A system, configured to facilitate processing and detection of nucleic acids, the system comprising a process fluid container and a cartridge comprising: a top layer, a set of sample port-reagent port pairs, a shared fluid port, a vent region, a heating region, and a set of detection chambers; an intermediate substrate, coupled to the top layer comprising a waste chamber; an elastomeric layer, partially situated on the intermediate substrate; and a set of fluidic pathways, each formed by at least a portion of the top layer and a portion of the elastomeric layer, wherein each fluidic pathway is fluidically coupled to a sample port-reagent port pair, the shared fluid port, and a detection chamber, comprises a portion passing through the heating region, and is configured to be occluded upon deformation of the elastomeric layer, to transfer a waste fluid to the waste chamber, and to pass through the vent region.

This present disclosure provides devices, systems, and methods for performing point-of-care analysis of a target analyte in a biological fluid via a binding assay. The present disclosure includes a cartridge for collecting the target analyte contained in a fluid sample and performing an assay. The cartridge includes an assay stack having a first separation layer, a second separation layer, and a detection membrane. The cartridge also includes a plurality of first complexes comprising a capture molecule and a magnetic bead and a plurality of second complexes comprising a detection molecule and a detection label. Further, the detection membrane includes a substrate that interacts with the detection label to elicit a quantifiable response in the presence of the target analyte. The quantifiable response corresponds to an amount of detection antibody present in the detection membrane, and the amount of detection antibody present corresponds to an amount of the target analyte present.

The invention relates to a method for producing at least one pattern (2) on a carrier surface (7) of a carrier (3), wherein the method comprises the following steps: a. adding a first fluid (4) to the carrier surface (7) and b. adding a second fluid (5), wherein the second fluid (5) is immiscible with the first fluid (4) and at least partially covers the first fluid (4) and c. adding at least one object (6) above the carrier surface (7), d. generating the pattern (2) by a relative movement between the object (6) and the carrier (3) in which a force is exerted on the object (6) from a force generating means (28), wherein the force transmission from the force generating means (28) on the object (6) is contactless and the pattern (2) is generated by a portion of the second fluid (15) wetting the carrier surface (7).

Disclosed is a chemiluminescence measurement apparatus that includes: a support member configured to support a cartridge for measuring a test substance contained in a specimen by chemiluminescence measurement; a motor configured to rotate the support member so as to rotate the cartridge such that a process required for the chemiluminescence measurement proceeds in the cartridge; and a light receiver configured to receive light generated by chemiluminescence in the cartridge that is supported by the support member rotated by the motor. The cartridge supported by the support member and a light receiving surface of the light receiver are disposed inside a dark space surrounded by a light-shielding portion, and the motor is disposed outside the dark space.

Apparatus and methods for separating blood components are disclosed in which an apparatus for separating blood generally includes a tube defining a channel and configured for receiving a quantity of blood and a float contained within the tube and having a density which is predefined so that the float is maintained at equilibrium between a first layer formed from a first fractional component of the blood and a second layer formed from a second fractional component of the blood. Upon completion of the centrifugation, the first layer may be removed from the tube while the float isolates the second layer from the first layer.

A magnetic bead separation method includes: storing, in a container, a mixed liquid containing a magnetic bead and a liquid containing target molecules, and adsorbing the target molecules on the magnetic bead, the magnetic bead containing a Fe-based metal soft magnetic particle and a coating film with which the Fe-based metal soft magnetic particle is coated, and having a saturation magnetization of 50 emu/g or more and 250 emu/g or less; applying an external magnetic field to the container and magnetically attracting at least a part of the magnetic bead by the external magnetic field; and applying an acceleration to the container while the magnetic bead is magnetically attracted by the external magnetic field and desorbing the liquid adhering to the magnetic bead.

Described are multi-functional beads and methods to capture rare cells directly from low-volume biological samples and perform both functional and genomic assays from those cells. This is accomplished using a multifunctional capture bead that allows co-localization of both the single cell capture element and the molecular assay components. When combined with a digital microfluidic platform this enables encoding and/or barcoding of specific single cells.

Methods are provided for separating magnetically responsive beads from a droplet in a droplet actuator. Droplet operations electrodes and a magnet are arranged in a droplet actuator to manipulate a bead-containing droplet and position it relative to a magnetic field region that attracts the magnetically responsive beads. The droplet operations electrodes are operated to control the droplet shape and transport it away from the magnetic field region to form a concentration of beads in the droplet. The continued transport of the droplet away from the magnetic field causes the concentration of beads to break away from the droplet to yield a small, concentrated bead-containing droplet immobilized by the magnet.

A collection device for a biological sample to capture target compounds such as viruses or other pathogens or particles for testing from within the sample and move the captured target compound to a separate chamber for subsequent processing. The collection device can include an openable substance blister including capture particles located in a cup interior. Capture particles can attract and bind the target compounds from the sample. An extraction tube extracts any nucleic acid from the target compound for storage or subsequent amplification and testing to confirm presence of known microorganisms. The extraction tube can comprise a heat-deformable material and can be connected to a microfluidic cartridge for further processing of nucleic acid including, amplification and detection. The microfluidic cartridge includes valves and a plurality of chambers for amplification.

A microfluidic device for forming droplets includes at least one ferrofluid reservoir disposed in the microfluidic device and containing a ferrofluid therein. The microfluidic device includes a continuous-phase reservoir disposed in the microfluidic device and containing an oil phase therein and one or more microfluidic channels connecting between the at least one ferrofluid reservoir and the continuous-phase reservoir, the continuous-phase reservoir comprising a step region having an increased height as compared to a height of the one or more microfluidic channels. To form droplets an externally applied magnetic field is applied to the device to pull the ferrofluid into the continuous-phase reservoir, whereby droplets are formed at step region.