Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to methods, systems and devices, for precise and reduced spot-size capabilities using a laser to alter surfaces without chemical treatment, chemical waste, or chemical residues is provided for microfluidic systems (e.g., lab-on-a-disk, for example). In some embodiments, hydrophobic and super-hydrophilic areas can be created on surfaces in the same material at different areas and positions merely by using different laser settings (e.g., spot size, wavelength, spacing, and/or pulse duration). Accordingly, capillary forces that are a recurrent issue in a microfluidic devices (e.g., a centrifugal microfluidic disk) can be controlled for practical applications, including, for example when users handle the disks and insert a sample, the moment the substrate/device (e.g., disk) is placed in a system (e.g., a centrifugal system), capillary forces can take place and move the fluids, which becomes a problem for sequential bioassays taking place in substrate/device (e.g., disk). Thus, in some embodiments, the systems, devices and methods increase fluid control in microfluidic devices.

A specimen mixing and transfer device adapted to receive a sample is disclosed. The specimen mixing and transfer device includes a housing, a material including pores that is disposed within the housing, and a dry anticoagulant powder within the pores of the material. In one embodiment, the material is a sponge material. In other embodiments, the material is an open cell foam. In one embodiment, the material is treated with an anticoagulant to form a dry anticoagulant powder finely distributed throughout the pores of the material. A blood sample may be received within the specimen mixing and transfer device. The blood sample is exposed to and mixes with the anticoagulant powder while passing through the material.

A specimen mixing and transfer device adapted to receive a sample is disclosed. The specimen mixing and transfer device includes a housing, a material including pores that is disposed within the housing, and a dry anticoagulant powder within the pores of the material. In one embodiment, the material is a sponge material. In other embodiments, the material is an open cell foam. In one embodiment, the material is treated with an anticoagulant to form a dry anticoagulant powder finely distributed throughout the pores of the material. A blood sample may be received within the specimen mixing and transfer device. The blood sample is exposed to and mixes with the anticoagulant powder while passing through the material.

A system for and methods of analyzing a test sample through the use of a rotary apparatus that includes a microfluidic paper-based apparatus (mPAD). The apparatus includes two or more layers that are rotatable with respect to one another. A middle layer may comprise a microfluidic apparatus having one or more reagent channels. Each of the reagent channels may include reagent dried on the surface of the channel, and, together with an absorption pad, may be aligned vertically with a sample chamber. Male and female engagement surfaces on each of the middle layer, the top layer, and the bottom layer interlock to secure each layers in vertical alignment so that fluid flows through the apparatus to contact a test sample with a reagent and facilitate detection of a target analyte in the test sample in the sample chamber.

An analytical device comprising A) A first sealed compartment comprising an extraction solvent or extraction reagent within the device wherein the first compartment comprises a seal over an opening, B) A second compartment comprising an opening, wherein the opening of the second compartment is aligned with the opening of the first compartment, C) A reaction region comprising one or more reaction reagents wherein at least a portion of the reaction region is located below at least a portion of the first or second compartment and is configured to receive liquid flowing from the first or second compartment. D) A first fluid passage connecting the first or second compartment to the reaction region wherein the first fluid passage comprises a first surface energy gradient coating, E) A detection region comprising one or more detection agents wherein the detection region is located downstream of the reaction region and is configured to receive liquid flowing from the reaction region. F) A third compartment having an opening wherein at least a portion of the third compartment is located above the reaction region, and
wherein the openings of the first, second, and third compartments are configured to receive at least a portion of a sampler.

A device including a casing first part; a casing second part; a test strip having a sample pad; and a capillary sample collector, wherein the capillary sample collector has an open distal end configured to collect a fluid sample by capillary action and an open proximal end configured to dispense the fluid sample therefrom, wherein, the device is assembled such that the casing first part and the casing second part are joined, wherein a distal end of the casing first part and a distal end of the casing second part are sealed together in a fluid-tight manner, wherein the sample pad is positioned in proximity to the capillary dispensing end, wherein the dispensing end is positioned such that a dispensed fluid sample will be dispensed onto the sample pad, and wherein a dispensing angle between the dispensing and the sample pad of the test strip is less than 10 degrees.

Methods and apparatus for driving flow in a microfluidic arrangement are provided. In one disclosed arrangement, the microfluidic arrangement comprises a first liquid held predominantly by surface tension in a shape defining a microfluidic pattern on a surface of a substrate. The microfluidic pattern comprises at least an elongate conduit and a first reservoir. The area of contact between the substrate and a portion of the first liquid that forms the elongate conduit defines a conduit footprint. The area of contact between the substrate and a portion of the first liquid that forms the first reservoir defines a first reservoir footprint. The size and shape of each of the conduit footprint and the first reservoir footprint are such that a maximum Laplace pressure supportable by the first liquid in the elongate conduit without any change in the conduit footprint is higher than a maximum Laplace pressure supportable by the first liquid in the first reservoir without any change in the first reservoir footprint. A delivery member having an internal lumen leading to a distal opening through which liquid can be delivered is provided. Liquid is pumped into the microfluidic pattern through the distal opening while the distal opening is held in a delivery position. The delivery position is such that the liquid enters the microfluidic pattern via the elongate conduit and drives a flow of liquid into the first reservoir.

A specimen transfer device adapted to receive a blood sample is disclosed. The specimen transfer device includes a housing and an actuation member. A deformable material is disposed within the housing and is deformable from an initial position in which the material is adapted to hold the sample to a deformed position in which at least a portion of the sample is released from the material. A viscoelastic member is disposed within the housing between the material and the housing and between the material and the actuation member. The viscoelastic member is engaged with the actuation member and the material such that movement of the actuation member from a first position to a second position deforms the material from the initial position to the deformed position.

A method for analyzing biological samples is disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the method includes receiving a fluid sample into a cartridge device, which comprises: a fluidic chamber; at least one microfluidic channel in fluid communication with the fluidic chamber; and a venting port configured to apply a pneumatic force to the fluidic chamber; and inserting the cartridge device into a reader device to perform measurements, wherein the cartridge device is positioned in a vertical or tilted position such that at least a portion of the fluid sample inside the fluidic chamber is pulled by gravity in a direction away from the venting port or towards the bottom of the fluidic chamber.

A method for manufacturing a test element for detecting at least one analyte in a body fluid, a test element for detecting at least one analyte in a body fluid, a method for detecting at least one analyte in a body fluid, a system for detecting at least one analyte in a body fluid and a method for manufacturing a test element for detecting at least one analyte in a body fluid are disclosed. The method for manufacturing a test element for detecting at least one analyte in a body fluid comprises the following steps: a) providing at least one substrate having at least one elongate receptacle on a substrate surface of the substrate; b) placing at least one test chemical on the substrate in a manner that the test chemical covers a partition of the elongate receptacle; c) placing at least one cover element on the substrate such that the cover element covers the elongate receptacle at least partially, whereby a channel having a channel surface is formed; wherein at least one hydrophilic material is applied in a manner that at least one surface section of the channel surface is covered with the hydrophilic material, wherein the surface section is adjacent to the test chemical.