One variation of a system includes a cartridge comprising: a substrate; a sample well integrated into the substrate, defining an upper opening and a lower opening, and configured to receive a test solution comprising a user sample and an amount of a fluorescent probe configured to bind with a target bioparticle to form a target complex; a filter membrane extending across the lower opening and defining a network of pores configured to convey fluid from the sample well and prevent passage of the target complex through the filter membrane. The system further includes a reader comprising: a housing; a cartridge receptacle configured to receive the cartridge; an excitation source configured to illuminate a detection region within the housing; and a detector defining a field of view intersecting the detection region and configured to detect a signal generated by fluid in the sample well and representing presence of the target bioparticle.

An automated microfluidic bioreactor device and methods to rapidly detect drugs of abuse from human sweat are provided. The bioreactor can perform either single-plexed measurements (detecting only one target analyte at a time) or multiplexed measurement (detecting multiple analytes simultaneously). The bioreactor device has a cartridge comprising a capillary array that employs competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect the presence of various drugs or metabolite compounds. For example, four common drugs, methadone, methamphetamine, amphetamine, and tetrahydrocannabinol, were detected rapidly and quantitatively in about 16 minutes with a low sweat sample volume (about 4 μL per analyte) and a large dynamic range (methadone: 0.0016 ng/mL-1 ng/mL; METH: 0.016 ng/mL-25 ng/mL; amphetamine: 0.005 ng/mL-10 ng/mL; THC: 0.02 ng/mL-1000 ng/mL).

A particle arrangement transportation device includes: a base material in which is formed a flow channel from an inlet port-side opening through which a solution containing particles to be an object of arrangement and transportation is introduced to an outlet port-side opening; an electrode which is formed along the flow channel on a wall surface of the base material being exposed in the flow channel; electrodes which are formed along the flow channel in the base material on both sides of the flow channel; and a power supply which applies an AC voltage between the electrodes.

A system for detecting analytes in a test sample, and a method for processing the same, is provided. The system includes a cartridge reader unit that has a control unit and a pneumatic system, and a cartridge assembly that prepares the samples with mixing material(s) through communication channels. The assembly has a memory chip with parameters for preparing the sample and at least one sensor (GMR sensor) for detecting analytes in the sample. The assembly is pneumatically and electronically mated with the reader unit via a pneumatic interface and an electronic interface such that the parameters may be implemented via the control unit. The pneumatic system is contained within the unit and has pump(s) and valve(s) for selectively applying fluid pressure to the pneumatic interface of the assembly, and thus through the communication channels, to move the sample and mixing material(s) through and to sensor. The control unit activates the pneumatic system to prepare the sample and provide it to the sensor for detecting analytes, and also processes measurements from the sensor to generate test results.

A method is provided for testing for presence of a particulate selected from the group consisting of: a microorganism, a fungus, a bacteria, a spore, a virus, a mite, a biological cell, a biological antigen, a protein, a protein antigen, and a carbohydrate antigen. The method includes (a) collecting, in a tube (22), fluid that potentially contains the particulate, (b) using a plunger (24) to push the fluid through a filter (26) disposed at a distal portion of the tube or at a distal end of the plunger, and subsequently, (c) while the filter is inside the tube, ascertaining if any of the particulate was trapped by the filter by applying a particulate-presence-testing-facilitation solution to the filter. Other embodiments are also described.

Disclosed herein is a system to detect and characterize individual particles and cells using at least either optic or electric detection as the particle or cell flows through a microfluidic channel. The system also provides for sorting particles and cells or isolating individual particles and cells.

The present invention relates to a contact-less priming system for loading a solution in a microfluidic device comprising: at least one microfluidic device, a pressure chamber configured to enclose said at least one microfluidic device, a pressurization unit fluidly connected to the pressure chamber and at least one closing member. The present invention also relates to a contact-less priming method for loading a solution in a microfluidic device.

The invention is to provide a method of profiling a sample comprising a plurality of cells, the method comprising: flowing cells from the sample through a first array of pillars to obtain one or more distribution profiles of cells sorted by the first array; flowing cells from the sample through a second array of pillars that is different from the first array of pillars to obtain on one or more distribution profiles of cells sorted by the second array; and deriving a biophysical signature of the sample based on at least the one or more distribution profiles of the cells sorted by the first array and/or the one or more distribution profiles of the cells sorted by the second array. The method further comprises determining a health status of a subject based on the biophysical signature of the sample. The invention is also to provide a sample profiling system. In various embodiments, the distribution profile of cells in the output regions is indicative of one or more biophysical properties of the cells, which may include the size and deformability of the cells. The pillars in the first array and the second array may have a shape selected from the group consisting of a substantially L shape and a substantially inverse L shape, mirror reflections thereof or combinations thereof.

Flow cell assemblies and related reagent selector valves. In accordance with an implementation, an apparatus includes a system including a reagent cartridge receptacle. The apparatus includes a flow cell assembly. The apparatus includes a reagent cartridge receivable within the reagent cartridge receptacle. The reagent cartridge including a plurality of reagent reservoirs. The apparatus includes a manifold assembly. The manifold assembly including a reagent selector valve adapted to be fluidically coupled to the reagent reservoirs and to selectively flow reagent from a corresponding reagent reservoir to the flow cell assembly. At least a surface of the manifold assembly associated with the reagent selector valve is coupled to a portion of the flow cell assembly.

Sample cartridge, valve assembly and processing methods for providing mechanical lysis, chemical lysis or both for a given fluid sample are provided herein. Such systems can include a sample processing cartridge having a valve assembly configured for transport of the processing of fluid sample within the sample cartridge. The valve assembly can include a valve body and cap that secure a filter therebetween and facilitate inflow of mechanical or chemical lysing agents as needed for a fluid sample. Assay workflows for performing both mechanical and chemical lysis of a fluid sample within the same workflow of a single universal sample cartridge are also provided.