Abstract: A microfluidic system for processing biological samples comprising a holding chamber adapted for holding a fluid and to be rotated on a platform, said holding chamber comprising an outlet through which fluid flow is controlled by an acceleration-primed valve system, wherein the acceleration-primed valve system comprises a capillary valve and an outlet channel. The invention provides a novel valving system, which retains fluids at low angular velocities, removes the need for hydrophilic surfaces, minimises disc real-estate and optimises certain microfluidic processes done in the holding chamber.

Abstract: The invention provides a microfluidic system comprising a cartridge coupled to a motor and adapted to move a fluid sample to a plurality of locations on the cartridge. The cartridge comprises a chevron shaped or substantially V shaped reaction chamber having at least three zones, a first zone positioned near the apex of the V shaped reaction chamber to define a detection zone, a second zone positioned near a first end of the V shaped reaction chamber and a third zone positioned near a second end of the V shaped reaction chamber. The motor and a control module is configured to provide a combination of centrifugal force and gravitational force to move said fluid sample between at least three zones.

Abstract: A microfluidic system for processing biological samples comprising a holding chamber adapted for holding a fluid and to be rotated on a platform, said holding chamber comprising an outlet through which fluid flow is controlled by an acceleration-primed valve system, wherein the acceleration-primed valve system comprises a capillary valve and an outlet channel. The invention provides a novel valving system, which retains fluids at low angular velocities, removes the need for hydrophilic surfaces, minimises disc real-estate and optimises certain microfluidic processes done in the holding chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic system for processing biological samples comprising a holding chamber adapted for holding a fluid and to be rotated on a platform, said holding chamber comprising an outlet through which fluid flow is controlled by an acceleration-primed valve system, wherein the acceleration-primed valve system comprises a capillary valve and an outlet channel. The invention provides a novel valving system, which retains fluids at low angular velocities, removes the need for hydrophilic surfaces, minimizes disc real-estate and optimizes certain microfluidic processes done in the holding chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic system for processing biological samples comprising a rotary motor; a means for controlling said motor; a platform coupled to the rotary motor and adapted to provide at least one particle-washing structure and one particle receiving structure for receiving washed particles; and a detection zone for detection of particles of the sample in the particle receiving structure while the platform rotates. The invention provides a sample processing system that is both automated and prone to fewer errors than manual processing. This is accomplished using a centrifugal microfluidic platform that can process raw biological samples (e.g., blood, sputum, urine,) in order to perform high-quality bead-based immunofluorescent assays. The invention uses a simple rotary motor and custom-designed plastic disc to perform the sample preparation steps outlined above.

Abstract: The invention provides a high resolution, wide dynamic range, multi-color detection platform for microfluidic analyzers/instruments and methods. The detection platform uses multiple high gain semiconductor optical sensors for the detection of luminescence from cellular or biological samples. The digitized outputs from these sensors are combined and weighted in a signal processing unit, using pre-determined algorithms for each color, which optimize the resolution in each of these high gain semiconductor optical sensors while extending the dynamic range of the detection platform.

Abstract: The invention provides a flow cytometric system comprising a first sensor positioned axially to a light source; a channel comprising means for receiving a sample target and interposed between said first sensor and light source; and a second sensor placed at an angle to said first sensor adapted to sense side scattering and/or fluorescent components and said first sensor is adapted to sense a forward scattering component in response to light illuminating the sample target in said channel. In another embodiment the invention provides for a wide dynamic range sensor comprising a plurality of photodiode pixels; wherein at least one or more of said photodiode pixels are voltage biased in one or more of the following modes: photon counting, normal, linear avalanche or Geiger modes, for wide dynamic sensor range operation.