The present disclosure is drawn to microfluidic devices. In one example, a microfluidic device can include a microfluidic channel. A vent chamber can be in fluid communication with the microfluidic channel. A capillary break can be located between the microfluidic channel and the vent chamber. The capillary break can include a tapered portion and a narrowed opening with a smaller width than a width of the microfluidic channel. A vent port can vent gas from the vent chamber. The vent port can be located a distance away from the capillary break so that a fluid in the capillary break does not escape through the vent port.

A rotary analysis system comprising: a rotary unit including a rotary platform, and having a TLC plate on which movement of a fluid sample and an eluent is controlled by rotational motion of the rotary platform, and aldehydes or ketones in the sample are separated and deployed with the eluent; a shooting unit for capturing an image of components of the sample separated by the rotary unit; a control unit for controlling the rotation conditions of the rotary unit and the capturing conditions of the shooting unit; and an analysis unit for analyzing the image captured by the shooting unit, and the rotary analysis system capable of economically and simply separating and detecting aldehydes or ketones.

A microfluidic device for performing physical, chemical or biological treatment to at least one packet without contamination.

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.

The present disclosure is directed to systems, devices and methods for nucleic acid or protein purification and imaging. A system is provided including a cartridge comprising a sample input area configured to hold a sample, comprising a plurality of hybridized complexes comprising a plurality of target molecules each hybridized with probes and a plurality of non-hybridized probes. The cartridge may also include a first binding chamber configured with first magnetic beads to receive and bind the sample, a first elution channel configured to receive the first magnetic beads and elute the sample from the first magnetic beads, a second binding chamber configured with second magnetic beads to receive and bind the sample, a second elution channel configured to receive the second magnetic beads and elute the sample from the second magnetic beads, and a binding area configured to receive the eluted sample and hold molecules for imaging.

Apparatus and methods for determining whether a test compound induces cell activity, changes cell activity, prevents cell activity, or inhibits cell activity. An embodiment comprises placing a test compound solution in contact with a cell suspension media containing cells, diffusing the test compound solution into the cell suspension from one or more sides, and detecting activity in the cells with respect to their distance from the side from which the test compound is diffusing. Embodiments may provide an apparatus that allows a side source, a point source, or both, from which a test compound solution diffuses into a cell suspension media and contacts cells. Detecting cell activity may involve detecting activity in a first cell group proximate to the side from which the test compound is diffusing, and detecting activity in a second cell group farther than the first cell group from the side from which the test compound is diffusing.

A microfluidic device includes a chamber substrate, a cover substrate, a flexible membrane, and a punch unit. The chamber substrate includes a fluid chamber configured to receive a fluid and having a fluid chamber opening. The cover substrate includes a punch opening lying opposite the fluid chamber opening. The flexible membrane is positioned between the chamber substrate and the cover substrate, and spans the punch opening and the fluid chamber opening. The punch unit is configured to move into the fluid chamber through the punch opening in order to deflect the flexible membrane into the fluid chamber so as to enable the fluid to flow out of the fluid chamber when fluid is received in the fluid chamber.

Methods of removing bubbles from a microfluidic device are described where the flow is not stopped. Methods are described that combine pressure and flow to remove bubbles from a microfluidic device. Bubbles can be removed even where the device is made of a polymer that is largely gas impermeable.

This invention is in the field of surface modification. In particular, the invention relates to the surface modification of microfluidic devices to alter surface hydrophobicity characteristics.

A microfluidic detection unit comprises at least one fluid injection section, a fluid storage section and a detection section. Each fluid injection section defines a fluid outlet; the fluid storage section is in gas communication with the atmosphere and defines a fluid inlet; the detection section defines a first end in communication with the fluid outlet and a second end in communication with the fluid inlet. A height difference is defined between the fluid outlet and the fluid inlet along the direction of gravity. When a first fluid is injected from the at least one fluid injection section, the first fluid is driven by gravity to pass through the detection section and accumulate to form a droplet at the fluid inlet, such that a state of fluid pressure equilibrium of the first fluid is established.