Abstract: A pipette instrument 100 carrying interrogation circuitry 132 adapted to interrogate a data signal received from a removable instrumented pipette tip 114. The pipette 100 includes a microprocessor and memory 130 that can be programmed to perform data collection procedures. User controls typically include a start button 108, and a track wheel 110. A display device 112 can present device options through one or more menu, and show data resulting from one or more test result. The pipette can interrogate particles carried by a fluid flowing through a tip 114 by detecting either of or both of Coulter principle phenomena, and Stokes-shift phenomena.

Abstract: A flow cytometer including a laser, indexing structure, adjustment structure, and sensor structure. The cytometer is conventionally used with a removable microfluidic cassette, which is installed at a first position that is enforced by the indexing structure. The adjustment structure changes a relative position between an interrogation aperture of the cassette and the laser beam. Feedback from the sensor structure is used to optimize propagation of the laser through the interrogation aperture to reduce (and hopefully eliminate) autofluorescence caused by beam impingement onto the cassette.

Abstract: A single-use disposable cartridge and reusable interrogation platform for interrogating particles in a fluid carrier medium. The cartridge includes a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) embodied in a chip to perform electrical property interrogations of fluid flowing in a micro channel. Desirably, the microchannel is sized to cause single-file particle flow past a sensor portion of the MEMS chip.

Abstract: A Coulter-style, microfluidic sensor formed by stacking a plurality of substantially non-electrically conductive layers, typically formed from thin polymer films. Certain layers carry patterned electrodes that are arranged to permit their connection to an electrical interrogation circuit. Electrodes may be disposed in a 3-dimensional array in the sensor. A fluid path through the sensor includes an orifice sized to promote single-file travel of particles. The orifice may be defined by the entrance to a hole passing through at least one layer and at least one electrode. Particles entrained in an electrolytic carrier fluid may be detected, or otherwise characterized, by interrogation circuitry connected to the sensor. Certain sensors may include portions of a fluid path disposed parallel to the layers. In certain preferred embodiments, the sensor is carried by a cartridge, which is adapted to couple with an interrogation platform.

Abstract: An apparatus, and method of use of such apparatus, for detecting particles of interest that are dispersed in a fluid mix, which typically includes other particles. The apparatus includes an interrogation platform arranged to operate in harmony with an opaque member having an orifice sized to promote single-file travel of the particles there-through. A radiation source is disposed on one side of the opaque member, and a radiation detector is disposed on the other side of the opaque member. Particles of interest are tagged using antibody-binding, fluorescing molecules. Radiation from the source causes the tagged particles to fluoresce in the vicinity of, and passing through, the orifice. The resulting fluorescence is detected by the radiation detector and indicates passage of the particles of interest. One workable opaque member is advantageously included in a thin film assembly carried on a removable and disposable card that is adapted for reception in the interrogation platform.