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: 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 centrifugal-based microfluidic device (1) that comprises a hydrophilic microchannel structure (2) in which there is a A) a separation microcavity I (4) that comprises i) a liquid inlet I (5), and ii) a liquid outlet I (6) that is at a level below the level of liquid inlet I (5) and above the level of the bottom (8) of the microcavity (4) thereby defining a lower part (4b) and an upper part (4a) of the microcavity (4), and B) a microconduit I (17) that has an inlet end I (16) directly connected to liquid outlet I (6), and an outlet end I (18) that is at a lower level than inlet end I (6). A capillary valve I (24) is associated with microconduit I (17). The flow direction through liquid outlet I (6) is directed upwards and/or liquid outlet I (6) is placed in a downwardly turned part of an inner wall of the separation microcavity (4), and/or the part of microconduit I (17) next to liquid outlet I (6) is directed upwards.

Abstract: A method of controlled heating of a micro channel reactor structure (46, 48, 50) comprises providing a structure (b1, b2, B1, B2) defining a desired temperature profile. A preferred embodiment of a heating element structure comprises a pattern of areas of a material capable of providing heat when energized, disposed over said micro channel reactor structure.

Abstract: A method for covering a set of open microchannel structures which are fabricated on a planar surface made of plastics and which comprise two or more part areas that have different surface characteristics. The method comprises the steps of: a) providing the surface comprising the set of microchannel structures; b) providing a lid-forming sheet having on one side an even layer of a thermoglue; c) applying the side of the sheet having the thermoglue against the surface carrying the microchannel structure; d) heating the assembly created in step (c) to selectively liquefy the hot-melt adhesive while at the same time pressing the sheet material and the planar surface of the substrate together; e) permitting the resulting laminate-covered microchannel structure to cool.

Abstract: The invention is a method for grading a polyclonal antibody response with respect to a desired 5 binding specificity. The response is provoked by an antigenic agent in a host, preferably a vertebrate host. The characteristic feature of the method comprises the steps of: (i) providing a reaction microcavity having an inlet end and an outlet end and containing a solid phase that exposes an immobilized binding structure (BS) that are capable of affinity binding antibodies (Ab) of the response, (ii) flowing a liquid sample containing antibodies of the response in the direction from the inlet end to the outlet end through the solid phase, (iii) determining the distribution of antibodies, which are captured during step (ii), along the flow direction of the solid phase, and (iv) grading the response based on the distribution determined in step (iii).

Abstract: A microfluidic device that comprises several microchannel structures in which there are an inlet port, an outlet port and there between a structural unit comprising a fluidic function. The structural unit can be selected amongst units enabling a) retaining of nl-aliquots comprising constituents which has been defined by mixing of aliquots within the microfluidic device (unit A), b) mixing of aliquots of liquids (unit B), c) partition of larger aliquots of liquids into smaller aliquots of liquids and distributing the latter individually and in parallel to different microchannel structure of the same microfluidic device (unit C), d) quick penetration into a microchannel structure of an aliquot of a liquid dispensed to an inlet port of a microchannel structure (unit D), and e) volume definition integrated within a microchannel structure (unit E).

Abstract: A detector arrangement, which comprises a rotatable microfluidic disc and a spectrophotometric detector unit. The arrangement is characterized in that the detector unit is based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and is capable of measuring an analyte within the detection microcavities, each of which is part of a microchannel structure. A microfluidic disc having an axis of symmetry and comprising microchannel structures, each of which has an upstream functional part that is at a shorter radial position than a downstream functional part. The disc is characterized in that there are detection microcavities (DMCs) in at least a part of said microchannel structures, and that each of said DMCs has an SPR surface on an inner wall and a detection detection window extending from the SPR surface to the surface of the disc.

Abstract: Microstructure for fluids provided in a rotatable disc (D) having a U-shaped volume-defining structure (7) connected at its base to an inlet arm of a U-shaped chamber (10).

Abstract: The invention relates to a detector arrangement in an instrument for analysis of discrete liquid sample volumes in the microliter and/or nanoliter range contained in microchannel structures that are present in a disc shaped microfluidic device. The suggested detector arrangement comprises a detector head, supported to be driven and controlled for linear displacement and positioning in a first radial plane through a central axis of an associated rotary drive. A rotary member is carried for rotation about said central axis in a second radial plane in parallelism with said first radial plane. A vacuum source is connected with the rotary member and in air flow communication with a planar top surface of the rotary member for a wide area distribution of sub-pressure over said top surface, the rotary member carrying the disc shaped substrate in adhering contact with the top surface for spinning the substrate in equidistant and equiangular relation to the detector head.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing a microscale nozzle, comprising the steps of forming a microscale channel in the top surface of a substrate, said microscale channel comprising an inlet end and a nozzle-end, depositing a nozzle-forming layer in a section of the microscale channel, and removing material from the substrate at the nozzle-end of the microscale channel to expose at least a portion of said nozzle-forming layer. The manufactured microscale nozzle may be used for transferring a liquid sample form a microchip fluidic system into an external analytical device.

