The present invention relates to droplet-based surface modification and washing. According to one embodiment, a method of splitting a droplet is provided, the method including providing a droplet microactuator including a droplet including one or more beads and immobilizing at least one of the one or more beads. The method further includes conducting one or more droplet operations to divide the droplet to yield a set of droplets including a droplet including the one or more immobilized beads and a droplet substantially lacking the one or more immobilized beads.

An apparatus may include a first microfluidic valve coupled between a first reservoir and a fluid channel. The first microfluidic valve may include a fluid agitator to break a meniscus formed at an air-fluid interface and release fluid from the first reservoir into the fluid channel in response to an electrical signal. The apparatus may also include a second microfluidic valve coupled between a second reservoir and the fluid channel. Fluid from the first reservoir and fluid from the second reservoir mix in the fluid channel.

The present invention is directed to sample test cards having an increased sample well capacity for analyzing biological or other test samples. In one embodiment, the sample test cards of the present invention comprise one or more fluid over-flow reservoirs, wherein the over-flow reservoirs are operatively connected to a distribution channel by a fluid over-flow channel. In another embodiment, the sample test cards may comprise a plurality of flow reservoirs operable to trap air thereby reducing and/or preventing well-to-well contamination. The test card of this invention may comprise from 80 to 140 individual sample wells, for example, in a test card sample test cards of the present invention have a generally rectangular shape sample test card having dimensions of from about 90 to about 95 mm in width, from about 55 to about 60 mm in height and from about 4 to about 5 mm in thickness.

A multi-channel microfluidic blood coagulation detection chip having a five-layer structure includes a chip body. The chip body includes, in sequence from top to bottom, a first-layer chip, a second-layer chip, a third-layer chip, a fourth-layer chip, and a fifth-layer chip. The first-layer chip (1), the second-layer chip, the third-layer chip, the fourth-layer chip, and the fifth-layer chip cooperate with each other to define a closed microfluidic channel and a plurality of mutually-independent detection chambers. The first-layer chip is provided with a sample loading hole, and the sample loading hole communicates with the detection chambers through the microfluidic channel. The chip body further includes electrodes, and the electrodes are disposed within the detection chambers in one-to-one correspondence.

An assay cartridge for detecting a target component in a liquid sample is provided. The cartridge comprises: a sample collection unit configured to introduce the liquid sample into the cartridge; a fluid pathway commencing at its proximal end at the sample collection unit and extending distally through the cartridge including: one or more capture components immobilised within the fluid pathway; one or more detection reagents provided within the diffusion distance of the capture components.

A biochip for the integration of all steps in a complex process from the insertion of a sample to the generation of a result, performed without operator intervention includes microfluidic and macrofluidic features that are acted on by instrument subsystems in a series of scripted processing steps. Methods for fabricating these complex biochips of high feature density by injection molding are also provided.

A modular fluidic chip includes a body configured to have at least one flow channel formed in an inside thereof and be connected to another modular fluidic chip to allow the at least one flow channel to communicate with a flow channel provided in the other modular fluidic chip. A fluidic chip capable of performing one function is formed in the form of a module, whereby a fluidic flow system of various structures can be implemented without restriction in shape or size by connecting a plurality of fluidic chips capable of performing different functions as necessary. Through this, various and accurate experimental data can be obtained, and when a specific portion is deformed or damaged, only the fluidic chip corresponding thereto can be replaced, thereby reducing manufacture and maintenance costs.

A microfluidic device capable of trapping contents in a manner suitable for high-throughput imaging is described herein. The microfluidic device may include one or more trapping devices, with each trapping device having a plurality of trapping channels. The trapping channels may be configured to receive contents via an inlet channel that connects a sample reservoir to the trapping channels via fluid communication. The trapping channels are shaped such that contents within the trapping channels are positioned for optimal imaging purposes. The trapping channels are also connect to at least one exit channel via fluid communication. The fluid, and contents within the fluid, may be controlled via hydraulic pressure.

This invention relates generally to devices, systems, and methods for avoiding bubble formation in a fluidic chamber during filling of the fluidic chamber with a liquid. A first and second piece are operatively coupled to form the fluidic chamber. A protrusion protrudes into a volume of the fluidic chamber such that there is a distance of minimal approach between an apex of the protrusion and a surface of the fluidic chamber. The protrusion forms a channel that extends from one of an inlet and the outlet of the fluidic chamber to the protrusion apex. A maximum distance of travel through the fluidic chamber volume exists between the inlet and the outlet. A cross-sectional area of the fluidic chamber volume increases from the protrusion apex to a transverse plane of the fluidic chamber and decreases from the transverse plane to the other one of the inlet and the outlet.

Assay cartridges are described that have a detection chamber, preferably having integrated electrodes, and other fluidic components which may include sample chambers, waste chambers, conduits, vents, bubble traps, reagent chambers, dry reagent pill zones and the like. In certain embodiments, these cartridges are adapted to receive and analyze a sample collected on an applicator stick. Also described are kits including such cartridges and a cartridge reader configured to analyze an assay conducted using an assay cartridge.