Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an organ-on-a-chip, and according to the present disclosure, the organ-on-a-chip includes a first layer having a first microfluidic channel to culture a first organ cell, a second layer having a second microfluidic channel, a third layer having a third microfluidic channel to culture a second organ cell, a first membrane to spatially separate the first microfluidic channel from the second microfluidic channel, and a second membrane to spatially separate the second microfluidic channel from the third microfluidic channel, thereby measuring the rate of absorption of a test drug into the first organ cell and the second organ cell at the same time.

Abstract: A wearable sensor for monitoring an external bodily fluid includes a sensor thread, a wick, a substrate, and a communication interface all of which are disposed on a substrate. The wick wicks the external bodily fluid to a functionalized region of the thread. The communication interface transmits, to an external device, data indicative of what the sensor thread has measured in said external bodily fluid. The external device can then carry out real-time analysis or storage.

Abstract: A microfluidic system includes a chip holder that holds a microchip including a plurality of reservoirs, a chip cover, a sealing member; a dispensing probe, a suction mechanism, a first storage where a first cleaning solution is stored, a second storage where a second cleaning solution is stored, a pump, a channel switch, and a controller. The channel switch is configured to switch between a channel through which the first cleaning solution is suctioned from the first storage and a channel through which the second cleaning solution is suctioned from the second storage. The controller controls operations of the channel switch and the pump.

Abstract: Devices and methods for performing pre-analysis sample processing of biological and chemical samples using robotic liquid handlers are disclosed. Methods for solid phase extraction, protein precipitation and filtration of biological and chemical samples using automation and the devices in a rapid and convenient way are described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a genetic diagnosis chip. The genetic diagnosis chip includes one or more unit processing parts, wherein the unit processing part includes a pretreatment unit that loads a sample and performs a pretreatment process on a target material in the loaded sample, and a distribution unit which is located radially outward from the pretreatment unit and in which the target material pretreated through the pretreatment unit is distributed and detection of the distributed target material is performed, the pretreatment unit includes a sample loading unit that loads the sample, and a capture channel which captures the target material from the loaded sample, and the sample loading unit is formed on the capture channel.

Abstract: Provided are methods and materials for assaying known and candidate therapeutics for inotropic cardiac effects in one or more in vitro assay formats comprising preloaded cardiac tissues and/or organoids.

Abstract: An electronic-sensing & magnetic-modulation (ESMM) biosensor device and methods of using the same, where the device incorporates electrical, microfluidic, and magnetic subsystems. The device and methods of using such a device can be applied to high throughput point-of-care screening for the quantification and evaluation of a subject's immune response to pathogenic infections, which can be useful for: early diagnosis, stratifying high-risk subjects infected with a pathogen; and determining the status or effectiveness of a therapeutic response.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes first and second substrate structures. The first substrate structure has a first substrate surface configured to receive one or more droplets. A plurality of electrodes configured to apply an electric field to the droplets. The second substrate structure has a second substrate surface facing the first substrate surface and spaced apart from the first substrate surface to form a fluid channel. The microfluidic device has a first heating element adjacent to the first substrate structure and disposed on an opposite side of the first substrate surface, and a second heating element adjacent to the second substrate structure and disposed on an opposite side of the second substrate surface. The microfluidic device further includes one or more temperature sensors disposed adjacent to the fluid channel between the first substrate structure and the second substrate structure.

Abstract: Improved methods and devices using reduction of pressure for removing ethanol from filters in a fluidic or microfluidic system in point of care devices involve filters that are solid state extraction filters used to capture and/or concentrate nucleic acids prior to further downstream processing such as amplification by polymerase chain reaction. The method uses the induction of negative pressure with respect to atmospheric pressure to improve the efficiency of the ethanol removal process.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and their methods of use, for generating and collecting droplets are provided. The device includes a collection region comprising a side wall canted at an angle. The invention further provides multiplex devices that increase droplet formation.

Abstract: A method for evaluating a mass spectrometry device includes: by a mass spectrometry device, performing mass spectrometry of an ester of phthalic acid and detecting a plurality of types of ions produced by dissociation of the ester of phthalic acid; and obtaining information concerning whether the mass spectrometry device is in a state suitable for analysis, based on a ratio of intensities of the plurality of types of ions detected.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to devices, and methods for quantifying thiol content in a sample containing a mixture of proteins or protein isoforms. The method includes conjugating a portion of the sample with free thiol detection binders, separating the contents in the portion of the sample into separated protein isoforms, detecting fluorescence signals associated with each separated protein isoform, and quantifying, based on the fluorescence signals, a relative amount of free thiol associated with each separated protein isoform. In some instances, the method includes quantifying the amount of each separated protein isoform based on absorbance signals associated with each separated protein isoform. In some instances, the fluorescence and/or absorbance signals associated with protein isoforms conjugated with detection binders can be compared with the corresponding signals associated with unconjugated protein isoforms.

