Abstract: Sample processing devices with variable valve structures and methods of using the same are disclosed. The valve structures allow for removal of selected portions of the sample material located within the process chamber. Removal of the selected portions is achieved by forming an opening in a valve septum at a desired location. The valve septums may be large enough to allow for adjustment of the location of the opening based on the characteristics of the sample material in the process chamber. If the sample processing device is rotated after the opening is formed, the selected portion of the material located closer to the axis of rotation exits the process chamber through the opening. The remainder of the sample material cannot exit through the opening because it is located farther from the axis of rotation than the opening.

Abstract: Provided are a centrifugal microfluidic device having a sample distribution structure and a centrifugal microfluidic system including the centrifugal microfluidic device. The centrifugal microfluidic device includes: a rotatable platform; a sample chamber which is disposed in the rotatable platform and houses a fluid sample; a distribution channel connected to an outlet of the sample chamber; a valve which is disposed in the outlet of the sample chamber; a plurality of non-vented reaction chambers which are disposed in the rotatable platform outside of the distribution channel in the radial direction; and a plurality of inlet channels connecting the distribution channel with the reaction chambers.

Abstract: A method for the automated analysis of liquid samples using at least one microfluidic structure is disclosed as well as microfluidic structures, a device having at least one of the microfluidic structures, a kit and a system including such microfluidic device. In one embodiment, the method may comprise: transferring said sample into a first fluid reservoir which is in fluid communication with a second fluid reservoir by a flow channel; spinning said microfluidic structure so as to transport said sample into one or more dead-end recesses or chambers; transferring a control fluid into the structure which generates a barrier to flow and diffusion of said sample contained in said one or more dead-end recesses or chambers; and analyzing said sample contained in said one or more dead-end recesses or chambers.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for performing cell growth and cell based assays in a liquid medium. The apparatus comprises a base plate supporting a plurality of micro-channel elements, each micro-channel element comprising a cell growth chamber, an inlet channel and an outlet channel, a cover plate positioned over the base plate to define the chambers and connecting channels. Means are incorporated in the cell growth chambers, for cell attachment and cell growth. In particular, the invention provides a rotatable disc microfabricated for performing cell growth and cell based assays. The apparatus and method can be used for the growth of cells and the detection and measurement of variety of biochemical processes and products using non-invasive techniques, that is techniques which do not compromise the integrity or viability of cells.

Abstract: Provided are a plastic microfluid control device having a multi-step microchannel and a method of manufacturing the same. The device includes a lower substrate, and a fluid channel substrate contacting the lower substrate and having a multi-step microchannel having at least two depths in a side coupling to the lower substrate. Thus, the device can precisely control the fluid flow by controlling capillary force in a depth direction of the channel by controlling the fluid using the multi-step microchannel having various channel depths. A multi-step micropattern is formed by repeating photolithography and transferred, thereby easily forming the multi-step microchannel having an even surface and a precisely controlled height.

Abstract: A fluid analytical device is provided including a body, a reservoir, an inlet channel and a separation unit. The reservoir is formed on the body. The inlet channel is formed on the body connected to the reservoir. The separation unit is formed on the body connected to the inlet channel, which includes a pile area, a collecting area and a spacer. The collecting area is located between the pile area and the reservoir. The spacer is formed between the pile area and the collecting area.

