The invention relates to an apparatus for the inline trace analysis of a liquid, preferably of an aqueous process solution, comprising: a housing (1); a micro-channel (2) through which the liquid to be examined is allowed to flow and into which light of a light source (3) is coupled; a detector (4) for light emerging from the micro-channel (2); and a user interface (5) for monitoring and/or operating the apparatus. The micro-channel (2), the detector (4) and/or the user interface (5) are arranged in the housing (1) and/or are integrated into the housing (1), and the housing (1) has a connection (6) for feeding the liquid in the micro-channel (2) and a connection (7) for power supply of the apparatus.

The invention relates to an apparatus for the inline trace analysis of a liquid, preferably of an aqueous process solution, comprising: a housing (1); a micro-channel (2) through which the liquid to be examined is allowed to flow and into which light of a light source (3) is coupled; a detector (4) for light emerging from the micro-channel (2); and a user interface (5) for monitoring and/or operating the apparatus. The micro-channel (2), the detector (4) and/or the user interface (5) are arranged in the housing (1) and/or are integrated into the housing (1), and the housing (1) has a connection (6) for feeding the liquid in the micro-channel (2) and a connection (7) for power supply of the apparatus.

Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and techniques for optical detection of analytes (e.g., biomarkers or other objects) using a liquid-core waveguide in which the analytes are suspended in a high-index liquid inside a liquid channel of the waveguide. The term “high-index” may indicate a refractive core index of the carrier liquid that is higher than or equal to that of one or more surrounding cladding layer(s) (e.g., ethylene glycol liquid inside a glass channel). In some embodiments, a method includes illuminating, by a light-source, one or more particles in a liquid-core waveguide, wherein the liquid-core waveguide comprises a first cladding layer having a first index of a refraction, and a hollow core comprising a liquid inside the hollow core, wherein the liquid has a second index of refraction higher than the first index of refraction; and detecting, by a detector, light emitted from the one or more particles.

A structured substrate includes a substrate body having an active side. The substrate body includes reaction cavities that open along the active side and interstitial regions that separate the reaction cavities. The structured substrate includes an ensemble amplifier positioned within each of the reaction cavities. The ensemble amplifier includes a plurality of nanostructures configured to at least one of amplify electromagnetic energy that propagates into the corresponding reaction cavity or amplify electromagnetic energy that is generated within the corresponding reaction cavity.

The present disclosure describes a throughput-scalable image sensing system for analyzing biological or chemical samples is provided. The system includes a plurality of image sensors configured to detect at least a portion of light emitted as a result of analyzing the biological or chemical samples. The plurality of image sensors is arranged on a plurality of wafer-level packaged semiconductor dies of a single semiconductor wafer. Each image sensor of the plurality of image sensors is disposed on a separate packaged semiconductor die of the plurality of packaged semiconductor dies. Neighboring packaged semiconductor dies are separated by a dicing street; and the plurality of packaged semiconductor dies and a plurality of dicing streets are arranged such that the plurality of packaged semiconductor dies can be diced from the single semiconductor wafer as a group.

A seamless fumed silica monolithic integrating cavity device tailored to analyzing a flowed sample. The device is configured to facilitate optical measurements taken from a sample flowed through a cavity of the device. The cavity is defined by a fumed silica monolith with the added feature of a fused quartz lining on the surface of the monolith. This provides an intermediate surface that allows for cleaning and reuse of the highly effective diffuse light scattering fumed silica monolith. The lining may be placed under pressure or vacuum to structurally enhance mechanical integrity of the underlying monolith. Thus, continued or reliably repeated use of the device may be appreciated as well as use in more industrial environments that are prone to vibration. Additionally, while well suited for flow-based sample analysis, a valve of the cavity may be utilized for holding a sample in a temporarily static state for measurement.

A detection apparatus having a read head including a plurality of microfluorometers positioned to simultaneously acquire a plurality of the wide-field images in a common plane; and (b) a translation stage configured to move the read head along a substrate that is in the common plane. The substrate can be a flow cell that is included in a cartridge, the cartridge also including a housing for (i) a sample reservoir; (ii) a fluidic line between the sample reservoir and the flow cell; (iii) several reagent reservoirs in fluid communication with the flow cell, (iv) at least one valve configured to mediate fluid communication between the reservoirs and the flow cell; and (v) at least one pressure source configured to move liquids from the reservoirs to the flow cell. The detection apparatus and cartridge can be used together or independent of each other.

A microfluidic chip configuration wherein injection occurs in an upwards vertical direction, and fluid vessels are located below the chip in order to minimize particle settling before and at the analysis portion of the chip's channels. The input and fluid flow up through the bottom of the chip, in one aspect using a manifold, which avoids orthogonal re-orientation of fluid dynamics. The contents of the vial are located below the chip and pumped upwards and vertically directly into the first channel of the chip. A long channel extends from the bottom of the chip to near the top of the chip. Then the channel takes a short horizontal turn that nearly negates any influence of cell settling due to gravity and zero flow velocity at the walls. The fluid is pumped up to a horizontal analysis portion that is the highest channel/fluidic point in the chip and thus close to the top of the chip, which results in clearer imaging. A laser may also suspend cells or particles in this channel during analysis which prevents them from settling.

A microfluidic chip configuration wherein injection occurs in an upwards vertical direction, and fluid vessels are located below the chip in order to minimize particle settling before and at the analysis portion of the chip's channels. The input and fluid flow up through the bottom of the chip, in one aspect using a manifold, which avoids orthogonal re-orientation of fluid dynamics. The contents of the vial are located below the chip and pumped upwards and vertically directly into the first channel of the chip. A long channel extends from the bottom of the chip to near the top of the chip. Then the channel takes a short horizontal turn that nearly negates any influence of cell settling due to gravity and zero flow velocity at the walls. The fluid is pumped up to a horizontal analysis portion that is the highest channel/fluidic point in the chip and thus close to the top of the chip, which results in clearer imaging. A laser may also suspend cells or particles in this channel during analysis which prevents them from settling.

An integrated semiconductor device for manipulating and processing bio-entity samples and methods are described. The device includes a lower substrate, at least one optical signal conduit disposed on the lower substrate, at least one cap bonding pad disposed on the lower substrate, a cap configured to form a capped area, and disposed on the at least one cap bonding pad, a fluidic channel, wherein a first side of the fluidic channel is formed on the lower substrate and a second side of the fluidic channel is formed on the cap, a photosensor array coupled to sensor control circuitry, and logic circuitry coupled to the fluidic control circuitry, and the sensor control circuitry.