A peristaltic pump-based apparatus for capturing circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from blood is provided that includes a feedback control architecture that uses models of pump operation and measures of internal pressure fluctuations of the pump (e.g., in the form time-varying and/or position-dependent pressure oscillation data) to adjust pump operating characteristics that smooth pump operation, thereby improving viscosity and consistency of fluid flowing through the pump to a connected microfluidic capture device.

Disclosed are cartridge components, cartridges, systems, and methods for isolating analytes from biological samples. In various aspects, the cartridge components, cartridges, systems, and methods may allow for a rapid procedure that requires a minimal amount of material from complex fluids.

Embodiments of lab automation workstations are disclosed in which the pod that performs pipetting operations is integrated with pipette tip-loading functionality. To generate the necessary tip-loading force, a dual drive system is used that is symmetric about the Y-axis to allow for offset or partial tip box loads by dynamically centering the drive force (e.g., the tip-loading force) over the reaction load. This minimizes the need for oversized linear motion components while still allowing for the generation of high tip-loading forces needed to properly load a large number of pipette tips simultaneously.

The present invention relates to microfluidic fluidic devices, methods and systems as microfluidic kidney on-chips, e.g. human Proximal Tubule-Chip.

A perfusion manifold assembly is described that allows for perfusion of a microfluidic device, such as an organ on a chip microfluidic device comprising cells that mimic cells in an organ in the body, that is detachably linked with said assembly so that fluid enters ports of the microfluidic device from a fluid reservoir, optionally without tubing, at a controllable flow rate.

A culture module is contemplated that allows the perfusion and optionally mechanical actuation of one or more microfluidic devices, such as organ-on-a-chip microfluidic devices comprising cells that mimic at least one function of an organ in the body.

Systems for operating a microfluidic device are described. The systems comprise a first surface configured to interface and operatively couple with a microfluidic device and a lid configured to retain the microfluidic device on the first surface. The lid comprises a first portion having a first fluid port configured to operatively couple with and flow fluidic medium into and/or out of a first fluid inlet/outlet of the microfluidic device and a second portion having a second fluid port configured to operatively couple with and flow fluidic medium into and/or out of a second fluid inlet/outlet of the microfluidic device. The second portion of the lid is separable from the first portion and movable between a closed position in which the second fluid port of the second portion of the cover is operatively coupled with the second fluid inlet/outlet of the microfluidic device and an open position in which a portion of the microfluidic device that contains the second fluid inlet/outlet is exposed. Other embodiments are described.

Constricted nanochannel devices suitable for use in analysis of macromolecular structure, including DNA sequencing, are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for fabricating such devices and for analyzing macromolecules using such devices.

A reaction processor includes: a reaction processing vessel including a channel in which a sample moves and a pair of air communication ports, a first air communication port and a second air communication port, provided at respective ends of the channel; a temperature control system that provides a medium temperature region and a high temperature region between the first air communication port and the second air communication port in the channel; and a liquid feeding system that discharges and sucks air in order to move and stop the sample inside the channel. One of the pair of air communication ports of the reaction processing vessel that is farther away from the high temperature region communicates with the liquid feeding system via a tube. One of the pair of air communication ports of the reaction processing vessel that is closer to the high temperature region is opened to atmospheric pressure.

Provided is a new method for more efficiently generating emulsion particles each containing one fine particle.

The present technology provides a method of collecting fine particles, in which in a fine particle sorting mechanism having a channel structure including a main channel through which the fine particles flow, a collection channel into which particles to be collected are collected from among the fine particles, a connection channel that connects the main channel and the collection channel, and a liquid supply channel connected to the connection channel so as to supply a liquid, the method includes: a flow step of causing a first liquid containing the fine particles to flow through the main channel; a determination step of determining whether or not the fine particles flowing through the main channel are the particles to be collected; and a collection step of collecting the particles to be collected into the collection channel, and, in the collection step, the particles to be collected are collected into a second liquid that is immiscible with the first liquid in the collection channel while being contained in the first liquid.

A method for mixing liquids using an automated liquid handling system includes: aspirating liquid volumes of a first liquid and a second liquid from alternating ones of a first liquid supply and a second liquid supply into a mixing volume such that the aspirated liquid volumes form a liquid stack including a series of alternating, interfacing layers of the first and second liquids in the mixing volume; permitting the interfacing layers of the first and second liquids to mix with one another by diffusion in the mixing volume to form a mixture liquid; and dispensing the mixture liquid from the mixing volume.