Abstract: A method and kit for assaying a cell sample for the presence of at least a threshold number of cells of a given type are disclosed. The kit includes an assay device having a sample chamber for receiving the cell sample and an elongate collection chamber containing a selected-density and/or viscosity medium and having along its length, a plurality of cell-collection regions, and particles which are capable of specific attachment to cells of the selected cell type, and which are effective, when attached to the cells, to increase the density or magnetic susceptibility of the cells. In operation, particle-bound cells and particles in the cell sample are drawn through the elongate collection chamber under the influence of a gravitational or selected centrifugal or magnetic-field force until the particle-bound cells and particles completely fill successive cell-collection regions in the collection chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a centrifugal rotor for delivering and analyzing biological sample. Chambers within the centrifugal rotor is used to split a biological sample, which comprises biological cellular components and biological fluids, into separate parts under centrifugal force after the biological sample being diluted, metered and distributed by the centrifugal rotor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a microfluidic device including a microfluidic structure formed in a platform in which various examinations, such as an immune serum examination, can be automatically performed using the biomolecule microarray chip. The biomolecule microarray chip-type microfluidic device using a biomolecule microarray chip comprises: a platform which is rotatable; a microfluidic structure disposed in the platform, comprising: a plurality of chambers; a plurality of channels connecting the chambers each other; and a plurality of valves controlling flow of fluids through the channels, wherein the microfluidic structure controls flow of a fluid sample using rotation of the platform and the valves; and a biomolecule microarray chip mounted in the platform such that biomolecule capture probes bound to the biomolecule microarray chip contact the fluid sample in the microfluidic structure.

Abstract: Provided is a microfluidic device and microfluidic system with the device. The microfluidic device includes a substrate; a channel formed in the substrate and in which a fluid can move; a valve controlling flow of a fluid flowing along the channel and including a phase transition material which can be melted by energy such as electromagnetic wave energy; and a lens disposed on the substrate and adjusting an irradiating region of the valve, onto which the energy is applied.

Abstract: A measuring chip is configured for separating and measuring a target component in a sample by rotation around first and second axes of rotation. The measuring chip includes a centrifugal separation tube that centrifugally separates the target component from the sample by rotating the measuring chip around the first axis of rotation; a first holding section installed in the bottom of the centrifugal separation tube, wherein non-target components other than the target component in the sample are introduced therein by rotation around the first axis of rotation, and the first holding section holds the non-target components during rotation around the second axis of rotation; and a measuring section connected to one end of the centrifugal separation tube that measures the non-target components introduced from the centrifugal separation tube by rotation around the second axis of rotation.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for separating heavier and lighter fractions of a fluid sample. The device includes a plurality of constituents comprising a container and a composite element in the container. The composite element is a separator comprising at least two components and more particularly an elastic portion and a plug member. A fluid sample is delivered to the container and the device is subjected to centrifugation whereby the centrifugal load causes the elastic portion of the separator to deform so that the separator migrates into the fluid sample and stabilizes between the heavier and lighter fractions of the fluid sample. The elastic portion of the separator will resiliently return to its initial configuration upon termination of the centrifugal load such that the elastic portion sealingly engages the container and separates the heavier and lighter fractions of the fluid sample.

Abstract: Provided are a centrifugal force based microfluidic device which can automatically perform a dilution operation and a microfluidic system including the same. The centrifugal force based microfluidic device for dilution includes a rotatable disk type platform, a mixing chamber disposed on the platform; a buffer solution storage disposed on a portion of the platform which is closer to a center of the platform than the mixing chamber, connected to the mixing chamber through a channel to supply a predetermined amount of buffer solution to the mixing chamber at least one time, and a plurality of diluted solution chambers which are disposed on a portion of the platform which is farther from the center of the platform than the mixing chamber, are each connected to the mixing chamber through flow paths extended from a middle exit corresponding to a predetermined water level, and sequentially receiving a solution which is serially diluted in the mixing chamber at least one time.

Abstract: Disclosed are a centrifugal micro-fluidic device and an immunosorbent assay method using the same. In particular, a centrifugal micro-fluidic device having a plurality of micro-fluidic structures placed in a disc type platform to simultaneously conduct several immunosorbent assays, as well as an immunosorbent assay method using the same are provided.

Abstract: A microfluidic device (1) comprising a hydrophilic microchannel structure (2) in which there is a functional unit that comprises a microconduit I (17) in which there is an inlet end (16), an outlet end (18), and a capillary stop function I (24) in the form of a local non-wettable surface area (44). The capillary stop function (24) defines a segment of microconduit I (17). Microconduit I (17) is within at least a part of this segment (46) divided into two or more microchannels (42). A part of the non-wettable surface area (44a,b) is associated with an inner wall of each of the microchannels (42).

