Devices and methods for analysing extracellular vesicle glycans are described. According to an embodiment, a microfluidic device comprises an inlet portion configured to receive a fluid sample; a mixing portion fluidically coupled to the inlet portion and configured to facilitate mixing between the fluid sample and magnetic nanoparticles functionalized to bind with extracellular vesicles and aggregate to vesicle glycans in the fluid sample; a magnetic separation portion fluidically coupled to the mixing portion and configured to separate clusters of magnetic nanoparticles from the fluid sample; and a magnetic sensor configured to measure magnetic properties of the fluid sample after it has passed through the magnetic separation portion. The magnetic nanoparticles may configured to aggregate in the presence of respective lectins when bound with extracellular vesicles carrying target glycans. In a specific embodiment, the magnetic particles comprise a magnetic polycore coated with polydopamine.

The present invention relates to a method of using a microfluidic chip comprising introducing a gas into the microfluidic chip to replace the liquid that has been introduced into the microfluidic chip and forming a micro-reaction chamber in the form of a liquid-in-gas in the microfluidic chip. The present invention also relates to a method for obtaining assay data, a computer program product embodied in a computer-readable medium and a kit. The methods described in the present invention are easy to operate, low cost, versatile, enabling rapid exchange of fluids, achieving efficient separation and capture of single particles with high purity. In addition, the methods can avoid clogging the chip and facilitate recycling.

A device (100) for visualization of one or more components in a blood sample is disclosed. In one aspect, the device (100) includes an imaging module (110), wherein the imaging module (110) includes a controllable illumination source (102) capable of emitting light in plurality of discrete angles; a tube lens (105); one or more objective lens (104); and an image capturing module (106). Additionally, the device (100) includes a channel (103) configured to carry the blood sample, wherein the channel (103) is capable of sorting the one or more components in the blood sample.

Systems, methods, and devices for analyzing small volumes of fluidic samples, as a non-limiting example, less than twenty microliters are provided. The devices are configured to make a first sample reading, for example, measure an energy property of the fluid sample, for example, osmolality, make a second sample reading, for example, detecting the presence or concentration of one or more analytes in the fluid sample, or make both the first sample reading and the second sample reading, for example, measuring the energy property of the fluid sample as well as detecting the presence or concentration of one or more analytes in the fluid sample.

Magnetic-based actuation mechanisms for and methods of actuating magnetically-responsive microposts in a reaction (or assay) chamber is disclosed. For example, a microfluidics system is provided that includes a microfluidics device (or cartridge) that includes the reaction (or assay) chamber in which a field of magnetically-responsive surface-attached microposts is installed. The presently disclosed magnetic-based actuation mechanisms are provided in close proximity to the magnetically-responsive microposts wherein the magnetic-based actuation mechanisms are used for actuating the magnetically-responsive microposts. For example, the magnetic-based actuation mechanisms generate an actuation force that is used to induce, for example, synchronized beat patterns and/or metachronal beat patterns in the magnetically-responsive microposts. Additionally, a method of using the presently disclosed magnetic-based actuation mechanisms for actuating the magnetically-responsive microposts is provided.

The present invention relates generally to an assay for detecting and differentiating single or multiple analytes, if present, in a fluid sample, including devices and methods of use of the same.

A drug screening platform simulating hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy including a dielectrophoresis system, a microfluidic chip and a heating system is disclosed. The dielectrophoresis system is used to provide a dielectrophoresis force. The microfluidic chip includes a cell culture array and observation module and a drug mixing module. The cell culture array and observation module are used to arrange the cells into a three-dimensional structure through the dielectrophoresis force to construct a three-dimensional tumor microenvironment. The drug mixing module is coupled to the cell culture array and observation module and used to automatically split and mix the inputted drugs and output the drug combinations into the cell culture array and observation module. The heating system is used for real-time temperature sensing and heating control of the drug combinations on the microfluidic chip to simulate high-temperature drug environment when performing hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy on the three-dimensional tumor microenvironment.

Methods and apparatus relating to very large scale FET arrays for analyte measurements. ChemFET (e.g., ISFET) arrays may be fabricated using conventional CMOS processing techniques based on improved FET pixel and array designs that increase measurement sensitivity and accuracy, and at the same time facilitate significantly small pixel sizes and dense arrays. Improved array control techniques provide for rapid data acquisition from large and dense arrays. Such arrays may be employed to detect a presence and/or concentration changes of various analyte types in a wide variety of chemical and/or biological processes. In one example, chemFET arrays facilitate DNA sequencing techniques based on monitoring changes in the concentration of inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi), hydrogen ions, and nucleotide triphosphates.

A microfluidic device for and methods of using surface-attached posts and capture beads in a microfluidic chamber is disclosed. For example, the microfluidics device includes a pair of substrates separated by a gap and thereby forming a reaction (or assay) chamber therebetween. A field of actuatable surface-attached posts (e.g., magnetically responsive microposts) is provided on one or both of the substrates. The surface-attached posts are functionalized with capture beads. Additionally, methods are provided of functionalizing the surface-attached posts with the capture beads. Additionally, methods are provided of using the surface-attached posts that are functionalized with capture beads in a microfluidics device for binding a target of interest. Further, a bead spraying system and method is provided for spraying magnetically responsive and/or non-magnetically responsive beads atop and/or among a field of surface-attached microposts for use in a microfluidic device.

Provided is a channel device that is capable of increasing the concentration of fine particles in a liquid only by use of fluid-dynamic flows without relying on electrostatic interactions. A channel device (1) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: a main channel (11) configured to allow a liquid containing fine particles to flow therethrough; a chamber (15) that is provided at an end of the main channel (11) and that is configured to store target fine particles which have increased in concentration; and a side channel (12) that is connected to a side face of the main channel (11) and that is configured to allow unwanted liquid to drain therethrough, wherein at least one of a height and a width of the side channel (12) is smaller than a particle size of the fine particles.