The present invention provides a novel target analysis chip and analysis method for directly detecting a target such as a microRNA without performing PCR.

Microfluidic structures and methods for manipulating fluids, fluid components, and reactions are provided. In one aspect, such structures and methods can allow production of droplets of a precise volume, which can be stored/maintained at precise regions of the device. In another aspect, microfluidic structures and methods described herein are designed for containing and positioning components in an arrangement such that the components can be manipulated and then tracked even after manipulation. For example, cells may be constrained in an arrangement in microfluidic structures described herein to facilitate tracking during their growth and/or after they multiply.

A system for testing for an analyte includes a test strip. The test strip includes a first flow path. The test strip further includes a heating element in communication with a heating area of the first flow path, for heating a sample in the first flow path. The test strip further includes an e-gate, the e-gate in the first flow path, the e-gate separating the heating area from a detection area of the first flow path.

The present inventive concept relates to a microfluidic system for pressure-assisted capillary-driven flowing of a liquid. The system comprises: a first sub-system comprising a capillary flow channel, having a first flow resistance, arranged to receive the liquid and to flow the liquid along the capillary flow channel; a second sub-system comprising a pressure-assisting flow channel, having a second flow resistance, arranged to receive the liquid from the capillary flow channel, and to provide a pressure-assisted flow of the liquid in a direction away from the capillary flow channel; and a capillary valve, having a third flow resistance, comprising a capillary portion, wherein the capillary portion at a first end is connected to an interface between the capillary flow channel and the pressure-assisting flow channel, and at a second end is communicating with gaseous medium. The first flow resistance is larger than the third flow resistance, and the second flow resistance is larger than the third flow resistance, such that the liquid is flowing predominantly by capillary action in the capillary flow channel until a forefront of the liquid has reached the interface with the pressure-assisting flow channel, and by pressure-assisted capillary action after the forefront of the liquid has reached the interface with the pressure-assisted flow channel The present inventive concept further relates to a diagnostic device and a lab-on-a-chip device, comprising the microfluidic system.

A microfluidic valve may include a first portion of a liquid conduit to contain a gas, a second portion of a liquid conduit to contain a liquid, and a constriction between the first portion and the second portion and across which a capillary meniscus is to form between the gas and the liquid. The microfluidic valve may further include a drop jetting device within the second portion to open the valve by breaking the capillary meniscus across the constriction.

A device enables a user to detect biomarkers, and includes an element that defines a multiplicity of microfluidic channels that communicate between an inlet duct and an outlet duct, the inlet duct communicating with an inlet port into which a user can introduce a drop of body fluid; the outlet duct communicating with an outlet port. A resilient bladder is connected to the outlet port to provide suction. Each microfluidic channel defines a reaction chamber containing a biomarker-sensitive reagent which provides a color or a change of color in the presence of a biomarker, there being a multiplicity of different biomarker-sensitive reagents, one such biomarker-sensitive reagent being provided in each of the multiplicity of different microfluidic channels. At least part of the element is transparent so the color within the reaction chamber can be seen. The device includes a cover with magnifying lenses above the reaction chambers. The device may be used in conjunction with a smart phone.

Described herein are sample loading systems for loading a sample into a processing and/or analysis system comprising: a sample reservoir for receiving a sample and a metering volume reservoir, the sample reservoir and a first side of the metering volume reservoir being interconnected through a first channel with a first flow resistance to allow filling of the metering volume reservoir with sample; a further reservoir for receiving a second fluid interconnected with the metering volume reservoir at the first side via a second channel having a smaller second flow resistance; a first valve for blocking flow of sample from the metering volume reservoir into the second channel; a second valve connected to a second side of the metering volume reservoir for controlling the blocking and flowing of sample; and a first timing circuitry for timing the opening of the second valve as a function of filling of the further reservoir.

A sensing device includes a sample loading chamber configured to receive a sample, a detection antibody drying or lyophilization chamber configured to receive a first portion of the sample, one or more substrate drying or lyophilization chambers configured to receive a second portion of the sample, and one or more reaction chambers connected to the detection antibody drying or lyophilization chamber and the one or more substrate drying or lyophilization chambers. The detection antibody drying or lyophilization chamber and one or more substrate drying or lyophilization chambers are placed in parallel between the sample loading chamber and the one or more reaction chambers.

A test container includes a container main body including a first-accommodation-portion, a second-accommodation-portion, and a third-accommodation-portion each accommodating a liquid and internally provided, a first flow path connecting the first-accommodation-portion and the second-accommodation-portion to each other at respective upper end positions thereof and internally provided, and a second flow path connecting the second-accommodation-portion and the third-accommodation-portion to each other at respective upper end positions thereof and internally provided, in which at least a portion forming an upper wall surface of the second-accommodation-portion has flexibility to be deformable inwards of the second-accommodation-portion; and a liquid return prevention structure which prevents a backflow of the liquid to the first-accommodation-portion, when the liquid accommodated in the second-accommodation-portion is fed to the third-accommodation-portion via the second flow path due to deformation of the portion forming the upper wall surface of the second-accommodation-portion inwards of the second-accommodation-portion.

The present invention relates to a method of using a microfluidic chip comprising introducing a gas into the microfluidic chip to replace the liquid that has been introduced into the microfluidic chip and forming a micro-reaction chamber in the form of a liquid-in-gas in the microfluidic chip. The present invention also relates to a method for obtaining assay data, a computer program product embodied in a computer-readable medium and a kit. The methods described in the present invention are easy to operate, low cost, versatile, enabling rapid exchange of fluids, achieving efficient separation and capture of single particles with high purity. In addition, the methods can avoid clogging the chip and facilitate recycling.