A method of forming three-dimensional shaped microparticles in a microfluidic device includes flowing a mixture of a monomer and photoinitiator in a microfluidic channel having a plurality of pillars disposed therein to define a flow stream having a pre-defined shape and temporarily stopping the same. One or more portions of the flow stream are polymerized by passing polymerizing light through one or more masks and onto the flow stream, the polymerization process forming a plurality of three-dimensional shaped microparticles. The three-dimensional shape of the microparticle may be geometrically complex by using non-rectangular 2D orthogonal shapes for the flow and/or masked light source. The microparticles may include protected regions on which cells can be adhered to and protected from shear forces. The flow stream is restarted to flush out the newly formed microparticles and prepare the device for the next cycle of particle formation.

A micro-fluidic flow device and method. The device includes a conduit having an inlet and an outlet distal from the inlet. The conduit further includes a plurality of constrictions each having a reduction in a cross-sectional area of the conduit in a direction from the inlet to the outlet. The constrictions are arranged in series and the reduction in cross-sectional area at each of the constrictions is sufficient to induce extensional flow in a fluid travelling therethrough, such that the maximum strain rate in the extensional flow region is at least 500 s.sup.−1.

Described are microfluidic devices and methods for providing a predetermined number of microspheres or beads, together with a cell, within a fluid droplet being processed. The system may provide each droplet with a single bead and a single cell, and the bead may contain DNA or other reagents for later identifying the specific cell associated with that bead.

The invention provides a microfluidic system for monitoring the condition of lubricating oil. The microfluidic system comprises a microfluidic device with at least one microchannel (40) configured to allow a sample of lubricating oil (52a) to pass therethrough as a laminar flow. The device has at least one separating device (41) configured to selectively separate at least one component (54b) from the lubricating oil (52a) in the fluid flow. The microfluidic system also comprises a detector device (20, 22) configured to detect the presence and/or measure at least one property of the at least one component passing through the microfluidic device after separation in the microchannel (40).

The present invention generally relates to microfluidics and labeled nucleic acids. For example, certain aspects are generally directed to systems and methods for labeling nucleic acids within microfluidic droplets. In one set of embodiments, the nucleic acids may include “barcodes” or unique sequences that can be used to distinguish nucleic acids in a droplet from those in another droplet, for instance, even after the nucleic acids are pooled together. In some cases, the unique sequences may be incorporated into individual droplets using particles and attached to nucleic acids contained within the droplets (for example, released from lysed cells). In some cases, the barcodes may be used to distinguish tens, hundreds, or even thousands of nucleic acids, e.g., arising from different cells or other sources.

A multi-dimensional micro fluid focussing device. The device includes an apparatus for multi-dimensional micro fluid focussing. The device also includes an analyser for analysing the focused fluid. The apparatus includes a microchannel having an inlet defining a first region, a middle region and an outlet defining a second region. A first junction is formed at the intersection of the first region and the middle region. A second junction is formed at the intersection of the middle region and the second region. A first sheath positioned proximal to the first junction and a second sheath positioned at the second junction. The junctions formed, along with the positioning of the sheaths enable the multi-dimensional focusing of the fluid. The analyser includes a holder for removably retaining the apparatus. A microscope is positioned across the holder. A recording unit is coupled to the microscope.

Microfluidic channels networks and systems are provided. One network includes a first fluid channel having a first depth dimension; at least a second channel intersecting the first channel at a first intersection; at least a third channel in fluid communication with the first intersection, at least one of the first intersection and the third channel having a depth dimension that is greater than the first depth dimension. Also provided is a flow control system for directing fluids in the network. Systems are additionally provided for flowing disrupted particles into a droplet formation junction, whereby a portion of the disrupted particles or the contents thereof are encapsulated into one or more droplets. Further provided is a method for controlling filling of a microfluidic network by controlling passive valving microfluidic channel network features.

The present disclosure relates to fluidic systems and devices for processing, extracting, or purifying one or more analytes. These systems and devices can be used for processing samples and extracting nucleic acids, for example by isotachophoresis. In particular, the systems and related methods can allow for extraction of nucleic acids, including non-crosslinked nucleic acids, from samples such as tissue or cells. The systems and devices can also be used for multiplex parallel sample processing.

The present application discloses a plurality of embodiments and associated inventions, with respect to microfluidic systems for at least one of identifying, imaging, orientating, and sorting particles, in particular, biological cells, and more particularly, X and Y sperm cells. In some embodiments, a module system with functional connectors is provided, each module being connected by a connector that can provide additional functionality aside from enabling fluid flow between modules. The present disclosure also is directed to microfluidic systems which include particle delivery tubes configured to orient particles (e.g., X and Y sperm cells), as well as microfluidic systems for generating a static, spatial patterns within the microfluidic channel.

An apparatus for microfluidic flow cytometry analysis of a particulate containing fluid An apparatus for microfluidic flow cytometry analysis of a particulate containing fluid comprises a hydrodynamic focussing apparatus for providing a focused stream of particulate containing fluid; and a microfluidic chip. The chip has a plurality of layers and comprises a microfluidic channel that extends through the chip substantially orthogonal to a plane of the layers of the chip, and is in fluid communication with the hydrodynamic focusing apparatus for receipt of a focused steam of particulate containing fluid. The chip also comprises a detection zone comprising at least one pair of electrodes in electrical communication with the microfluidic channel. At least one pair of electrodes comprise an excitation electrode coupled to an AC signal source and a detection electrode configured to detect AC impedance changes in the microfluidic channel between the electrodes resulting from particles passing between the electrodes in the microfluidic channel. Methods of sorting mammalian sperm cells according to sex is also described.