Abstract: Systems, methods, and techniques for optofluidic analyte detection and analysis using multi-mode interference (MMI) waveguides are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, spatially and spectrally multiplexed optical detection of particles is implemented on an optofluidic platform comprising multiple analyte channels intersecting a single MMI waveguide. In some embodiments, multi-stage photonic structures including a first stage MMI waveguide for demultiplexing optical signals by spatially separating different wavelengths of light from one another may be implemented. In some embodiments, a second stage may use single-mode waveguides and/or MMI waveguides to create multi-spot patterns using the demultiplexed, spatially separated light output from the first stage.

Abstract: A cartridge including a structural part with a hole surrounded at least partially by a recess, so that a wall is formed that separates the hole from the recess. The cartridge includes a liquid pack, wherein the liquid pack comprises a surrounding seal portion and a liquid containing portion. The liquid pack is arranged at least partially in the hole, in that a circumferential outer line of the seal portion protrudes over the hole.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a microfluidic substrate, a microfluidic chip and a detection method. The microfluidic substrate according to the present disclosure includes a first substrate, and a plurality of droplet detecting elements on the first substrate and in an array. Each of the plurality of droplet detecting elements includes an ultrasonic conversion device and a voltage detecting element, the ultrasonic conversion device is configured to generate ultrasonic wave according to a first electric signal, receive a reflected ultrasonic wave, and convert the reflected ultrasonic wave into a second electric signal; and the voltage detecting element is configured to detect the second electric signal and determine whether a droplet exists at a position where the droplet detecting element is located based on the second electric signal.

Abstract: A vial cap for removing a matrix component from a liquid sample is described. The vial cap includes a cap body, an inlet portion, and an outlet portion. The cap body is configured to have a slidable gas and liquid seal with a side wall of a sample vial. The inlet portion includes a counterbore section that holds a filter plug. The filter plug includes a polyethylene resin and a material selected from the group consisting of an ion exchange material and a reversed-phase material. The vial cap is adapted for solid phase extraction for use in an autosampler with a plurality of sample vials.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a blood coagulation testing system include an analyzer console device and a single-use cartridge component configured to releasably install into the console device. In some embodiments, the blood coagulation testing system can operate as an automated thromboelastometry system that is particularly useful, for example, at a point-of-care site.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a platform and method to quantify spatiotemporal tissue swelling during biologics injection, and to predict associated increase in the mechanical stress and interstitial fluid pressure (IFP) of tissues. Accurate measure and estimation of tissue swelling, thus, can be quantitative and predictive indicator of the IPD.

Abstract: An Ussing chamber assembly for assessing a tissue sample and for receiving a first fluid and a second fluid during such assessment is disclosed. The Ussing chamber assembly includes an Ussing chamber configured to be separated by the tissue sample into a first chamber portion and a second chamber portion. The assembly includes a first channel in fluidic communication with the first chamber portion, a second channel in fluidic communication with the second chamber portion, and at least three electrical conductors in fluidic communication with the first chamber portion.

Abstract: An apparatus is for moving a sample holder on a platform from a loading position where the sample holder can be removed from the platform to a locked position where the sample holder is securely held. The sample holder is configured to rest on wheels within a recessed portion on the platform. The apparatus is configured such that: (i) movement of the platform from the loading position to the locked position causes a vertical clamp to lower down on top of the sample holder, and a horizontal clamp to be pressed to an outer periphery of the sample holder; and (ii) movement of the platform from the locked position to the loading position causes the vertical clamp to rise above the sample holder, and the horizontal clamp to be moved away from the outer periphery of the sample holder.

Abstract: A linear actuator (10) for use in a modular assembly of such actuators comprises an actuator body (11), a shaft (12) guided by the body to be displaceable relative thereto in the sense of the longitudinal axis (13) of the shaft and a drive motor enclosed in the body and operable to axially displace the shaft relative to the body in two mutually opposite directions. The body has two mutually opposite sides (15a, 15b) respectively lying in two substantial parallel spaced-apart planes, which each represent a reference plane for positioning the body side-by-side with the body of another such actuator, and a further side (17b) connecting the two mutually opposite sides and stepped to form a projection (18) receiving the shaft (12) with the axis (13) parallel to the two planes and a rebate (19) beside the projection to permit the body to interlock with the body of another such actuator at that further side.

Abstract: Systems and assemblies for performing point-of-care, fluidic assays having self-contained, portable fluidic assay systems or assemblies. A housing comprises an assaying assembly, an inspiration actuator, and an expulsion actuator. The inspiration and expulsion actuators may include one-way valves. The assaying assembly is configured to provide a visual indicator in response to being contacted by one or more target analytes within a fluid-assay sample mixture. The fluidic assay assembly has a reciprocal plunger disposed therewithin and, in some embodiments, the plunger has a resilient member to bias the plunger in one direction. Movement of the plunger in a first direction implements an inspiration stroke for drawing the assay sample such that it contacts the fluid from the fluid chamber and continued movement of the plunger implements an expulsion stroke for expelling the fluid-assay sample mixture through the outlet opening to the receptacle of the assaying assembly.

