A microchannel chip (1) includes: a first channel (201); a reagent holder (230); a gas inlet (210) communicating with the first channel; a lid (50) closing the gas inlet; and a second channel (202) provided downstream of the first channel. A specimen holder (240) is provided downstream of the reagent holder (230). When the lid (50) closes the gas inlet (210), gas is supplied to the first channel (201) and pushes out the reagent downstream from the reagent holder (230). Thus, the pushed-out reagent merges with a specimen in the second channel (202).

The present disclosure is directed to opposables including a body having a plurality of cavities disposed therein. Each cavity can be designed to contain one or more reagents, liquids, or fluids which may be applied to a specimen-bearing surface. In some embodiments, the cavities include one or more reagent chambers, the reagent chambers can have one or more seals such that the reagents, liquids, or fluids contained therein may be stored and released to the specimen-bearing surface.

Apparatus for processing liquids or liquid-based substances includes a plurality of volumes at least two of which are defined at least in part by one or more phaseguides inside the volume and/or in a conduit connected thereto for controlling aliquoting of one or more liquids or liquid-based substances inside the volume. Each volume has an upstream and downstream side with respect to meniscus advancement direction via which it may be filled with or emptied of one or more liquids or liquid-based substances. The apparatus also includes at least one common upstream-side conduit connected to supply a liquid or liquid-based substance via a plurality of the inlet or extraction conduits, a plurality of the phaseguides exhibiting a predetermined level of stability and one or more of the phaseguides exhibiting a predetermined different stability compared with the stability of at least one of the other phaseguides whereby to control the preference order in which the volumes fill and/or empty. The stability is determined by the value and radius of an acute angle along a said phaseguide at the downstream side of the phaseguide.

The present disclosure is directed to opposables including a body having a plurality of cavities disposed therein. Each cavity can be designed to contain one or more reagents, liquids, or fluids which may be applied to a specimen-bearing surface. In some embodiments, the cavities include one or more reagent chambers, the reagent chambers can have one or more seals such that the reagents, liquids, or fluids contained therein may be stored and released to the specimen-bearing surface.

Method for handling at least one first microdrop and at least one second microdrop in a microfluidic system including a capillary trap that has a first trapping zone and a second trapping zone, the method including steps consisting of: (i) trapping the first microdrop in the first trapping zone, and (ii) trapping the second microdrop in the second trapping zone, the first and the second trapping zone being arranged such that the first and the second microdrops are in contact with each other, the first and the second trapping zones being adapted such that the trapping forces returned to one of the microdrops are different.

A method for diluting, mixing, and/or aliquoting two liquids using a microfluidic system with at least two pump chambers first includes filling at least one of the at least two pump chambers with a first liquid. The at least two pump chambers are connected to one another by at least one microfluidic channel. The method then includes pumping the first liquid through the channel. The at least one channel is configured such that at least part of the first liquid remains in the channel after the pumping. The method then includes determining the part of the first liquid that remains in the channel. The method then includes flushing the channel with a second liquid.

Described is a microfluidic serial dilution platform based well-plate using an oil-free immiscible phase driven by manual or electronic pipettors. The well-plate includes a plurality of fluidic traps, a plurality of hydrophilic capillary constriction channels and a plurality of bypass channels. Each of the plurality of bypass channels is associated with one of the plurality of fluidic traps, each of the plurality of hydrophilic capillary constriction channels is associated with one of the plurality of fluidic traps, and each of the plurality of fluidic traps is associated with one of the plurality of bypass channels and one of the plurality of hydrophilic capillary constriction channels. The well-plate further includes an inlet, an outlet, and a main channel with a plurality of portions that connects the inlet to the plurality of fluidic traps, associated hydrophilic capillary constriction channels and associated bypass channels, and the outlet.

Apparatus for processing life-based organic particles, including particles selected from the list comprising cells, cellular spheroids, tissues, eukaryotes, micro-organisms, organs or embryos, comprises a hollow volume (10) that (a) is internally divided into at least first (14), second (16) and third (17) sub-volumes by at least two phaseguides (12, 13) formed inside the volume and (b) includes parts that are relatively upstream and relatively downstream when judged with reference to the movement of a meniscus or a bulk liquid in the volume (10). The apparatus includes at least first, second and third fluid conduits (19, 21, 22) connected to permit fluid communication between the upstream exterior of the volume (10) and a respective said sub-volume (14, 16, 17); and at least one further conduit (24) connected to permit fluid communication between the downstream exterior of the volume (10) and a said sub-volume. The first sub-volume (14) contains one or more life-based particles supported in or by a gel or gel-like substance; and the second sub-volume (16) communicates with the first sub-volume so as to permit transport of substances between the first and second sub-volumes (14, 16) and contains at least one gel or gel-like substance.

Described is a microfluidic serial dilution platform based well-plate using an oil-free immiscible phase driven by manual or electronic pipettors. The well-plate includes a plurality of fluidic traps, a plurality of hydrophilic capillary constriction channels and a plurality of bypass channels. Each of the plurality of bypass channels is associated with one of the plurality of fluidic traps, each of the plurality of hydrophilic capillary constriction channels is associated with one of the plurality of fluidic traps, and each of the plurality of fluidic traps is associated with one of the plurality of bypass channels and one of the plurality of hydrophilic capillary constriction channels. The well-plate further includes an inlet, an outlet, and a main channel with a plurality of portions that connects the inlet to the plurality of fluidic traps, associated hydrophilic capillary constriction channels and associated bypass channels, and the outlet.

The present invention provides a microfluidic mixing platform having a bulk, the platform including an inlet well, a microchannel, a passive capillary valve a mixing feature and an outlet. The passive capillary valve prevents unwanted capillary flow along the microchannel. The passive capillary valve comprises a widening of the microchannel relative to the direction of fluid flow, and the angle has a graduated profile. The mixing platform bulk comprises a rigid matrix capable of machine manufacture. A method of preventing backflow in a microfluidic mixer is also provided.