Abstract: Provided are assay devices, methods and microfluidic cartridges for analysis of fluids, such as whole blood. A fibrinogen assay cartridge is adapted to measure whole blood flow rates on exposure to thrombin and measures hematocrit for a plasma fibrinogen calculation. Multiple channel cartridges are provided to allow determination of multiple assays (e.g., coagulation panel) from a single sample on a single cartridge.

Abstract: In some examples, a device applies an electrical potential difference across a blood sample. The device measures an electrical signal that passes through the blood sample over a duration of time to obtain a plurality of measurements representing a measurement function of time. An accumulative property of the measurement function may be determined such that the accumulative property correlates to a blood coagulation characteristic.

Abstract: In some examples, a device applies an electrical potential difference across a blood sample. The device measures an electrical signal that passes through the blood sample over a duration of time to obtain a plurality of measurements representing a measurement function of time. An accumulative property of the measurement function may be determined such that the accumulative property correlates to a blood coagulation characteristic.

Abstract: Analytical cartridges, systems and methods of processing a sample for analysis using capillary flows. Vertical gradient sample filtration provides filtrate to an incubation chamber for a time controlled by a flow modulator at the outlet of the incubation chamber. The flow modulator can include a serpentine capillary flow path without side walls. Incubated filtrate can flow from the incubation chamber to a detection channel after a predetermined time. The detection chamber can include one or more analytical regions in a porous substrate for detection of two or more analytes on the same cartridge from the same sample.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and devices for detecting the viscosity and conductivity of a conductive fluid sample. A sample fluid can be received into a sample chamber between a field inductor and sensor inductor. Electromagnetic fields generated by the field inductor can be modulated due to the counter-emf induced in the sample. The modulations can be detected by the sensor inductor and correlated to electric parameters in the fluid.

Abstract: In some examples, a device applies an electrical potential difference across a blood sample. The device measures an electrical signal that passes through the blood sample over a duration of time to obtain a plurality of measurements representing a measurement function of time. An accumulative property of the measurement function may be determined such that the accumulative property correlates to a blood coagulation characteristic.

Abstract: In some examples, a device applies an electrical potential difference across a blood sample. The device measures an electrical signal that passes through the blood sample over a duration of time to obtain a plurality of measurements representing a measurement function of time. An accumulative property of the measurement function may be determined such that the accumulative property correlates to a blood coagulation characteristic.

Abstract: Analytical cartridges, systems and methods of processing a sample for analysis using capillary flows. Vertical gradient sample filtration provides filtrate to an incubation chamber for a time controlled by a flow modulator at the outlet of the incubation chamber. The flow modulator can include a serpentine capillary flow path without side walls. Incubated filtrate can flow from the incubation chamber to a detection channel after a predetermined time. The detection chamber can include one or more analytical regions in a porous substrate for detection of two or more analytes on the same cartridge from the same sample.

Abstract: This invention provides rotors and methods of precisely metering a sample fluid and mixing the sample with a reagent. The rotors have a metering tube of defined volume that fills until sample flow is stopped by surface tension of a meniscus at a capillarity port, while excess sample is stripped from the metering tube inlet by centripetal force of the spinning rotor. By spinning the rotor at a higher speed, a reagent can be forced from a reagent chamber to contact the meniscus, breaking the surface tension and allowing the metered sample to mix with the reagent.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and devices to measure physical characteristics of sample fluids. Samples are introduced into a sample chamber in contact with a mechanically oscillating working member. The vibrations are received by a piezoelectric sensor transducer and correlated to a sample characteristic, such as viscosity or density. The devices include a sample chamber in contact with one or more working members actuated by a piezoelectric actuator and/or monitored by a piezoelectric sensor.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of array reading and readers of assay result arrays wherein light can be scanned onto analytical region array members from a light source and/or light can be scanned from array members to a detector. One or more mirrors can have one of more pivotable axes enabling scanning light paths to be established between assay result arrays and other components of an analytical device.

Abstract: Analytical cartridges, systems and methods of processing a sample for analysis using capillary flows. Vertical gradient sample filtration provides filtrate to an incubation chamber for a time controlled by a flow modulator at the outlet of the incubation chamber. The flow modulator can include a serpentine capillary flow path without side walls. Incubated filtrate can flow from the incubation chamber to a detection channel after a predetermined time. The detection chamber can include one or more analytical regions in a porous substrate for detection of two or more analytes on the same cartridge from the same sample.

