Abstract: In certain embodiments, the disclosure provides an inflatable bladder lid that configures with a cartridge configured for assay testing. The inflatable bladder provides substantially uniform pressure to the cartridge. The pressure is substantially distributed across the one or more regions of the cartridge to extend pressure over a wide cartridge surface. At least a portion of the bladder lid may comprise a flexible membrane material that inflates and stretches over at least a portion of the cartridge to conformally contact its first/top surface.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to method, system and apparatus for assay testing. In an exemplary embodiment, the disclosure relates to a cartridge for testing an assay. The cartridge includes a sample reservoir to receive a mixture of a plurality of target particles and a ferrofluidic solution; a capture region formed on the cartridge; a fluidic channel to communicate the mixture between the sample reservoir and the capture region; a magnetic ferrofluidic solution positioned inside the fluidic channel; and at least one pneumatic valve to communicate a quantity of the mixture from the sample reservoir. The magnetic ferrofluidic solution is excitable in response to an externally applied electromagnetic field to affect the ferrofluidic solution in the mixture.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems and methods for separating, directing, and/or extracting a target molecule from a mix of molecules and may comprise a plurality of non-magnetic beads suspended in a ferro fluid, where the non-magnetic beads may be functionalized with at least one predetermined first molecule configured to bind with a target particle. A microfluidic device may be included which may comprise at least one microfluidic channel, the device configured to dynamically and/or statically receive an amount of the mix. Magnetic field means may be included and may be configured to apply a magnetic field to at least a portion of the at least one channel to exert an indirect force on the non-magnetic heads in the ferro fluid mix, and separate the non-magnetic beads from the ferrofluid. The beads may then be directed to at least one receptor region.

Abstract: A device for separating a sample of cells suspended in a bio-compatible ferrofluid is described, The device includes a microfluidic channel having a sample inlet, at least one outlet and a length between the same inlet and the at least one outlet, wherein a sample can be added to the sample inlet and flow along the microfluidic channel length to the at least one outlet. The device includes a plurality of electrodes and a power source for applying a current to the plurality of electrodes to create a magnetic field pattern along the microfluidic channel length. The present invention also includes a method of using said device for separating at least one cell type.

Abstract: A device and method for extracting particles contained in a ferrofluid medium are provided. Such methods may comprise suspending particles of different sizes in a ferrofluid medium and containing the ferrofluid medium in a cylindrical reservoir, and applying a first magnetic field to at least a portion of the reservoir. The first magnetic field is configured to indirectly exert a force on at least a portion of the particles of a predetermined size, and direct the portion of particles in a desired direction.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems and methods for separating, directing, and/or extracting a target molecule from a mix of molecules and may comprise a plurality of non-magnetic beads suspended in a ferro fluid, where the non-magnetic beads may be functionalized with at least one predetermined first molecule configured to bind with a target particle. A microfluidic device may be included which may comprise at least one microfluidic channel, the device configured to dynamically and/or statically receive an amount of the mix. Magnetic field means may be included and may be configured to apply a magnetic field to at least a portion of the at least one channel to exert an indirect force on the non-magnetic beads in the ferro fluid mix, and separate the non-magnetic beads from the ferrofluid. The beads may then be directed to at least one receptor region.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices are presented for extracting target particles within a ferrofluid medium. In some embodiments, a fluidic channel receives a flow of a mix of one or more types of target particles, where at least one magnetic field source is configured to react with the flow such that a force (indirect or direct) is placed on the particles of the mix, across the width and/or the height of the fluidic channel. An extraction opening placed on one wall is provided and configured to extract at least one type of target particle.

Abstract: A device for determining the identity and concentration of target particles within a biocompatible ferrofluid medium is described. The system includes a fluidic channel that a sample of particles flow through; at least one magnetic field source configured to react repulsively with the particles; a channel wall with at least one receptor regions placed serially along the flow direction; and at least one thin electrode placed between the receptor regions to track changes in local impedance every time a target particle passes through the fluidic channel in close proximity.

Abstract: A system for determining drug effectiveness on a plurality of cells is described. The system includes flowing a ferro-fluid mixed with a plurality of biological cells through an inlet portion of a cartridge, the cartridge comprising a plurality of micro-fluidic channels, the inlet is in communication with a portion of each of the plurality of channels, applying a magnetic field proximate at least one of the inlet portion and the plurality of micro-channels, wherein the magnetic field is configured to apply an indirect force on the mix, separating biologic cells according to at least a first type as the mix flows in a first direction; and directing at least the first type of cells toward a first sensor functionalized with receptors via at least one of the micro-channels, the sensor arranged proximate to a second portion of at least one of the micro-channels downstream from the first inlet portion.

