Abstract: A microfluidic device for moving fluid through a microfluidic channel of the device includes a microfluidic channel and a positive displacement pump having a chamber connected to the microfluidic channel. When the positive displacement pump is actuated, fluid within the chamber is displaced into the microfluidic channel. The device further includes a fluid reservoir connected to the positive displacement pump to provide a source of fluid to re-fill the chamber of the positive displacement pump after the positive displacement pump has been actuated. The fluid within the fluid reservoir is sealed within the device.

Abstract: A microfluidics device has one or more bubble diversion regions. Problems associated with the generation of air bubbles are avoided in a microfluidics device such as a cartridge, for use with a point of care (POC) diagnostics device, the cartridge being able to carry out downstream processing such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and/or nucleic acid capture. The bubble diversion region has a lower flow resistance than the flow resistance of an area of interest.

Abstract: A microfluidic cassette has a microfluidic cassette body having at least one fluid flow channel and at least one chamber containing reagent. The chamber has a seal to prevent fluid from entering the chamber. The seal is breakable in situ in the cassette body. The cassette body and the chamber are configured such that when the seal is broken, the reagent is exposed to fluid flow in the channel.

Abstract: Improved methods and devices using reduction of pressure for removing ethanol from filters in a fluidic or microfluidic system in point of care devices involve filters that are solid state extraction filters used to capture and/or concentrate nucleic acids prior to further downstream processing such as amplification by polymerase chain reaction. The method uses the induction of negative pressure with respect to atmospheric pressure to improve the efficiency of the ethanol removal process.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices with microfluidic cassettes allow for on-cassette processing of nucleic acids including amplification by polymerase chain reaction. In systems and methods of using the microfluidic device, the microfluidic cassette is pressurised prior to amplification of nucleic acid in said sample in an amplification/PCR section of the device.

Abstract: A microfluidics device has one or more bubble diversion regions. Problems associated with the generation of air bubbles are avoided in a microfluidics device such as a cartridge, for use with a point of care (POC) diagnostics device, the cartridge being able to carry out downstream processing such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and/or nucleic acid capture. The bubble diversion region has a lower flow resistance than the flow resistance of an area of interest.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for separating liquid from the same liquid containing deformable particles without external sources of energy. The device includes: at least one transport channel (1) using various fluid-hydrodynamic principles in order to increase the amount of separated/obtained fluid; and at least one separating area (2) which diverts part of the fluid circulating through the transport channel towards at least one collection channel (3) or reaction chamber. The separating area (2) can include at least one array of pillars, the configuration of which maximizes the amount of fluid extracted at once. The depth and width of the collection channel (3) are adaptable according to the requirements of the test to be implemented. A filter is provided for separating plasma from a drop of blood in a highly efficient manner, which can be used in point-of-care testing systems.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for separating liquid from the same liquid containing deformable particles without external sources of energy. The device includes: at least one transport channel (1) using various fluid-hydrodynamic principles in order to increase the amount of separated/obtained fluid; and at least one separating area (2) which diverts part of the fluid circulating through the transport channel towards at least one collection channel (3) or reaction chamber. The separating area (2) can include at least one array of pillars, the configuration of which maximizes the amount of fluid extracted at once. The depth and width of the collection channel (3) are adaptable according to the requirements of the test to be implemented. A filter is provided for separating plasma from a drop of blood in a highly efficient manner, which can be used in point-of-care testing systems.