A multiple well device for processing fluid samples is provided, comprising a plate including a plurality of wells, each well including a first sub-well and a second sub-well, separated by an individual dialysis membrane; each individual dialysis membrane having a top end and a bottom end, having a continuous taper from the top end to the bottom end, each first sub-well and each second sub-well having an upper end and a lower end, and side walls, wherein one side wall is a common side wall shared by the first sub-well and the second sub-well, the common side wall having a continuous tapered cut-out with the individual dialysis membrane fluid-tightly sealed in the continuous tapered cut-out.

The present invention is a cuvette assembly for use in optically measuring at least one characteristic of particles within a plurality of liquid samples. The cuvette assembly comprises a main body having internal walls and external walls, and a plurality of cuvettes within the main body at least partially being defined by the internal walls. Each of the plurality of cuvettes has a liquid-input chamber for receiving a respective one of the plurality of liquid samples, a filter, and an optical chamber for receiving a respective filtered liquid sample caused by passing the respective one of the plurality of liquid samples through the filter. Each of the optical chambers includes an entry window for allowing transmission of an input light beam through the filtered liquid sample and an exit window for transmitting a forward scatter signal caused by the particles within the filtered liquid sample.

The invention(s) cover systems and methods for target detection in a multiplexed and rapid manner. Embodiments of the system can include: a base substrate; and an array of sample processing regions defined at a broad surface of the base substrate, wherein each of the array of sample processing regions includes: a set of microwell subarrays arranged in a gradient by volumetric capacity between an upstream end and a downstream end of each respective sample processing region, and a boundary separating each respective sample processing region from adjacent sample processing regions. The system can support methods, with example implementation by an automated platform, for returning preliminary results from a subset of microwells of the samples processing regions, as well as results pertaining to specific and non-specific amplification, for multiple targets of a sample.

A vacuum manifold for filtration microscopy includes a manifold top having multiple openings, and a capture membrane positioned above and spaced apart from the manifold top, where the capture membrane is configured to deflect into contact with a surface of the manifold top when a negative pressure is applied to the multiple openings. A method for filtration microscopy includes the steps of providing a vacuum manifold including a manifold top having a plurality of openings, and a capture membrane positioned above and spaced apart from the manifold top; applying sample drops to sample spots on the membrane, the sample spots positioned above the plurality of openings; applying a negative pressure to the openings such that the capture membrane contacts a surface of the manifold top; and optically imaging particulates on the capture membrane.

Provided is a multi-well-based cell culture test device having an array structure of a plurality of aligned well units. Each of the well units includes a first sub-well adapted to accommodate a first fluid, a second sub-well adapted to accommodate a second fluid, and a barrier located between the first sub-well and the second sub-well to partition the first sub-well and the second sub-well. The first sub-well has a recess in the depth direction with respect to its bottom to accommodate a solid thin film formed by solidifying the first fluid. The barrier has such a height that the first fluid does not overflow into the second sub-well when the first fluid is loaded into the first sub-well to fill the recess.

The invention relates to a method for extracting DNA, comprising the steps of: providing (400) a lysate (11) in a sample vessel (1), feeding (500) an DNA absorbing substance (15) to the sample vessel (1), closing (700) the sample vessel (1) by means of a wash filter element (3), feeding (600) a wash fluid (12) to the sample vessel (1) through the wash filter element (3), and discharging (700) the wash fluid (12) from the sample vessel (1) through the wash filter element (3). The DNA absorbing substance can be retained from the wash filter element (3).

Methods and devices for creating monolayer arrays of cells or particles are described which may be used for high-throughput cell sorting and analysis, or other particle sorting applications. A cell loading system is described, the system comprising a porous mesh having a plurality of openings arranged in a random or repeating pattern across a surface. The porous mesh is used for preparing a layer of target particles, e.g., cells, distributed and spaced apart in a two-dimensional configuration on or within the mesh. Each of the plurality of openings in the mesh is configured to receive and permit a target particle to pass through when a fluid containing the target particles is dispensed on the surface of the mesh.

A method and filtering system are described. The filtering system comprises a vacuuming plate having a base with a plurality of outlet openings extending therethrough, a plurality of walls extending from the base to define a cavity, and a vacuum port in fluid communication with the cavity; and a filtering unit mounted to the vacuuming plate and enclosing the cavity. The filtering unit comprises a filter plate with a plurality of filter openings extending therethrough and aligned with the outlet openings; a filtering membrane extending across the filter plate and covering the plurality of filter openings; and a piercing plate on the filter plate maintaining the filtering membrane therebetween, the piercing plate having a plurality of vessel piercing members extending away from the filtering membrane, the vessel piercing members having conduits extending through the piercing plate, the conduits aligned with the filter openings to allow fluid flow therebetween.

This disclosure provides for devices, methods, and systems for generating a plurality of droplets within a collecting container at an extremely high rate (e.g., of at least 1 million droplets per minute, etc.), each of the plurality of droplets comprising an aqueous mixture for a digital analysis, wherein upon generation, the plurality of droplets is stabilized in position within a region of the collecting container. The inventions enable partitioning of samples for digital analyses at unprecedented rates, where readout of signals from targets within such partitions can still be achieved in accordance with various assays.

As with many human physiological systems, issues within the central nervous system can arise for individuals leading to a variety of neurological disorders including, but not limited to, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, Alzheimer' disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, demyelination, and axonal degeneration. However, culture devices presently provide researchers with limitations in their research. Embodiments of the invention aims to address these various limitations and allow studies methods and screenings which cannot be performed with prior art culture devices. These include reducing manufacturing complexity, volumes of pharmaceuticals and cells required, allowing use in fields other than neurobiology, improved adhesion within the desired micro-channel regions of the devices, and increasing cell survival in cultures. Accordingly, microfluidic devices comprising a connecting chamber and micro-channel having the same depth which prevents hydrostatic pressure, end walls of the connecting chamber and micro-channel arrays having a high angle relative to the fluid flow direction for supporting culturing and topside of the connecting chamber that has been profiled in order to improve the adhesion of cells is provided.