A microfluidic product utilizing gradient surface energy coatings for fluid control comprising a plurality of fluid passages wherein at least one fluid passage comprises a coating configured to control liquid flow wherein the coating configured to control liquid flow comprises a gradient surface energy coating from a proximal location to a distal location on a surface of the fluid passage. The product can include uniform regions and surface gradient regions in the same passage. Coating compositions and product dimensions can be selected to provide control over different flow properties including fluid velocity, reduction and acceleration of fluid flow, and starting and stopping fluid flow.

A microfluidic device for detection of an analyte in a fluid is described. The microfluidic device comprises a substrate having a first surface defining entrances to one or more chambers defined in the substrate, surfaces of the chambers defining a second surface of the substrate, the first surface being modified for selective targeting and capture of at least one analyte to operably effect a blocking of the entrance to at least one of the chambers, and wherein a response characteristic of the microfluidic device is operably varied by the blocking of the entrance to the at least one of the chambers, thereby providing an indication of the presence of the analyte within the fluid.

The present invention relates to devices and methods for collecting liquid samples such as for removing a target liquid sample fraction from a larger liquid sample, e.g., from a biological sample. These devices and methods are particularly useful for rapidly and cost-effectively removing the buffy coat layer from an anticoagulated blood sample. These devices and methods have the advantage that the removal can be made on blood sample processed by ordinary centrifugation and do not require more complicated or costly processing techniques such as density gradient centrifugation.

Modular active surface devices for microfluidic systems and methods of making same is disclosed. In one example, the modular active surface device includes an active surface layer mounted atop an active surface substrate, a mask mounted atop the active surface layer wherein the mask defines the area, height, and volume of the reaction chamber, and a substrate mounted atop the mask wherein the substrate provides the facing surface to the active surface layer. In other examples, both facing surfaces of the reaction chamber include active surface layers. Further, the modular active surface device can include other layers, such as, but not limited to, adhesive layers, stiffening layers for facilitating handling, and peel-off sealing layers. Further, a large-scale manufacturing method is provided of mass-producing the modular active surface devices. Further, a method is provided of using a plasma bonding process to bond the active surface layer to the active surface substrate.

A selective liquid sliding surface includes: a base layer; multiple pillars protruding from the base layer; and a head protruding from an upper surface of each of the multiple pillars and having a larger cross-sectional diameter than the pillar, wherein the head includes a first head protruding from the pillar and a second head protruding from a periphery of the first head, and the base layer, the pillar, and the head are formed of the same material.

The invention relates to a particle detection device and a method for detecting particles in a fluid by means of separation. A channel structure is arranged for separating an incoming flow into a major flow comprising a minor portion of particles above the first predetermined size and a minor flow comprising a major portion of particles above the predetermined size. One or more detectors are arranged for detecting particles in the major flow and minor flow. The channel structure further comprises a choked flow restriction arranged for enabling a constant flow independent of pressure conditions.

A chip for biochemical reactions comprising: a first body including a plurality of first through openings arranged according to an arrangement pattern; a second body, having a hydrophilic surface, coupled to the first body on the hydrophilic surface; and an intermediate layer, which extends over the hydrophilic surface and forms a coupling interface between the first and the second bodies. The intermediate layer is of hydrophobic material, extends continuously over the hydrophilic surface, and has a plurality of second through openings through which respective regions of the hydrophilic surface are exposed. The hydrophilic regions may be functionalized for carrying out a PCR.

A biological sample reaction vessel comprising a reagent storage portion and a push rod movable relative to the reagent storage portion is provided. The reagent storage portion comprises at least one reagent containing cavity, and the reagent containing cavity is sealed by a sealing element; and the push rod is connected to the sealing element, and the push rod is used for cooperation with an external device to separate the sealing element from the reagent storage portion. In reaction, the biological sample reaction vessel cooperates with a test cassette. By inserting the biological sample reaction vessel into the external device, the reagent in the reagent storage portion can be released rapidly.

A testing assembly for lateral flow assay comprising a liquid sample receiving unit arranged on a support structure defining a plane and configured to receive a liquid sample via the liquid sample receiving interface, at least one testing strip having, in a planar state, a testing strip center line length (L) in a longitudinal direction, a testing strip width in a width direction and a testing strip thickness, and comprising a capillary wick that includes a test portion that comprises a reacting material configured to react in a predetermined manner to a pre-specified analyte, wherein the width direction of the testing strip extends at an angle smaller than 90° with respect to a normal of the plane, and wherein the testing strip is curved, resulting in an effective extension being shorter than the testing strip center line length in the planar state.

Methods and devices for evaluating coagulation are described, including methods and devices for detecting an anticoagulant agent or a coagulation abnormality. In various embodiments, the methods and devices of the invention measure coagulation of a sample in response to a gradient of one or more coagulation factors. These responses can be evaluated to accurately profile coagulation impairments of the sample, including the presence of anticoagulant medication. In various embodiments, the invention provides point-of-care or bedside testing with a convenient, microfluidic device that can be used by minimally trained personnel.