Abstract: Devices, methods, and systems for processing sample materials are disclosed. The present invention may provide a bridge between standard microtiter plate systems, methods, protocols, etc. (that include wells arranged in rectangular arrays) and rotating sample processing devices and systems that allow users to obtain the rapid processing advantages of the more advanced sample processing devices. The sample processing devices preferably include a rectangular body to improve compatibility of the sample processing devices of the present invention with equipment designed for use with more conventional microtiter plates (which are typically rectangular in shape). The sample processing devices also include at least one set of process chambers arranged in one or more circular arcs and may include input and/or output chambers arranged in a rectilinear grid array.

Abstract: A microfluidic device comprising a hydrophilic microchannel structure in which there is a functional unit that comprises a microconduit which a) is intended for the transportation of liquid aliquots, and b) has an inlet end and an outlet end between which there is a capillary valve I, which preferably is based on the presence of a local non-wettable surface area. Microconduit I further comprises one or more additional capillary valves, typically one. At least one of the additional valves is upstream of capillary valve I, such as at the inlet end of the microconduit.

Abstract: A microfluidic device comprises a microfluidic coupon and a fluid reservoir associated with the microfluidic coupon. The fluid reservoir has a vented configuration and a non-vented configuration, and is configured to contain a liquid to be centrifugated. An opening is formed in the fluid reservoir. When the microfluidic coupon is rotated at a target rotational velocity: the opening is open to flow of the liquid when the fluid reservoir is in the vented configuration; and the opening is closed to flow of the liquid when the fluid reservoir is in the non-vented configuration.

Abstract: An analytical system includes a working fluid, a uniform dividing unit and a separating unit. The working fluid includes a first component and a second component with different characteristics. The uniform dividing unit is utilized to uniformly divide the working fluid and relatively rotated with respect to a reference axis. Under a capillarity force as well as the result of Coriolis force and siphon force, the first component can be separated from the second component by the separating unit.

Abstract: An analytical system for performing centrifugal analysis on a working fluid with different components includes a uniform-dividing unit with a reduced cross section to divide the working fluid, a separating unit connected to the uniform-dividing unit, and a detecting unit. The detecting unit includes a detection compartment and a constant-quantity region connected to the separating unit through a separation channel. When rotating the uniform-dividing unit, the working fluid located at the uniform-dividing unit is transmitted to and separated by the separating unit, thereby causing one component of the working fluid to be separated from the other component and transmitted to the detection compartment through the constant-quantity region. With constant-quantity region, the detection compartment can be prevented from flushing by the excess of the separated component, and thus yield of product detection can be increased and different assays detection is carried out with a small sample volume at the same time.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a disk type microfluidic device including a data area arranged thereon, and a blood testing apparatus having an information reading device for reading the data area of the disk type microfluidic device. The disk type microfluidic device includes a disk type body having a predetermined thickness, a plurality of chambers provided in the body to store a buffer or reaction solution, at least one channel to connect the plurality of chambers to one another, and a data area provided at a cylindrical portion of the body.

Abstract: A fluidic device includes a fluidic module with a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber closed with the exception of a fluidic connection to the first fluid chamber. A drive is formed to impart the fluidic module with a first rotation at a rotational frequency below a rotational frequency threshold at which liquid is pneumatically held in the first fluid chamber and does not enter the second fluid chamber. The drive is further formed to impart the fluidic module with a second rotation at a second rotational frequency above the rotational frequency threshold at which a liquid column created in the first fluid chamber becomes unstable and the liquid enters the second fluid chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for placing at least one biological reagent at a plurality of locations on a substrate includes a stamp member onto which the at least one biological reagent is applied. The stamp member defines a plurality of transfer elements patterned to correspond to the plurality of locations. The stamp member contacts the substrate to transfer the at least one biological reagent from the plurality of transfer elements to the plurality of locations. The transfer elements can be defined by reservoirs or projected portions of the stamp member.