Systems and techniques for collecting and analyzing breath samples to detect one or more target analytes are disclosed.

A single-use test plate in a biological test system for determining the presence of one or more nucleic acid sequences, the test plate including a body having channels and sockets formed therein, an inlet for receiving a test sample, an air inlet, an extraction membrane, reaction zones containing a porous media with first and second reaction mixtures allowing amplification and detection of the nucleic acid species, an air outlet, a recovery reservoir, the plate being configured to feed the biological sample to be tested into the extraction membrane, then after rinsing, drying and elution of said extraction membrane, to feed the resulting eluate into the reaction zones, in order, after reaction, to deduce therefrom a result through the readout zone.

A MEMS-based particle manipulation system which uses a particle manipulation stage and a plurality of laser interrogation regions. The laser interrogation regions may be used to assess the effectiveness or accuracy of the particle manipulation stage. In one exemplary embodiment, the particle manipulation stage is a microfabricated, flap-type fluid valve, which sorts a target particle from non-target particles in a fluid stream. The laser interrogation stages are disposed in the microfabricated fluid channels at the input and output of the flap-type sorting valve. The laser interrogation regions may be used to assess the effectiveness or accuracy of the sorting, and to control or adjust sort parameters during the sorting process. One or more feedback loops may be used to improve the particle manipulation process, based on data acquired during the first interrogation and/or during a downstream confirmation. Artificial intelligence techniques may be used to good effect. A variable gain detector may improve the speed and sensitivity of the system.

A microfluidic cartridge for detecting one nucleic acid of a sample, including a plurality of functional volumes split into functional areas and a fluidic network of microchannels. At least three functional areas are fluidly connected to a central distribution hub of fluids by one or more hub-connected microchannels, the central distribution hub being capable of pumping and injecting fluids from a first functional area to a second functional area by passing through the central distribution hub; and at least three valves of hub-connected microchannels are arranged so that the at least three valves are adapted to be actuated mechanically by a single external cam-driven actuator.

A microfluidic device for moving fluid through a microfluidic channel of the device includes a microfluidic channel and a positive displacement pump having a chamber connected to the microfluidic channel. When the positive displacement pump is actuated, fluid within the chamber is displaced into the microfluidic channel. The device further includes a fluid reservoir connected to the positive displacement pump to provide a source of fluid to re-fill the chamber of the positive displacement pump after the positive displacement pump has been actuated. The fluid within the fluid reservoir is sealed within the device.

Exemplary liquid lenses generally include two liquids disposed within a microfluidic cavity disposed between a first window and a second window. Applying varying electric fields to these liquid lenses can vary the wettability of one of the liquids with respect to this microfluidic cavity, thereby varying the shape and/or the curvature of the meniscuses formed between the two liquids and, thus, changing the optical focal length or the optical power of the liquid lenses. These liquids can expand and/or contract as result of varying temperatures. The exemplary liquid lenses include one or more thermal compensation chambers to allow these liquids to expand and/or contract without impacting the integrity of the microfluidic cavity, for example, without bowing or deflecting the first window and/or the second window.

A microfluidic system comprising a chamber closed by movable elements and connected to at least one channel. The system has at least one structured component and at least one component attached to the structured component. The chamber is used such that the movable element can be moved into the chamber as well as out of the chamber by a movement of the movable element. Liquids or gases can be moved via one or more channels connected to the chamber by the movement and dispensed or received out of the structured component via a connection of the channel. A liquid reagent reservoir is connected to the pump chamber via the sample supply channel. Thus, the system can be used to receive, pump, dilute, mix, and dispense liquids or gases.

A container assembly is provided for handling a biological sample that includes a first receptacle (1) and a second receptacle (2), each one configured to receive and contain a fluid; a coupling member (6), adapted to operably couple the first receptacle and the second receptacle, so as to provide a sealed fluid passage between the first and second receptacle; at least one self-sealing dispensing valve (4), operably mounted within said fluid passage of the coupling member, adapted to allow bi-directional fluid flow at a predetermined fluid pressure, and at least one barrier member (9), operably mounted within the fluid passage of the coupling member at an output of the first receptacle, configured to prevent solids of a predetermined size to pass from the first receptacle into the second receptacle.

The present invention relates to a container for storing a reagent, the container comprising: a storage space for reagent (R) comprising a flexible pouch; a passage having a first end (4) that opens onto the outside of the container and a second end that opens into the storage space, the passage being designed to allow a sampling device (20) to access the storage space; a deformable partition (7) that closes off the passage when said partition is not mechanically loaded and which can be loaded by the sampling device to a position in which the passage is open; a seal (6) that is positioned in the passage and comprises an elastically deformable rim (64) defining an orifice (61) that is designed to receive part of the sampling device (20), said rim (64) being designed to establish a seal together with the outer walls of the sampling device when said device is introduced into the passage.

A method of making at least a portion of at least one microfluidic actuator having a flexible diaphragm portion and an opposite surface portion, the diaphragm and opposite surface each having opposed faces, at least one of the faces comprising surface-activated PDMS, and the opposed faces being arranged such that when the opposed faces contact each other, they form a fluidic seal, including performing repeated make-and-break-contact protocol on the contacting opposed faces until the tendency for permanent bonds to form between the contacting faces has been neutralized, thereby enabling the diaphragm portion to perform actuated movements to engage and disengage with the opposite surface portion, without the diaphragm sticking to the opposite surface portion.