The present invention provides self-contained systems for performing an assay for determining a chemical state, the system including a stationary cartridge for performing the assay therein, at least one reagent adapted to react with a sample; and at least one reporter functionality adapted to report a reaction of the at least one reagent with said sample to report a result of the assay, wherein the at least one reagent, the sample and the at least one reporter functionality are contained within the cartridge.

The present invention provides point-of-need diagnostic devices and kits for detecting a target nucleic acid sequence in a sample. Methods of using the point-of-need diagnostic devices or the kits disclosed are also provided.

A microfluidic apparatus is provided that includes a thermoelectrically-activated pixel array, a microfluidic chip, and control circuitry. The pixel array may include a plurality of thermal pixels, with each thermal pixel including a thermoelectric device. The microfluidic chip may include a microfluidic channel disposed adjacent to the thermal pixels such that thermal energy generated by the thermal pixels is received by the microfluidic channel to form a localized spot within the microfluidic channel corresponding to each thermal pixel. The control circuitry may be electrically coupled to each of the thermal pixels and configured to control the thermal energy being generated by each thermal pixel to control a temperature at each localized spot within the microfluidic channel.

A test device is provided that can comprise: a housing accommodating a chromatography support, wherein the housing comprises: a supporting part that supports a container accommodating a liquid used for chromatography. A method is provided for performing chromatography using the test device.

Provided herein are systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for collecting and merging two different size droplets using a substrate comprising a plurality of trapping sites. In certain embodiments, provided herein are systems composed of a plurality of larger droplets and smaller droplets and a substrate comprising a plurality of trapping sites where each trapping site is configured to trap only one of the larger droplets and only one of the smaller droplets when the larger droplet is already present at the trapping site. In particular embodiments, the larger and/or smaller droplets are sorted prior to being contacted with the substrate to ensure they contain the desired component (e.g., cell or barcoded bead). In other embodiments, each trapping site is composed of one or multiple fluidically linked capture wells. In some embodiments, collected larger and smaller droplets are merged (e.g., via a demulsifier or electricity).

Apparatus and methods for measuring the concentrations of organic and inorganic carbon, or of other materials in aqueous samples are described, having a reactor that is resistively heated by passing an electric current through the reactor.

An apparatus suitable for handling biological material, for directly introducing or removing material to, or from, a container, comprising a body comprising at least one resealable port; a cover comprising an aperture and wherein the cover is disposed over an upper side of the body, and wherein the cover is moveable such that an aperture of the cover is configured to expose at least part of the resealable port.

A test strip for sampling a bodily fluid may include multiple layers of a substrate material, an adhesive between at least some of the multiple layers, and a microfluidic channel formed between at least some of the multiple layers. The test strip may further include multiple electrodes on one of the multiple layers, positioned and partially exposed within the microfluidic channel, an additional material positioned at or near an entrance to the microfluidic channel, to selectively limit the flow of at least one of bubbles or debris into the microfluidic channel, and at least one exit port in at least one of the multiple layers to allow for release of pressure from the test strip. In some embodiments, the test strip is a saliva analysis test strip. In some embodiments, the test strip includes multiple exit ports to prevent blockage of sample flow.

An apparatus is provided for sensing a molecule in a sample. The apparatus utilizes an electric field to draw molecules from a first chamber through an aperture, defined by a chemical layer, into a second chamber. The apparatus can detect a DNA molecule with, for example, 4, 5, or 6 unique base pairs. As molecules pass through the aperture, a sensor detects or measures a change in an electric parameter used to generate the electric field, thereafter translating the change in the electric parameter into information about the molecule. A divider element separates the first and second chambers and supports a chemical layer defining the aperture. The apparatus enables detection or measurement of molecules over prolonged time at a higher electric field strength than other nanopores, due to a combination of the shape of the divider, structural elements thereon, and thickness of the chemical layer at the aperture.

The present invention relates to an in vitro method for analysing liquid samples as to the presence, identity and properties of a virus comprising: a) analyzing said liquid samples for a virus spectroscopically by means of spontaneous Raman spectroscopy; and b) comparing the spectroscopic data to a database and identifying said virus. The present invention further relates to an in vitro method for analyzing exosomes in a liquid sample of a subject comprising: a) isolating exosomes from the liquid sample; b) analyzing said exosomes spectroscopically by means of spontaneous Raman spectroscopy; and c) obtaining a Raman spectrum for said exosomes. The present invention also refers to a device for analysing a liquid sample as to the presence, identity and properties of viruses; and to a device for analyzing exosomes in a liquid sample. Also envisaged are a method for monitoring a viral infection in a cell or group of cells and a method of monitoring the antiviral treatment effect in a virus infected cell or group of cells, as well as a system comprising said device and a module comprising a database comprising reference values of Raman spectra.