A method includes: depositing whole blood into at least one separator tube; subjecting the at least one separator tube to a first centrifugal force to cause a combination of the first centrifugal force and separator gel within each separator tube of the at least one separator tube to separate plasma of the whole blood from red and white blood cells of the whole blood within the at least one separator tube, wherein the plasma includes α2M molecules; transferring one or more portions of the plasma from within the at least one separator tube and into at least one isolator; and subjecting the at least one isolator to a second centrifugal force to cause a combination of the second centrifugal force and a filter within each isolator of the at least one isolator to isolate the α2M molecules from other components of the plasma within the at least one isolator.

A method and apparatus for controlling and visually, audibly, and tactilely communicating the administration of discrete unit doses of material dispensed from a dropper through use of a modified plunger having a geometric profile corresponding to a unit dose. This profile engages with the dropper interior in a manner that creates audio, visual, and tactile cues as each unit dose is administered. The profile may take the form of peaks and valleys or teeth. Alternatively, the plunger profile may be threaded and may include a channel along the plunger's longitudinal axis.

Devices for detecting microorganism strains or target cellular analytes are provided. The device includes a filter holder, the filter holder comprising a tip portion; a nonwoven article disposed on the tip portion of the filter holder; and an adaptor attacked to the filter holder, the adaptor defining an aperture. Methods of detecting microorganisms and/or cellular analytes in a fluid sample using the devices are also provided. The method includes obtaining the device; placing a lumened or cannulated device in fluid communication with the device; and passing a fluid sample suspected of containing at least one microorganism strain or target cellular analyte from the lumened or cannulated device through the device and contacting the nonwoven article. The method further includes contacting the nonwoven article with at least one detection reagent and detecting the presence of the at least one microorganism strain or target cellular analyte concentrated by the nonwoven article. Kits and systems including the devices are also provided.

A fluidic device (10) is described. The fluidic device (10) comprises the first part (110) and the second part (120). The first part (110) comprises a first inlet (111) and a first outlet (112), mutually spaced apart. The second part (120) comprises a first chamber (121) arranged to contain a predetermined first amount A1 of a first fluid F1 therein and a first wall portion (122) arranged to contain, at least in part, the first fluid F1 in the first chamber (121). The fluidic device (10) is arrangeable in a first configuration, wherein the first part (110) is fluidically isolated from the first chamber (121). The fluidic device (10) is arrangeable in a second configuration, wherein the first inlet (111) and the first outlet (112) are fluidically coupled via the first chamber (121), whereby increasing a first pressure P1 in the first chamber (121) via the first inlet (111) urges at least a part of the predetermined first amount A1 of the first fluid F1 through the first outlet (112).

A device for blood (1) is provided with a column (50) and a micro flow path (20) located downstream of the column (50). The column (50) includes a porous material as a solid phase, and blood that has contacted with the porous material flows through the micro flow path (20). In the device for blood (1), the column (50) and the micro flow path (20) are provided as separated bodies. The column (50) has a connecting part (55), the micro flow path (20) has an inlet (21a), the connecting part (55) and the inlet (21a) are connected to each other to integrate the column (50) with the micro flow path (20), and blood (BL) is allowed to pass from the column (50).

A blood biomarker analysis systems providing fast biomarker identification includes a multimodal bioassay device having a biosensor within a portable pipette-shaped device and using nanoplasmonic barcode detectors, such as formed of antibody conjugated gold nanoparticle arrays (AuNPs), capable of capturing any of a plurality of biomarkers. The biomarker analysis system further includes the pipette-shaped device being smartphone-connected and portable to form a highly accurate, point-of-care bioassay device.

The present invention provides compositions, systems, kits, and methods for analyzing the interaction of T-cells and neoantigen presenting cells (and other cells) via discrete entity (e.g., droplet) microfluids. In certain embodiments, a microfluidic device is used to merge a discrete entity containing a T-cell, and a discrete entity containing a neoantigen presenting cell, at a merger region via a trapping element in order to generate a combined discrete entity. In particular embodiments, at least one thousand of such combined discrete entities are formed in about one second. In some embodiments, whether the receptor on the T-cell sufficiently binds the neoantigen to activate the T-Cell is detected (e.g., via detection of cytokine or granzyme B release). In certain embodiments, provided herein are methods for identifying polyfunctional T-cells or NK-cells, as well as methods of screening for such cells that would be cytotoxic if injected into a subject.

The present invention is directed to systems and devices that allow for separation of cells based on size and electric properties and for high-throughput cell sorting. The system may comprise a microfluidic platform having a main microfluidic channel and cavity acoustic transducers (CATs). The microfluidic platform may be coupled to an external acoustic source. The system may further comprise a fluid disposed through the main microfluidic channel comprising cells having different sizes and electric properties. The fluid may intersect the CATs to form one or more interfaces. The system may further comprise electrodes underneath the microfluidic platform. The CATs may oscillate the interfaces to produce one or more microstreaming vortices, such that each microstreaming vortex is capable of selectively trapping cells based on size. The set of electrodes may apply an AC to cause the cells to move relative to the set of electrodes based on electric properties.

Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide a modular sample processing device which allows a user to perform any number of biological processes within a single device, in the order the user requires. The device is customisable—a user may select two or more modules and connect them in series to form the device in which the biological processing takes place. Advantageously, this may enable a user to perform multiple processes within a single device and potentially outside of a laboratory (e.g. during field work) or outside of sterile/aseptic environments. Furthermore, the device is a hand-held device, which means the device is compact and easy to transport and use for field work.

The present application relates to a pipetting device and a pipetting method for pipetting, therefore for aspirating and/or dispensing, a metered liquid using a working gas, independently of the flow- and/or wetting characteristics of the metered liquid, wherein a pipetting channel comprises a first working region, of which the known base temperature is in a lower base temperature range, and a second working region, of which the known working temperature is in a working temperature range that is increased with respect to the base temperature range.