In certain aspects of the invention, a stackable device includes multiple elements stacked sequentially. A chamber is formed in each of the elements or between adjacent two of the elements, and each chamber is in fluid communication with an input channel and an output channel. The chambers are aligned with each other, and adjacent two chambers are separated from each other by a membrane. In certain aspects of the invention, a system includes at least one stackable device, each stackable device having multiple chambers; and at least one of a perfusion controller, a microformulator, and a microclinical analyzer in fluid communication with the at least one stackable device. In other aspects of the invention, the use of four microformulators, electrodes and an impedance analyzer can measure the impedance spectrum of each barrier in a multi-transwell plate.

An apparatus for supporting an array of layers of amphiphilic molecules, the apparatus comprising: a body, formed in a surface of the body, an array of sensor wells capable of supporting a layer of amphiphilic molecules across the sensor wells, the sensor wells each containing an electrode for connection to an electrical circuit, and formed in the surface of the body between the sensor wells, flow control wells capable of smoothing the flow of a fluid across the surface.

The invention provides analyzers that improve tests for detecting specific cellular, viral, and molecular targets in clinical, industrial, or environmental samples. The invention permits efficient and specific selection and sensitive imaging detection of individual microscopic targets at low magnification. Automated embodiments allow efficient walk-away, on-demand, random-access high-throughput testing. The analyzers perform tests without requiring wash steps thus streamlining engineering and lowering costs. Thus, the invention provides analyzers that can deliver rapid, accurate, and quantitative, easy-to-use, and cost-effective tests for analytes.

An apparatus for supporting an array of layers of amphiphilic molecules, the apparatus comprising: a body, formed in a surface of the body, an array of sensor wells capable of supporting a layer of amphiphilic molecules across the sensor wells, the sensor wells each containing an electrode for connection to an electrical circuit, and formed in the surface of the body between the sensor wells, flow control wells capable of smoothing the flow of a fluid across the surface.

The present disclosure relates to a microfluidic circuit comprising an inlet port; an outlet port; a main channel fluidically connecting the inlet port and the outlet port; and a series of microchambers of differing volumes disposed within the main channel, where each microchamber is individually fluidically connected to the main channel via individual microchamber openings. The present disclosure also relates to a microfluidic device comprising a support layer; a substrate layer disposed on the support layer; and one or more microfluidic circuits of the present disclosure, where the one or more circuits are disposed within the substrate layer. Also disclosed is a method for performing an assay.

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to infrared spectroscopy. In one aspect, a device includes a first assembly, a porous membrane, and a second assembly. The first assembly defines a fluid distributor. The porous membrane overlies the fluid distributor and forms a surface of the fluid distributor. The second assembly is disposed on the first assembly. The second assembly defines a plurality of capillary arrays surrounding a window in the second assembly that exposes the porous membrane. Capillaries of each of the capillary arrays have openings on edges of the window of the second assembly and are operable to direct moisture across a surface of the porous membrane.

The invention provides devices that improve tests for detecting specific cellular, viral, and molecular targets in clinical, industrial, or environmental samples. The invention permits efficient detection of individual microscopic targets at low magnification for highly sensitive testing. The invention does not require washing steps and thus allows sensitive and specific detection while simplifying manual operation and lowering costs and complexity in automated operation. In short, the invention provides devices that can deliver rapid, accurate, and quantitative, easy-to-use, and cost-effective tests.

System and method includes a body having a central microchannel separated by one or more porous membranes. The membranes are configured to divide the central microchannel into a two or more parallel central microchannels, wherein one or more first fluids are applied through the first central microchannel and one or more second fluids are applied through the second or more central microchannels. The surfaces of each porous membrane can be coated with cell adhesive molecules to support the attachment of cells and promote their organization into tissues on the upper and lower surface of the membrane. The pores may be large enough to only permit exchange of gases and small chemicals, or to permit migration and transchannel passage of large proteins and whole living cells. Fluid pressure, flow and channel geometry also may be varied to apply a desired mechanical force to one or both tissue layers.

Apparatus and methods for determining whether a test compound induces cell activity, changes cell activity, prevents cell activity, or inhibits cell activity. An embodiment comprises placing a test compound solution in contact with a cell suspension media containing cells, diffusing the test compound solution into the cell suspension from one or more sides, and detecting activity in the cells with respect to their distance from the side from which the test compound is diffusing. Embodiments may provide an apparatus that allows a side source, a point source, or both, from which a test compound solution diffuses into a cell suspension media and contacts cells. Detecting cell activity may involve detecting activity in a first cell group proximate to the side from which the test compound is diffusing, and detecting activity in a second cell group farther than the first cell group from the side from which the test compound is diffusing.

In certain aspects of the invention, a stackable device includes multiple elements stacked sequentially. A chamber is formed in each of the elements or between adjacent two of the elements, and each chamber is in fluid communication with an input channel and an output channel. The chambers are aligned with each other, and adjacent two chambers are separated from each other by a membrane. In certain aspects of the invention, a system includes at least one stackable device, each stackable device having multiple chambers; and at least one of a perfusion controller, a microformulator, and a microclinical analyzer in fluid communication with the at least one stackable device. In other aspects of the invention, the use of four microformulators, electrodes and an impedance analyzer can measure the impedance spectrum of each barrier in a multi-transwell plate.