This disclosure pertains to a consumable product (microplate) suitable for use in assays utilizing single-molecule recognition through equilibrium Poisson sampling (SiMREPS) and in other assays employing total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) or HiLo microscopy. The disclosed microplate is also suitable for use in other high throughput assay systems, such as single-molecule FRET, ligand-receptor binding studies, membrane biology assays, cell-based TIRF and near-TIRF assays. The disclosure further pertains to the use of the microfluidic microplate for the detection of analytes, including nucleic acids, polypeptides, carbohydrates, lipids, post-translational modifications, amino acids, metabolites, and small molecules.

A microbiological testing device for testing a liquid to be analysed that is liable to contain at least one microorganism, includes a closed inner space, a microbiological filtration member and an inlet port. The device has a nutritive layer in contact with the filtration member, and in that, in a configuration for providing the device an open/close member of the inlet port is in a closed state; the absolute gas pressure inside the closed inner space is strictly less than the standard atmospheric pressure, such that the device is able to create suction through the inlet port during a first opening of the open/close member.

Disclosed here are kits comprising pre-packed stabilizing solutions for stabilizing combinations of biomarkers demonstrating sufficient accuracy and specificity for identifying kidney injuries. Such kits can be better adapted for sample collection at a subject's dwelling, thus easing the burdensome requirement of continuous monitoring for kidney injury.

A microfluidic chip that can have a body defining a microfluidic network including a test volume, one or more ports, and one or more channels in fluid communication between the port(s) and the test volume. Gas can be removed from the test volume before a sample liquid is introduced therein by reducing pressure at a first one of the port(s), optionally while the liquid is disposed in the port. Liquid in the first port can be introduced into the test volume by increasing pressure at the first port. The microfluidic network can define one or more droplet-generating regions in which at least one of the channel(s) defines a constriction and/or two or more of the channels connect at a junction. Liquid flowing from the first port can pass through at least one of the droplet-generating region(s) and to the test volume.

A microfluidic sample processing device, capable of automatically processing a microfluidic sample, comprises: a tray apparatus, for accommodating a reagent and a chip clamp for mounting a microfluidic chip; a mechanical arm, having a connecting head for connecting the chip clamp, a gas flow channel for communicating with an inner cavity of the chip clamp being arranged in the connecting head; a negative pressure suction apparatus, for providing negative pressure to the gas flow channel of the connecting head; a lifting apparatus, for driving the connecting head to rise and fall; and a translation apparatus, for driving the connecting head to move to above the chip clamp or above the reagent; wherein, the tray apparatus is positioned below the mechanical arm, and the mechanical arm is arranged on the translation apparatus and is connected to the lifting apparatus.

A disposable diagnostic device includes a body having a first channel and a second channel spaced from the first channel. A shroud is operably fixed to the body and encloses a chamber which is configured in a hermetically sealed-off relation from the first and second channels when the device is in a non-activated first state and is in open communication with at least one of the first and second channels when the device is in an activated second state. A reactant and an inert gas are disposed in the chamber such that the inert gas protects the reactant from being exposed to contaminants when the device is in said non-activated first state. A method of constructing a disposable diagnostic device is also disclosed.

Provided herein are methods for processing and/or detecting a sample. A method can comprise providing a barrier between a first region and a second region, wherein the first region comprises the sample, wherein the barrier maintains the first region at a first atmosphere that is different than a second atmosphere of the second region, wherein a portion of the barrier comprises a fluid in coherent motion; and using a detector at least partially contained in the first region to detect one or more signals from the sample while the first region is maintained at the first atmosphere that is different than the second atmosphere of the second region. The portion of the barrier comprising fluid may have a pressure lower than the first atmosphere, the second atmosphere, or both.

The present invention provides systems, methods and apparatus for enabling a female user to hygienically collect a urine sample, the apparatus includes a container including a urine collection body for receiving a urine sample from the female user with and a separator mechanism for separating a first volume of urine of the urine sample to a first urine storage element and a second volume of urine of the urine sample to a second urine storage element, a lid for closing the container after the urine sample has been received and optionally a handle for holding the container.

A system for analyzing a physiological sample includes a cartridge configured to attach to the skin of a subject. The cartridge includes: a processing fluid pack that is configured to release a processing fluid stored therein, a diagnostic test strip, and a vacuum pin. The system also includes a lancet with a needle. The lancet is configured to deploy the needle upon engagement with the cartridge to draw a physiological sample from the subject. The vacuum pin is configured to create a vacuum within the cartridge to draw the released processing fluid and the drawn physiological sample to the diagnostic test strip.

A method of manufacturing a fluidic device includes molding either one of the base member and the valve part with a first mold; and molding the other one of the base member and the valve part with a second mold with respect to the molded base member or the molded valve part.