The present invention relates to an apparatus for simultaneous imaging and execution of contact-free directed hydrodynamic flow in a specimen with at least one light source, in particular a laser, adapted to dynamically heat the interior and/or a surface of the specimen, a microscope with an objective adapted to image at least a part of the specimen and to guide, in particular focus, a light beam of the light source, in particular a laser beam, into and/or onto the specimen to heat at least one specified location of the specimen, means for manipulating the specified location, and a sample chamber for the specimen that is accessible for imaging radiation and the light beam to allow simultaneous imaging and manipulation of the sample via the objective. Furthermore the present invention is directed to a method for simultaneous imaging and executing contact-free directed hydrodynamic flow in a specimen wherein, at least one light source, in particular a laser, dynamically heats the interior and/or a surface of the specimen via a light beam, in particular via a laser beam, the beam of the at least one light source is directed to the specimen through an objective of a microscope, the light beam is variably guided, in particular focused, to specified locations of the specimen inducing a hydrodynamic flow in the specimen, and imaging the specimen via the same objective as used for introduction of the light beam.

A microfluidic structure for spacing out and aligning entities in an aqueous suspension is provided. The structure comprises: a channel for guiding entities in an aqueous suspension; a first comb of first inlets arranged on a first side of the channel for introducing a spacing medium into the channel; and a second comb of second inlets arranged on a second side of the channel for introducing the spacing medium into the channel; wherein the first side is opposite the second side, and wherein one of the first inlets has a corresponding, respective one of the second inlets at a substantially similar longitudinal position along the channel.

The present disclosure provides systems and methods for sorting a cell. The system may comprise a flow channel configured to transport a cell through the channel. The system may comprise an imaging device configured to capture an image of the cell from a plurality of different angles as the cell is transported through the flow channel. The system may comprise a processor configured to analyze the image using a deep learning algorithm to enable sorting of the cell.

The disclosure relates to a method for determining a hydrodynamic size of an object, such as a nano-sized object, said method comprising the steps of: providing a fluid interface, linking said object to said fluid interface thereby providing a linked object, whereby the movement of said linked object is restricted by virtue of being linked to said fluid interface, providing and determining a hydrodynamic shear force that acts on said linked object, tracking the movement of said linked object, and calculating the hydrodynamic size of the object using the Einstein-Smoluchowski relation.

In accordance with an embodiment, a microfluidic chip including a first cells enrichment system and a second cells enrichment system is provided. Channel layouts of the first and the second cells enrichment systems are symmetric with respect to a reflection plane vertical to the microfluidic chip. Each of the first the second cells enrichment systems includes a first fluid channel, a second fluid channel, a sample channel, an inlet channel, and a filtration chamber. The sample channel of the first cells enrichment system has a first inner wall and a first outer wall. The sample channel of the second cells enrichment system has a second inner wall and a second outer wall. The first outer wall and the second outer wall are both far from the reflection plane. A distance between the first outer wall and the second outer wall is in the range from about 10 m to about 1 cm.

The present disclosure provides systems and methods for sorting a cell. The system may comprise a flow channel configured to transport a cell through the channel. The system may comprise an imaging device configured to capture an image of the cell from a plurality of different angles as the cell is transported through the flow channel. The system may comprise a processor configured to analyze the image using a deep learning algorithm to enable sorting of the cell,

A single junction sorter for a microfluidic particle sorter, the single-junction sorter comprising: an input channel, configured to receive a fluid containing particles; an output sort channel and an output waste channel, each connected to the input channel for receiving the fluid therefrom; a bubble generator, operable to selectively displace the fluid around a particle to be sorted and thereby to create a transient flow of the fluid in the input channel; and a vortex element, configured to cause a vortex in the transient flow in order to direct the particle to be sorted into the output sort channel.

The present disclosure provides devices and methods using separating a fluide.g., plasma or serumfrom whole blood. In some embodiments, the devices and methods use hydrophobic or superhydrophobic surfaces to encourage whole blood to contact a selective membrane that extracts the desired fluid component from the blood.

The subject matter of the present invention is a microfluidic process for treating and analysing a solution containing a biological material, comprising a step of introducing the solution into microchannels of a microfluidic circuit (1), a step of forming drops of this solution, under the effect of modifications of the surface tension of the solution, a step of moving the drops to one or more drop storage zones(s) (130), under the effect of modifications of the surface tension of the drops, a step of treating the drops and a step of analysing the drops.

Described is a multi-dimensional double spiral (MDDS) microfluidic device comprising a first spiral microchannel and a second microchannel, wherein the wherein the first spiral microchannel and second spiral microchannel have different cross-sectional areas. Also described is a device comprising a multi-dimensional double spiral and system for recirculation. The invention also encompasses methods of separating particles from a sample fluid comprising a mixture of particles comprising the use of the multi-dimensional double spiral microfluidic device.