Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for monitoring the amplification of DNA molecules and the dissociation behavior of the DNA molecules.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a thermocyclic process, such as amplifying DNA, includes a microfluidic chip with a channel formed therein and one or more thermal distribution elements disposed over portions of the chip. Each thermal distribution element is configured to distribute thermal energy from an external thermal energy source substantially uniformly over the portion of the chip covered by the thermal distribution element. The portion of the chip covered by the thermal distribution element thereby comprises a discrete temperature zone. Other temperature zones can be defined by other thermal distribution elements or by portions of the chip not covered by a thermal distribution element. The channel is configured so that a fluid flowing through the channel would enter and exit the different temperature zones a plurality of times, thereby alternately exposing the fluid to the temperature of each zone for a period of time required for the fluid to traverse the zone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for amplifying nucleic acids in micro-channels. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods for performing a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in a continuous-flow microfluidic system and to methods for monitoring real-time PCR in such systems.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for control of an integrated thin-film device with a plurality of microfluidic channels. In one embodiment, a microfluidic device is provided that includes a microfluidic chip having a plurality of microfluidic channels and a plurality of multiplexed heater electrodes, wherein the heater electrodes are part of a multiplex circuit including a common lead connecting the heater electrodes to a power supply, each of the heater electrodes being associated with one of the microfluidic channels. The microfluidic device also includes a control system configured to regulate power applied to each heater electrode by varying a duty cycle, the control system being further configured to determine the temperature each heater electrode by determining the resistance of each heater electrode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for monitoring the amplification of DNA molecules and the dissociation behavior of the DNA molecules.

Abstract: An imaging system comprises a base unit having a platen. The imaging system also comprises a lid coupled to the base unit and adapted to be disposed over the platen. The lid comprises a door openable relative to the lid to enable access to the platen therethrough.

Abstract: A system includes a first database to associate a sub-interface identifier with customer information, a second database to store a history of customer usage records, and a first device. The first device may receive information from a routing device, where the information includes the sub-interface identifier for a sub-interface of the routing device and information identifying an amount of network traffic received at or transmitted from the sub-interface over a time period, use the sub-interface identifier to obtain the associated customer information from the first database, associate the customer information with the information identifying an amount of network traffic received at or transmitted from the sub-interface over a time period to create a new customer usage record, and store the new customer usage record in the second database.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for control of an integrated thin-film device with a plurality of microfluidic channels. In one aspect, the present invention provides a method for controlling the temperature of a heater electrode associated with a microfluidic channel of a microfluidic device, wherein power applied to the heater electrode is regulated by varying the duty cycle of a pulse width modulation (PWM). In another aspect, the present invention a controller configured to compute the temperature of the heater electrode during the power-on portion of the duty cycle and the during the power-off portion of the duty cycle and to adjust the duty cycle as necessary to achieve a desired temperature in the heater electrode.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for control of an integrated thin-film device with a plurality of microfluidic channels. In one embodiment, the microfluidic device includes a microfluidic chip comprising a first zone having a plurality of microfluidic channels and a second zone having a plurality of microfluidic channels, wherein the microfluidic channels in the first and second zones are in fluid communication. The microfluidic device further comprising a thin-film heater in thermal communication with each of the microfluidic channels in the first and second zones. The microfluidic device also includes a control system configured to independently control the temperature of each of the thin-film heaters using pulse width modulation (PWM) control signals that are optimized for each of the thin-film heaters.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a systems and methods for the real-time amplification and analysis of a sample of DNA.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an apparatus that includes a microfluidic channel and at least one energy absorbing element, where the energy absorbing element is configured to absorb at least a portion of an incident electromagnetic radiation. The absorption of the radiation by the energy absorbing element varies the temperature of a sample in the microfluidic channel.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a systems and methods for the real-time amplification and analysis of a sample of DNA.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for monitoring the amplification of DNA molecules and the dissociation behavior of the DNA molecules.

Abstract: A device for nucleic acid preparation includes an outer housing and an inner housing carried within the outer housing and rotatable with respect to the outer housing. The inner housing defines an inner chamber and includes inlet and outlet ports and a nucleic acid extraction substrate within the inner chamber. The outer housing includes a sample inlet port, wash fluid inlet and outlet ports, and elute fluid inlet and outlet ports, and the ports of the inner housing can be selectively aligned with ports of the outer housing by rotating the inner housing with respect to the outer housing. By aligning one or both ports of the inner housing with the appropriate ports of the outer housing, sample material can be introduced into the chamber and wash and elution fluids can be passed through the chamber. Nucleic acid from the sample introduced into the chamber is captured on the extraction substrate and is released from the extraction substrate by sonication prior to being eluted out of the chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods including a combination of thermal generating device technologies to achieve more efficiency and accuracy in PCR temperature cycling of nucleic samples undergoing amplification.

Abstract: Sinker Capsules are gelatin capsules with two halves that are filled with a dense material, such as chocolate or other similiar material, in one half and medication in the other half. The bottonm part of the capsule is larger and is filled with medication. The medication is pressed into the lower half of the capsule. The smaller, upper part of the capsule is filled with a dense material for the purpose of adding weight to the capsule. When the two halves of the capsule are joined together, they form a safe delivery system for the patient's medication. It is then swallowed with a cool glass of water on an empty stomach. The Sinker Capsule will then sink to the bottom of the stomach. It then enters the intestines without dissolving in the stomach. This enables the patient to take their medication without irritating the lining of the stomach.

Abstract: An assembly for performing micro-fluidic assays includes a micro-fluidic chip with access ports and micro-channels in communication with the access ports and a fluid cartridge having internal, fluid-containable chambers and a nozzle associated with each internal chamber that is configured to be coupled with an access port. Reaction fluids, such as sample material, buffer, and/or reagent, contained within the cartridge are dispensed from the cartridge into the access ports and micro-channels of the micro-fluidic chip. Embodiments of the invention include a cartridge which includes a waste compartment for receiving used DNA and other reaction fluids from the micro-channel at the conclusion of the assay.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for monitoring the amplification of DNA molecules and the dissociation behavior of the DNA molecules. A method according to one embodiment of the invention may include the steps of: forcing a sample of a solution containing real-time PCR reagents to move though a channel; and while the sample is moving through an analysis region of the channel, performing the steps of: (a) cycling the temperature of the sample until the occurrence of a predetermined event; (b) after performing step (a), causing the sample's temperature to gradually increase from a first temperature to a second temperature; and (c) while the step of gradually increasing the sample's temperature is performed, using an image sensor to monitor emissions from the sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for monitoring the amplification of DNA molecules and the dissociation behavior of the DNA molecules. The present invention in one embodiment provides a system that includes a microfluidic channel comprising a PCR processing zone and an HRTm analysis zone; and an image sensor having a first image sensor region having a first field of view and a second image sensor region having a second field of view, wherein the second field of view is different than the first field of view, wherein at least a portion of the PCR processing zone is within the first field of view; and at least a portion of the HRTm analysis zone is within the second field of view.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for amplifying nucleic acids in micro-channels. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods for performing a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in a continuous-flow microfluidic system and to methods for monitoring real-time PCR in such systems.