Abstract: A disposable cartridge may have a fluid analysis chip for receiving a fluid to be analyzed. The fluid analysis chip may be attached to a fluid preparation unit of the disposable cartridge and may include a base layer. The fluid analysis chip may also include a spacer layer disposed over the base layer, the spacer layer including a microchannel formed therein, the microchannel being configured to guide a flow of the fluid to be analyzed within the fluid analysis chip. The fluid analysis chip may also include a cap layer disposed over the spacer layer, the cap layer including an inlet and an outlet for establishing fluid communication with the microchannel included in the spacer layer, and an interface layer disposed over the cap layer, the interface layer being configured to attach the fluid analysis chip to the fluid preparation unit of the disposable cartridge.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for performing one or more immunoassays on a fluid sample and performing image analysis on the fluid sample as the sample is flowing so as to obtain measurements related to one or more target analytes based on image analysis. The systems and methods include a disposable fluidic device, such as a cartridge, configured to be loaded with a fluid sample and perform one or more assays on the fluid sample. The cartridge is further configured to flow a volume of fluid sample, undergoing, or having undergone, an assay, through a portion thereof to be subsequently analyzed by an analysis instrument. The analysis instrument is configured to capture images of the fluid sample as it is flowing through a portion of the cartridge and subsequently analyze the images so as to obtain measurements of one or more target analytes within the fluid sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for extracting a fluid sample from a closed chamber and providing access to a volume of the extracted fluid sample for subsequent collection via a sampler device associated with a cartridge for delivering the volume of extracted fluid sample to a compatible diagnostic instrument for analyzing the fluid sample.

Abstract: A disposable cartridge includes parallel first and second preparation units. An analysis unit may be coupled to both the first preparation unit and the second preparation unit. The analysis unit has a compartment that receives the contents of the at least one pressable chamber of the first preparation unit and the contents of the at least one pressable chamber of the second preparation unit. Upon opening the at least one frangible seal of the first preparation unit, the contents of the at least one pressable chamber of the first preparation unit flows into the compartment of the analysis unit. Further, upon opening the at least one frangible seal of the second preparation unit, the contents of the at least one pressable chamber of the second preparation unit flows into the compartment of the analysis unit.

Abstract: A disposable cartridge includes parallel first and second preparation units. An analysis unit may be coupled to both the first preparation unit and the second preparation unit. The analysis unit has a compartment that receives the contents of the at least one pressable chamber of the first preparation unit and the contents of the at least one pressable chamber of the second preparation unit. Upon opening the at least one frangible seal of the first preparation unit, the contents of the at least one pressable chamber of the first preparation unit flows into the compartment of the analysis unit. Further, upon opening the at least one frangible seal of the second preparation unit, the contents of the at least one pressable chamber of the second preparation unit flows into the compartment of the analysis unit.

Abstract: A disposable cartridge may have a fluid analysis chip for receiving a fluid to be analyzed. The fluid analysis chip may be attached to a fluid preparation unit of the disposable cartridge and may include a base layer. The fluid analysis chip may also include a spacer layer disposed over the base layer, the spacer layer including a microchannel formed therein, the microchannel being configured to guide a flow of the fluid to be analyzed within the fluid analysis chip. The fluid analysis chip may also include a cap layer disposed over the spacer layer, the cap layer including an inlet and an outlet for establishing fluid communication with the microchannel included in the spacer layer, and an interface layer disposed over the cap layer, the interface layer being configured to attach the fluid analysis chip to the fluid preparation unit of the disposable cartridge.

Abstract: A disposable cartridge may have a fluid analysis chip for receiving a fluid to be analyzed. The fluid analysis chip may be attached to a fluid preparation unit of the disposable cartridge and may include a base layer. The fluid analysis chip may also include a spacer layer disposed over the base layer, the spacer layer including a microchannel formed therein, the microchannel being configured to guide a flow of the fluid to be analyzed within the fluid analysis chip. The fluid analysis chip may also include a cap layer disposed over the spacer layer, the cap layer including an inlet and an outlet for establishing fluid communication with the microchannel included in the spacer layer, and an interface layer disposed over the cap layer, the interface layer being configured to attach the fluid analysis chip to the fluid preparation unit of the disposable cartridge.

Abstract: A cartridge configured for use in a blood analyzer is provided. The cartridge may include a substantially rigid frame, a flow path within the rigid frame, at least one opening in the substantially rigid frame configured to align and stabilize a capillary tube, and a seal within the flow path. The seal may be configured to temporarily obstruct flow through at least a portion of the flow path. The seal may also be configured to open in response to a force exerted via a capillary tube inserted into the at least one opening.

Abstract: A disposable cartridge for preparing a sample fluid containing cells for analysis is disclosed. The cartridge includes one or more parallel preparation units, each preparation unit includes one or more chambers enclosed between seals and connected in series. Each chamber is configured for receiving an input fluid, performing a procedure affecting the fluid thereby generating an output fluid, and releasing the output fluid. A first chamber of the one or more chambers is a pressable chamber coupled to a first opening, while a last chamber of the one or more chambers is coupled to a second opening. The input fluid of the first chamber is the sample fluid. The one or more preparation units are coupleable to a compartment for performing analysis of the respective output fluids convey able via the second openings.

Abstract: A disposable cartridge for preparing a sample fluid containing cells for analysis is disclosed. The cartridge includes one or more parallel preparation units, each preparation unit includes one or more chambers enclosed between seals and connected in series. Each chamber is configured for receiving an input fluid, performing a procedure affecting the fluid thereby generating an output fluid, and releasing the output fluid. A first chamber of the one or more chambers is a pressable chamber coupled to a first opening, while a last chamber of the one or more chambers is coupled to a second opening. The input fluid of the first chamber is the sample fluid. The one or more preparation units are coupleable to a compartment for performing analysis of the respective output fluids convey able via the second openings.

