Abstract: Described is thermal control in digital microfluidics (DMF) cartridges and more particularly to a DMF system, cartridge, and methods for thermal calibration of integrated heaters and sensors. In some embodiments, the presently disclosed subject matter provides a DMF system, cartridge, and methods for thermal calibration of integrated heaters and sensors. The presently disclosed DMF system provides a DMF cartridge (or device) having integrated heating. In some embodiments, the presently disclosed DMF system, cartridge, and methods may provide PCB-based sensors for monitoring the temperature at respective PCB-based heaters and wherein the PCB-based sensors may be, for example, copper sense traces of a PCB substrate. In some embodiments, the presently disclosed DMF system, cartridge, and methods may provide thermal calibration software and/or thermal control electronics for performing a thermal calibration process of a selected DMF cartridge.

Abstract: The subject matter relates generally to performing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in microfluidics devices and more particularly to a microfluidics system, device, and methods for performing rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocols. In some embodiments, the presently disclosed subject matter provides a microfluidics system including a microfluidics instrument housing a microfluidics cartridge (or device) along with any supporting components. Further, the microfluidics cartridge may be, for example, any fluidics device or cartridge, microfluidics device or cartridge, DMF device or cartridge, droplet actuator, flow cell device or cartridge, and the like.

Abstract: An integrated culture monitoring system and methods are provided. The system may include an incubation chamber, a temperature control device arranged to control temperature of the incubation chamber, a fluid-handling cartridge (e.g., a digital microfluidics (DMF) cartridge), and a fluid passage coupled to a pump and providing a fluid passage between the incubation chamber and the fluid-handling cartridge. The system may include a processor programmed to control the temperature control device to increase or decrease the temperature, and a pump to control movement of fluid through the fluid passage and dispensing and assaying of a droplet of culture fluid. Also provided are methods of using the system for screening for sepsis.

Abstract: A method of thermal cycling a droplet, including providing a droplet actuator with heaters establishing a first thermal zone and second thermal zone in a substantially oil-filled droplet operations gap; a thermal cycling path comprising droplet operations electrodes comprising a first droplet operations electrode in the first thermal zone and a second droplet operations electrode in the second thermal zone, wherein the first and second droplet operations electrodes are within 5 mm of each other; a first temperature at the first droplet operations electrode and a second temperature at the second droplet operations electrode, wherein the first and second temperatures differ by at least about 10° C.; and using the droplet operations electrodes, transporting the droplet in a cycling pattern for multiple cycles along the thermal cycling path between the first droplet operations electrode and the second droplet operations electrode. Cartridges and systems are also provided.

Abstract: A method for assaying analytes in a blood sample by loading a blood sample onto a microfluidic device; combining the blood sample with a buffer reagent comprising a surfactant to provide a diluted blood sample and conduct an assay. The surfactant is selected to permit the use of electrowetting to conduct droplet operations using the blood sample and to permit the use of a fluorescence-based droplet operation. The assay may be an unbound bilirubin assay.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to biochemical assays and more particularly to digital microfluidics multi-dynamic range parallel biochemical assays. The invention provides methods that enable improved precision and linearity for digital microfluidics analyses (i.e., analyses performed on a droplet actuator using droplet operations), including for example, assays related to measuring analytes in a biological sample. Examples of assays that may be performed using a method of the invention include measuring analytes in blood, including analytes from blood components, such as analytes present in plasma. The invention provides a digital microfluidics device (or cartridge) and methods for performing a biochemical assay using the microfluidics device to measure an analyte in a sample.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring hemoglobin, G6PD activity, and or bilirubin activity in a sample, including measuring the absorbance of a sample, removing background interfering signals, and quantifying the relevant analyte. Systems and methods for reconstituting a reagent in a droplet actuator. Systems and methods for separating plasma from a whole blood sample on a droplet actuator, including combining a sample droplet with an agglutination reagent droplet and using a novel combination of droplet operations to split the sample into a plasma and an agglutinated red blood cell fraction.

Abstract: Coagulation assays for a point-of-care platform is disclosed. For example, the disclosure provides methods of measuring viscoelastic properties in a droplet on a microfluidics device, including using electrowetting-mediated droplet operations on the microfluidics device. In some embodiments, a microfluidics point-of-care platform may be used for assaying and/or monitoring coagulation of a blood sample. The disclosure provides a system, digital microfluidics device, and methods for measuring coagulation of a blood sample. In various embodiments, the disclosure provides a microfluidics device including droplets subject to manipulation by the device wherein droplet movement is used to characterize coagulation of a blood sample.

Abstract: A method of detecting glycosaminoglycans in a sample, the method including: providing a sample potentially including glycosaminoglycans; combining with the sample: an enzyme, an inhibitor modulated by the presence of glycosaminoglycans; and a labeled substrate cleavable by the enzyme, wherein the labeled substrate comprises a label that is released when cleaved by the enzyme; detecting the released label and thereby inferring the presence, absence or quantity of glycosaminoglycans, wherein the released label is inversely proportional to the presence of glycosaminoglycans in the sample.

Abstract: A point-of birth system and instrument, biochemical cartridge, and methods for newborn screening is disclosed. Namely, a point-of-birth system is provided the includes a point-of-birth instrument for receiving and processing a biochemical cartridge for performing newborn screening. Further, a portable smart device, such as a smartphone or tablet, is in communication with point-of birth instrument, wherein the smart device may include a newborn screening (NBS) mobile app. In one example, the point-of-birth system and point-of-birth instrument support newborn biological screening only. However, in another example, the point-of-birth system and point-of birth instrument support both newborn biological screening and newborn physiological screening.

Abstract: A point-of-birth system and instrument, biochemical cartridge, and methods for newborn screening is disclosed. Namely, a point-of-birth system is provided that includes a point-of-birth instrument for receiving and processing a biochemical cartridge for performing newborn screening. Further, a portable smart device, such as a smartphone or tablet, is in communication with point-of-birth instrument, wherein the smart device may include a newborn screening (NBS) mobile app. In one example, the point-of-birth system and point-of-birth instrument support newborn biological screening only. However, in another example, the point-of-birth system and point-of-birth instrument support both newborn biological screening and newborn physiological screening.

Abstract: A point-of-birth system and instrument, biochemical cartridge, and methods for newborn screening is disclosed. Namely, a point-of-birth system is provided that includes a point-of-birth instrument for receiving and processing a biochemical cartridge for performing newborn screening. Further, a portable smart device, such as a smartphone or tablet, is in communication with point-of-birth instrument, wherein the smart device may include a newborn screening (NBS) mobile app. In one example, the point-of-birth system and point-of-birth instrument support newborn biological screening only. However, in another example, the point-of-birth system and point-of-birth instrument support both newborn biological screening and newborn physiological screening.