Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of colony picking. The method includes the steps of mixing a bacterial suspension with an oil-based carrier liquid for generating a plurality of droplets comprising bacteria contained in the bacterial suspension and incubating the plurality of droplets for a predetermined period of time to allow growth of bacteria within the plurality of droplets. The method further includes the steps of screening each of the plurality of droplets that flows through one or more microfluidic channels of a microfluidic device to determine an opacity degree of each of the plurality of droplets, wherein the opacity degree is indicative of colony formation in the plurality of droplets, and sorting the plurality of droplets based on the opacity degree of each of the plurality of droplets.

Abstract: A microfluidic chip is disclosed herein. In a specific embodiment, the microfluidic chip comprises at least one microfluidic reservoir having a wall portion and a heat transfer sealing layer cooperating with the wall portion for receiving a sample to be tested. The heat transfer sealing layer is arranged to be contiguous with the sample to be tested. The microfluidic chip further comprises an active temperature control device arranged to provide structural support to the heat transfer sealing layer and operable to control a temperature of the sample via transmission of heat through the heat transfer sealing layer. A detection module is also disclosed.

Abstract: A layered dressing includes: a permeable wound contact layer for placing in contact with a wound; a breathable barrier layer; a biosensor sensing array configured to detect one or more markers in wound fluid; and a fluid collection layer disposed between the wound contact layer and breathable barrier layer and configured to deliver wound fluid by capillary action from a wound in contact with the wound contact layer to the biosensor sensing array.

Abstract: A soft, flexible microtube sensor and associated method of sensing force are described. A liquid metallic alloy is sealed within a microtube as thin as a strand of human hair to form the physical force sensing mechanism. The sensor is hardly distinguishable with the naked eye, and can be used for the continuous biomonitoring of physiological signals, such as unobtrusive pulse monitoring. Also described is a method of fabricating the microtube sensor and wearable devices incorporating one or more microtube sensors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexible polymer-based microtube having an inner diameter of about 4 ?m to about 1000 ?m and a variable outer diameter, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the microtube can be, for instance, circular, rectangular, square, triangular, elliptical, star or irregular. The present invention also relates to a method of making the flexible microtube and devices incorporating the flexible microtube.

Abstract: A system for intra-operative blood salvage autotransfusion is provided. The system comprises at least one inlet configured to receive whole blood of a patient; at least one curvilinear microchannel in fluid flow connection with the at least one inlet, the at least one curvilinear microchannel being adapted to isolate circulating tumor cells in the whole blood, based on cell size, along at least one portion of a cross-section of the at least one curvilinear microchannel; and at least two outlets in fluid flow connection with the at least one curvilinear microchannel, at least one outlet of the at least two outlets being configured to flow the circulating tumor cells isolated from the whole blood, and at least one other outlet of the at least two outlets being configured to flow at least a portion of a remainder of the whole blood, cleansed of the isolated circulating tumor cells, for return to the patient.

Abstract: A soft, flexible microtube sensor and associated method of sensing force are described. A liquid metallic alloy is sealed within a microtube as thin as a strand of human hair to form the physical force sensing mechanism. The sensor is hardly distinguishable with the naked eye, and can be used for the continuous biomonitoring of physiological signals, such as unobtrusive pulse monitoring. Also described is a method of fabricating the microtube sensor and wearable devices incorporating one or more microtube sensors.

Abstract: A resistive microfluidic pressure sensor is provided which comprises a first layer comprising a microfluidic channel with a carbon-based conductive liquid and a second layer comprising at least two electrodes, the at least two electrodes being adapted to measure resistance of the carbon-based conductive liquid upon deformation of the microfluidic channel as a result of a change in force applied on a surface of the sensor.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to the enrichment and expansion of rare cells in blood such as circulating tumor cells (CTCs), cancer stem cells [CSCs] and other rare circulating cells. The microwells promote interactions between patient-derived CTCs and blood cells, allowing expansion of CTCs without the need for pre-enrichment or additional growth supplements. The cultured cells can be selected for propagation from single cells and have utility in drug screening, diagnostics and prognostics. The disclosure also includes a system comprising a cell enrichment device for enriching CTCs and CSCs and a device adapted to co-operate with the cell enrichment device to allow the testing of one or more agents, for example therapeutic or diagnostic agents.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and device for detecting and quantifying biological molecules such as cell surface or intracellular ligands/receptors in a dynamic system with high sensitivity and specificity; the method of using such platform optionally in combination with an optical detection system and kits comprising the optical platform.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexible polymer-based microtube having an inner diameter of about 4 ?m to about 1000 ?m and a variable outer diameter, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the microtube can be, for instance, circular, rectangular, square, triangular, elliptical, star or irregular. The present invention also relates to a method of making the flexible microtube and devices incorporating the flexible microtube.

