A biological fluid sample analysis cartridge is provided. The cartridge includes a housing, a fluid module, and an analysis chamber. The fluid module includes a sample acquisition port and an initial channel, and is connected to the housing. The initial channel is sized to draw fluid sample by capillary force, and is in fluid communication with the acquisition port. The initial channel is fixedly positioned relative to the acquisition port such that at least a portion of a fluid sample disposed within the acquisition port will draw into the initial channel. The analysis chamber is connected to the housing, and is in fluid communication with the initial channel.

Provided in one embodiment is a dynamically tunable structure including an elastic layer, and a plurality of ferromagnetic micropillars disposed over the elastic layer. The elastic layer may have an elasticity that is greater than an elasticity of the micropillars.

A polymeric micro-arm apparatus and method to use the same. The apparatus comprises of an elongated hollow polymeric structure with a distal end and a proximal end, an opening near the distal end, a main body attached to the polymeric structure means to move the polymeric structure, means to generate fluid flow through the opening, means to measure a flowrate of the fluid flow through the opening; and an element embedded in the polymeric structure, wherein the element is configured to detect when the polymeric structure contacts an object and measures the force that the object exerts upon the polymeric structure.

The present invention relates to a microfluidic assay system and associated reading device, as well as the individual components themselves. The present invention also relates to methods of conducting assays, using a disposable system and associated reading device, as well as kits for conducting assays.

A biological fluid sample analysis cartridge is provided. The cartridge includes a housing, a fluid module, and an analysis chamber. The fluid module includes a sample acquisition port and an initial channel, and is connected to the housing. The initial channel is sized to draw fluid sample by capillary force, and is in fluid communication with the acquisition port. The initial channel is fixedly positioned relative to the acquisition port such that at least a portion of a fluid sample disposed within the acquisition port will draw into the initial channel. The analysis chamber is connected to the housing, and is in fluid communication with the initial channel.

The present invention relates to a chip equipped with a plurality of compact microfluidic valves with multiple inlets and outlets, actuated by means of a flexible membrane system. The chip preferably comprises a deformable sealing layer made of at least one flexible, elastic, and insulating material; a structure formed by a succession of one or several microstructured layers, wherein said structure comprises one or several micro-chambers, one or several microfluidic channels, and one or several fluidic inlets and outlets; and wherein said structure is installed on a base substrate. The invention likewise relates to a microfluidic device that comprises the aforementioned chip, to a method for the fabrication of the chip, and to the uses associated with the chip and the microfluidic device.