Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fluidic cartridge includes providing a cartridge body with a sample chamber having an open first end and a sample exit port at a second end and one or more chambers that are that are fluidly connected or connectable with the sample chamber. First and second porous membranes are provided and the second membrane is affixed within the sample chamber covering the sample exit port. Non-magnetic beads and at least one magnetic element are introduced into the sample chamber. The first membrane is then affixed within the sample chamber, overlapping the open first end of the sample chamber. An internal wall of the sample chamber and the affixed first and second membranes define a lysis chamber. Pores of the first and second membranes are sized to retain the non-magnetic beads and the magnetic element within the lysis chamber.

Abstract: A method for lysing cells in a fluid sample includes positioning an electromagnet within a predetermined distance from a sample chamber of a microfluidic device which contains the fluid sample and lytic agents including non-magnetic beads and at least one magnetic element. A magnetic field generated by the electromagnet is targeted at the sample and the lytic agents contained in the sample chamber. The electromagnet is spatially separated from the sample chamber and held stationary while generating the magnetic field, and the polarity of the magnetic field is reversed, thereby causing the magnetic element to move in a random manner within the sample chamber to agitate the non-magnetic beads to lyse cells contained within the fluid sample and release nucleic acids from the lysed cells.

Abstract: A fluidic cartridge includes a sample chamber having an open top end and a sample exit port and a lysis chamber within the sample chamber. The lysis chamber is defined by an inner wall of the sample chamber, a first porous membrane affixed within the sample chamber, the first porous membrane overlapping the open top end, and a second porous membrane spaced apart from the first porous membrane affixed within the sample chamber, the second porous membrane overlapping the sample exit port. At least one magnetic element and a plurality of non-magnetic beads are contained within the lysis chamber, and the pores of the first and the second porous membranes are sized to retain the magnetic element and the non-magnetic beads within the lysis chamber.

Abstract: A method for lysing cells in a fluid sample includes providing the sample to a sample chamber of a fluidic cartridge and securing a cap to an open end of the sample chamber. The cap includes a deformable wall defining a chamber containing lytic agents and enclosed by a frangible membrane. The lytic agents include non-magnetic beads and at least one magnetic element, and the size of the magnetic element is greater than the size of any of the non-magnetic beads. A force is applied to a top end of the deformable wall, thereby collapsing the chamber such that the lytic agents rupture the frangible membrane and are released into the sample chamber. The fluid sample and the lytic agents are subjected to a magnetic field causing the magnetic element to agitate the non-magnetic beads to lyse cells within the fluid sample.

Abstract: A method for processing a fluid sample in a fluidic cartridge with a chamber expander secured with respect to one of two or more wells of uniform height to expand a volumetric capacity of the one well by the volumetric capacity of the chamber expander, the two or more wells being fluidly connected or connectable. The method includes dispensing fluid sample into an opening defined by a mouth of the chamber expander, the amount of fluid sample completely filling the well and at least partially filling the chamber expander, and coupling a cap to the mouth of the chamber expander to close the opening.

Abstract: A cap for dispensing lytic agents into a sample well of a fluidic cartridge includes a deformable wall defining a chamber. A lower sleeve situated beneath the deformable wall defines a recess that is open to the chamber. A frangible membrane affixed to an end of the lower sleeve encloses the recess and the chamber. Lytic agents comprising non-magnetic beads and a magnetic element are contained within the chamber and the recess. A method for lysing cells contained in a sample includes providing sample to the sample well, inserting the cap into the well, applying a force to the deformable wall so the lytic agents rupture the frangible membrane and are released into the well, and subjecting the sample and the lytic agents to a magnetic field causing the magnetic element to agitate the non-magnetic beads to lyse cells contained within the sample.

Abstract: A fluid sample is dispensed into a sample chamber of a fluidic cartridge, the sample chamber containing non-magnetic beads, a magnetic element, and an internal control reagent contained within an internal control pellet including an internal control for validating an assay result and/or to validate the effectiveness of a cell lysis procedure. The magnetic element is exposed to a magnetic field, thereby causing movement of the magnetic element, which causes movement of the non-magnetic beads. Movement of the non-magnetic beads causes cells contained within the fluid sample to lyse and release nucleic acids. The internal control reagent dissolves in the presence of the fluid sample or movement of the non-magnetic beads disintegrates the internal control pellet, thereby releasing the internal control into the fluid sample. Movement of the magnetic element and the non-magnetic beads causes the internal control to be distributed within the fluid sample.

Abstract: A lysis vessel for performing cell lysis includes a laterally extending member and a sleeve having a bottom end defining an open bottom end of the vessel. A first porous membrane is affixed to a top or bottom surface of the laterally extending member and covers a vent in the member. A second porous membrane is affixed to the bottom end of the sleeve and covers the open bottom end. The bottom surface of the laterally extending member, an inner surface of the sleeve, and the first and second porous membranes define a lysis chamber. A plurality of non-magnetic beads are contained within the lysis chamber, and at least one magnetic element is contained within the lysis chamber. The first and the second porous membranes are sized to retain the plurality of non-magnetic beads and the at least one magnetic element within the lysis chamber.

Abstract: A lysis capsule for performing a cell lysis procedure includes a hollow body having an open first end and an open second end, a first porous membrane covering the open first end, and a second porous membrane covering the open second end, and the hollow body defines a lysis chamber between the first and second porous membranes. A plurality of non-magnetic beads and at least one magnetic element are disposed within the lysis chamber, and the pores of the first and second porous membranes are sized to retain the non-magnetic beads and the magnetic element within the lysis chamber. An internal control may be contained within the lysis chamber to validate an assay result and/or to validate the effectiveness of the cell lysis procedure. The lysis capsule may be disposed within a sample chamber of a fluidic cartridge.

