Abstract: A microscale method for the characterization of one or more reaction variables that influence the formation or dissociation of an affinity complex comprising a ligand and a binder, which have mutual affinity for each other.

Abstract: A microfluidic device comprising one, two or more microchannel structures (101a-h), each of which comprises a reaction microcavity (104a-h) intended for retaining a solid phase material in the form of a wet porous bed. Each of said one, two or more microchannel structures comprises the solid phase material in a dry state together with a bed-preserving agent comprising one or more compounds having bed-preserving activity.

Abstract: A method of quantitatively determining an analyte in a fluid sample by an immunoassay comprises binding of the analyte to a ligand capable of specifically binding to the analyte, wherein at least part of the analyte is present as an analyte complex is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: a) subjecting the sample to a first acidic pH to at least substantially dissociate any analyte complex present and provide substantially all analyte in free form, b) raising the first acidic pH to a second acidic pH where re-formation of complexes is prevented but where binding of analyte to the ligand is permitted, and c) determining the binding of analyte to the ligand to quantitatively determine the analyte in the sample.

Abstract: A microscale method for the characterization of one or more reaction variables that influence the formation or dissociation of an affinity complex comprising a ligand and a binder, which have mutual affinity for each other.

Abstract: A method of quantitatively determining an analyte in a fluid sample by an immunoassay comprises binding of the analyte to a ligand capable of specifically binding to the analyte, wherein at least part of the analyte is present as an analyte complex is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: a) subjecting the sample to a first acidic pH to at least substantially dissociate any analyte complex present and provide substantially all analyte in free form, b) raising the first acidic pH to a second acidic pH where re-formation of complexes is prevented but where binding of analyte to the ligand is permitted, and c) determining the binding of analyte to the ligand to quantitatively determine the analyte in the sample.

Abstract: A microscale method for the characterization of one or more reaction variables that influence the formation or dissociation of an affinity complex comprising a ligand and a binder, which have mutual affinity for each other.

Abstract: A microfluidic device adapted such that the flow of fluids within the device is controlled by different surfaces of the device having different surface characteristics. Preferably the device comprises a substrate not formed from a hydrated oxide material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the identity of a microfluidic device and a home position by means of a set of home position marks on the microfluidic device, which is of the type used in a microfluidic system. Said method comprises following phases: a microfluidic device scanning phase, wherein a microfluidic device is scanned for mark identifiers; a microfluidic device identifying phase, wherein at least one a characteristic feature of the set of home marks is/are determined and used for identifying the identity of the microfluidic device; a home position determining phase, wherein the home position is determined by the use of at least a subset of the home position marks identified during said previous phases. The present invention relates to a set of home marks, a microfluidic device carrying such a set of home marks, a microfluidic system, a computer program product and a computer program on a computer usable medium.

Abstract: A method for transporting in a microfluidic conduit an aliquot of a liquid, possibly containing a substance I, which is dissolved in the liquid and typically exhibits charged groups and/or hydrophobic groups. The method is characterized in that the liquid contains an amphiphilic macromolecular substance.

Abstract: A rotatable microfluidic device that comprises a hydrophilic microchannel structure in which there is a) an upstream microcavity I with a liquid outlet I, b) a microconduit I connected to liquid outlet I, and c) a capillary valve I associated with microconduit I. The inlet end of the microconduit is closer to the spin axis than the outlet end of the microconduit. The difference in radial distance between the inlet end and the outlet end of microconduit I is typically ?5%, such as ?10% or ?100% or ?500%, of the difference in radial distance between the uppermost part of the upstream microcavity and liquid outlet I.

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 microfluidic device that comprises a microchannel structure in which there are one, two or more flow paths (101;201a,b;301a,a?,b) all of which comprises a porous bed I (104,204,304) that is common for all of the flow paths and exposes an immobilized reactant R that is capable of interacting with a solute S that passes through the bed. The characteristics are that at least one of the flow paths comprises/comprise a second porous bed II (105,205,305) that is placed upstream of porous bed I (104,204,304) and is dummy with respect to interaction with solute S but capable of interacting with a substance DS that is present in a liquid aliquot together with solute S and is capable of disturbing the result of the interaction between solute S and said immobilized reactant R. There is also disclosed a method utilizing the device and variant of the device in which the immobilized R is replaced with a generic affinity ligand LI and/or porous bed II exposes a generic ligand LII that may be different from LI.

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: 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: A microfluidic device comprising a set of one or more, preferably more than 5, covered microchannel structures manufactured in the surface of a planar substrate. The device is characterized in that a part surface of at least one of the microchannel structures has a coat exposing a non-ionic hydrophilic polymer. The non-ionic hydrophilic polymer is preferably attached covalently directly to the part surface or to a polymer skeleton that is attached to the surface.

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 a variety of biochemical processes and products using non-invasive techniques, that is techniques which do not compromise the integrity or viability of cells.

Abstract: The invention is related to a method for quantification of a first dissociation equilibrium constant Kd1 for a complex AB between interactants A and B relative to a second dissociation equilibrium constant Kd2 for a complex CD between interactants C and D.

Abstract: A microfluidic device that comprises one or a plurality of microchannel structures each of which comprises a microconduit for transport and/or processing of liquid, the inner surface of which comprises a hydrophilic liquid contact surface area (surface area 1) that is delineated in at least one direction by a boundary to a hydrophobic surface area (surface area 2). The characteristic feature is that surface area 2 comprises a rough part that stretches along the boundary.

Abstract: A liquid router that comprises an inlet microconduit that branches into two exit microconduits (microconduit I and II) and is present in a microchannel structure of a microfluidic device which is using centrifugal force created by spinning the device about a spin axis for transporting liquid. The router is characterized in comprising a microcavity in which there are: a lower part comprising two exit openings (exits I and II), and an upper part comprising an inlet opening to which the inlet microconduit (3) is connected, and microconduits I and II which are connected to exits I and II, respectively, and stretch from a shorter radial position to a larger radial position relative to the spin axis. Microconduit II has a reduced hydrophilicity (=reduced apparent wettability) compared to microconduit I.

Abstract: A microscale method for the characterization of one or more reaction variables that influence the formation or dissociation of an affinity complex comprising a ligand and a binder, which have mutual affinity for each other.