A cartridge for analyzing a biological sample, wherein the cartridge includes a fluid system having a plurality of channels and at least one valve, wherein the valve is covered on the outside by a cover, and wherein the valve is configured to be actuated by deforming a wall of the valve.

A sample testing cartridge is usable to perform a variety of tests on a viscoelastic sample, such hemostasis testing on a whole blood or blood component sample. The cartridge includes a sample processing portion that is in fluid communication with a sample retention structure. A suspension, such as a beam, arm, cantilever or similar structure supports or suspends the sample retention portion relative to the sample processing portion in a unitary structure. In this manner, the sample retention portion may be placed into dynamic excitation responsive to excitation of the cartridge and correspondingly dynamic, resonant excitation of the sample contained within the sample retention portion, while the sample processing portion remains fixed. Observation of the excited sample yields data indicative of hemostasis. The data may correspond to hemostasis parameters such as time to initial clot formation, rate of clot formation, maximum clot strength and degree of clot lysis.

The present invention relates to a microfluidic chip and valve, production process and uses thereof according to the independent claims.

Methods for selectively combining discrete entities including, e.g. cells, reagents, drugs, hydrogels, extracellular matrices beads, particles, biological materials, media, or a combination thereof, are provided. In certain aspects, the methods include sorting a plurality of discrete entities and trapping two or more discrete entities for a time sufficient for the two or more discrete entities to combine to form a combined discrete entity. In certain aspects, the methods include making the plurality of discrete entities. In certain aspects, the methods include detecting or analyzing the discrete entities, e.g. via optical detection. In certain aspects, the methods include manipulating or analyzing the combined discrete entity or a component therein, e.g. imaging, sequencing, culturing, e.g., three-dimensional culturing, and measuring cell-cell interactions. Systems and devices for practicing the subject methods are also provided.

Microfluidic devices and methods are provided for high-throughput generation, culturing, and analysis of cell spheroids, with subsequent isolation of selected cell spheroids for further analysis or isolation and expansion of cells from the spheroids. Any desired types of cells and matrices can be combined to form the cell spheroids and used to screen drugs and immunotherapy agents or methods, including in a personalized medicine format. Cell spheroids also can be cultivated and analyzed under hypoxic conditions. A particular advantage of the technology is the ability to isolate, enrich, and/or expand cells identified as having, or induced to have, desirable properties, such as immune cells that can be produced ex vivo and returned to the patient to combat a tumor or pathogen in vivo.

A detection chip, a method for using a dejection chip, and a detection device are provided. The detection chip includes a chip substrate and a first sealing film that are stacked. The chip substrate includes a first surface, and the first sealing film covers the first surface of the chip substrate The chip substrate further includes a fluid channel on the first surface, and the fluid channel includes a plurality of membrane valve portions. The membrane valve portions are configured to allow a portion of fee first sealing film covering the membrane valve portions to approach and separate, so as to close and open the fluid channel correspondingly.

A point-of-care testing (POCT) system comprising an analyzer, a measurement cartridge, and a calibration cartridge for calibrating the measurement cartridge is described. The measurement cartridge comprises at least one electrochemical sensor for measuring the one or more properties of the blood sample, and the calibration cartridge comprises a similar at least one electrochemical sensor and at least one sealed blister containing calibration fluid for calibrating the measurement cartridge. Examples of properties of the blood sample may be pH, blood gases, electrolytes, and metabolites like glucose and creatinine. The measurement cartridge may also comprise an optical chamber for measuring for example, bilirubin and hemoglobin species, for which the analyzer comprises stored calibration algorithms. The optical chamber may be disposed in any location in the measurement cartridge, for receiving a portion of the blood sample.

Provided herein are systems and methods of collecting a biological sample. Samples may be collected using a sample collection apparatus. The sample collection apparatus may be used to store samples for shipping. The sample collection apparatus may be used to store samples for later analysis. The sample collection apparatus may comprise a membrane having one or more test regions for detecting one or more target analytes within the sample. The sample collection apparatus may comprise a membrane having one or more test regions for quantifying one or more target analytes within the sample.

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.

A cartridge, an analysis system and a method for analyzing, in particular, a biological sample, wherein a first group having one or more valves and a second group having one or more valves can be or are actuated from different sides of the cartridge.