A cartridge for delivering a payload to cells of a cell suspension is provided, wherein the cartridge comprises an input channel that delivers the cell suspension to a first plurality of branch channels, and wherein the first plurality of branch channels each deliver the cell suspension into a respective one or a plurality of microfluidic chips or filters. Cell suspension exiting a microfluidic chip or filter flows into a respective one of a second plurality of branch channels, and is then delivered to an output channel by which it exits the cartridge. The cartridge may comprise a plurality of removable covers that hold the chips or filters in place against a body of the cartridge in which the input channel, output channel, and branch channels are formed.

The invention refers to a biosensor system for quick and multiplexed detection of biomarkers present in biological fluids. The biosensor system comprises a reusable array of at least two individual electrochemical cells (1a,1b,1c,1d,1e) coupled to a disposable fluidic component. Each cell can be addressed individually. The array includes a set of working electrodes (2a,2b,2c,2d) and at least one shared counter/reference electrode (5) in common for all the electrochemical cells, such that each electrochemical cell includes one working electrode and the shared counter/reference electrode. Preferably, the system includes a disposable paper component (8) having a reactive microfluidic component distributed in fluidic channels (9), isolated by hydrophobic barriers (10). The paper component (8) is operatively aligned with the array of electrochemical cells for the electrochemical detection by means of a polymeric cartridge. The multiplexed biosensor system features a reduced size, and that allows reduction of analysis costs and material waste.

A lateral flow device for analysing a sample of liquid has a first lateral flow strip configured to respond to a first volume of sample and a second lateral flow strip configured to respond to a second volume of the sample, wherein the second volume is greater than the first volume. The lateral flow device comprises a first well configured to receive the first volume of the sample and a second well configured to receive the second volume of the sample. Each well has a flow restriction outlet located adjacent its lateral flow strip. The lateral flow device comprises a pre-actuation configuration and an actuated configuration. The first and second flow restriction outlets are configured such that, in use, in the pre-actuation configuration, a first surface tension of the first volume of the sample within the first well prevents the first volume of the sample passing through the first flow restriction outlet and a second surface tension of the second volume of the sample within the second well prevents the second volume of the sample passing through the second flow restriction outlet. In the actuated configuration, (a) the first flow restriction outlet is located sufficiently proximate the first lateral flow strip such that the first volume of the sample makes contact with the first lateral flow strip and is drawn along the first lateral flow strip thereby overcoming the first surface tension; and (b) the second flow restriction outlet is located sufficiently proximate the second lateral flow strip such that the second volume of the sample makes contact with the second lateral flow strip and is drawn along the second lateral flow strip thereby overcoming the second surface tension.

In biosciences and related fields, it can be useful to study cells in isolation so that cells having unique and desirable properties can be identified within a heterogenous mixture of cells. Processes and methods disclosed herein provide for encapsulating cells within a microfluidic device and assaying the encapsulated cells. Encapsulation can, among other benefits, facilitate analyses of cells that generate secretions of interest which would otherwise rapidly diffuse away or mix with the secretions of other cells.

A fluidic concentrator device that includes an inlet channel, a processing channel, and at least two output channels, and a pump for movement of a particle containing sample through the concentrator device. The concentrator device may have separate diversion channels that may be controlled by a valve or a functionally similar diversion technique to collect all of, or fractions of, a particle concentrated stream or a particle depleted stream. The concentrator device may be operable under automated control and further comprise one or more sensors inside, or adjacent to, portions of the processing channel or inlet channel to detect presence or absence or quantity of particles or other physical or chemical properties of the particles or sample flow stream.

The present disclosure relates to a method of colony picking. The method includes the steps of mixing a bacterial suspension with an oil-based carrier liquid for generating a plurality of droplets comprising bacteria contained in the bacterial suspension and incubating the plurality of droplets for a predetermined period of time to allow growth of bacteria within the plurality of droplets. The method further includes the steps of screening each of the plurality of droplets that flows through one or more microfluidic channels of a microfluidic device to determine an opacity degree of each of the plurality of droplets, wherein the opacity degree is indicative of colony formation in the plurality of droplets, and sorting the plurality of droplets based on the opacity degree of each of the plurality of droplets.

Disclosed herein are microfluidic actuators for selecting objects in a fluid stream comprising a plurality of objects. In some embodiments, the actuator comprises an object detection means adapted for, upon arrival of an object, identifying whether an object is an object of interest. It further comprises a heater adapted for generating a jet flow for deflecting an object of interest from the fluid stream and a controller for activating the heater as function of the detection of an object of interest using a nucleation signal. The controller is adapted for obtaining temperature information of the heater and for adjusting a nucleation signal for the heater taking into account the obtained temperature information. Also disclosed are microfluidic systems and diagnostic devices comprising the microfluidic actuators of the disclosure, as well as methods of use thereof.

Systems and methods for levitating populations of moieties, cells, or other such units using one or more magnets in a microfluidic environment are provided. These systems and methods may be used to, for example, separate or sort heterogeneous populations of the units from one another, to assembly a multi-unit assembly during the levitating of the units, and to evaluate samples at the point of care in real-time. These systems and methods may also utilize a frame that enables an imaging device, such as a smartphone, to capture the units in real time as they are manipulated in the system.

A technique relates to a fluidic cell configured to hold a nanofluidic chip. A first plate is configured to hold the nanofluidic chip. A second plate is configured to fit on top of the first plate, such that the nanofluidic chip is held in place. The second plate has at least one first port and at least one second port. The second plate has an entrance hole configured to communicate with an inlet hole of the nanofluidic chip. The second port is angled above the first port, such that the first port and second port intersect to form a junction. The second port is formed to have a line-of-sight to the entrance hole, such that the second port is configured to receive input for extracting air trapped at a vicinity of the entrance hole.

For comparing first optical properties of a first fluid with second optical properties of a second fluid a first transparent grating having a grating constant is made of the first liquid, and a second transparent grating also having the grating constant is made of the second liquid. The second transparent grating is arranged at a lateral offset of less than 45% of the grating constant with regard to the first transparent grating such that grating bars of the first and second transparent gratings are arranged side by side. Coherent light is directed onto the first and second transparent gratings such that light which passed through the grating bars of the first and second transparent gratings forms a diffraction pattern comprising intensity maxima. Two light intensities of two intensity maxima of a same order higher than zero are measured and compared to each other.