The present inventive concept relates to a microfluidic system for pressure-assisted capillary-driven flowing of a liquid. The system comprises: a first sub-system comprising a capillary flow channel, having a first flow resistance, arranged to receive the liquid and to flow the liquid along the capillary flow channel; a second sub-system comprising a pressure-assisting flow channel, having a second flow resistance, arranged to receive the liquid from the capillary flow channel, and to provide a pressure-assisted flow of the liquid in a direction away from the capillary flow channel; and a capillary valve, having a third flow resistance, comprising a capillary portion, wherein the capillary portion at a first end is connected to an interface between the capillary flow channel and the pressure-assisting flow channel, and at a second end is communicating with gaseous medium. The first flow resistance is larger than the third flow resistance, and the second flow resistance is larger than the third flow resistance, such that the liquid is flowing predominantly by capillary action in the capillary flow channel until a forefront of the liquid has reached the interface with the pressure-assisting flow channel, and by pressure-assisted capillary action after the forefront of the liquid has reached the interface with the pressure-assisted flow channel The present inventive concept further relates to a diagnostic device and a lab-on-a-chip device, comprising the microfluidic system.

An apparatus is provided for sensing a molecule in a sample. The apparatus utilizes an electric field to draw molecules from a first chamber through an aperture, defined by a chemical layer, into a second chamber. The apparatus can detect a DNA molecule with, for example, 4, 5, or 6 unique base pairs. As molecules pass through the aperture, a sensor detects or measures a change in an electric parameter used to generate the electric field, thereafter translating the change in the electric parameter into information about the molecule. A divider element separates the first and second chambers and supports a chemical layer defining the aperture. The apparatus enables detection or measurement of molecules over prolonged time at a higher electric field strength than other nanopores, due to a combination of the shape of the divider, structural elements thereon, and thickness of the chemical layer at the aperture.

A method of producing a microfluidic device, including providing at least two solid layers and at least one reagent disc comprising a support disc carrying at least one dry reagent, arranging the reagent disk(s) and stacking the solid layers to form a microfluidic channel arrangement including at least one opening into a channel of the microfluidic channel arrangement and wherein the reagent disk(s) is located in the microfluidic channel arrangement.

Devices, systems, and methods for imaging samples. In some examples, a device includes at least two basins for holding a liquid medium, the at least two basins including a sample chamber and a reservoir. The device includes a wedge between the sample chamber and the reservoir, and the wedge protrudes into the sample chamber and defines a space between the wedge and a bottom of the sample chamber. The space is sized for holding one or more biological samples. The device is formed to define a flow channel between the sample chamber and the reservoir, and the flow channel is shaped to allow the passage of the liquid medium from the sample chamber and the reservoir and to block passage of the one or more biological samples between the sample chamber and the reservoir.

In one example in accordance with the present disclosure, a fluid ejection die is described. The fluid ejection die includes a fluid feed slot to deliver fluid from a reservoir to an array of ejection chambers fluid connected to the fluid feed slot. Each ejection chamber includes at least one fluid actuator and an opening through which fluid is to be ejected. The fluid ejection die also includes a number of antechambers. An antechamber includes sidewalls that curve inward.

Provided herein is a fluid delivery method for permeabilizing a biological sample. The method includes delivering the fluid to a first substrate and/or a second substrate. At least one of the first substrate and the second substrate includes a spacer. The method further includes assembling, subsequent to the delivering, a chamber comprising the first substrate, the second substrate, the biological sample, and the spacer. The spacer may be disposed between the first substrate and second substrate. The spacer may be configured to maintain the fluid within the chamber and maintain a separation distance between the first substrate and the second substrate. The spacer may be positioned to at least partially surround an area on the first substrate on which the biological sample is disposed and/or at least partially surround the array disposed on the second substrate.

An assembly is provided for interfacing with a microfluidic chip having at least one microscopic channel configured to receive a liquid sample for analysis. The assembly includes a chip carrier, an electronics module, an optical module, and a mechanical module. The chip carrier includes a base and a cover defining a cavity to receive the microfluidic chip. The electronics module includes a signal generator which applies at least one electrokinetic signal electrode(s) of the chip. The optical module includes an excitation radiation source which causes excitation radiation to impinge on the sample, and an emission radiation detector which detects radiation emitted from the sample. The mechanical module includes a chip-carrier receiving structure, relatable with respect to the optical module for focus and at least one degree of translational freedom.

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a liquid collector that collects liquid, the liquid collector including: a flow passage member including a flow passage that connects one end and other end of the flow passage member; a contact member that is disposed at the one end of the flow passage member, that includes an elastic material, and that is configured to come into contact with a target from which liquid is to be collected; and a container that receives the liquid discharged from the flow passage at the other end of the flow passage member.

Examples herein provide a device. The device includes a sample delivery component, which includes: a reagent chamber to contain at least one reagent; a sample chamber to contain a fluid sample; and a delivery channel extending from the reagent chamber and in fluid communication with the sample chamber and an output port, wherein the delivery channel is conducive mixing the at least one reagent and the fluid sample to form a mixture before the mixture reaches the output port and be discharged therefrom. The device includes a testing cassette detachable from the delivery component, which includes: an input port in fluid communication with a microfluidic reservoir, the input port to receive the discharged fluid sample from the output port; and a micro-fabricated integrated sensor in a microfluidic channel extending from the microfluidic reservoir.

A portable diagnostic device for performing the diagnosis of pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria, microorganisms, etc., by rapidly detecting their nucleic acids in a biological sample to be tested. Also, the use of the portable diagnostic device and the methods for detection of at least one nucleic acid sequence of interest implemented with the aid of the portable diagnostic device.