Abstract: A particle manipulation system uses a MEMS-based, microfabricated particle manipulation device which has a sample inlet channel, output channels, and a movable member formed on a substrate. The device may be used to separate a target particle from non-target material in a sample stream. In order to improve the sorter speed, accuracy or yield, the particle manipulation system may also include a microfluidic structure which focuses the target particles in a particular portion of the sample inlet channel. The particle manipulation device may have two separate sort output channels, wherein the sort channel used depends on the characteristics of the sort pulse delivered to the micromechanical particle manipulation device.

Abstract: A system for deforming and analyzing a plurality of particles carried in a sample volume includes a substrate defining an inlet, configured to receive the sample volume, and an outlet; and a fluidic pathway fluidly coupled to the inlet and the outlet.

Abstract: An arrangement and method for polymerase chain reaction with multi-channel fluorescence measurement includes two heating elements, each including a sample receptacle for receiving a sample carrier, wherein the sample receptacles each have a plurality of cavities; two measuring heads, each movable relative to the heating elements, wherein each measuring head is configured such that excitation light is coupled into each of the cavities and fluorescence light can be coupled out from the cavities; a fluorescence unit including: a rotatable carrier; at least one optical module disposed on the carrier and configured to generate the excitation light having at least one wavelength; and a detection unit for detecting a fluorescence in the cavities; and a coupling module configured for guiding the excitation light from the fluorescence unit to the measuring heads and for guiding the fluorescence light from the measuring heads to the fluorescence unit.

Abstract: A device for detecting an analyte in a sample is provided, which comprises: a collecting chamber containing an opening for collecting a liquid sample; a detecting element for detecting an analyte in the liquid sample; and a lid for covering the opening of the collecting chamber. The device further comprises an indicating device thereon to indicate whether or not the lid covers at an appointed position. The operation of the device is very simple.

Abstract: A method of forming a colorimetric sensor includes depositing a first material onto a substrate, providing porous sensing particles, wherein the sensing particles comprise sensing species dispersed into a porous host structure, and embedding the porous sensing particles onto a surface of the deposited first material, the first material attaching the sensing particles to the substrate with at least a portion of the sensing particles is exposed to an ambient environment.

Abstract: An optochemical sensor for determining a measurement signal, which correlates with a concentration of an analyte of a measuring fluid, comprises: a sensor cap including a sensor spot, wherein the sensor spot contains at least one analyte-sensitive indicator dye and a state description indicator which reflects the aging state of the sensor spot; a radiation source to radiate excitation radiation onto the sensor spot and to excite a luminescence of the indicator dye; a radiation receiver to receive reception radiation emitted by the sensor spot; and a sensor circuit electrically connected to the radiation source and the radiation receiver and configured to control the radiation source and to generate, based on an intensity of luminescence and/or a phase angle of luminescence, a measurement signal representing the concentration of the analyte in the measuring fluid in contact with the sensor spot.

Abstract: In one aspect, molecular sensors and methods of making molecular sensors are described herein. In some embodiments, such a sensor comprises a first layer having a dual nanohole structure and a second layer having at least one nanopore. In some embodiments, the first and second layer define a chip of the sensor. In another aspect, methods of sensing are described herein, which in some embodiments comprise (i) providing a test sample comprising complexed and/or non-complexed biomolecules; (ii) contacting the test sample with the first layer of the molecular sensor; (iii) irradiating the dual nanohole structure of the sensor with a beam of electromagnetic radiation; (iv) optically trapping the biomolecules in the dual nanohole structure and measuring a surface plasmon resonance; (v) applying an electric field across the nanopore of the sensor; and (vi) measuring change in current across the nanopore during one or more translocation events of the biomolecules.

Abstract: The present invention provides a detecting apparatus, including a storage chamber containing a treating fluid; wherein, the detecting apparatus is internally provided with a sharp-pointed portion; the storage chamber may make a movement relative to the sharp-pointed portion; the storage chamber will be pierced by the sharp-pointed portion during the moving process, such that the treating fluid in the storage chamber is released. The detecting apparatus further includes a collecting chamber; the released treating fluid may flow into the collecting chamber; the collecting chamber is disposed inside a first shell and used to contain a sample; an opening is disposed at an upper position of the first shell; the collecting chamber is internally provided with a testing element for detecting an analyte; the testing element is disposed on a carrier, and the carrier has a specific matching form with the collecting chamber.

Abstract: A liquid handling device having an axis of rotation about which the device can be rotated to drive liquid flow in the device. The device includes an upstream chamber having an outlet, a downstream chamber including a proximal portion radially inwards of a distal portion and including a first port disposed in the distal portion and a first conduit which connects the outlet of the upstream chamber to the first port of the downstream chamber. The first conduit extends radially inwards to a crest and radially outwards from the crest to the first port of the downstream chamber. A distance between the axis of rotation and the crest is greater than or equal to a distance between the axis of rotation and the outlet of the upstream chamber.

Abstract: A system comprising a device or the device itself for measuring temperatures, comprising a sensor array plate, comprising on a first surface at least one temperature sensor arranged on at least one tongue that is surrounded by a cut-out leaving a bridge to the sensor array plate, wherein the at least one sensor has on both sides' spacer and a second surface opposite the first surface for connection to at least one operating plate of a thermocycler; and a pressure plate, comprising fins at the side for connection to the sensor array plate that align with the spacer of the sensor array plate when a pressure plate is arranged onto a sensor array plate.