Abstract: Devices and methods for carrying out a chemical or biochemical protocol are disclosed. In one embodiment, the chemical or biochemical protocol is performed by cycling at least one thermal transfer member between at least two temperatures while liquid samples on which the chemical or biochemical protocol is to be performed are continuously moving through at least one temperature regulated zone upon which the at least one thermal transfer member acts. In some embodiments, the device comprises a sample transport member that comprises liquid samples in sample receiving regions. The sample transport member moves the samples continuously through a temperature regulated zone which cycles between at least two temperatures while the liquid samples are moving through a temperature regulated zone on which at least one thermal transfer member acts. In some embodiments, the sample receiving regions comprise wells, hydrophillic films or hydrophillic filaments.

Abstract: The invention relates to hydraulic device produced from one or several components, for example from a support comprising: an operative cavity, at least two ducts, for example an inlet and outlet for a liquid of interest which communicate with said operative cavity, at least two valve bodies with no moving pieces for control of said cavity. The above is characterised in that said device further comprises two trapping chambers for a gas, for example, air, in communication only and respectively with two ducts, by means of two connecting channels respectively, both pertaining to thermal exchange with a heat source.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for reversibly displacing at least one volume of liquid (10) under the effect of an electrical control, comprising first electrically conductive means (8), second electrically conductive means (4), and means for inducing a reversible displacement of a volume of liquid, from the first to the second electrically conductive means, without contact with said conductive means during the displacement.

Abstract: The invention involves a microsystem which can be used in particular for making microswitches or microvalves, composed of a substrate (50) and used for shifting between a first state of functioning and a second state of functioning by means of a bimetal-effect thermal sensor. The sensor includes a deformable element (51) attached, at opposite ends, to the substrate (50) so that there is a natural deflection without stress with respect to a surface of the substrate opposite it, this natural deflection determining the first state of functioning, the second state of functioning being caused by the thermal sensor which, under the influence of temperature variation, induces a deformation of the deformable element (51) which diminishes the deflection by subjecting it to a compressive force which shifts it in a direction opposite to its natural deflection by buckling.

Abstract: The recess (12) between the main connecting part (8) and a collar (9) contains a toroidal or otherwise shaped sealing ring or joint (3) and the end of a tube (1) incorporating an outer flange (2), whose thickness becomes zero at the crushing bulge (4) of the sealing ring (3). An excellent seal is ensured at this location, even for pressurized fluids, and the assembly can easily be dismantled.

Abstract: The invention concerns a microsystem, in particular for producing microswitches or microvalves, constituted on a substrate (50) and used for producing a shift between a first operating state and a second operating state by means of a heat actuated device with bi-metal switch effect. The heat-actuated device comprises a deformable element (51) connected, by opposite ends, to the substrate (50) so as to present naturally a deflection without stress relative to the substrate surface which faces it, said natural deflection determining the first operating state, the second operating state being produced by the heat-actuated device which induces, by the effect of temperature variation, a deformation of the deformable element (51) tending to reduce its deflection and submitting it to a compressive stress by buckling effect in a direction opposite to its natural deflection.

Abstract: The device enables a second drop to be mixed in a first drop deposited on an electrically insulating layer of an analysis support, in a viscous liquid environment and to mix the resulting drop. The device comprises at least one injector forming the second drop above the first drop. After formation of the second drop, a voltage impulse is applied between a first electrode, arranged under the electrically insulating layer of the analysis support, underneath the first drop, and a second electrode arranged near the outlet orifice of the injector. The voltage impulse fosters the coalescence phenomenon between the two drops, while preventing risks of contamination of the injector by the reagent of the first drop.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device (1) for the tight and reversible connection of at least one capillary (13) to a micro-fluidic component (2). The device comprises a rigid part (11) comprising means of positioning the capillary (13) so that it can be connected to the micro-fluidic component (2), means for attaching and positioning the rigid part with respect to the micro-fluidic component, a flexible seal (16) placed between the rigid part (11) and the micro-fluidic component (2) and through which the capillary (13) passes, the flexible seal (16) and the rigid part (11) making the tightness of the connection when the rigid part (11) is pressed by the attachment means onto the micro-fluidic component (2).

Abstract: This invention relates to a microfluidic device for the manipulation of a non-magnetic liquid, comprising at least one cell comprising:

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for ejection of liquid drops comprising: a non-deformable body (28) provided with a cavity, filled with the said liquid (20) and at least one output orifice (19) for this liquid; means of transmitting a sufficiently large pulse to the liquid to cause ejection of at least one drop (26); these means include means (23) of striking a wall (30) of the said body (28).

