Abstract: A biological fluids concentration device, including a tube-in-tube assembly, is disclosed. The tube-in-tube assembly receives biologic fluids and may then be placed in the bucket of a centrifuge and spun to separate out the components of the biological fluid by their various densities. For example, whole blood may be centrifuged in the tube-in-tube assembly for separating into plasma, red blood cell component, and a buffy coat. A piston slideably and sealingly engages an inner tube of the tube-in-tube assembly, the inner tube fitting within an outer tube. A lid is designed to engage the top of the outer tube, which lid has an opening therein for receipt of a plunger. The plunger is adapted to move up and down with respect to the lid and the tubes, so as to sealingly, in a down position, and unsealingly, in an open position, engage the top of the inner tube of the tube-in-tube assembly.

Abstract: Microfluidic probe head for processing a sequence of separate liquid volumes separated by spacers. The microfluidic probe head includes: an inlet, an outlet, a first fluid channel and a second fluid channel and a fluid bypass connecting the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel. The first fluid channel delivers the sequence of separate liquid volumes from the inlet toward a deposition area, the fluid bypass allows the spacers to be removed from the first fluid channel obtaining a free sequence of separate liquid volumes without spacers, the first fluid channel delivers the free sequence of separate liquid volumes to the deposition area, and the second fluid channel delivers the removed spacers from the fluid bypass to the outlet. The present invention also provides a microfluidic probe and method for processing a sequence of separate liquid volumes.

Abstract: Methods of removing bubbles from a microfluidic device are described where the flow is not stopped. Methods are described that combine pressure and flow to remove bubbles from a microfluidic device. Bubbles can be removed even where the device is made of a polymer that is largely gas impermeable.

Abstract: A method for forming a microchannel or microfluidic reservoir is described. Methods provided herein include applying a covering over a recess formed in a substrate and bonding the covering to the substrate along seams. Methods provided herein use a substrate having elevated edge regions bordering the recess that project from the surface of the substrate. Bonding seams nm a distance from the elevated edge regions of the recess such that the covering and the elevated edge regions are pressed against each other. Devices for bonding substrates and coverings to make microchannels and microfluidic reservoirs are also provided herein. Devices provided herein can include pressing elements for holding the substrate and the covering together. Pressing elements provided herein can include recesses and/or elastic layers positioned opposite to one or more recesses in a substrate.

Abstract: Provided in part herein are multiple-tube devices that contain a region of reduced wall thickness, which devices facilitate biological fluid processing and analysis. Also provided in part herein are methods of manufacturing and using such devices.

Abstract: Described is a microfluidic serial dilution platform based well-plate using an oil-free immiscible phase driven by manual or electronic pipettors. The well-plate includes a plurality of fluidic traps, a plurality of hydrophilic capillary constriction channels and a plurality of bypass channels. Each of the plurality of bypass channels is associated with one of the plurality of fluidic traps, each of the plurality of hydrophilic capillary constriction channels is associated with one of the plurality of fluidic traps, and each of the plurality of fluidic traps is associated with one of the plurality of bypass channels and one of the plurality of hydrophilic capillary constriction channels. The well-plate further includes an inlet, an outlet, and a main channel with a plurality of portions that connects the inlet to the plurality of fluidic traps, associated hydrophilic capillary constriction channels and associated bypass channels, and the outlet.

Abstract: Methods for making particles, such as nanoparticles, devices useful in the methods, and particles made by the method are described herein. The methods involves the use of microfluidic device, such that upon mixing solutions of the materials to form the particles (or a solution of the material or materials to form the particles and a non-solvent for the material or materials) at least two symmetrical microvortices are formed simultaneously. The method can be used to prepare polymeric or non-polymeric particles and hybrid particles, such as lipid-polymer hybrid particles, as well as such particles containing one or more agents associated with the particles.

Abstract: There is provided a master for micro flow path creation, a transfer copy, and a method for producing a master for micro flow path creation by which transfer copies having an area with high hydrophilicity can be easily mass-produced, the master for micro flow path creation including: a base material; a main concave-convex portion provided on a surface of the base material and extending in a planar direction of the base material; and a fine concave-convex portion provided on a surface of the main concave-convex portion and having a narrower pitch than the main concave-convex portion. The fine concave-convex portion has an arithmetic average roughness of 10 nm to 150 nm and has a specific surface area ratio of 1.1 to 3.0.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a device for electronically monitoring the consumption of gas adsorbent media in a media bed includes forming a monitoring rod of a corrosion resistant material. A plurality of sensors are attached to an exterior surface of the monitoring rod, and a communication channel is routed between each sensor and the connecting rod.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system and process for fluid delivery is provided that is useful in in flow-injection based sensing measurements, wherein samples from a sample rack are introduced into a flow cell where sensing measurements are taken. The system and process utilize at least two holding lines where each holding line can retain one of the samples prior to injection of the thus retained sample into a flow cell. The introduction of the samples from the sample racks to the holding lines is alternated and the injection of the samples from the holding lines to the flow cell are alternated so that one holding line is loaded with one of the samples simultaneously with another sample being injected from the another holding line to the flow cell.

