Abstract: Disclosed is a method for performing the steps of nucleic acid template purification, thermocycling reaction and purification of the products of the thermocycling reaction characterized in that the steps take place sequentially in a microfluidic disc. Also disclosed is a microstructure for fluids comprising at least one inlet opening connected to a first chamber incorporating a means for purifying template nucleic acid which, in turn, is connected to a second chamber incorporating a means for a thermocycling reaction which, in turn, is connected to a third chamber incorporating a means for purifying products of the thermocycling reaction, and a microfluidic disc comprising a plurality of such microstructures.

Abstract: A method for the modification of an inner surface in each of one, two or more microchannel structures of a microfluidic device. Each of the microchannel structures comprises one, two or more ports (PT) communicating with ambient atmosphere. The microconduit part comprises the inner surface to be modified. The method comprises for each microchannel structure the steps of: (I) filling the microconduit part with a liquid containing a surface modification agent through at least one port (PT?) of said one, two or more ports (PT), (II) incubating said liquid within said microconduit part, and (III) removing said liquid from said microconduit part, for instance from the microchannel structures comprising said microconduit part. The method is characterized in that reduced pressure is utilized for filling in step (I).

Abstract: A method of the quantitative determination of an immunoglobulin (Ig) of a certain class (IgX) in a liquid sample comprising the step of forming a complex that comprises a ternary affinity complex in which IgX is sandwiched between two affinity reactants 1 and 2 (R1 and R2, respectively).

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 method for quantifying n different analytes that are present in one or more liquid samples by performing n different affinity assay formats, each of which is dedicated for a particular one of the analytes. The characteristic feature is that each format is performed in a separate microchannel structures of a microfluidic device that contains at least n microchannel structures, and comprises formation and measurement of an immobilized product (affinity complex) that is formed on a solid phase that is placed in a microcavity of the microchannel structure used for the format in order to quantify the analyte to which the format is dedicated.

Abstract: A method for increasing the yield of functional microchannel structures per microfluidic device in the manufacturing of microfluidic devices each of which comprises a plurality of enclosed microchannel structures, said manufacturing comprising the manufacture of a microfluidic device which comprises enclosed microchannel structures by joining a substrate surface I of a first generally planar plastic substrate I to a substrate surface II of a second generally planar substrate II via a bonding material.

Abstract: The invention is a method for determining in the amount of an analyte (An) in a sample. The method comprises competitive immunoassays and enzymatic assays in which a soluble product (immune complex and enzymatic product, respectively) is formed. The product is subsequently measured in a measuring zone of a microchannel structure of a microfluidic device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, a system, a neural network and a computer program product for determining the quality of an analytical process, preferably the confidence value C. The analytical process is performed in a microchannel structure of a microfluidic device, from which data information of the analytic process is acquired by scanning at least one search area of the microchannel structure for signal data. Said search area comprises the result of the analytical process and said acquired data information is stored as an image, one image for each scanned search area.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and an arrangement for reducing noise in a substance raw data image containing noise. The method may comprise following steps in any order for removing different noise signals contributions step-by-step in any order in a substance raw data image: reducing background radiation; reducing peak disturbance; locating the detection area within the search area; moving binary artifacts; removing unwanted areas of the detection area; and applying default detection area in noisy images). The present invention also relates to a method and an arrangement for determining a measure of at least one substance.

Abstract: A microfluidic device which comprises two or more microchannel structures (set 1), each of which comprises a structural unit which comprises (i) one or more inlet microconduits, and (ii) an outlet microconduit downstream said one or more inlet microconduits, and (iii) a flow path for a liquid passing through either of said inlet microconduits and said outlet microconduit. The device is characterized in that each outlet microconduit in said two or more microchannel structures is a restriction microconduit. There may also be a microcavity between the inlet microconduit(s) and the restriction microconduit in each microchannel structure. Typically common flow control is used for driving a liquid flow within the device. The innovative design is useful for creating flow with low inter-channel variation with respect to the microchannel structures of the device.

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: The invention relates to a matrix suitable for use in the replication of a plastic element having a positive microstructure, comprising a first wear-resistant layer that is supported by a carrier element, wherein the matrix comprises a heating means for supplying electrical heat energy through the wear-resistant layer or carrier element. The invention further relates to a plastic element producing machine and a method for the manufacture of a plastic element having a surface with a positive microstructure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for presenting an analyte of a liquid sample as an MS-analyte to a mass spectrometer. More particularly, the method comprises the steps of applying a liquid sample containing the analyte to a sample inlet port of a microchannel structure of a microfluidic device, said structure also comprising an outlet port (MS-port) that is capable of being interfaced with a mass spectrometer, passing the analyte to the MS-port thereby transforming it to an MS-analyte, and presenting the MS-analyte to mass spectrometer via the MS-port.

Abstract: Method for measuring the signal from a label in a labeled measuring reagent that has been specifically adsorbed to its affinity counterpart in a zone of a porous nanolitre (nl) bed that is present in a microchannel structure of a microfluidic device. The measuring is part of an assay for determining an analyte of a sample by performing one, two or more heterogeneous specific affinity reactions which comprises that said labeled measuring reagent becomes affinity bound to said zone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of controlling flow of liquids in a micro channel structure. It comprises providing in said micro channel structure plugs (34) of polymer material in said structure, said polymer material in a first state blocking said channel from liquid flow, and in a second state providing a free path-way (32) for liquid flow. Energy is selectively applied so as to cause said polymer to enter a desired one of said first or second states. It also relates to a micro channel valve system, comprising a plurality of such plugs (34). Additionally it comprises a chemical reactor, comprising a plurality of micro chambers interconnected by micro channels, having a valve system according to the invention.

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: 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: A microfluidic device comprising one, two, three or more enclosed microchannel structures, each of which comprises a) an inlet arrangement with an inlet opening for liquid, b)a reaction microcavity (RM1) downstream to the inlet opening, and c) an upstream section that is located between the inlet opening and the reaction microcavity (RM1) and is defined between two planar substrates made of plastic material which substrates are common for said microchannel structures. The characteristic feature is that the inner wall in said upstream section exposes a hydrophilic surface area with an underlying base layer comprising metal oxide. In one aspect the microfluidic device as such is covered.