Methods and systems for processing polynucleotides (e.g., DNA) are disclosed. A processing region includes one or more surfaces (e.g., particle surfaces) modified with ligands that retain polynucleotides under a first set of conditions (e.g., temperature and pH) and release the polynucleotides under a second set of conditions (e.g., higher temperature and/or more basic pH). The processing region can be used to, for example, concentrate polynucleotides of a sample and/or separate inhibitors of amplification reactions from the polynucleotides. Microfluidic devices with a processing region are disclosed.

Devices, containers, and methods are provided for performing biological analysis in a closed environment. Illustrative biological analyses include nucleic acid amplification and detection and immuno-PCR.

An apparatus and method for isolating bacterial particles in a sample using a container with material in temporary fluid blocking position to lower orifice in the container, a separation medium having an electrical conductivity lower than and physical density greater than that of the sample above the material that supports a sample concentrate after passing through the separation medium when exposed to centrifugal force, a heating element for liquefying the material to permit flow into a chamber past an electrode array that attracts and holds subject particles. The system allows rapid detection and isolation of particles from samples from animal, human, environmental sites, a bio-industrial reactor or a food or beverage production facility requiring relatively small volumes, short incubation times resulting in structurally intact particles for further analysis. Testing may be completed in a single unit that requires decreased technician manipulation, fewer steps and a decrease in cross-contamination.

A device for performing an assay comprises a tube, a cap, an insert, and a reaction container. The tube includes a lateral flow strip disposed therein. The cap is coupled to the tube and includes a hollow interior defined at least partially therethrough. The insert is configured to be at least partially received within the hollow interior of the cap. The reaction container includes a cavity configured to store one or more fluids therein, and is rotatably coupled to the cap such that rotation of the cap relative to the reaction container causes (i) mixing of the one or more fluids and (ii) at least a portion of the mixed fluids to be delivered from the reaction container to the lateral flow strip via the insert.

A body fluid analyte detection device, includes: a transmitter, provided with at least one first clamping part; a bottom shell, provided with a second clamping part corresponding to the first clamping part, the transmitter being assembled on the bottom shell by mutual snap fitting of the first clamping part and the second clamping part, the bottom shell including a fixing part and a force application part, and the fixing part being fixed and applying a force to the force application part in a direction to disable the bottom shell, so that the first clamping part and the second clamping part are separated from each other, and then the bottom shell and the transmitter are separated; a battery, used for supplying power to the transmitter; a sensor, used for detecting body fluid analyte parameter information and electrically connected to the transmitter to transmit a parameter signal.

The present invention provides devices and methods for generating a pulsatile fluid flow in a microchannel by means of external actuation of a thin flexible film. With the devices described herein, cycles of positive and negative actuation can be used to infuse or withdrawal fluid in a microchannel. Fluid can be recirculated over one or more microfluidic feature, such as a chemical or molecular receptor, biosensor, electrode, cell or biological material, chromatography feature, mixer, etc., in a way that would represent an advantage over the single-pass flow techniques common to most microfluidic devices. The devices and methods are particularly useful in vitro diagnostics (IVD), analytical chemistry, chromatography, and mixing applications in a variety of fields.

A method of determining the result of an assay in a microfluidic device includes the steps of: dispensing a sample droplet onto a first portion of an electrode array of the microfluidic device; dispensing a reagent droplet onto a second portion of the electrode array of the microfluidic device; controlling actuation voltages applied to the electrode array to mix the sample droplet and the reagent droplet into a product droplet; sensing a dynamic property of the product droplet; and determining an assay of the sample droplet based on the sensed dynamic property. The dynamic property is a physical property of the product droplet that influences a transport property of the product droplet on the electrode array. Example dynamic properties of the product droplet include the moveable state, split-able state, and viscosity based on droplet properties. The method may be used to perform an amoebocyte lysate (LAL) assay.

Fluidic devices, systems, and methods for analyzing an analyte are described. In an embodiment, the fluidic devices include a housing defining a lysis chamber shaped to receive a biological sample; a lysis buffer storage chamber disposed within the housing and carrying a lysis buffer configured to lyse cells of the biological sample; a cap configured to cooperatively couple to the housing; a compressor configured to compress the lysis buffer storage chamber and expel the lysis buffer from the lysis buffer storage chamber and into the lysis chamber when the cap is uncoupled from the housing; and a porous membrane in selective fluidic communication with the lysis chamber.

Systems and methods are provided for sample processing. A device may be provided, capable of receiving the sample, and performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing multiple assays. The device may comprise one or more modules that may be capable of performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing the steps using a small volume of sample.

Active surface devices for and methods of providing dried reagents in microfluidic applications is disclosed. In one example, the active surface devices include one or more dried reagent spots in relation to an active surface in the reaction (or assay) chamber thereof. In another example, the active surface devices include a dried reagent coating on the surfaces of the reaction (or assay) chamber including the active surface. In one example, the presently disclosed active surface devices are micropost-based active surface devices for providing active mixing therein. Further, a method of forming a dried reagent spot in the active surface devices is provided. Further, a method of forming a dried reagent coating in the active surface devices is provided. Further, a method of using the active surface devices for providing dried reagents in microfluidic applications is provided.