Apparatus and methods are described including successively acquiring a plurality of microscopic images of a portion of a blood sample, and tracking motion of pixels within the successively acquired microscopic images. Trypomastigote parasite candidates within the blood sample are identified, by identifying pixel motion that is typical of trypomastigote parasites. It is determined that the blood sample is infected with trypomastigote parasites, at least partially in response thereto. An output is generated indicating that that the blood sample is infected with trypomastigote parasites. Other applications are also described.

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

Devices, containers, and methods are provided for performing biological analysis in a closed environment. Illustrative biological analyses include high density nucleic acid amplification and detection and immuno-PCR.

The present invention provides an analyte detection system for detecting target analytes in a sample. In particular, the invention provides a detection system in a rotor or disc format that utilizes a centrifugal force to move the sample through the detection system. Methods of using the rotor detection system to detect analytes in samples, particularly biological samples, and kits comprising the rotor detection system are also disclosed.

A microfluidic device comprises at least one inlet for receiving a sample comprising target cells and non-target cells; a first spiral channel portion having an upstream end in a central region and a downstream end in a peripheral region, the upstream end being coupled to the inlet, the first spiral channel portion being configured such that the target cells and the non-target cells occupy different streams at the downstream end; a first waste outlet arranged to couple with streams of non-target cells at the downstream end of the first spiral channel portion; a link channel portion arranged to couple with streams of target cells at the down-stream end of the first spiral channel portion; a second spiral channel portion having an upstream end in a peripheral region and a downstream end in a central region, the upstream end of the second channel portion being coupled to the link channel portion, the second spiral channel portion being configured such that the target cells and the non-target cells occupy different streams at the downstream end; a second waste outlet arranged to couple with streams of non-target cells at the downstream end of the second spiral channel portion; and a sample outlet arranged to couple with streams of target cells at the downstream end of the second spiral channel portion.

The present invention is directed to a continuous fluid sampling device (1), comprising a horizontally arranged fluid sample inlet (2), a vertically arranged longitudinal sampling chamber (5), an air vent (3) and an excess sample outlet (4), all of which are configured relative to each other to allow for the continuous processing, sampling and/or analyzing the fluid sample. The invention also relates to corresponding systems, methods and uses of said device.

Provided herein are instruments and cartridges for processing samples. The cartridges include fluidic circuits in which fluid movement can be regulated by diaphragm valves. In certain cartridges, deformable material providing a diaphragm contacts an interface in the instrument that actuates the diaphragm directly, without intervening actuation layer. Certain cartridges have a plurality of fluidic circuits and fluid distribution channels or pneumatic distribution channels configured to deliver fluids or pneumatic pressure to any of the fluidic circuits, selectively. Certain cartridges have compartments containing on-board reagents. Compartments can be closed by a film attached to a body the cartridge through a heat seal.

Test strips for determining the activity of a coagulation factor in a blood sample are provided. The strip comprises a support, a sample inlet port for deposition of a blood sample, and a reaction area comprising a blood coagulation reagent. The sample inlet port is connected to the reaction area, and the coagulation reagent comprises blood plasma deficient in the coagulation factor for which activity is to be measured, an ionic citrate source an ionic calcium source, and either one or more coagulation contact phase activator reagents and phospholipids or a mixture of tissue factor and phospholipids. The disclosure further relates to in vitro methods for measuring an activity of a coagulation factor.

An improved actuator for use in a microfluidic particle sorting system utilizes a staggered packing scheme for a plurality of actuators used to selectively deflect a particle in an associated sorting channel from a stream of channels. An actuator block may be provided for housing a two-dimensional array of actuators, each configured to align with an actuation port in an associated sorting chip containing a plurality of sorting channels. The actuator block may include a built-in stressing means to pre-stress each actuator housed by the block. An actuator comprising a piezo-electric stack may employ contact-based electrical connection rather than soldered wires to improve packing density. The actuator may be an external actuator. That is, the external actuator is external to the substrate in which the sorting channels are formed.

A sample holder (10) comprises a sample chamber (33), a gas reservoir (32) and an upper layer (20) covering over the sample chamber (33) and gas reservoir (32), wherein a bottom surface of the upper layer (20) comprises a microstructure array (23) which overlies at least a portion of a top periphery of the sample chamber (33), and wherein the microstructure array (23) is in communication with a gas path which extends to the gas reservoir (32), to allow gas exchange between the sample chamber (33) and the gas reservoir (32).