Abstract: Methods of removing bubbles from a microfluidic device are described where the flow is not stopped. Methods are described that combine pressure and flow to remove bubbles from a microfluidic device. Bubbles can be removed even where the device is made of a polymer that is largely gas impermeable.

Abstract: Compositions, devices and methods are described for preventing, reducing, controlling or delaying adhesion, adsorption, surface-mediated clot formation, or coagulation in a microfluidic device or chip. In one embodiment, blood (or other fluid with blood components) that contains anticoagulant is introduced into a microfluidic device comprising one or more additive channels containing one or more reagents that will re-activate the native coagulation cascade in the blood that makes contact with it “on-chip” before moving into the experimental region of the chip.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring dynamic hydraulic conductivity and permeability associated with a cell layer are disclosed. Some systems include a microfluidic device, one or more working-fluid reservoirs, and one or more fluid-resistance element. The microfluidic device includes a first microchannel, a second microchannel, and a barrier therebetween. The barrier includes a cell layer adhered thereto. The working fluids are delivered to the microfluidic device. The fluid-resistance elements are coupled to one or more of the fluid paths and provide fluidic resistance to cause a pressure drop across the fluid-resistance elements. Mass transfer occurs between the first microchannel and the second microchannel, which is indicative of the hydraulic conductivity and/or dynamic permeability associated with the cells.

Abstract: According to aspects of the present invention, a cartridge assembly for transporting fluid into or out of one or more fluidic devices includes a first layer and a second layer. The first layer includes a first surface. The first surface includes at least one partial channel disposed thereon. The second layer abuts the first surface, thereby forming a channel from the at least one partial channel. At least one of the first layer and the second layer is a resilient layer formed from a pliable material. At least one of the first layer and the second layer includes a via hole. The via hole is aligned with the channel to pass fluid thereto. The via hole is configured to pass fluid through the first layer or the second layer substantially perpendicularly to the channel. Embossments are also used to define aspects of a fluidic channel.

Abstract: An organomimetic device includes a microfluidic device that can be used to culture cells in its microfluidic channels. The organomimetic device can be part of dynamic system that can apply mechanical forces to the cells by modulating the microfluidic device and the flow of fluid through the microfluidic channels. The membrane in the organomimetic device can be modulated mechanically via pneumatic means and/or mechanical means. The organomimetic device can be manufactured by the fabrication of individual components separately, for example, as individual layers that can be subsequently laminated together.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a microfluidic platforms or “chips” for testing and understanding cancer, and, more specifically, for understanding the factors that contribute to cancer invading tissues and causing metastases. Tumor cells are grown on microfluidic devices with other non-cancerous tissues under conditions that simulate tumor invasion. The interaction with immune cells can be tested to inhibit this activity by linking a cancer chip to a lymph chip.

Abstract: The invention provides integrated Organ-on-Chip microphysiological systems representations of living Organs and support structures for such microphysiological systems.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improved flow properties in fluidic and microfluidic systems are disclosed. The system includes a microfluidic device having a first microchannel, a fluid reservoir having a working fluid and a pressurized gas, a pump in communication with the fluid reservoir to maintain a desired pressure of the pressurized gas, and a fluid-resistance element located within a fluid path between the fluid reservoir and the first microchannel. The fluid-resistance element includes a first fluidic resistance that is substantially larger than a second fluidic resistance associated with the first microchannel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improved flow properties in fluidic and microfluidic systems are disclosed. The system includes a microfluidic device having a first microchannel, a fluid reservoir having a working fluid and a pressurized gas, a pump in communication with the fluid reservoir to maintain a desired pressure of the pressurized gas, and a fluid-resistance element located within a fluid path between the fluid reservoir and the first microchannel. The fluid-resistance element includes a first fluidic resistance that is substantially larger than a second fluidic resistance associated with the first microchannel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improved flow properties in fluidic and microfluidic systems are disclosed. The system includes a microfluidic device having a first microchannel, a fluid reservoir having a working fluid and a pressurized gas, a pump in communication with the fluid reservoir to maintain a desired pressure of the pressurized gas, and a fluid-resistance element located within a fluid path between the fluid reservoir and the first microchannel. The fluid-resistance element includes a first fluidic resistance that is substantially larger than a second fluidic resistance associated with the first microchannel.

