The present invention provides devices and methods for generating a pulsatile fluid flow in a microchannel by means of external actuation of a thin flexible film. With the devices described herein, cycles of positive and negative actuation can be used to infuse or withdrawal fluid in a microchannel. Fluid can be recirculated over one or more microfluidic feature, such as a chemical or molecular receptor, biosensor, electrode, cell or biological material, chromatography feature, mixer, etc., in a way that would represent an advantage over the single-pass flow techniques common to most microfluidic devices. The devices and methods are particularly useful in vitro diagnostics (IVD), analytical chemistry, chromatography, and mixing applications in a variety of fields.

A system for detecting an infectious agent. The system has a microfluidic apparatus having a first port for receiving a sample and a second port; an electrochemical sensing structure for engaging the microfluidic apparatus and in fluid communication therewith for receiving the sample therefrom; and a bio-sensing apparatus having one or more circuitries for electrically coupling to the electrochemical sensing structure for detecting the infectious agent/analytes from the samples received thereon.

A microfluidic device in which microfluidic channels are embedded in a culture medium chamber and have open sides. The microfluidic device is patterned with a fluid moved along a hydrophilic surface due to capillary force, and the fluid may be rapidly and uniformly patterned along an inner corner path and a microfluidic channel. In the microfluidic device, the microfluidic channel is connected to facilitate fluid flow with a culture medium through open sides thereof and openings, and thus may provide a cell culture environment in which high gas saturation is maintained. In addition, several microfluidic devices formed on one common substrate are described. Such microfluidic devices may be manufactured of a hydrophilic engineering plastic by injection molding.

An improved biological sample preparation device and method of using the device. The disclosed device provides improved sample volume control, reduces potential contamination in the working environment, increases ease of use, and improves safety for healthcare workers.

Described herein are sample loading systems for loading a sample into a processing and/or analysis system comprising: a sample reservoir for receiving a sample and a metering volume reservoir, the sample reservoir and a first side of the metering volume reservoir being interconnected through a first channel with a first flow resistance to allow filling of the metering volume reservoir with sample; a further reservoir for receiving a second fluid interconnected with the metering volume reservoir at the first side via a second channel having a smaller second flow resistance; a first valve for blocking flow of sample from the metering volume reservoir into the second channel; a second valve connected to a second side of the metering volume reservoir for controlling the blocking and flowing of sample; and a first timing circuitry for timing the opening of the second valve as a function of filling of the further reservoir.

A sensing device includes a sample loading chamber configured to receive a sample, a detection antibody drying or lyophilization chamber configured to receive a first portion of the sample, one or more substrate drying or lyophilization chambers configured to receive a second portion of the sample, and one or more reaction chambers connected to the detection antibody drying or lyophilization chamber and the one or more substrate drying or lyophilization chambers. The detection antibody drying or lyophilization chamber and one or more substrate drying or lyophilization chambers are placed in parallel between the sample loading chamber and the one or more reaction chambers.

A detection chip, a method of using a detection chip and a reaction system are provided. The detection chip includes a first substrate, a micro-chamber definition layer and a heating electrode. The micro-chamber definition layer is located on the first substrate and defines a plurality of micro-reaction chambers. The heating electrode is located on the first substrate and closer to the first substrate than the micro-chamber definition layer, and configured to release heat after being energized. The heating electrode includes a plurality of sub-electrodes, orthographic projections of the plurality of micro-reaction chambers on the first substrate overlap with orthographic projections of at least two of the plurality of sub-electrodes on the first substrate, and the at least two of the plurality of sub-electrodes have different heating values per unit time after being energized.

A microfluidic device comprising: an inlet section, for receiving a body fluid sample, the inlet section comprising an inlet port arranged to receive a supply of body fluid; a metering function configured to receive body fluid from the inlet section and comprising a first channel; and a sequent section configured to receive the body fluid from the metering function and comprising a second channel, wherein the first channel comprises a capillary stop valve configured to interrupt or reduce flow of the body fluid therethrough, and a means for visual inspection arranged adjacent to the capillary stop valve, wherein a geometry and/or dimension of the inlet port is configured such that when the supply of body fluid to the inlet port is removed, the Laplace pressure of a body fluid meniscus at the inlet port is higher than a threshold pressure of the capillary stop valve.

The present invention relates generally to an assay for detecting and differentiating single or multiple analytes, if present, in a fluid sample, including devices and methods of use of the same.

The disclosed apparatus, systems and methods relate to devices, systems and methods for the collection of bodily fluids. The collector can make use of microfluidic networks connected to collection sites on the skin of a subject to gather and shuttle blood into a removable cartridge. The collected fluid is supplied to substrate for drying, storage and transport.