Abstract: The invention concerns the performing, in continuous flow, of a biological, chemical or biochemical protocol on substances to be analysed, comprising several steps which consists in: in causing a mobile analysis support (11) comprising means (12) for receiving substances to be analysed and reagents to move past; implementing the steps of the protocol on the substances as the mobile analysis support (11) moves past.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for distribution of at least one liquid product, the device comprising at least one injection tube (2) supplied by a liquid product and being provided with an outlet orifice (4) capable of cooperating with an inlet orifice (12) of a reception tube (10) for reception of each liquid product. According to the invention, the outlet orifice (4) of each injection tube (2) and the inlet orifice (12) of the reception tube (10) open up into a sealed reservoir (6) full of an immiscible liquid (8), the outlet orifice (4) of each injection tube (2) being at a spacing from the inlet orifice (12) of the reception tube (10) and able to be located close to the reception tube (12), the device (1) also comprising means (14) for pressurizing the immiscible liquid (8).

Abstract: Chemical and/or biological analysis device comprising an analysis support (100) with at least one input bowl (102) to contain a sample, at least one output bowl (104) to output the said sample, at least one internal duct (108) passing through the support to form a connection between the input bowl and the output bowl, and at least one reagent reservoir (120a, 120b, 120c) connected to each duct (108) between the input bowl and the output bowl, in which the input bowl, the output bowl and the reservoir open up onto a first face (106) of the analysis support.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for displacement of at least a small volume of liquid (5) under the effect of an electrical control, including a substrate (1) provided with first electrically conducting means (2), the device also comprising second electrically conducting means (3) arranged facing the first electrically conducting means (2), the first electrically conducting means and the second electrically conducting means possibly being connected to electrical power supply means to enable the application of electrostatic forces to the small liquid volume (5). The second electrically conducting means include at least one conducting wire (3) arranged parallel to the substrate and at a fixed distance from the substrate to enable displacement of the small volume of liquid (5) along said conducting wire (3) under the effect of the applied electrostatic forces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic device for injecting series of mobile reaction chambers (102, 103) having non-miscible segmenters (101) in microchannels (21 to 26), comprising:

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining an analyte in a solution. This method includes the following steps: a) fixing and immobilizing said analyte, for example via the presence of a ligand L, on the inner surface of a conduit (3) having a reduced cross section over all or part (9) of it, and b) determining the variation in load loss of a fluid circulating inside the conduit, due to the analyte P which has been fixed and immobilized at least in the reduced cross section part (9) of said conduit during step a).

Abstract: The recess (12) between the main connecting part (8) and a collar (9) contains a toroidal or otherwise shaped sealing ring or joint (3) and the end of a tube (1) incorporating an outer flange (2), whose thickness becomes zero at the crushing bulge (4) of the sealing ring (3). An excellent seal is ensured at this location, even for pressurized fluids, and the assembly can easily be dismantled.

Abstract: Devices and methods for carrying out a chemical or biochemical protocol are disclosed. In one embodiment, the chemical or biochemical protocol is performed by cycling at least one thermal transfer member between at least two temperatures while liquid samples on which the chemical or biochemical protocol is to be performed are continuously moving through at least one temperature regulated zone upon which the at least one thermal transfer member acts. In some embodiments, the device comprises a sample transport member that comprises liquid samples in sample receiving regions. The sample transport member moves the samples continuously through a temperature regulated zone which cycles between at least two temperatures while the liquid samples are moving through a temperature regulated zone on which at least one thermal transfer member acts. In some embodiments, the sample receiving regions comprise wells, hydrophillic films or hydrophillic filaments.

Abstract: This invention relates to a scanning micro-element for an optical system, characterized in that it comprises:a substrate (12),a membrane (14, 16) made of a dielectric material deposited on a substrate surface, the membrane defining two planes making a non-zero angle .alpha. between them, part (14) of the membrane including a reflecting area (20) capable of being deflected along at least a first direction above a cavity formed in the substrate,means (22, 24, 26, 28) to deflect this part of the membrane along at least one direction.

Abstract: A process for the micromechanical fabrication of nozzles for ink jets includes forming a groove on a surface of a first substrate, securing the first substrate to a second substrate to form an assembly in which the second substrate covers the groove to form a channel having walls, and then forming an internal protective coating within the channel by thermal oxidation of the walls of the channel. The first and second substrates are then cut along a plane extending perpendicular to the channel thereby to form a nozzle for dispensing a liquid jet. Scales, formed as a result of the cutting operations, are formed on the internal protective coating rather than directly on the walls of the channel. These scales then are removed from the nozzle by eliminating the internal protective coating.