Systems and methods are provided for fabricating microneedle arrays that includes electrospun fibers preferentially disposed within the microneedles of the array. Providing the electrospun fibers preferentially in the microneedles allows for more of a drug or other substance present in the fibers to be deposited into tissue or to provide other benefits. A mold for forming the microneedle arrays includes an insulating surface layer. The insulating surface layer affects the electric field during electrospinning such that electrospun fibers are deposited preferentially within the microneedle cavities of the mold relative to the surface of the mold. A bulk material can then be applied to the mold to form the bulk of the microneedles with electrospun fibers embedded within and a backing layer to which the microneedles are attached.

A method of manufacturing a microfluidic architecture having at least one channel disposed therein. Steps can include pouring an uncured polymeric material into a mould to produce a first layer; at least partially curing the first layer; and forming the at least one channel by disposing a support material on the first layer; pouring an uncured polymeric material onto the first layer to form a second layer to thereby encapsulate the support material; and at least partially curing the second layer such that the first layer and second layer together form the microfluidic architecture; wherein the support material undergoes a phase change during the process of forming the at least one channel. The phase change of the support material enables the material to be more easily disposed and/or removed after formation of the channel.

There is provided a method of making a fluidic system that comprises assembling a fluidic system comprising a first plate, a second plate and a membrane disposed between the first plate and the second plate; applying laser energy to the fluidic system to cause the first plate, the second plate and the membrane to melt at bonding areas; and allowing the bonding areas to cool down such that the first plate, the second plate and the membrane are bonded together.

A device for producing microstructures, particularly microneedles and more particularly microneedle arrays, including a female mold that has, on a top side, at least one in particular conical depressed portion for producing a microstructure. The female mold is, for example, in the form of a silicone cap and is connected to a hollow cylinder in particular via a holding element. A plunger is disposed movably inside the hollow cylinder.

A system for holding a workpiece in position and exposing it to laser radiation, such that: the workpiece includes a bottom surface and a top surface that are electrically insulated from each other. The system includes an electrostatic charge generating device for generating electrostatic charges on the top surface; an electrically conductive support for forming, on the bottom surface, electrostatic charges of opposite sign to those generated on the top surface; and a laser device for machining or welding. The electrostatic charge generating device is arranged to be activated before or during the laser machining or welding, such that the workpiece is held in position relative to the electrically conductive support during the machining or welding thereof.

A method of producing a microparticle includes providing a mould assembly, which comprises two moulds that comprise an upper mould and a lower mould, positioning the mould assembly in a closed position, wherein the two moulds define a micro-cavity to exert pressure on a moulding material within the micro-cavity to form the moulding material into a microparticle, and positioning the mould assembly in an open position, wherein the microparticle adheres to one of the two moulds of the mould assembly.

A thermoplastic resin is molded to define a container bearing a surface 2D code signal, such as a digital watermark pattern. In some arrangements, the mold dimensions are tailored, and process parameters are selected, so that an indentation in the mold gives rise to a corresponding indentation—rather than a corresponding protrusion—in the shaped plastic. In other arrangements, a metal mold is provided with a patterned resin on its surface to define the 2D code signal. The resin may take the form of a rigid or non-rigid insert that can be removed or re-worked to change the code signal without changing the metal mold. A variety of other improvements and arrangements are also detailed.

The present disclose provides methods for forming a microfluidic device. Methods for forming a microfluidic device may comprise providing a microfluidic structure and a film, treating a surface of the microfluidic structure, a surface of the film, or both with a solvent, subsequently pressing the microfluidic structure together with the film under a first heating condition to form the microfluidic device comprising the solvent, and applying a negative pressure to the microfluidic device under a second heating condition, which negative pressure is applied for a time period greater than 30 minutes or at a pressure less than 20 kilopascals (kPa) to remove at least a portion of the solvent. In some aspects, the present disclosure provides devices consistent with the methods herein.

A system, configured to facilitate processing and detection of nucleic acids, the system comprising a process fluid container and a cartridge comprising: a top layer, a set of sample port-reagent port pairs, a shared fluid port, a vent region, a heating region, and a set of detection chambers; an intermediate substrate, coupled to the top layer comprising a waste chamber; an elastomeric layer, partially situated on the intermediate substrate; and a set of fluidic pathways, each formed by at least a portion of the top layer and a portion of the elastomeric layer, wherein each fluidic pathway is fluidically coupled to a sample port-reagent port pair, the shared fluid port, and a detection chamber, comprises a portion passing through the heating region, and is configured to be occluded upon deformation of the elastomeric layer, to transfer a waste fluid to the waste chamber, and to pass through the vent region.

The present invention relates to a preparation method for a microneedle patch. Specifically, the present invention provides a preparation method for a microneedle patch, and the method comprises steps: (1) milling a base into a master mold of the microneedle patch; (2) conducting surface treatment on the master mold, to obtain the treated master mold; (3) conducting reverse molding on a surface of the treated master mold, conducting deaeration, curing, and demolding, to obtain the cured daughter mold; and (4) casting the modification solution on the surface of the daughter mold, and then conducting deaeration, drying and curing, to obtain the microneedle patch. The method for preparing the microneedle patch in the present invention can greatly reduce the milling difficulty, and save the milling cost and time. The microneedle molds with different aspect ratios, areas and shapes can also be prepared as required, following with reverse molding to diverse microneedle patches. Therefore, a feasible implementation scheme is provided in present invention for the production application of the microneedles and the feasibility of the wide application is greatly enhanced.