Abstract: The present disclosure provides extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) apparatuses treated to comprise lubricating liquid surfaces, hydrophobic or omniphobic surfaces, and/or fluid and solid repellant slippery surfaces that do not stimulate clotting and thrombus formation to the same degree as do the untreated surfaces. The apparatuses permit ECMO procedures to be conducted using less anticoagulant and/or antiplatelet medications than is possible with untreated apparatuses. Also described are methods of using the treated apparatuses to accomplish ECMO procedures on subjects (e.g., human patients) and upon perfused organs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for detecting polymeric analytes, especially biopolymers, and sensors for detecting the polymeric analytes. The present invention uses magnetic beads in a rotating magnetic field to provide a visual detection of the presence of a polymeric analyte, such as nucleic acids, lipids, polysaccharides, proteins, etc. When a polymeric analyte binds to the magnetic beads, application of a rotating magnetic field to the beads results in unique pinwheel formations. Without the presence of the polymeric analyte, the movement of the magnetic beads induced by the rotating magnetic field differs significantly from the pinwheel formations. The pinwheel, therefore, is used to detect the presence of polymeric analytes.

Abstract: Articles, methods of making, and uses for modifying surfaces for liquid repellency are disclosed. The liquid repellant surfaces comprise a surface comprising an anchoring layer. The anchoring layer, which forms an immobilized molecular anchoring layer on the surface, has anchoring molecules, where each anchoring molecule has a head group that is covalently linked to the surface and a functional tail group. The anchoring molecules are crosslinked to each other to form a crosslinked network. The functional tail group has an affinity for a lubricating liquid, which is applied to the treated surface to form a lubricating layer. The anchoring layer and replenishable lubricating liquid are held together by non-covalent attractive forces. Together, these layers form an ultra-repellant slippery surface that repels certain immiscible liquids and prevents adsorption, coagulation, and surface fouling by components contained within.

Abstract: A microfluidic coagulation assessment device includes a plurality of microchannels, with a blood sample driven through the microchannels at a substantially constant flow rate. A controller is configured to, in combination with a timer and a pressure sensing device, determine a first pressure value (or flow value) at an initiation of flow, a first time (Tpg) at which a second pressure value is about twice the determined first pressure value, and a second time (Tpf) at which a third pressure value is about (1+e) times the determined first pressure value and establish a subject coagulation model predictive of channel occlusion therefrom.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a microfluidic chip to facilitate DNA analysis. The microfluidic chip includes a first domain configured for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of DNA fragments, a dilution domain coupled to the first domain to dilute a PCR mixture received from the first domain, and a second domain that is coupled to the dilution domain so as to receive the amplified DNA fragments. The second domain includes a separation channel that is configured to perform electrophoretic separation of the amplified DNA fragments. In addition, the disclosure provides a DNA analyzer to act on the microfluidic chip to perform an integrated single chip DNA analysis.

Abstract: A microfluidic coagulation assessment device includes a plurality of microchannels, with a blood sample driven through the microchannels at a substantially constant flow rate. A controller is configured to, in combination with a timer and a pressure sensing device, determine a first pressure value (or flow value) at an initiation of flow, a first time (Tpg) at which a second pressure value is about twice the determined first pressure value, and a second time (Tpf) at which a third pressure value is about (1+e) times the determined first pressure value and establish a subject coagulation model predictive of channel occlusion therefrom.

Abstract: In accord with one aspect, a microfluidic coagulation assessment device defining a plurality of microchannels is provided, wherein a blood sample is driven through the microchannels at a substantially constant flow rate and a controller is configured to, in combination with a timer and a pressure sensing device, determine a first pressure value (or flow value) at an initiation of flow, a first time (Tpg) at which a second pressure value is about twice the determined first pressure value, and a second time (Tpf) at which a third pressure value is about (1+e) times the determined first pressure value and establish a subject coagulation model predictive of channel occlusion therefrom. In another aspect, the blood sample is driven through the microchannels at a substantially constant pressure and a controller is configured to, in combination with a timer and a flow sensing device make the determination based on flow rate.

Abstract: In accord with one aspect, a microfluidic coagulation assessment device defining a plurality of microchannels is provided, wherein a blood sample is driven through the microchannels at a substantially constant flow rate and a controller is configured to, in combination with a timer and a pressure sensing device, determine a first pressure value (or flow value) at an initiation of flow, a first time (Tpg) at which a second pressure value is about twice the determined first pressure value, and a second time (Tpf) at which a third pressure value is about (1+e) times the determined first pressure value and establish a subject coagulation model predictive of channel occlusion therefrom. In another aspect, the blood sample is driven through the microchannels at a substantially constant pressure and a controller is configured to, in combination with a timer and a flow sensing device make the determination based on flow rate.