Abstract: The present invention describes a device(s) and assay(s) for the isolation and analysis of individual components from a sample. The invention provides a means of both isolating a multitude of individual components into an organized array and the subsequent analysis of such components by various detection and analysis methodologies. The invention provides a significant advancement in both the number of individual components that can be individually analyzed as well as enabling the quality and number of analytical methodologies that can be applied to them.

Abstract: The present invention describes a device(s) and assay(s) for the isolation and analysis of individual components from a sample. The invention provides a means of both isolating a multitude of individual components into an organized array and the subsequent analysis of such components by various detection and analysis methodologies. The invention provides a significant advancement in both the number of individual components that can be individually analyzed as well as enabling the quality and number of analytical methodologies that can be applied to them.

Abstract: A technique relates to manufacturing a nanogap. An oxide layer is disposed on top of a substrate. A release layer is disposed in a pattern on top of the oxide layer. A patterned trench is etched into the oxide layer using the pattern of the release layer. A metal layer is disposed on the release layer and in the patterned trench. A polish removes the release layer, thereby removing both the release layer and a portion of the metal layer having been disposed on top of the release layer, such that the metal layer remaining includes a first metal part and a second metal part connected by a metal nanowire. The metal layer remaining is coplanar with the oxide layer. A nanochannel is formed in the oxide layer in a region of the metal nanowire. The nanogap is formed in the metal nanowire separating the first and second metal parts.

Abstract: The present invention describes a device(s) and assay(s) for the isolation and analysis of individual components from a sample. The invention provides a means of both isolating a multitude of individual components into an organized array and the subsequent analysis of such components by various detection and analysis methodologies. The invention provides a significant advancement in both the number of individual components that can be individually analyzed as well as enabling the quality and number of analytical methodologies that can be applied to them.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a microfluidic device comprising a chip; a flow channel being disposed in the chip; the flow channel being in communication with an entry port and an exit port; the flow channel being operative to permit the flow of a library from the entry port to the exit port; a substrate; the substrate being disposed upon the chip; the substrate being operative to act as an upper wall for the flow channels; and a plurality of receptors; the plurality of receptors being disposed on the substrate; the plurality of receptors being operative to interact with an element from the library.

Abstract: A technique relates to manufacturing a nanogap. An oxide layer is disposed on top of a substrate. A release layer is disposed in a pattern on top of the oxide layer. A patterned trench is etched into the oxide layer using the pattern of the release layer. A metal layer is disposed on the release layer and in the patterned trench. A polish removes the release layer, thereby removing both the release layer and a portion of the metal layer having been disposed on top of the release layer, such that the metal layer remaining includes a first metal part and a second metal part connected by a metal nanowire. The metal layer remaining is coplanar with the oxide layer. A nanochannel is formed in the oxide layer in a region of the metal nanowire. The nanogap is formed in the metal nanowire separating the first and second metal parts.

Abstract: A technique relates to manufacturing a nanogap. An oxide layer is disposed on top of a substrate. A release layer is disposed in a pattern on top of the oxide layer. A patterned trench is etched into the oxide layer using the pattern of the release layer. A metal layer is disposed on the release layer and in the patterned trench. A polish removes the release layer, thereby removing both the release layer and a portion of the metal layer having been disposed on top of the release layer, such that the metal layer remaining includes a first metal part and a second metal part connected by a metal nanowire. The metal layer remaining is coplanar with the oxide layer. A nanochannel is formed in the oxide layer in a region of the metal nanowire. The nanogap is formed in the metal nanowire separating the first and second metal parts.

Abstract: A technique relates to manufacturing a nanogap. An oxide layer is disposed on top of a substrate. A release layer is disposed in a pattern on top of the oxide layer. A patterned trench is etched into the oxide layer using the pattern of the release layer. A metal layer is disposed on the release layer and in the patterned trench. A polish removes the release layer, thereby removing both the release layer and a portion of the metal layer having been disposed on top of the release layer, such that the metal layer remaining includes a first metal part and a second metal part connected by a metal nanowire. The metal layer remaining is coplanar with the oxide layer. A nanochannel is formed in the oxide layer in a region of the metal nanowire. The nanogap is formed in the metal nanowire separating the first and second metal parts.

Abstract: There is provided mechanisms for the detection of an analyte in a sample. The mechanisms utilize at least a first measurement channel comprising a detection reactant corresponding to the analyte to be detected, and at least a microstructure associated with the first measurement channel. When the mechanisms are in use, the sample is introduced into the first measurement channel and propagated by way of the first measurement channel towards the microstructure. If the analyte is present in the sample, the analyte interacts with the detection reactant to form a networked product, and the microstructure is configured to filter the networked product.

Abstract: There is provided mechanisms for the detection of an analyte in a sample. The mechanisms utilize at least a first measurement channel comprising a detection reactant corresponding to the analyte to be detected, and at least a microstructure associated with the first measurement channel. When the mechanisms are in use, the sample is introduced into the first measurement channel and propagated by way of the first measurement channel towards the microstructure. If the analyte is present in the sample, the analyte interacts with the detection reactant to form a networked product, and the microstructure is configured to filter the networked product.

Abstract: There is provided mechanisms for the detection of an analyte in a sample. The mechanisms utilize at least a first measurement channel comprising a detection reactant corresponding to the analyte to be detected, and at least a microstructure associated with the first measurement channel. When the mechanisms are in use, the sample is introduced into the first measurement channel and propagated by way of the first measurement channel towards the microstructure. If the analyte is present in the sample, the analyte interacts with the detection reactant to form a networked product, and the microstructure is configured to filter the networked product.