Abstract: Embodiments of various aspects described herein are directed to methods, compositions, kits and systems for rapid determination of antibiotic susceptibility of a microbe within hours after a sample is collected. In some embodiments, the methods, compositions, kits and systems described herein can allow determination of antibiotic susceptibility of a microbe based on a small number of microbes, e.g., as few as 5-10 microbes bound to a microbe-targeting substrate described herein.

Abstract: Drop-to-drop connection schemes are described for putting a microfluidic device in fluidic communication with a fluid source or another microfluidic device, including but not limited to, putting a microfluidic device in fluidic communication with the perfusion manifold assembly.

Abstract: Drop-to-drop connection schemes are described for putting a microfluidic device in fluidic communication with a fluid source or another microfluidic device. Methods for establishing fluid connections with guide mechanisms are described.

Abstract: A perfusion manifold assembly is described that allows for perfusion of a microfluidic device, such as an organ on a chip microfluidic device comprising cells that mimic cells in an organ in the body, that is detachably linked with said assembly so that fluid enters ports of the microfluidic device from a fluid reservoir, optionally without tubing, at a controllable flow rate. Drop-to-drop connection schemes are described for putting a microfluidic device in fluidic communication with a fluid source or another microfluidic device, including but not limited to, putting a microfluidic device in fluidic communication with the perfusion manifold assembly.

Abstract: A culture module is contemplated that allows the perfusion and optionally mechanical actuation of one or more microfluidic devices, such as organ-on-a-chip microfluidic devices comprising cells that mimic at least one function of an organ in the body. A method for pressure control is contemplated to allow the control of flow rate (while perfusing cells) despite limitations of common pressure regulators. The method for pressure control allows for perfusion of a microfluidic device, such as an organ on a chip microfluidic device comprising cells that mimic cells in an organ in the body, that is detachably linked with said assembly, so that fluid enters ports of the microfluidic device from a fluid reservoir, optionally without tubing, at a controllable flow rate.

Abstract: The invention discloses an apparatus and method for automatic detection of pathogens within a sample. The apparatus and method are especially useful for high-throughput and/or low-cost detection of parasites with minimal need for trained personnel. The invention entails automated microscopic data acquisition, and performing image processing of images captured from a sample using classification algorithms. Visual classification features of structures are extracted from the image and compared to visual classification features associated with known pathogens. A determination is reached whether a pathogen is present in the sample; and if present, the pathogen may be identified to a pathogen species. Diagnosis is rapid and does not require medically trained personnel.

Abstract: An organomimetic device includes a microfluidic device that can be used to culture cells in its microfluidic channels. The organomimetic device can be part of dynamic system that can apply mechanical forces to the cells by modulating the microfluidic device and the flow of fluid through the microfluidic channels. The membrane in the organomimetic device can be modulated mechanically via pneumatic means and/or mechanical means. The organomimetic device can be manufactured by the fabrication of individual components separately, for example, as individual layers that can be subsequently laminated together.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for use with a digital camera that is configured to acquire images of a bodily sample. Two or more stains are configured to stain the bodily sample. A computer processor drives the digital camera to acquire, for each of a plurality of imaging fields of the bodily sample, two or more digital images, at least one of the images being acquired under brightfield lighting conditions, and at least one of the images being acquired under fluorescent lighting conditions. The computer processor performs image processing on the digital images, by extracting visual classification features from the digital images and analyzing the extracted visual classification features. The computer processor outputs a result of the image processing that includes an indication of one or more entities that are contained within the sample. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A microscopy system for monitoring of one or more specimens includes a plurality of microscope blades, each microscope blade having at least one objective, at least one illuminator, and at least one detector. The microscopy system also includes a plurality of carriages, each carriage being connected to one or more of the microscope blades, and one or more actuators configured to drive the plurality of carriages along one or more axes, at least some of the plurality of carriages having at least partially overlapping ranges of motion along at least one of the one or more axes. The microscopy system also includes a master controller configured to drive each of the carriages, using the actuator(s), along the one or more axes.