Abstract: A nutrient intake amount estimation system according to an embodiment includes: a sensor that is disposed in a toilet space, and configured to detect an excretion smell related to excretion of a user of the toilet space; an estimation unit configured to estimate an estimated nutrient intake amount that is an amount of nutrients taken by the user by using an output of an estimation model that outputs information indicating an amount of nutrients estimated to be taken by the user in accordance with an input based on an output value of the sensor; and an output unit configured to output information based on the estimated nutrient intake amount.

Abstract: An isolation device for isolation of target particles from a plurality of liquid samples includes a plurality of isolation chips and a vacuum system. Each of the plurality of isolation chips includes a sample reservoir, and a first outlet and a second outlet disposed at opposite sides of the sample reservoir. The vacuum system includes a first vacuum pump connected to the first outlet of each of the plurality of isolation chips and a second vacuum pump connected to the second outlet of each of the plurality of isolation chips. The first vacuum pump generates a negative pressure in each of the plurality of isolation chips through a corresponding first outlet. The second vacuum pump generates a negative pressure in each of the plurality of isolation chips through a corresponding second outlet. The target particles are isolated from each of the plurality of liquid samples in a corresponding sample reservoir.

Abstract: Materials and methods for testing unknown substances for the presence of an opioid are described.

Abstract: Provided are an active droplet generating apparatus capable of controlling a droplet size, a method of controlling a droplet size using the same, and a self-diagnosis apparatus for diagnosing generation of a droplet, the active droplet generating apparatus including: a disposable microchannel upper plate; a multifunctional lower plate separated from the disposable microchannel upper plate and configured to be permanently used separately from the disposable microchannel upper plate; a functional polymeric film provided on a lower surface of the upper plate; a negative pressure forming means; and a flow velocity control device configured to adjust the droplet size to a desired size by receiving, by feedback, the voltage value measured by the droplet measuring electrode and controlling flow velocities of the oil and the sample, thereby controlling the droplet size in a feedback control manner by quickly and accurately measuring the droplet size using a capacitance impedance technique.

Abstract: In an automatic analysis device, it is possible during specimen analysis to add/deposit one rack at a time without stopping the analysis, and it is easy to ascertain the analysis sequence. The analyzer has an analysis module, a rack transport module for transporting a specimen rack in which a specimen container storing a specimen is loaded, and a control device. The rack transport module includes a rack supply part for supplying a specimen rack, a rack accommodating part for accommodating a specimen rack, a rack transport line for transporting a specimen rack supplied from the rack supply part, a dispensing line for transporting a specimen rack to the analysis module, and a rack rotor for transferring a specimen rack between the rack transport line and the dispensing line. Operation of the rack supply part for supplying a specimen rack can be stopped independently of the operation of the analysis module.

Abstract: A microfluidic apparatus for delivering droplets of a first fluid to droplets of a second fluid, comprising a main channel, with a carrier fluid carrying droplets of the second fluid, an auxiliary channel, fluidly coupled to the main channel at a first intersection via a first orifice with a first fluid interface, and at a second intersection downstream to the first intersection via a second orifice with a second fluid interface, wherein a flow of the carrier fluid induces a difference of pressure between the first and second orifice generating a balance condition such that a meniscus of the second fluid interface is maintained in the auxiliary channel, at the vicinity of the second orifice, wherein a balance deviation triggers a release of a volume of the first fluid from the second fluid interface into the main channel.

Abstract: Examples herein involve amplification and detection of nucleic acids using a microfluidic reaction chamber. An example apparatus includes a reaction-chamber circuit to process a reagent and a biologic sample for amplification of nucleic acids. The apparatus further includes a plurality of capillaries to pass the reagent and the biologic sample through the microfluidic reaction chamber. A valve control system may selectively control each of a plurality of valves to cause the reagent and the biologic sample to selectively move through the microfluidic reaction chamber for the amplification of the nucleic acids according to a particular timing sequence. In various examples, a trapping region disposed in the microfluidic reaction chamber secures the nucleic acids in the microfluidic reaction chamber for amplification using the reaction-chamber circuit.

Abstract: A detection chip, a method of using a detection chip and a reaction system are provided. The detection chip includes a first substrate, a micro-chamber definition layer and a heating electrode. The micro-chamber definition layer is located on the first substrate and defines a plurality of micro-reaction chambers. The heating electrode is located on the first substrate and closer to the first substrate than the micro-chamber definition layer, and configured to release heat after being energized. The heating electrode includes a plurality of sub-electrodes, orthographic projections of the plurality of micro-reaction chambers on the first substrate overlap with orthographic projections of at least two of the plurality of sub-electrodes on the first substrate, and the at least two of the plurality of sub-electrodes have different heating values per unit time after being energized.