The present disclosure provides methods and systems for assaying a sample. A microfluidic device to perform an assay of a sample (e.g., biological sample) is described having a sample application site, a porous component and a flow channel. The porous component provides for uniform dissolution of a reagent and mixing of the sample and reagent without filtering the sample.

A flow channel structure for removing a foreign substance, including a first flow channel, where the first flow channel has a first region having a depth shallower than a depth of another region. A method for removing a foreign substance in a fluid, including flowing the fluid to the first flow channel of the flow channel structure for removing a foreign substance.

A flow channel structure for removing a foreign substance, including a first flow channel, where the first flow channel has a first region having a depth shallower than a depth of another region. A method for removing a foreign substance in a fluid, including flowing the fluid to the first flow channel of the flow channel structure for removing a foreign substance.

In one embodiment, a mixing device includes a sleeve that forms an inner space configured to receive a sample container, a housing associated with the sleeve, a mixing element contained within the housing that is configured to mix liquid contained within the sample container, and an activation element configured to activate the mixing element when the activation element is triggered.

There is provided an arrangement (100) which allows for mixing a first fluid with a second fluid at a predetermined volume mixing ratio in a capillary driven fluidic system. The arrangement (100) allows filling an initially empty mixing chamber (110) with the first fluid. The arrangement then allows emptying a predetermined fraction of the first fluid from the mixing chamber (110) such as to form an empty space in the mixing chamber (110). The arrangement then allows filling the empty space of the mixing chamber (110) with the second fluid, thereby allowing a predetermined volume of the first fluid to mix with a predetermined volume of the second fluid over time.

The application relates to microfluidic apparatus and methods of use thereof. Provided in one example is a microfluidic device comprising: a first fluidic input and a second fluidic input; and a fluidic intersection channel to receive fluid from the first fluidic input and the second fluidic input, wherein the fluidic intersection channel opens into a first mixing chamber on an upper region of a first side of the first mixing chamber, wherein the first mixing chamber has a length, a width, and a depth, wherein the depth is greater than about 1.5 times a depth of the fluidic intersection channel; an outlet channel on an upper region of a second side of the first mixing chamber, wherein the outlet channel has a depth that is less than the depth of the first mixing chamber, and wherein an opening of the outlet channel is offset along a width of the second side of the first mixing chamber relative to the fluidic intersection.

The disclosure describes methods and devices with which to process and analyze difficult chemical, biological, environmental samples including but not limited to those containing bulk solids or particulates. The disclosure includes a cartridge which contains a separation tube as well as one or more valves and cavities for receiving raw sample materials and for directing and containing various fluids or samples. The cartridge may contain a separation fluid or density medium of defined density, and structures which direct particulates toward defined regions of the cartridge. Embodiments can include a rotational device for rotating the cartridge at defined rotational rates for defined time intervals. Embodiments allowing multiple assays from a single sample are also disclosed. In some embodiments, this device is used for direct processing and chemical analysis of food, soil, blood, stool, motor oil, semen, and other samples of interest.

A microfabricated sheath flow structure for producing a sheath flow includes a primary sheath flow channel for conveying a sheath fluid, a sample inlet for injecting a sample into the sheath fluid in the primary sheath flow channel, a primary focusing region for focusing the sample within the sheath fluid and a secondary focusing region for providing additional focusing of the sample within the sheath fluid. The secondary focusing region may be formed by a flow channel intersecting the primary sheath flow channel to inject additional sheath fluid into the primary sheath flow channel from a selected direction. A sheath flow system may comprise a plurality of sheath flow structures operating in parallel on a microfluidic chip.

A microfluidic mixer, formed by two parts, a first part being a substrate having formations defining fluid channels on an outer surface that is directed towards a second part, which is a flexible layer. The flexile layer has formations defining a fluid channel which, when the flexible layer is positioned over the substrate so as to cover the fluid channels of the substrate provides a fluid communication path. A section of said communication path comprises at least first and second fluid channels for providing first and second fluids. The first and second fluid channels merge before an inlet of a mixing chamber. The mixing chamber comprises perturbation formations. An outlet of the mixing chamber is connected to an outlet fluid channel. The flexible layer comprises points for compression at the inlet and outlet of the mixing chamber for closing the merged fluid channel. The perturbation formations of the mixing chamber are vertically arranged vertically with respect to an inner surface.

The presently disclosed subject matter provides devices and methods for sample extraction from a swab during biological sample processing. In particular embodiments, the devices and methods are configured for use in conjunction with microfluidic devices for sample processing.