The disclosed microfluidic valves may include a valve body having at least one cavity therein, a gate transmission element separating the cavity into an input gate terminal and an output gate terminal, a gate port configured to convey drive fluid into the input gate terminal, and a fluid channel. The gate transmission element may include a flexible membrane and a plunger coupled to the flexible membrane. The gate transmission element may be configured to move within the cavity to inhibit a subject fluid flow from an inlet port to an outlet port of the fluid channel upon pressurization of the input gate terminal, and to allow subject fluid flow from the inlet port to the outlet port upon depressurization of the input gate terminal. Various other related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Systems and methods for conducting designated reactions utilizing a base instrument and a removable cartridge. The removable cartridge includes a fluidic network that receives and fluidically directs a biological sample to conduct the designated reactions. The removable cartridge also includes a flow-control valve that is operably coupled to the fluidic network and is movable relative to the fluidic network to control flow of the biological sample therethrough. The removable cartridge is configured to separably engage a base instrument. The base instrument includes a valve actuator that engages the flow-control valve of the removable cartridge. A detection assembly held by at least one of the removable cartridge or the base instrument may be used to detect the designated reactions.

Function fabrication in a microfluidic device manufactured with a custom 3D printer. The functions may include, for example, transporting or routing fluid, fluid mixing through flow and/or diffusion, blocking fluid (valve), pumping fluid, providing chemical reaction regions, providing analyte capture regions, and providing analyte separation regions. The fluid may be a liquid or a gas.

The present invention aims to provide a fluid handling device which can be manufactured more conveniently, can easily open and close a channel, and can be miniaturized. The fluid handling device of the present invention includes: a first channel; a second channel; and a valve disposed between the first channel and the second channel, in which the valve includes: a groove-shaped valve seat disposed in a board, and a flat plate-shaped flexible layer covering the groove-shaped valve seat, and the valve communicates between the first channel and the second channel when the flat plate-shaped flexible layer and a bottom of the groove-shaped valve seat are spaced apart from each other, and blocks communication between the first channel and the second channel when the flat plate-shaped flexible layer and an inner wall of the groove-shaped valve seat are in contact with each other.

A fluidic valve may include an inlet, a control port, an additional control port, an outlet, a fluid channel configured to convey fluid from the inlet to the outlet, and a piston that includes (1) a restricting gate transmission element configured to block, when the piston is in a first position, the fluid channel and unblock, when the piston is in a second position, the fluid channel, (2) a controlling gate transmission element configured to interface with a control pressure from the control port that forces the piston towards the first position when applied to the controlling gate transmission element, and (3) an additional controlling gate transmission element configured to interface with an additional control pressure from the additional control port that forces the piston towards the second position when applied to the additional controlling gate transmission element. Various other related devices, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

Systems and methods for conducting designated reactions utilizing a base instrument and a removable cartridge. The removable cartridge includes a fluidic network that receives and fluidically directs a biological sample to conduct the designated reactions. The removable cartridge also includes a flow-control valve that is operably coupled to the fluidic network and is movable relative to the fluidic network to control flow of the biological sample therethrough. The removable cartridge is configured to separably engage a base instrument. The base instrument includes a valve actuator that engages the flow-control valve of the removable cartridge. A detection assembly held by at least one of the removable cartridge or the base instrument may be used to detect the designated reactions.

The microfluidic devices and systems disclosed herein reduce sample loss and help decrease sample processing bottlenecks for applications such as next generation sequencing (NGS). The microfluidic devices include a plurality of reaction modules. Each reaction module may comprise one or more reaction circuits. Each reaction circuit may comprise a single reaction flow channel with each reaction circuit connected by a bridge flow channel. Alternatively, each reaction circuit may comprise two or more reaction flow channels connected by two or more bridge flow channels. The combination of any two bridge flow channels and a portion of the two or more reaction flow channels between the any two bridge flow channels defining may define the reaction circuit. The reaction module may be arranged as nodes connected by bridge flow channels or each reaction module may be arranged in a parallel fashion on the microfluidic device.

The present disclosure relates to method, system for microfluidic control. One or more embodiments of the disclosure relate to pneumatically actuated “lifting gate” microvalves and pumps. In some embodiments, a microfluidic control module is provided, which comprises a plurality of pneumatic channels and a plurality of lifting gate valves configured to be detachably affixed to a substrate. The plurality of lifting gate valves are aligned with at least one fluidic channel on the substrate when affixed to the substrate. Each of the valves comprises: a pneumatic layer, a fluidic layer, and a pneumatic displacement chamber between the pneumatic layer and the fluidic layer. The fluidic layer has a first side facing the pneumatic layer and a second side facing away from the pneumatic layer, wherein the second side has a protruding gate configured to obstruct a flow of the fluidic channel when the fluidic layer is at a resting state.

The invention generally provides a sieve valve including: a substrate defining a channel; a flexible membrane adapted and configured for deployment at an intersection with the channel; and one or more protrusions extending into the channel from the substrate or the flexible membrane. The one or more protrusions define a plurality of recesses extending beyond the intersection between the channel and the flexible membrane; A microfluidic circuit including one or more sieve valves. In particular embodiments, the circuit comprises one or more input/output valves. The one or one or more input/output valves can include one or more input valves and one or more output valves. The microfluidic circuit can further include a mixing circuit. At least one of the sieve valves can be positioned between the one or more input/output valves and the mixing circuit. The invention further provides methods of using the device for the analysis of samples comprising cells.

Microfluidic oscillator circuits and pumps for microfluidic devices are provided. The microfluidic pump may include a plurality of fluid valves and a microfluidic oscillator circuit having an oscillation frequency. The fluid valves may be configured to move fluids. Each fluid valve may be connected to a node of the microfluidic oscillator circuit. The pumps may be driven by the oscillator circuits such that fluid movement is accomplished entirely by circuits on a microfluidic chip, without the need for off-chip controls.