Abstract: In an example implementation, a reagent storage system for a microfluidic device includes a microfluidic chamber formed in a microfluidic device. A blister pack to store a reagent includes an electrically conductive membrane barrier adjacent to the chamber. A thinned region is formed in the membrane barrier, and a conductive trace is to supply electric current to heat and melt the thinned region. Melting the thinned region is to cause the membrane barrier to open and release the reagent into the chamber.

Abstract: A device enables a user to detect biomarkers, and includes an element that defines a multiplicity of microfluidic channels that communicate between an inlet duct and an outlet duct, the inlet duct communicating with an inlet port into which a user can introduce a drop of body fluid; the outlet duct communicating with an outlet port. A resilient bladder is connected to the outlet port to provide suction. Each microfluidic channel defines a reaction chamber containing a biomarker-sensitive reagent which provides a color or a change of color in the presence of a biomarker, there being a multiplicity of different biomarker-sensitive reagents, one such biomarker-sensitive reagent being provided in each of the multiplicity of different microfluidic channels. At least part of the element is transparent so the color within the reaction chamber can be seen. The device includes a cover with magnifying lenses above the reaction chambers. The device may be used in conjunction with a smart phone.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method of forming, including a supporting structure, a sensor on the supporting structure, a pair of columns on the supporting structure at opposite sides of the sensor, the pair of columns having a column height relative to a top surface of the supporting structure, the column height being higher than a height of the active surface of the sensor relative to the top surface of the supporting structure, and a lidding layer on the pair of columns and over the active surface, the lidding layer being supported at opposite ends by the pair of columns. The active surface of the sensor, the lidding layer and the pair of columns form an opening above at least more than about half of the active surface of the sensor, and the supporting structure, the sensor, the lidding layer and the pair of columns together form a flow cell.

Abstract: A system for testing for an analyte includes a test strip. The test strip includes a first flow path. The test strip further includes a heating element in communication with a heating area of the first flow path, for heating a sample in the first flow path. The test strip further includes an e-gate, the e-gate in the first flow path, the e-gate separating the heating area from a detection area of the first flow path.

Abstract: Provided is a specimen collection tip having a novel structure, with which it is possible to collect a trace amount of a specimen with good quantitative precision. Also provided is a specimen preparation container having a novel structure, with which it is possible to dilute and prepare the specimen collected with the specimen collection tip with good quantitative precision. A specimen collection tip 10, wherein a specimen holding region 12 having a predetermined volume is provided inside the specimen collection tip 10, and in a distal end portion extending from a support part 15, there is formed a specimen collection hole 22 and an air vent hole 24 placing the specimen holding region 12 in communication with a surface 23. Also, a specimen preparation container 26 with a cap 30, wherein the specimen collection tip 10 is attached to the cap 30 at the support part 15.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a rotating capillary chamber. In one example, a system comprises a rotating capillary chamber arranged in a body of a fluid collection device, wherein the capillary chamber may rotate between two or more positions.

Abstract: A flow cell having at least one reservoir region containing a liquid reagent. The reservoir region is delimited by a carrier element introduced into an opening in the flow cell together with the reagent, wherein the carrier element seals off the reservoir region from the outside in a fluid-tight manner, and has a vessel and/or capillary structure holding the liquid reagent on the carrier element.

Abstract: A lateral flow testing device includes a main body adapted to support an element for collecting a sample. The element is supported at a distal end of the testing device and is in fluid communication with one or more testing components having an analyte detection zone for detecting one or more analytes present in said sample. The testing components produce visual information related to said sample, thereby informing the user of the outcome of a test. The device incorporates a handle reconfigurable with respect to said main body such that in a first handle configuration, the handle hinders sight of the visual information to improve privacy of the test, and in a second handle configuration, the handle facilitates the collection of said sample by increasing a distance between a proximal end of the testing device and the element.

Abstract: A device for taking and optionally processing a sample, includes (i) a housing containing a porous matrix that can receive the sample, (ii) a stopper that can be connected to the housing in a tight manner and including a piston that ensures the tight closing of the housing, compressing the porous matrix or the sample, and (iii) a storage receptacle that can be connected to the housing, can receive the sample that has passed through the porous matrix, and includes at least one conduit connecting the inside of the receptacle to the outside, once the porous matrix or the sample is compressed. The device also includes a seal between the stopper and the storage receptacle. The stopper closes the storage receptacle in a tight manner when the stopper and the storage receptacle are connected to the housing.

Abstract: Fabricating a fluid testing device includes receiving a substrate, and applying a pattern of hydrophobic material to the substrate. The substrate is positioned between layers of a thermally reflective material. Heat and pressure is applied to the substrate and thermally reflective material to reflow the pattern of hydrophobic material. A protective coating is applied over a portion of the substrate to form the fluid testing device.