Abstract: Articles, methods of making, and uses for modifying surfaces for liquid repellency are disclosed. The liquid repellant surfaces comprise a surface comprising an anchoring layer. The anchoring layer, which forms an immobilized molecular anchoring layer on the surface, has anchoring molecules, where each anchoring molecule has a head group that is covalently linked to the surface and a functional tail group. The anchoring molecules are crosslinked to each other to form a crosslinked network. The functional tail group has an affinity for a lubricating liquid, which is applied to the treated surface to form a lubricating layer. The anchoring layer and replenishable lubricating liquid are held together by non-covalent attractive forces. Together, these layers form an ultra-repellant slippery surface that repels certain immiscible liquids and prevents adsorption, coagulation, and surface fouling by components contained within.

Abstract: Articles, methods of making, and uses for modifying surfaces for simultaneously providing repellency and selective binding of desired moieties are disclosed. The repellant surfaces comprise a substrate and a lubricating layer immobilized over the substrate surface having a lubricating liquid having an affinity with the substrate. The substrate and the lubricating liquid are attracted to each other together by non-covalent attractive forces. The repellent surface further includes a binding group extending over the surface of the lubricating layer and the binding group has an affinity with a target moiety. The lubricating layer and the substrate form a slippery or repellent surface configured and arranged for contact with a material that is immiscible with the lubricating liquid and the immiscible material contains the target moiety.

Abstract: Articles, methods of making, and uses for modifying surfaces for liquid repellency are disclosed. The liquid repellant surfaces comprise a surface comprising an anchoring layer. The anchoring layer, which forms an immobilized molecular anchoring layer on the surface, has a head group that is covalently linked to, or adsorbed onto, the surface and a functional group. The functional group of the treated surface has an affinity for a lubricating layer, which is applied to the treated surface. The anchoring layer and replenishable lubricating layer are held together by non-covalent attractive forces. Together, these layers form an ultra-repellant slippery surface that repels certain immiscible liquids and prevents adsorption, coagulation, and surface fouling by components contained within.

Abstract: Described herein are microfluidic modules and methods for making the same, wherein the microfluidic modules include a substrate comprising at least one ether-based, aliphatic polyurethane, and at least one fluidic element disposed therein. The ether-based aliphatic polyurethane can be either the substrate of the microfluidic modules or a coating of another substrate material, such that at least a portion of the ether-based, aliphatic polyurethane is in fluid communication. In one embodiment, the ether-based, aliphatic polyurethane includes dicyclohexylmethane-4,4?-diisocyanate. As the ether-based aliphatic polyurethane can decrease absorption of molecules, e.g., hydrophobic molecules, in such microfluidic modules, the microfluidic modules described herein can be used in various applications such as drug screening and fluorescent microscopy.

Abstract: The invention provides methods to detect or determine the presence or amount of a pathogen, such as a virus or bacterium, in a sample or the amount of cells based on the detection of their genomic DNA. The method employs magnetic substrates and subjects the sample and the magnetic substrate to forms of energy so as to induce aggregate formation and detects the aggregates.

Abstract: The invention provides methods to detect or determine the presence or amount of a polymeric analyte in a sample, which employ magnetic substrates and subjects the sample and the magnetic substrate to forms of energy so as to induce aggregate formation.

Abstract: The invention provides methods to detect or quantify cells such as nucleated cells in a sample such as a physiological sample, which employ magnetic substrates and subjects the sample and the magnetic substrate to forms of energy so as to induce aggregate formation.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a microfluidic chip to facilitate DNA analysis. The microfluidic chip includes a first domain configured for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of DNA fragments, a dilution domain coupled to the first domain to dilute a PCR mixture received from the first domain, and a second domain that is coupled to the dilution domain so as to receive the amplified DNA fragments. The second domain includes a separation channel that is configured to perform electrophoretic separation of the amplified DNA fragments. In addition, the disclosure provides a DNA analyzer to act on the microfluidic chip to perform an integrated single chip DNA analysis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for detecting polymeric analytes, especially biopolymers, and sensors for detecting the polymeric analytes. The present invention uses magnetic beads in a rotating magnetic field to provide a visual detection of the presence of a polymeric analyte, such as nucleic acids, lipids, polysaccharides, proteins, etc. When a polymeric analyte binds to the magnetic beads, application of a rotating magnetic field to the beads results in unique pinwheel formations. Without the presence of the polymeric analyte, the movement of the magnetic beads induced by the rotating magnetic field differs significantly from the pinwheel formations. The pinwheel, therefore, is used to detect the presence of polymeric analytes.