force may be configured to interact magnetically with the paramagnetic beads within the first droplet to move the droplet through the oil in the reservoir or to move the paramagnetic beads from the first droplet, through the oil, into the second droplet.

A biosensor apparatus is provided. The biosensor apparatus includes a base substrate; a first fluid channel layer on the base substrate and having a first fluid channel passing therethrough; a foundation layer on a side of the first fluid channel layer away from the base substrate, a foundation layer throughhole extending through the foundation layer to connect to the first fluid channel; and a micropore layer on a side of the foundation layer away from the base substrate, a micropore extending through the micropore layer to connect to the first fluid channel through the foundation layer throughhole. The micropore layer extends into the foundation layer throughhole and at least partially covers an inner wall of the foundation layer throughhole.

A method for manipulating a microdroplet of a reaction medium in an immiscible carrier medium with a target molecule bound to a solid support for the purposes of effecting a chemical transformation is provided. It is characterised by the steps of (a) bringing the microdroplet into contact with the solid support under conditions where the microdroplet and solid support are caused to combine, (b) allowing the reaction medium to react with the target molecule and (c) thereafter exerting a force to induce the reaction medium to become detached from the solid support and reform a microdroplet in the carrier fluid. In one embodiment the solid support is a particle, bead or the like.