A method for handling, in a microfluidic system, microdrops which include samples, including the steps of forming, in an oil, microdrops of an aqueous solution containing a sample, the oil and/or the aqueous solution containing a sample including a gelling agent; trapping the microdrops by means of surface-tension traps pre-arranged in a trapping area; and at least partially gelling the oil in the trapping area and/or at least partially gelling the trapped microdrops.

Provided is a liquid supply method capable of accurately mixing a plurality of liquids without providing a complicated liquid supply control mechanism. A liquid supply method using an inspection chip 1, the liquid supply method including: a step of supplying a first liquid from an upstream flow path 4A to a combined flow path 7 and making the first liquid wet and spread on a wall surface of the combined flow path 7 to hold the first liquid in the combined flow path 7; a step of supplying a second liquid from the upstream flow path 4A to the combined flow path 7 and combining the first liquid and the second liquid; and a step of supplying the combined first liquid and the second liquid to a mixing flow path 8, and mixing the first liquid and the second liquid.

At least one embodiment relates to a focusing arrangement for focusing particles or cells in a flow. The arrangement includes at least one channel for guiding the flow. The channel includes (i) at least one particle confinement structure having particle flow boundaries and (ii) at least one acoustic confinement structure having acoustic field boundaries adapted for confining acoustic fields. The acoustic field boundaries may be different from the particle flow boundaries, and the at least one acoustic confinement structure may be arranged with regard to the channel to at least partially confine acoustic fields in the channel.

A cartridge for sample handling and sensing includes (i) a sample port; (ii) a first fluid port connected to the sample reservoir in the distal region via a first fluid channel; and (iii) a second fluid port connected to the sample reservoir via a second fluid channel. The cartridge includes (i) a sensor platform comprising a bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonator and a fluid flow path comprising a sensing region extending across a sensing surface of the BAW resonator; and (ii) a fluid valve between the sample reservoir and the sensing region. A sample may be applied to the sample port; first volume of fluid may be injected through the first fluid port; and then a second volume of fluid may be injected through the second fluid port to drive the sample into the sensing region of the fluid flow path.

The present disclosure relates to analytical testing devices comprising microfluidics and methods for performing an assay on a fluid sample received within the microfluidics, and in particular, to mitigating drift of fluid samples over a sensor by incorporating a bypass channel into the microfluidics. For example, a test cartridge device is provided that includes a fluid sample entry port and holding chamber connected to a bifurcation junction of a sensor channel and a bypass channel. The sensor channel includes an upstream region and a downstream region, and an analyte sensor is in the upstream region. As a cross-sectional area of the bypass channel is greater than the cross-sectional area of the downstream region of the sensor channel, the bypass channel is a preferred path for excess sample flow and pressure, and thus sample drift above the analyte sensor is mitigated.

Provided is a liquid droplet collection device including: a substrate having a hydrophobic surface; and a hydrophilic channel arranged in the hydrophobic surface, wherein the hydrophilic channel includes: a first-generation channel including a plurality of tapered channel portions radially extending from an origin point and monotonically tapering with increasing distance from the origin point; and a second-generation channel that includes a plurality of tapered channel portions radially extending from an origin point and monotonically tapering with increasing distance from the origin point, and is scaled down in size as compared to the first-generation channel, wherein the second-generation channel is joined to the first-generation channel to face the same direction as the first-generation channel, and wherein one of the tapered channel portions of the second-generation channel overlaps a distal end portion of one of the tapered channel portions of the first-generation channel, and the hydrophilic channel monotonically tapers from a proximal end of one of the tapered channel portions of the first-generation channel to a distal end of one of the tapered channel portions of the second-generation channel.

The present invention provides a microfluidic circuit for generating uniform droplets despite fluctuations in pressure, and manufacturing methods and uses thereof. Said circuit comprises microfluidic channels for carrying a continuous phase and a dispersed phase. In one embodiment, the ratio of the flow resistance of the dispersed phase to that of the continuous phase is equal to the ratio of the flow rate of the continuous phase to that of the dispersed phase. In one embodiment, the present microfluidic circuit comprises two features to achieve the desired ratio of flow resistance and flow rate of the dispersed phase and continuous phase: (a) using a single pressure source which applies identical pressure to the inlets of the upstream channels carrying the two phases, and (b) the flow resistance of the dispersed phase and continuous phase is much higher than the flow resistance of the downstream channel so that the flow resistance of the downstream channel become negligible.

Disclosed herein are methods, assemblies, systems, kits and devices for introducing molecules or compositions into cells or cell-like bodies. An assembly for introducing molecules in a solution into cells or cell-like bodies comprises a rigid container having a first inner diameter or cross-sectional area at a proximal end thereof and inner and outer walls extending between a distal and proximal end, a plunger insertable into the container at the proximal end, and at least one constriction of only the inner wall proximal to the distal end or at least one constriction of the inner and the outer walls proximal to the distal end, wherein the at least one constriction has a second inner diameter or cross-sectional area that is smaller than the container first inner diameter or cross-sectional area and the plunger is axially movable along the container.

A fabric based microfluidic point of care at home diagnostic system is disclosed. The system comprising a fabric substrate one or more hydrophobic threads bound with one r more hydrophilic threads by means of weaving, knitting, embroidering, or sewing. The fabric is configured to define a flow path for a sample to flow from an introduction zone, to a preparation zone, to a testing zone, in a pattern sufficient to optimize the sample analysis required for sample diagnostic tests. The system further comprises one or more mechanical stages and one or more fluid cartridges. The mechanical stages comprise electrical and/or analytical equipment configured to record, detect, analytes or facilitate chemical reactions and/or condition of the air above the fabric to ensure sufficient for analysis. The fluid cartridges are attached to the edge of the fabric in certain zones to supply the fabric with reagents required for analysis in that zone.

An embodiment for a microfluidic device is provided. The device comprises two areas, arranged side-by-side, and a trigger channel. They include a first area, which is delimited by a first liquid pinning barrier, and a second area, which is delimited by a second liquid pinning barrier. The latter extends parallel to the first liquid pinning barrier to delimit a corridor. The trigger channel extends through the corridor between the two areas. In addition, the trigger channel connects the first liquid pinning barrier with the second liquid pinning barrier, allowing a first liquid pinned at the first liquid pinning barrier and a second liquid pinned at the second liquid pinning barrier to be contacted, each, by a reverse flow of the second liquid in the trigger channel and thereby start mixing at a level of the corridor, in operation. The invention is further directed to related methods of operation.