Abstract: A resistive microfluidic pressure sensor is provided which comprises a first layer comprising a microfluidic channel with a carbon-based conductive liquid and a second layer comprising at least two electrodes, the at least two electrodes being adapted to measure resistance of the carbon-based conductive liquid upon deformation of the microfluidic channel as a result of a change in force applied on a surface of the sensor.

Abstract: A system for intra-operative blood salvage autotransfusion is provided. The system comprises at least one inlet configured to receive whole blood of a patient; at least one curvilinear microchannel in fluid flow connection with the at least one inlet, the at least one curvilinear microchannel being adapted to isolate circulating tumor cells in the whole blood, based on cell size, along at least one portion of a cross-section of the at least one curvilinear microchannel; and at least two outlets in fluid flow connection with the at least one curvilinear microchannel, at least one outlet of the at least two outlets being configured to flow the circulating tumor cells isolated from the whole blood, and at least one other outlet of the at least two outlets being configured to flow at least a portion of a remainder of the whole blood, cleansed of the isolated circulating tumor cells, for return to the patient.

Abstract: A method of detecting one or more diseased blood cells in a blood sample includes introducing a blood sample into at least one inlet of a microfluidic device comprising one or more linear channels wherein each channel has a length and a cross-section of a height and a width defining an aspect ratio adapted to isolate diseased blood cells along at least one portion of the cross-section of the channel based on reduced deformability of diseased blood cells as compared to non-diseased blood cells, wherein diseased blood cells flow along a first portion of the channel to a first outlet and non-diseased blood cells flow along a second portion of the channel to a second outlet. The one or more channels can be adapted to isolate cells along portions of the cross-section of the channel based on cell size. In some embodiments, the one or more channels can be spiral channels.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and device for detecting and quantifying biological molecules such as cell surface or intracellular ligands/receptors in a dynamic system with high sensitivity and specificity; the method of using such platform optionally in combination with an optical detection system and kits comprising the optical platform.

Abstract: A micro-fluidic device operable to isolate target cells from a biological fluid comprises: an inlet operable to receive the biological fluid, the biological fluid comprising target cells and other components; a waste outlet operable to receive at least the other components of the biological fluid; a plurality of parallel arrays of cell isolation wells coupling the inlet with the waste outlet, each parallel array of cell isolation wells supporting a flow of the biological fluid from the inlet to the waste outlet in response to a pressure differential thereacross, each array of cell isolation wells comprising a plurality isolation wells, each isolation well being dimensioned to mechanically trap the target cells therein whilst permitting flow of other components of the biological fluid; and at least one pressure maintenance structure operable to assist in maintaining a predetermined pressure differential across each of the plurality of parallel arrays of cell isolation wells.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a microfluidic device for isolating cells from a biological fluid. The device comprises an inlet receiving the biological fluid flowed into the device, and at least one array of a plurality of isolation wells receiving the biological fluid from the inlet. At least one isolation well of the plurality of isolation wells comprises a cell trap of a size and shape suitable to mechanically isolate a cell within the cell trap. The cell trap comprises at least one gap of a size and shape suitable to prevent passage of the cells to be isolated but to permit passage of other components of the biological fluid through the cell trap.

Abstract: A method of detecting one or more diseased blood cells in a blood sample includes introducing a blood sample into at least one inlet of a microfluidic device comprising one or more linear channels wherein each channel has a length and a cross-section of a height and a width defining an aspect ratio adapted to isolate diseased blood cells along at least one portion of the cross-section of the channel based on reduced deformability of diseased blood cells as compared to non-diseased blood cells, wherein diseased blood cells flow along a first portion of the channel to a first outlet and non-diseased blood cells flow along a second portion of the channel to a second outlet. The one or more channels can be adapted to isolate cells along portions of the cross-section of the channel based on cell size. In some embodiments, the one or more channels can be spiral channels.

Abstract: A process for carrying out hematoxylin and eosin staining in a microfluidic device is described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite comprising a semi-permeable barrier layer that is permeable to oxygen and impermeable to moisture; and a scaffold fiber layer formed by electrospinning fibers on one side of the barrier layer.