Abstract: A flow through dispenser for the drop-wise dispensation of liquid which arrangement comprises: a housing (104) comprising: (i) a flow through microconduit (105) with an upstream end (106) and a downstream end (outlet) (107); and (ii) a dispenser orifice (108) between these two ends, and an inlet tube (110) which is attached to the upstream end (106) and provides an inlet (111) that can be connected to a liquid storage (112) for liquid (113) that is to be transported in flow through microconduit (105) and inlet tube (110) and/or dispensed through the orifice (108). The inner volume between the inlet and the downstream end is is ?10 ?l. An instrument set-up for drop-wise dispensation of liquid to target areas of a microdevice.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary drive adapted for creating liquid flow in rotatable microfluidic discs. A rotary drive for spinning a disc shaped substrate having microfluidic structures formed therein for the flow control of microliter and/or nanoliter volumes of liquid by centrifugal force is suggested, comprising a motor with a spindle having an axis of rotation. A rotary member is connected for rotation with the spindle and driven for rotation relative to a stationary member, the rotary member being formed with a top plane having a centering guide for receiving the disc so as to force a symmetry axis of the disc into alignment with said axis of rotation. A vacuum source is connected with the stationary member and communicating with the rotary member or a part thereof rotating with the rotary member for applying sub-pressure to the disc when spinning the disc about its symmetry axis. Preferably, the rotary member is journalled for contact-free rotation relative to the stationary member.

Abstract: Microfluidic arrangement which comprises A) a number of microfluidic devices, and B) an instrument which comprises a spinner motor and a rotary member arranged such that liquid flow can be driven centrifugal force in each of the devices by spinning the. Each of the microfluidic devices comprises microchannel structures in a common planar layer I. The characteristic feature is that layer I of each device can be oriented radially and at an angle ?0° relative to the plane of the rotary member, with preference for 90°. The rotary member has seats for holding the devices. A microfluidic device comprising i) two essentially planar and parallel opposite sides, and edge sides, ii) a set of one, two, three or more essentially equal microchannel structures, each of which comprises a first inlet arrangement comprising an inlet port IP I1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining a home position by means of a home position mark on a special microfluidic device type used in a microfluidic system. The method for determining a home position by means of a home position mark on a microfluidic device used in a microfluidic system comprising at least one programmable controller having storage means, a position device being able to communicate with the controller, and a home position mark detector connected to said controller, wherein said method comprises the following steps: scanning a disc for mark edges; rejecting false home mark(s) and identifying a correct home position mark; and determining a home position by use of mark edges of the correct home position mark identified in the previous step. The present invention also relates to a microfluidic system and a computer program product and a computer program product on a computer usable medium.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for the isolation of DNA or cell nuclei or a mixture thereof from cell samples in a CD device. The method includes treating a suspension of whole cells with a lysis reagent so as to lyse the cytoplasmic membrane and at least some of the nuclear membranes, and introducing the lysate into micro-channels of a microfabricated apparatus in which each of the micro-channels is provided with a barrier disposed in the channel to impede the passage or flow of DNA and cell nuclei while allowing the passage of liquid through the micro-channel so that a mesh comprising DNA is formed in the channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing temperature cycling, comprising a micro channel reactor structure (46, 48, 50), and having a heating structure (b1, b2, B1, B2) defining a desired temperature profile. A preferred embodiment of a heating element structure comprises a pattern of areas of a material capable of providing heat when energized, disposed over said micro channel reactor structure.

Abstract: A method of controlled heating of a micro channel reactor structure (46, 48, 50) comprises providing a structure (b1, b2, B1, B2) defining a desired temperature profile. A preferred embodiment of a heating element structure comprises a pattern of areas of a material capable of providing heat when energized, disposed over said micro channel reactor structure.

Abstract: A method for characterizing n components An of n catalytic systems.

Abstract: A method for rendering a surface covered by a plastic material more hydrophilic by treatment with a gas plasma non-polymerizable gas. The method is characterized in that the intensity of the plasma is selected so that the surface becomes permanently more hydrophilic. Also disclosed is a naked plasma treated surface of plastic having an immediate water contact angle of ?30°, said water contact angle is changed ±20 and/or less than 5% upon washing with an ethanol/water mixture (70% w/w).