Abstract: Analytical cartridges, systems and methods of processing a sample for analysis using capillary flows. Vertical gradient sample filtration provides filtrate to an incubation chamber for a time controlled by a flow modulator at the outlet of the incubation chamber. The flow modulator can include a serpentine capillary flow path without side walls. Incubated filtrate can flow from the incubation chamber to a detection channel after a predetermined time. The detection chamber can include one or more analytical regions in a porous substrate for detection of two or more analytes on the same cartridge from the same sample.

Abstract: This invention relates to a micromachined fluid ejector array having a fluid reservoir bounded at one side by an elastic membrane having scalable arrays of orifices arranged between concentric piezoelectric transducers, and at another side by a top cover supported by surrounding walls. By actuating neighboring concentric piezoelectric transducers, the scalable array of orifices arranged between the actuated neighboring concentric piezoelectric transducers deflect to eject fluid droplets. Also disclosed is a micromachined fluid ejector array having a fluid reservoir bounded at one side by an elastic membrane having scalable arrays of orifices arranged between concentric piezoelectric transducers, and at another side by a top cover supported by surrounding walls. A piezoelectric layer is bonded on top of the top cover.

Abstract: This invention relates to a systems and methods of controlling the flow of a fluid in a capillary or microfluidic channel. A first pair of electrodes can influence the wetting of a fluid front at a relatively hydrophobic surface in the channel. A second pair of electrodes can electrolytically generate a bubble that can stop fluid flow when it contacts the hydrophobic surface. Flow of a fluid in a channel can be stopped on contact with the hydrophobic surface and restarted when an electrostatic field reduces the contact angle of the fluid at the hydrophobic surface. The electrostatic field can be removed and the fluid stopped again when an electrolytically generated bubble contacts the hydrophobic surface to reestablish the blocking contact angle of the fluid, gas and surface.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and devices to measure physical characteristics of sample fluids. Samples are introduced into a sample chamber in contact with a mechanically oscillating working member. The vibrations are received by a piezoelectric sensor transducer and correlated to a sample characteristic, such as viscosity or density. The devices include a sample chamber in contact with one or more working members actuated by a piezoelectric actuator and/or monitored by a piezoelectric sensor.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and devices for detecting the viscosity and conductivity of a conductive fluid sample. A sample fluid can be received into a sample chamber between a field inductor and sensor inductor. Electromagnetic fields generated by the field inductor can be modulated due to the counter-emf induced in the sample. The modulations can be detected by the sensor inductor and correlated to electric parameters in the fluid.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of array reading and readers of assay result arrays wherein light can be scanned onto analytical region array members from a light source and/or light can be scanned from array members to a detector. One or more mirrors can have one of more pivotable axes enabling scanning light paths to be established between assay result arrays and other components of an analytical device.

Abstract: This invention provides lateral flow filters with pore size gradients and with features to prevent peripheral flows around the filter. The filters can be laminated composites of two or more planar filter layers. Cartridges employing the filters can include a filtration chamber configured to retain the lateral flow filters including a port for sample application and a capillary channel for filtrate egress. The fluid egress port can be positioned to receive filtrate from one filter layer but not another.

Abstract: This invention relates to a micromachined microfluidics diagnostic device that comprises one or multiple assaying channels each of which is comprised a sample port, a first valve, a reaction chamber, a second valve, a fluid ejector array, a third valve, a buffer chamber, a capture zone and a waste chamber. Each of these device components are interconnected through microfluidic channels. This invention further relates to the method of operating a micromachined microfluidic diagnostic device. The flow of fluid in the microchannels is regulated through micromachined valves. The reaction of sample analytes with fluorescent tags and detection antibodies in the reaction chamber are enhanced by the micromachined active mixer. By ejecting reaction mixture onto the capture zone through micromachined fluid ejector array, the fluorescent tagged analytes bind with capturing antiodies on capture zone. The fluid ejector array further ejects buffer fluid to wash away unbound fluorescent tags.