Abstract: A mechanically-actuated vacuum-controlled fluid collection system includes a mechanically-actuated vacuum controller (MAVC) to draw fluid into a chamber through the opening to the chamber. The system may include a releasable seal to seal the opening, and the MAVC may include a spring-loaded plunger to create a vacuum within the chamber when sealed. The system includes multiple fluid chambers, and may further include a single actuator or multiple corresponding actuators. The system may be configured to add a pre-loadable reagent to fluid drawn into the one or more chambers, and may be configured to add the reagent in proportion to a volume of the fluid. The system may be controllable to release collected fluid to another device, such as for assay and/or transport. The system may be configured to draw a liquid biological sample such as urine, and may include a fluid interface to draw fluid from a biological sample container.

Abstract: Methods of preparing assays and of assaying, using substantially self-contained, portable, user-initiated fluidic assay systems. Example assays include diagnostic assays and chemical detection assays. Diagnostic assays may include, without limitation, enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assays (ELISA), and may include one or more sexually transmitted disease (STD) diagnostic assays. An assay system may include one or more fluid chambers, one or more fluid paths amongst the fluid chambers and/or between the fluid chambers, a sample portion, and/or an assay portion. The assay system may include a fluid controller system to dispense fluid from the one or more fluid chambers, and a user-initiated actuator to control the fluid controller system. The fluid controller system may be configured to dispense fluids serially, and may be configured to mix a plurality of fluids. The user-initiated actuator system may include an external user-operated trigger mechanism.

Abstract: Sample processing methods and systems to collect and dilute a biological sample. A device collects a predetermined volume of sample in one chamber, seals the chamber upon activation, and mixes the sample with a predetermined volume of reagent.

Abstract: Methods and systems to perform point-of-care, user-initiated fluidic assays, using substantially self-contained, portable, user-initiated fluidic assay systems. Exemplary assays include diagnostic assays and chemical detection assays. Diagnostic assays may include, without limitation, enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assays (ELISA), and may include one or more sexually transmitted disease (STD) diagnostic assays. An exemplary assay system includes a housing having one or more fluid chambers, a fluid controller system to dispense fluid from the one or more fluid chambers, and a user-initiated actuator to control the fluid controller system. The actuator may be configured to move fluid controllers from functionally closed positions to functionally open positions, to control fluid flow from the fluid chambers. The fluid controller system may be configured to dispense fluids serially, and may be configured to mix a plurality of fluids.

Abstract: Methods and systems to remove gas bubbles from liquids and to improve uniform fluid flow through a region of a membrane in a microfluidic device, including to reduce, remove, and/or prevent gas bubbles on a surface of a porous membrane. An example membrane bubble trap system may include a fluid channel connected to a bubble pathway that surrounds an opening sealed with a membrane. The bubble pathway may be configured to collect bubbles in fluid that passes through the membrane through buoyancy forces and through a directional feature of a curved surface placed above the membrane.