Abstract: An apparatus arranged for examining particles, comprising: a cartridge having at least one microchannel, a viscoelastic fluid flowing in the microchannel, the fluid comprising a suspension of particles, thereby effecting alignment of the particles in at least one-dimensional array parallel to the fluid flow, and an optical magnifying means generating an image of the particles in the microchannel.

Abstract: A fluid analysis system may include a stage configured to receive a sample holder including a fluid sample to be analyzed. The fluid analysis system may also include a fluid analyzer configured to monitor at least one characteristic of the fluid sample to be analyzed; and an inclined rail; wherein the stage is configured to move along the inclined rail to cause the sample holder to move with a first component of motion along an analysis axis of the fluid analyzer and simultaneously with a second component of motion orthogonal to the analysis axis of the fluid analyzer, wherein the first component of motion affects a focus of the fluid analyzer relative to at least one constituent of the fluid sample to be analyzed.

Abstract: A disposable cartridge may have a fluid analysis chip for receiving a fluid to be analyzed. The fluid analysis chip may be attached to a fluid preparation unit of the disposable cartridge and may include a base layer. The fluid analysis chip may also include a spacer layer disposed over the base layer, the spacer layer including a microchannel formed therein, the microchannel being configured to guide a flow of the fluid to be analyzed within the fluid analysis chip. The fluid analysis chip may also include a cap layer disposed over the spacer layer, the cap layer including an inlet and an outlet for establishing fluid communication with the microchannel included in the spacer layer, and an interface layer disposed over the cap layer, the interface layer being configured to attach the fluid analysis chip to the fluid preparation unit of the disposable cartridge.

Abstract: A disposable cartridge for preparing a sample fluid containing cells for analysis is disclosed. The cartridge includes one or more parallel preparation units, each preparation unit includes one or more chambers enclosed between seals and connected in series. Each chamber is configured for receiving an input fluid, performing a procedure affecting the fluid thereby generating an output fluid, and releasing the output fluid. A first chamber of the one or more chambers is a pressable chamber coupled to a first opening, while a last chamber of the one or more chambers is coupled to a second opening. The input fluid of the first chamber is the sample fluid. The one or more preparation units are coupleable to a compartment for performing analysis of the respective output fluids convey able via the second openings.

Abstract: The invention discloses a disposable cartridge for preparing a sample fluid containing cells for analysis. The cartridge comprises one or more parallel preparation units, each preparation unit comprises one or more chambers enclosed between seals and connected in series. Each chamber is configured for receiving an input fluid, performing a procedure affecting the fluid thereby generating an output fluid, and releasing the output fluid. A first chamber of the one or more chambers is a pressable chamber coupled to a first opening, while a last chamber of the one or more chambers is coupled to a second opening. The input fluid of the first chamber is the sample fluid. The one or more preparation units are coupleable to a compartment for performing analysis of the respective output fluids convey able via the second openings.

Abstract: A disposable cartridge may have a fluid analysis chip for receiving a fluid to be analyzed. The fluid analysis chip may be attached to a fluid preparation unit of the disposable cartridge and may include a base layer. The fluid analysis chip may also include a spacer layer disposed over the base layer, the spacer layer including a microchannel formed therein, the microchannel being configured to guide a flow of the fluid to be analyzed within the fluid analysis chip. The fluid analysis chip may also include a cap layer disposed over the spacer layer, the cap layer including an inlet and an outlet for establishing fluid communication with the microchannel included in the spacer layer, and an interface layer disposed over the cap layer, the interface layer being configured to attach the fluid analysis chip to the fluid preparation unit of the disposable cartridge.

Abstract: A fluid analysis system may include a stage configured to receive a sample holder including a fluid sample to be analyzed. The fluid analysis system may also include a fluid analyzer configured to monitor at least one characteristic of the fluid sample to be analyzed; and an inclined rail; wherein the stage is configured to move along the inclined rail to cause the sample holder to move with a first component of motion along an analysis axis of the fluid analyzer and simultaneously with a second component of motion orthogonal to the analysis axis of the fluid analyzer, wherein the first component of motion affects a focus of the fluid analyzer relative to at least one constituent of the fluid sample to be analyzed.

Abstract: An apparatus arranged for examining particles, comprising: a cartridge having at least one microchannel, a viscoelastic fluid flowing in the microchannel, the fluid comprising a suspension of particles, thereby effecting alignment of the particles in at least one-dimensional array parallel to the fluid flow, and an optical magnifying means generating an image of the particles in the microchannel.

Abstract: Provided is a method of focusing particles. The method includes: providing a suspension of the particles in a suspending medium; and flowing the suspension along a channel, such that the flowing suspension occupies a certain volume that has at least one cross-sectional dimension smaller than 100 ?m. The suspending medium has such viscoelastic properties, that flowing the suspension in the channel directs at least some of the particles towards a focus region, enclosed in said certain volume.

Abstract: A fluid analysis system may include a stage configured to receive a sample holder including a fluid sample to be analyzed. The fluid analysis system may also include a fluid analyzer configured to monitor at least one characteristic of the fluid sample to be analyzed; and an inclined rail; wherein the stage is configured to move along the inclined rail to cause the sample holder to move with a first component of motion along an analysis axis of the fluid analyzer and simultaneously with a second component of motion orthogonal to the analysis axis of the fluid analyzer, wherein the first component of motion affects a focus of the fluid analyzer relative to at least one constituent of the fluid sample to be analyzed.