Provided are integrated analysis devices having features of macroscale and nanoscale dimensions, and devices that have reduced background signals and that reduce quenching of fluorophores disposed within the devices. Related methods of manufacturing these devices and of using these devices are also provided.

An apparatus and method disperse particles suspended in a fluid with an obstacle field in the flow path of the fluid. The particles may be dispersed after an interaction with obstacles in the obstacle field. The obstacle-particle interactions may result in an asymmetrical particle shift in which the particles are dispersed in an asymmetrical manner relative to the obstacle and the fluid flow. Obstacles are arranged to separate particles flowing through the device based on individual obstacles having properties that are asymmetrical and are oriented and aligned for the separation.

A device and method for analyte detection and analytes in a particulate bearing fluid such as whole blood having an instrument for partitioning the panicles from the fluid that is integrated with a detector for analyses of one or more particulate bearing fluid analytes while the particles in the particulate bearing fluid are partitioned.

An integrated system for processing and preparing samples for analysis may include a microfluidic device including a plurality of parallel channel networks for partitioning the samples including various fluids, and connected to a plurality of inlet and outlet reservoirs, at least a portion of the fluids comprising reagents, a holder including a closeable lid hingedly coupled thereto, in which in a closed configuration, the lid secures the microfluidic device in the holder, and in an open configuration, the lid is a stand orienting the microfluidic device at a desired angle to facilitate recovery of partitions or droplets from the partitioned samples generated within the microfluidic device, and an instrument configured to receive the holder and apply a pressure differential between the plurality of inlet and outlet reservoirs to drive fluid movement within the channel networks.

Devices, systems and apparatuses for the discretization and manipulation of sample volumes are provided. Related methods are also provided.

Provided herein are devices and methods of processing a sample that include, in several embodiments, rotating one or more microfluidic chips that are mounted on a support plate using a motor driven rotational chuck. By spinning one or more of the microfluidic chips about a common center of rotation in a controlled manner, high flow rates (and high shear forces) are imparted to the sample in a controlled manner. Each microfluidic chip can be rotated 180° on the support plate so that the sample can be run back-and-forth through the microfluidic devices. Because the support plate can be driven at relatively high RPMs, high flow rates are generated within the microfluidic chips. This increases the shear forces on the sample and also decreases the processing time involved as the sample can quickly pass through the shear-inducing features of the microfluidic chip(s).

A microfluidic sample chip to test biological samples, especially for a PCR-type and/or fluorescence assay. The chip being in the shape of a hollow block having at least one chamber delimited by an upper wall, a lower wall and at least one side wall, into which a sample can be introduced for testing. The lower wall of the block is made of a material with a high thermal conductivity and the upper wall is made of a material with a low thermal conductivity. Preferably, the upper wall is preferably permeable to radiation in the visible spectrum between 400 and 700 nm. The block having at least two openings through which the sample can be introduced into at least one of the chambers and through which the air present in the chamber can be evacuated when the sample is introduced.

A method and system for improving throughput of a fluidic system such as a biopolymer analysis system by cleaning accumulated or clogging biopolymer from the fluidic system is disclosed. The method and system utilize a light energy source to photocleave the biopolymer molecules that may accumulate or aggregate in the fluidic system or clog a passageway. The accumulated biopolymer may be exposed to a light energy source for a sufficient period of time such that the biopolymer molecule is dosed with sufficient energy to photocleave the biopolymer molecules, thereby restoring the efficiency of and flow through the system.

A biological fluid sampling device for collecting a blood sample from a separate vascular access device and for ejecting a portion of the collected sample to a point-of-care testing device for analysis is provided. The biological fluid sampling device includes a body enclosing a reservoir. The reservoir has an internal volume sufficient to contain enough blood for use in a diagnostic test. The sampling device further includes: an access lumen extending from a distal end of the body for establishing fluid communication between a separate vascular access device and the reservoir; an outflow lumen also in fluid communication with the reservoir; and a removable vented cap attached to the outflow lumen including a gas permeable vent in gaseous communication between the reservoir and ambient air. In addition, several sample and transfer devices are provided for obtaining a sample from a subject and transferring the sample to a point-of-care testing device.

Selectively vented biological assay devices and methods of performing biological assays with such devices are provided herein. Disclosed devices include (a) a sample receiving cartridge comprising a sample inlet and one or more reaction chambers and (b) a selective venting element having passively tunable porosity. The methods include controlling fluid flow within the subject devices with the selective venting element.