A particle analysis device includes multiple stacked plates joined together; an upper liquid space adapted to store a first liquid; a lower liquid space adapted to store a second liquid; a connection pore connecting the upper liquid space to the lower liquid space; a first hole extending from the top surface to the upper liquid space, the first liquid flowing through the first hole; and a second hole extending from the top surface to the lower liquid space, the second liquid flowing through the second hole. A first electrode and a second electrode that are sheets are pinched between two of the plates. The first electrode applies an electric potential to the first liquid in the upper liquid space through the first hole, whereas the second electrode applies an electric potential to the second liquid in the lower liquid space through the second hole. The particle analysis device further includes a first electrode-rod-insertion hole extending from the top surface to the first electrode, and a second electrode-rod-insertion hole extending from the top surface to the second electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode are not exposed at any side surface of the particle analysis device.

A particle analysis device includes a liquid space adapted to store a liquid; a chip disposed above the liquid space, the chip having a connection pore extending vertically and communicating with the liquid space; an upper hole disposed above the chip, the upper hole extending vertically and communicating with the connection pore; a first electrode adapted to apply an electric potential to a liquid in the upper hole; and a second electrode adapted to apply an electric potential to the liquid in the liquid space. The upper hole having a diameter that is equal to or greater than the maximum width of the connection pore, and the entirety of the connection pore falling within the range of the upper hole.

One aspect of this invention relates to a vertical-via rotary valve including a valve body having a housing; one or more fluidic channels, each fluidic channel having a vertical channel portion defined in the valve body and being adjacent to the housing, wherein a fluid flow through the vertical channel portion is controllable by deforming a sidewall of the vertical channel portion; and an actuator received in the housing and rotatably engaged with the one or more fluidic channels to operably control the fluid flow through the vertical channel portion of each fluid channel.

A fluidic device (1) configured to drive movement of fluid under centrifugal force comprises a central region about a central rotational axis (X) of the device and a peripheral region extending radially outwards from the central region. A fluid reservoir (4) provided in the central region of the device receives a fluid sample and communicates with at least one fluidic system (6), which extends radially outwards from the fluid reservoir (4) into the peripheral region of the device. Each fluidic system (6) comprises a fluid analysis chamber (12) configured to retain a portion of a fluid sample for analysis. A fluidic channel arrangement (26) is configured to enable fluid communication between the fluid reservoir (4) and the fluid analysis chamber (12), and movement of the fluid sample through the fluidic channel arrangement is driven by the centrifugal force created by rotational motion of the device about the central rotational axis (X). A valve mechanism (8) is arranged between the fluid reservoir (4) and the analysis chamber (12) and is configured to prevent fluid flow through that portion of the fluidic channel arrangement (26) when the speed of rotation of the device is less than a predetermined value. A cut-out portion of the device (24) may help to correctly locate the fluidic device (1) within an assay apparatus. An apparatus for driving rotational motion of the fluidic device and a method for moving a fluid sample within the fluidic device are also described.

The present invention relates to a microfluidic reactor for controlling a chemical reaction and a chemical reaction control method using the same, and more specifically provides a microfluidic reactor capable of controlling a chemical reaction on an expanded scale and a microfluidic reaction device including the same. In addition, the present invention provides an ultrafast synthesis method for controlling unstable intermediates using the microfluidic reactor and microfluidic reaction device.

Zebrafish are a powerful model for investigating cardiac repair due to their unique regenerative abilities, scalability, and compatibility with many genetic tools. However, characterizing the regeneration process in live adult zebrafish hearts has proved challenging because adult fish are opaque and explanted hearts in conventional culture conditions experience rapid declines in morphology and physiology. To overcome these limitations, we fabricated a fluidic device for culturing explanted adult zebrafish hearts with constant media perfusion that is also compatible with live imaging. Unlike hearts cultured in dishes for one week, the morphology and calcium activity of hearts cultured in the device for one week were largely similar to freshly explanted hearts. We also cultured injured hearts in the device and used live imaging techniques to continuously record the revascularization process over several days, demonstrating how our device enables unprecedented visual access to the multi-day process of adult zebrafish heart regeneration.

A microfluidic chip configuration wherein injection occurs in an upwards vertical direction, and fluid vessels are located below the chip in order to minimize particle settling before and at the analysis portion of the chip's channels. The input and fluid flow up through the bottom of the chip, in one aspect using a manifold, which avoids orthogonal re-orientation of fluid dynamics. The contents of the vial are located below the chip and pumped upwards and vertically directly into the first channel of the chip. A long channel extends from the bottom of the chip to near the top of the chip. Then the channel takes a short horizontal turn that nearly negates any influence of cell settling due to gravity and zero flow velocity at the walls. The fluid is pumped up to a horizontal analysis portion that is the highest channel/fluidic point in the chip and thus close to the top of the chip, which results in clearer imaging. A laser may also suspend cells or particles in this channel during analysis which prevents them from settling.

In a method of detecting a test substance, a test substance is detected using a sample analysis cartridge supplied with a sample. The sample analysis cartridge includes: a passage part having a gas-phase space; and liquid containers communicating with the passage part through openings. The liquid containers include: a first liquid container containing a first liquid containing magnetic particles; and a second liquid container containing a second liquid containing a labeled substance. The magnetic particles are sequentially transported to the liquid containers through the gas-phase space in the passage part. Thus, the magnetic particles carry a complex of the test substance and the labeled substance. The test substance is detected based on the labeled substance in the complex.

A device and method for detecting particles by using electrical impedance measurement, in particular, relating to an improved electrical impedance measurement microfluidic chip and an improved particle detection method. The device comprises a sample injection part, a main channel (4) and an electrical impedance detection part. By means of said device and method, the present invention can accurately distinguish, detect and count different particles.

A microfluidic device for analyzing permeability of substances through a membrane. Flow channels pass respective fluid flows with the substances through the housing between respective connectors. An access cavity extends from outside into the housing through the first flow channel and into the second flow channel for accessing an inside of the housing. The membrane can be placed over a cavity opening forming a fluid interconnection between overlapping areas of the flow channels A clamping ring in the first flow channel holds the sample membrane in place over the cavity opening while the membrane is exposed to the respective fluid flows through the flow channels on either sides of the membrane.