The invention relates to an apparatus for producing a droplet assembly, which apparatus comprises a droplet generator. A process for producing a droplet assembly, using an apparatus comprising a droplet generator is also described. The invention also relates to droplet assemblies comprising a plurality of droplets. Various uses of the droplet assemblies are also described.

A lab-on-a-cartridge (LOAC) handheld assay device including an integrated test cartridge, a carbon nanotube electrode sensor, and a reagent dispenser for dispensing a liquid reagent into the test cartridge. The test cartridge includes a syringe plunger for drawing a test fluid into a test cavity, a bottom wall with a reagent inlet port, and a vibration adaptor for mixing. The reagent input port is attached with a slit valve for engaging with a slit spout of the reagent dispenser as a needleless dispensing system. Carbon nanotube sensors of different three-electrode configurations are provided for testing a volume of test fluid to increase the electrochemical reaction sensitivity. The assay device can be used with a CNT three-electrode sensor for saliva testing for determining glucose concentration.

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.

Described herein are multi-well separation devices configured to allow a composition comprising a target agent to be separated into multiple wells, subdivided, recombined into a single well, and/or re-separated into the same or a different configuration of wells. Also described herein are reagent loading devices configured to simultaneously deliver one or more test agents to a plurality of volumes without having to individually deliver the test agents. Together, these devices allow high throughput parallel processes without repetitive pipetting or liquid handling robotics, though they may also be used separately. Also described herein are kits and systems for chemical or biological assays, as well as methods for using the multi-well separation devices and reagent loading devices described herein.

A droplet generating method includes the steps of providing a micro-pipe having an outlet end; providing a liquid driving device to generate a flow of a first liquid; locating and positioning the micro-pipe which extends along a vertical longitudinal axis; connecting the liquid driving device with the micro-pipe so that the first liquid flows and is emitted out from the outlet end; providing a container, which is positioned at least in-part below the micro-pipe and adapted to contain a second liquid including a liquid surface disposed at a position located between a highest and a lowest positions; and either vertically or horizontally vibrating the micro-pipe, and thereby forming a plurality of droplets of the first liquid emitted from the outlet end at a position below the liquid surface of the second liquid.

Described herein are multi-well separation devices configured to allow a composition comprising a target agent to be separated into multiple wells, subdivided, recombined into a single well, and/or re-separated into the same or a different configuration of wells. Also described herein are reagent loading devices configured to simultaneously deliver one or more test agents to a plurality of volumes without having to individually deliver the test agents. Together, these devices allow high throughput parallel processes without repetitive pipetting or liquid handling robotics, though they may also be used separately. Also described herein are kits and systems for chemical or biological assays, as well as methods for using the multi-well separation devices and reagent loading devices described herein.

A droplet generating method includes: providing a micro-pipe for dispensing a first liquid and a container containing a second liquid; providing a moving and locating device for positioning the micro-pipe over the container; providing a liquid driving device connecting to the micro-pipe through a connecting tube; providing a vibrating equipment connected to the micro-pipe for vibrating the micro-pipe; forming a relative periodic vibration between the micro-pipe and the container so that the outlet end of the micro-pipe is displaced to touch the second liquid in the container during a relative periodic vibration; and dispensing the first liquid in the micro-pipe out from the outlet end of the micro-pipe during the relative periodic vibration to generate a plurality of droplets of the first liquid in the second liquid which is induced by a force of the second liquid imposed on the first liquid at the outlet end.

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.

A mixing apparatus includes a well plate assembly including a fixed support, and a well movable with respect to the fixed support. A fixed sensor mount has a first portion disposed above the well and a second portion disposed within the well. A plurality of electromagnets are operable to move the well plate assembly vertically with respect to the fixed sensor mount and the fixed support.

A device for rapid non-destructive genetic material collection can include a multi-reservoir array (202) and a movement mechanism. The multi-reservoir array (202) can include multiple reservoirs (204). A plurality of the multiple reservoirs (204) can include an abrasive surface (210) capable of retaining a source of genetic material in a liquid carrier. The abrasive surface (210) has a roughness. The movement mechanism can be operable to move the multi-reservoir array (202) in an oscillating motion sufficient to create relative movement between the abrasive surface (210) and the source of the genetic material in order to remove a portion of genetic material from the source of the genetic material without destroying the source of the genetic material or the portion of the genetic material that is removed.