Abstract: A method of detecting at least a partial blockage in a porous member separating an inner chamber of a device having a gas sensor responsive to an analyte positioned within the inner chamber and an ambient environment includes emitting pressure waves within the inner chamber and measuring a change in phase of a response via a sensor responsive to pressure waves.

Abstract: A method of detecting at least a partial blockage in a porous member separating an inner chamber of a device having a gas sensor responsive to an analyte positioned within the inner chamber and an ambient environment includes emitting pressure waves within the inner chamber and measuring a response via a sensor responsive to pressure waves positioned within the inner chamber.

Abstract: A Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) biosensor system comprising: a SPR sensor surface, an illumination unit arranged to direct a wedge shaped beam of light at a line shaped detection area on the SPR sensor surface transverse to the direction of propagation of light, and a detection unit with detection optics for directing light reflected from the SPR sensor surface onto a two-dimensional optical detector unit such that the angle of reflection is imaged along one dimension and the width of the detection area along the other, wherein the illumination unit is arranged to selectively direct the wedge shaped beam of light at two or more spaced apart line shaped detection areas on the SPR sensor surface transverse to the direction of propagation of light.

Abstract: A multi-fluid test strip may include a first zone to test a first fluid, a second zone to test a second fluid, and a third zone intermediate the first zone and the second zone. The third zone may prevent cross-contamination of the first fluid with the second zone and prevent cross-contamination of the second fluid with the first zone. The multi-fluid test strip may also include a first grip zone and a second grip zone. The first zone may be intermediate the first grip zone and the third zone and the second zone may be intermediate the second grip zone and the third zone. The first grip and second grip zones may be dimensioned to permit gripping of the first and second grip zones without touching the first or second zones.

Abstract: In a liquid stirring method, after a second liquid is discharged into a reaction container accommodating a first liquid from a dispensing probe provided with a dispensing tip at the leading end thereof, a mixture of the first liquid and second liquid in the container is stirred by being sucked out and discharged by the dispensing probe. The number of stirrings through sucking out and discharging is changed according to the total volume of the first liquid and second liquid. If the total volume of the first liquid and second liquid is below a preset threshold, sucking out and discharging is repeated for a prescribed number of times.

Abstract: A microfluidic device including a serum separator, a quantum dot and antibody inlet connected to the serum separator, a quantum dot linked immunosorbent assay (QLISA) chamber connected to the serum separator, and an outlet connected to the QLISA chamber. The microfluidic device is configured to determine an amount of drug in a serum.

Abstract: Provided herein is a single-walled pipette tip rack comprising buttresses for use in automated systems, in some embodiments. Also provided herein is a partial single-walled pipette tip rack comprising posts.

Abstract: Methods and devices for concentrating target cells using dielectrophoresis (DEP) are disclosed. The method allows relatively high throughput of sample through a microfluidic device in order to allow rapid capture of target cells even when they are present in low concentrations within the sample. The method utilizes multiple chambers through which samples will flow, the chambers arranged such that the first capture area has a larger area and faster flow rate than a second chamber, the second chamber being positioned downstream of the first capture area and being smaller with a slower flow rate to further concentrate the material captured in the first capture area.

Abstract: A microfluidic system is configured for enhanced temperature control by combining spatial and temporal temperature control. The microfluidic system includes an electro-wetting on dielectric (EWOD) device comprising an element array configured to receive one or more liquid droplets, the element array comprising a plurality of individual array elements; a control system configured to control actuation voltages applied to the element array to perform manipulation operations of the liquid droplets; and a plurality of thermal control elements located at different spatial locations along the EWOD device, at least one of the thermal control elements being variable in temperature with respect to time. The control system includes a thermal control unit configured to control temperatures of the thermal control elements to generate a plurality of thermal zones located at different spatial locations along the EWOD device, at least one of the thermal zones being variable in temperature with respect to time.

Abstract: Provided in part herein are multiple-tube devices that contain a region of reduced wall thickness, which devices facilitate biological fluid processing and analysis. Also provided in part herein are methods of manufacturing and using such devices.