Abstract: A device for separating a sample of cells suspended in a bio-compatible ferrofluid is described, The device includes a microfluidic channel having a sample inlet, at least one outlet and a length between the same inlet and the at least one outlet, wherein a sample can be added to the sample inlet and flow along the microfluidic channel length to the at least one outlet. The device includes a plurality of electrodes and a power source for applying a current to the plurality of electrodes to create a magnetic field pattern along the microfluidic channel length. The present invention also includes a method of using said device for separating at least one cell type.

Abstract: A device for separating a sample of cells suspended in a bio-compatible ferrofluid is described, The device includes a microfluidic channel having a sample inlet, at least one outlet and a length between the same inlet and the at least one outlet, wherein a sample can be added to the sample inlet and flow along the microfluidic channel length to the at least one outlet. The device includes a plurality of electrodes and a power source for applying a current to the plurality of electrodes to create a magnetic field pattern along the microfluidic channel length. The present invention also includes a method of using said device for separating at least one cell type.

Abstract: A device for separating a sample of cells suspended in a bio-compatible ferrofluid is described, The device includes a microfluidic channel having a sample inlet, at least one outlet and a length between the same inlet and the at least one outlet, wherein a sample can be added to the sample inlet and flow along the microfluidic channel length to the at least one outlet. The device includes a plurality of electrodes and a power source for applying a current to the plurality of electrodes to create a magnetic field pattern along the microfluidic channel length. The present invention also includes a method of using said device for separating at least one cell type.

Abstract: A device for separating a sample of cells suspended in a bio-compatible ferrofluid is described. The device includes a microfluidic channel having a sample inlet, at least one outlet and a length between the same inlet and the at least one outlet, wherein a sample can be added to the sample inlet and flow along the microfluidic channel length to the at least one outlet. The device includes a plurality of electrodes and a power source for applying a current to the plurality of electrodes to create a magnetic field pattern along the microfluidic channel length. The present invention also includes a method of using said device for separating at least one cell type.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, devices, methods, and other implementations, including a device to detect at least one target species in a sample, with the device including a microfluidic channel configured to receive the sample containing the at least one target species and a biocompatible ferrofluid in which the at least one target species is suspended, a detector to determine the at least one target species in the sample, and at least two of electrodes positioned proximate the microfluidic channel, the at least two electrodes configured to generate controllable magnetic forces in the sample containing the ferrofluid when a controllable at least one electrical current is applied to the at least two electrodes. The generated controllable magnetic forces causes the at least one target species to be directed towards the detector. Also disclosed are devices for separating target species in a ferrofluid, and for focusing target species suspended in a ferrofluid.

Abstract: A device for separating a sample of cells suspended in a bio-compatible ferrofluid is described. The device includes a microfluidic channel having a sample inlet, at least one outlet and a length between the same inlet and the at least one outlet, wherein a sample can be added to the sample inlet and flow along the microfluidic channel length to the at least one outlet. The device includes a plurality of electrodes and a power source for applying a current to the plurality of electrodes to create a magnetic field pattern along the microfluidic Channel length. The present invention also includes a method of using said device for separating at least one cell type.

Abstract: An energy harvesting device (FIG. 1) and a method of using the energy harvesting device to generate an electrical charge are described. The energy harvesting device comprises a mass (2) and at least two tethers (4, 6, S and 10), at least one of which comprises a piezoelectric material that is mechanically stressable upon deflection of the at least two tethers. Each of the tethers comprises a first end (12) coupled to the mass (2) and a second end (14) copied to a reference structure (16), and the tethers are arranged about the mass such that the mass is moveable within a straight line path relative to the reference. The movement of the mass causes the deflection of the tethers, resulting in the generation of an electric charge. The device is preferably operable at the microscale.

Abstract: An energy harvesting device and a method of using the energy harvesting device to generate an electrical charge are described. The energy harvesting device comprises a mass and at least two tethers, at least one of which comprises a piezoelectric material that is mechanically stressable upon deflection of the at least two tethers. Each of the tethers comprises a first end coupled to the mass and a second end coupled to a reference structure, and the tethers are arranged about the mass such that the mass is moveable within a straightline path relative to the reference. The movement of the mass causes the deflection of the tethers, resulting in the generation of an electric charge. The device is preferably operable at the microscale.

Abstract: An improved microfluidic device and method of using the microfluidic device to measure natural motile response of a living moiety to a chemotactic agent. The invention comprises integrating microfluidic containment trenches within the microfluidic devices for cellular trapping, manipulation and real-time analysis of biological phenomena, including chemotaxis. The invention captures the design methodology for these traps, as well as the fabrication means and the associated external control mechanism that allows rapid, reversible and fully controlled changes in the chemical environment to which trapped cells are exposed.