A system, mixing-enhanced microfluidic container, and methods for small volume sample collection and/or analysis is disclosed. Namely, the invention is directed to a small volume sample collection system that includes a mixing-enhanced microfluidic container and a durable reusable actuation chuck. The mixing-enhanced microfluidic container is used to collect small volumes of sample fluid and includes a means for mixing the sample fluid with reagents disposed within the microfluidic container. The mixing means utilize an array of surface-attached structures (e.g., a micropost array). The application of an “actuation force,” such as a magnetic or electric field, actuates the surface-attached structures into movement, wherein the actuation chuck in close proximity to the mixing-enhanced microfluidic container provides the “actuation force.”

A system, mixing-enhanced microfluidic container, and methods for small volume sample collection and/or analysis is disclosed. Namely, the invention is directed to a small volume sample collection system that includes a mixing-enhanced microfluidic container and a durable reusable actuation chuck. The mixing-enhanced microfluidic container is used to collect small volumes of sample fluid and includes a means for mixing the sample fluid with reagents disposed within the microfluidic container. The mixing means utilize an array of surface-attached structures (e.g., a micropost array). The application of an “actuation force,” such as a magnetic or electric field, actuates the surface-attached structures into movement, wherein the actuation chuck in close proximity to the mixing-enhanced microfluidic container provides the “actuation force.”

A microscale bioreactor system for and method is disclosed for providing improved cell culture growth conditions in a small-volume vessel. For example, a microbioreactor system is provided that may include a small-volume vessel and wherein the small-volume vessel may include a field of actuatable surface-attached microposts. Further, the microbioreactor system may include an actuation mechanism for actuating the surface-attached microposts into movement. In some embodiments, the surface-attached microposts may be functionalized with, for example, activation signals for converting standard T-cells in a growth media to activated T-cells. Further, a method of using the microbioreactor system for providing cell culture growth conditions including enhanced oxygenation and nutrients distribution in a small-volume vessel is provided.

A method for reducing sequencing by synthesis cycle time using a microfluidic device is provided. The microfluidic device comprises a flow cell having an inlet port, an outlet port, and a flow channel extending between the inlet port and the outlet port, wherein the flow channel receives an analyte of interest and one or more reagents for analyzing and detecting molecules. To aid in the acceleration of the reactions, the microfluidic device comprises a mixing device to increase the rates of diffusion of the reagents from the fluid bulk to an active surface of the flow cell. The mixing device comprises at least one of an electrothermal mixing device, an active mechanical mixing device, and a vibrational mixing device.

A cell processing system, fluidics cartridge, and methods for using actuated surface-attached posts for processing cells are disclosed. Particularly, the cell processing system includes a fluidics cartridge and a control instrument. The fluidics cartridge includes a cell processing chamber that has a micropost array therein, a sample reservoir and a wash reservoir that supply the cell processing chamber, and a waste reservoir and an eluent reservoir at the output of the cell processing chamber. A micropost actuation mechanism and a cell counting mechanism are provided in close proximity to the cell processing chamber. A method is provided of using the cell processing system to collect, wash, and recover cells. Another method is provided of using the cell processing system to collect, wash, count, and recover cells at a predetermined cell density.

A cell processing system, fluidics cartridge, and methods for using actuated surface-attached posts for processing cells are disclosed. Particularly, the cell processing system includes a fluidics cartridge and a control instrument. The fluidics cartridge includes a cell processing chamber that has a micropost array therein, a sample reservoir and a wash reservoir that supply the cell processing chamber, and a waste reservoir and an eluent reservoir at the output of the cell processing chamber. A micropost actuation mechanism and a cell counting mechanism are provided in close proximity to the cell processing chamber. A method is provided of using the cell processing system to collect, wash, and recover cells. Another method is provided of using the cell processing system to collect, wash, count, and recover cells at a predetermined cell density.

A flow cell is provided that includes surface-attached structures in a chamber. The structures are movable in response to an actuation force. The flow cell may be utilized to extract or isolate nucleic acids from a sample flowing through the flow cell, wherein some portion of the flow cell comprises nucleic acid adsorbent material (e.g. the outer surface of the surface-attached structures, an inside surface of the chamber of the flow cell, beads attached to the outer surface of the surface-attached structures, or beads integrated into the outer surface of the surface-attached structures). Further, systems and methods for extraction of nucleic acids using such flow cells are also provided.

Magnetic-based actuation mechanisms for and methods of actuating magnetically responsive microposts in a reaction (or assay) chamber is disclosed. Namely, a microfluidics system is provided that includes a microfluidics device (or cartridge) that includes the reaction (or assay) chamber in which a field of surface-attached magnetically responsive microposts is installed. The presently disclosed magnetic-based actuation mechanisms are provided in close proximity to the magnetically responsive microposts wherein the magnetic-based actuation mechanisms are used for actuating the magnetically responsive microposts. Namely, the magnetic-based actuation mechanisms generate an actuation force that is used to compel at least some of the magnetically responsive microposts to exhibit motion. Additionally, methods of using the presently disclosed magnetic-based actuation mechanisms for actuating the magnetically responsive microposts are provided.

A flow cell is provided that includes surface-attached structures in a chamber. The structures are movable in response to a magnetic or electric field. A target extraction or isolation system includes the flow cell and a driver configured for applying a magnetic or electric field to the interior of the flow cell to actuate movement of the structures. The flow cell may be utilized to extract or isolate a target from a sample flowing through the flow cell. Further, a microfluidic system is provided that includes surface-attached structures and a microarray, wherein actuated motion of the surface-attached structures is used to enhance flow, circulation, and/or mixing action for analyte capture on the microarray.

A cell processing system, fluidics cartridge, and methods for using actuated surface-attached posts for processing cells are disclosed. Particularly, the cell processing system includes a fluidics cartridge and a control instrument. The fluidics cartridge includes a cell processing chamber that has a micropost array therein, a sample reservoir and a wash reservoir that supply the cell processing chamber, and a waste reservoir and an eluent reservoir at the output of the cell processing chamber. A micropost actuation mechanism and a cell counting mechanism are provided in close proximity to the cell processing chamber. A method is provided of using the cell processing system to collect, wash, and recover cells. Another method is provided of using the cell processing system to collect, wash, count, and recover cells at a predetermined cell density.