This document provides methods and devices for metering fluids. In some cases, the methods and devices include intersecting channels that include capillary-stop geometries at each intersection point that guides the fluids on a desired path, which is controlled by the opening and closing of valves. For example, a metering channel can intersect a loading channel and intersect an outflow channel and a metering portion can be defined by the geometry of the metering channel between the intersection points.

The invention discloses a method for selecting cells depending on their level of displaying and preferably secreting a protein of interest from a population of heterogeneously expressing cells, comprising: (a) contacting said cells with magnetic beads coated with an affinity group to the said cells, (b) mixing the said magnetic beads with the cells to capture the cells displaying/secreting the protein of interest, (c) performing at least one washing step to remove the non-captured cells, and (d) recovering the cells to which that magnetic beads have bound.

The present invention provides a fluid inspection device comprising at least one channel including a top channel surface and a bottom channel surface, and a first spacing formed therebetween; at least one chamber communicating with the at least one channel from which a fluid flows into the at least one chamber and including a top chamber surface, a bottom chamber surface and a fluid-filling area and a through opening communicating with the at least one chamber and the outside. A second spacing is formed between the top chamber surface of at least one portion of the fluid-filling area and a corresponding bottom chamber surface thereof, wherein the second spacing is smaller than the first spacing. The fluid inspection device prevents bubbles from producing in the chamber and obstructing the inspection and further allows less required fluid amount in the chamber.

The present invention relates to a device and a method for separating bubbles from a fluid comprising a chamber through which a fluid can pass. According to the invention the device is characterized in that the inner chamber wall has a geometry that generates within said chamber a continuous flow and at least one area with a discontinuous flow which has a low flow velocity so that bubbles remain at the inner chamber wall in said area and thus are separated from the fluid flowing out from the chamber.

Devices, systems, and methods for detecting molecules of interest within a collected sample are described herein. In certain embodiments, self-contained sample analysis systems are disclosed, which include a reusable reader component, a disposable cartridge component, and a disposable sample collection component. In some embodiments, the reader component communicates with a remote computing device for the digital transmission of test protocols and test results. In various disclosed embodiments, the systems, components, and methods are configured to identify the presence, absence, and/or quantity of particular nucleic acids, proteins, or other analytes of interest, for example, in order to test for the presence of one or more pathogens or contaminants in a sample.

An apparatus with a self-contained, tunable, microfluidic pumping system that utilizes the high air permeability of the matrix material to actuate fluid flow in a network of fluidic microchannels and microstructures is provided. The pumping relies upon partial evacuation of degas/vacuum channels that are located next to the fluid channels to degas air from the fluid channels or structures producing a reduction of pressure in the fluidic channel leading to the flow of fluid from an inlet at atmospheric pressure through the device. The solution is isolated from the pumping apparatus since the liquid does not pass through the diffusion barriers. The apparatus and method can also provide bubble-free microfluidic pumping, without any auxiliary equipment or device pre-treatment, and can fill dead-end channels and chambers, providing a powerful liquid handling tool for a broad range of applications.

Provided are a bubble eliminating structure and a bubble eliminating method which eliminate bubbles in a liquid by agitating the liquid, and an agitating method using the same. A first groove 114, which is an upstream bubble eliminating groove, and a second groove 131, which is a downstream bubble eliminating groove, are branched from a mixing well 13. After starting suction of the liquid from mixing well 13 into the first groove 114, suction of the liquid from the mixing well 13 into the second groove 131 is started, and after completion of discharge of the liquid from the first groove 114 into the mixing well 13, discharge of the liquid from the second groove 131 into the mixing well 13 is completed. This operation is repeated to eliminate bubbles.

A cartridge for digital real-time Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) includes a microfluidic chamber, a well array, a CMOS photo sensor array and a PCB. The microfluidic chamber includes an inlet formed for injection of a liquid sample, the microfluidic chamber being capable of injection molding. The well array includes a plurality of microwells through which upper and lower portions are perforated and being attached to a lower surface of the microfluidic chamber. The CMOS photo sensor array is disposed below the well array to capture a response image of a sample filled in microwells of the well array. The PCB has a vent formed for vacuum processing of micro flow path formed in the microfluidic chamber, a space formed between the well array and the microfluidic chamber, and a microwell formed in the well array as the liquid sample is injected through the inlet.

A well plate assembly with an interior channel system in the well plate lid provides a more efficient and uniform distribution of fluid into a receptacle positioned below the well plate lid. The channel system in the lid allows air, or other fluid, to pass through with the use of a pump to each of a plurality of channels in the receptacle. Inlet and outlet valves in the lid prevent a gasket positioned between the lid and the receptacle from releasing contact with the receptacle due to high pressure experienced during the injection of fluid into the assembly. Specifically, pressure under a specified tolerance passes through the inlet valves, and if the pressure within the channel system exceeds the limit of the outlet valve, the outlet valve opens and allows air to escape the lid safely without disturbing the fluid flow into the channels below.

Provided is a rotatable microfluidic device for conducting simultaneously two or more assays. The device includes a platform which can be rotated, a first unit which is disposed at one portion of the platform and detects a target material from a sample using surface on which a capture probe selectively binds to the target material is attached, and a second unit which is disposed at another portion of the platform and detects a target material included in the sample by a different reaction from the reaction conducted in the first unit.