Abstract: A sensor system includes an assay chamber configured to receive a fluid sample. Dispense chemistry disposed within the assay chamber. A first electrode structure includes at least one conductive element and a second electrode structure proximate to the first electrode structure is configured to transmit an electrical signal through the fluid sample. The first electrode structure is configured to receive the electrical signal transmitted through the fluid sample and responsively generate a sense signal. The sense signal being indicative of an interaction of the fluid sample with the dispense chemistry. A controller is electrically coupled to the first electrode structure and configured to identify at least one analyte in the fluid sample based on at least the sense signal generated by the first electrode structure. The first electrode structure is embedded within a base substrate and the second electrode structure is embedded within a microfluidic cap that is coupled to the base substrate.

Abstract: A system for and methods of analyzing a test sample through the use of a rotary apparatus that includes a microfluidic paper-based apparatus (mPAD). The apparatus includes two or more layers that are rotatable with respect to one another. A middle layer may comprise a microfluidic apparatus having one or more reagent channels. Each of the reagent channels may include reagent dried on the surface of the channel, and, together with an absorption pad, may be aligned vertically with a sample chamber. Male and female engagement surfaces on each of the middle layer, the top layer, and the bottom layer interlock to secure each layers in vertical alignment so that fluid flows through the apparatus to contact a test sample with a reagent and facilitate detection of a target analyte in the test sample in the sample chamber.

Abstract: A sample carrier device including a single substrate, a penetration structure and a fixing structure is provided. The penetration structure is formed on a side of the substrate. The penetration structure has a fluid passage. The fixing structure is formed on a side of the penetration structure. The sample carrier device is divided into an end portion, an observation portion and an operation portion. The user can separate the observation portion from the end portion by operating the operation portion. After the observation portion is separated from the end portion, the user can inject the sample into the fluid passage through a port of the fluid passage exposed to the observation portion. Once the sample is carried by the fluid passage of the observation portion, the user can seal the port of the fluid passage and place the observation portion in an electron microscope device.

Abstract: A sensor cartridge contains a porous matrix for passing analyte molecules of a liquid sample. A porous collection disk supports the matrix and closes a lower end of a wall of the cartridge. The collection disk being sandwiched between the lower end and a base cap. An air channel extends between a first air opening at a top end of the cartridge and a second air opening positioned above the collection disk and opposite a base cap air opening. The collection disk is between the second air opening and the base cap air opening. At least one of the first air openings and the base cap air opening comprises a connection to a supra-atmospheric or subatmospheric pressure air source. The second air opening and the base cap air opening guide an air flow to provide evaporation and analyze concentration at specific locations of the collection disk, thereby improving detection limits.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides, in part, a microfluidic apparatus for detecting target molecules. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a protein microarray-integrated microfluidic system for detecting target molecules.

Abstract: An automated pre-analytical processing method and an apparatus for pre-analytical processing of samples to be forwarded to an adjacent analyzer for analysis. Rack label information is read and communicated to a processor. From the rack label information, the processor determines where to route the rack. The pre-analytical system has a rack robot that conveys racks to discrete locations depending upon the routing information assigned to the rack by the processor. The pre-analytical system has an automated station that reads the labels of individual sample containers in the rack that are brought to the automated station on instructions from the processor. Depending on the type of sample container and the type of sample disposed therein, the samples are either prepared for analysis by the automated station or the sample containers are directly passed through the automated station. Prepared samples and passed through samples are passed individually to a batching rack.

Abstract: Devices (dot blot boxes) for use in immunoblotting are described. The dot blot boxes can include a series of hooks, clips or the like on opposite sides of a container for retaining a test strip there between. The dot blot boxes can be sized to retain a plurality of test strips generally parallel to one another such that they do not contact one another and do not contact the base of the container. A container can hold a fluid, e.g., a blocking buffer solution or antibody solution, and the test strips can be submerged in the fluid while retained in the container.

Abstract: A single-channel, chemical-immunological hybrid biosensor is disclosed. According to an embodiment, the hybrid biosensor includes a reaction strip 100 in the form of a porous membrane through which a sample 1 moves by capillary action. the reaction strip 100 is in the form of a porous membrane through which the sample 1 moves by capillary action. Biomarkers in the sample 1 are independently detected based on a chemical reaction and binding reactions on the reaction strip 100.

Abstract: A capillary connection unit for analysis devices and medical devices includes a capillary having at least one end section and a free end, at least one connection element arranged on the end section of the capillary, wherein the connection element has an axial guide-through for the capillary, a sealing element surrounding the capillary, and a metal sleeve element which radially externally surrounds the sealing element and which has a first end facing the connection element and a receiving region facing away from the connection element, wherein the connection element is configured to be detachably connected to a counter element and to exert an axial thrust force onto the sealing element.

Abstract: Devices, kits, and methods for dispensing at least two liquid reagents for use in analyte(s) detection assays are disclosed.