Systems, devices and methods for cell analysis provide an end user with real-time cell analysis and imaging of single cells in a population. Various cell analysis systems can provide both optical imaging, as well as electroscopic imaging, which is an image of cellular response as detected by sensors covering a cell footprint or cellular efflux. An automated fluidic system can provide an end-user selected sequence of reagents to cells, while precision controlled sensor array device thermostatting, and analysis compartment environmental control provide consistency in the cell analysis system environment.

A microfluidic analysis system (1) performs polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis on a bio sample. In a centrifuge (6) the sample is separated into DNA and RNA constituents. The vortex is created by opposing flow of a silicon oil primary carrier fluid effecting circulation by viscous drag. The bio sample exits the centrifuge enveloped in the primary carrier fluid. This is pumped by a flow controller (7) to a thermal stage (9). The thermal stage (9) has a number of microfluidic devices (70) each having thermal zones (71, 72, 73) in which the bio sample is heated or cooled by heat conduction to/from a thermal carrier fluid and the primary carrier fluid. Thus, the carrier fluids envelope the sample, control its flowrate, and control its temperature without need for moving parts at the micro scale.

Extracting and concentrating particles from a first fluid sample includes: providing the first fluid sample to a fluid exchange module of a microfluidic device, providing a second fluid sample to the fluid exchange module, in which the first fluid sample and the second fluid sample are provided under conditions such that particle-free portions of the first fluid sample are shifted, and an inertial lift force causes the particles in the first fluid sample to cross streamlines and transfer into the second fluid sample; passing the second fluid sample containing the transferred particles to a particle concentration module under conditions such that particle-free portions of the second fluid sample are shifted, and such that the particles within the second fluid sample are focused to a streamline within the particle concentration module.

The present invention discloses an ultra-rapid PCR detection system, which comprises a temperature control device, a transmission device and a reaction tube fixing device; the temperature control device at least comprises two temperature control modules, wherein at least one of the temperature control modules is a high-temperature module and at least one of the temperature control modules is a low-temperature module; a heating temperature of the high-temperature module is a first preset temperature, and a heating temperature of the low-temperature module is a second preset temperature; the transmission device is in cooperation with the temperature control device and the reaction tube fixing device, so that a reaction tube on the reaction tube fixing device is switched between the high-temperature module and the low-temperature module; the device has a compact structure and the temperature setting of the high-temperature module and the low-temperature module can promote the rising and falling rate of the temperature of the reaction mixture in the reaction tube, in addition, the rapid fluorescence PCR detection system of the present invention has good repeatability of detection results and accurate results.

The present invention relates to a pressure vessel (1) for receiving samples (P) to be heated, having a reaction chamber (2) as a pressure space for the initiation and/or facilitation of chemical and/or physical pressure reactions, the reaction chamber (2) being designed for receiving a liquid (5), a magnetic disk (8) mounted rotatably about an axis of rotation in the reaction chamber (2), and a magnet arrangement (10), provided outside the reaction chamber (2), for generating a rotating magnetic field for rotationally driving the magnetic disk (8) about its axis of rotation, the magnetic disk (8) having at least one passage bore (13), which extends transversely in relation to the axis of rotation and is provided in such a way that liquid (5) received in the reaction chamber (2) is driven through the passage opening (13) by rotation of the magnetic disk (8) in order to stir the liquid (5).

A system (1) for infectious disease screening. The system is for use with an assay device (2) which incorporates an ultrasonic transducer for generating ultrasonic waves to lyse cells in a biological sample. The system (1) comprises a frequency control module which is configured to control the ultrasonic transducer (49) to oscillate at an optimum frequency for cell lysis, a PCR arrangement (16) which is configured to receive and amplify the DNA from the sample; and a detection arrangement (70) which is configured to detect the presence of an infectious disease in the amplified DNA and to provide an output which is indicative of whether or not the detection arrangement (70) detects the presence of an infectious disease in the amplified DNA.

In accordance with one embodiment, a processing device includes a heated internal wall and a rotating rod positioned within an interior space formed by the heated internal wall. The rotating rod may be hollow and act as an internal heat exchanger. The processing device also includes a plurality of baffles spaced apart from one another along the rotating rod and extending away from the rotating rod towards the heated internal wall. The plurality of baffles or porous, packed basket that rotates with the rotating rod that also may be configured to provide cooling relative to the heated internal wall. The processing device also includes at least one wiper or roller coupled to an edge of at least one of the plurality of baffles or porous, packed basket, coupled to the rotating rod and that contacts the heated internal wall while rotating together with the rotating rod. In another embodiment, a processing device may be used to adsorb reactive gases into a liquid phase while heat is exchanged.

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.

Systems and methods for light based heating of light absorbing sources for modification of nucleic acids through fast thermal cycling of polymerase chain reaction are described.

An insulated chamber having an interior region for storing items therein includes a phase change material to facilitate controlling the temperature of the interior region and the items. A heating device or cooling device may be used to melt or freeze the phase change material. The phase change material (PCM) may be in various locations such as the walls of the chamber in the form of packets or in the form of containers that serve as shelves and may be removable from the interior region. The packets may have recesses for receiving the items. The phase change material may be within capsules that may be within a liquid or a solid matrix. Controls may be provided to control humidity, oxygen, and carbon dioxide within the interior chamber.