Abstract: An apparatus for microfluidic flow cytometry analysis of a particulate containing fluid An apparatus for microfluidic flow cytometry analysis of a particulate containing fluid comprises a hydrodynamic focussing apparatus for providing a focused stream of particulate containing fluid; and a microfluidic chip. The chip has a plurality of layers and comprises a microfluidic channel that extends through the chip substantially orthogonal to a plane of the layers of the chip, and is in fluid communication with the hydrodynamic focusing apparatus for receipt of a focused steam of particulate containing fluid. The chip also comprises a detection zone comprising at least one pair of electrodes in electrical communication with the microfluidic channel.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of microfluidic flow cytometry and more generally microfluidic techniques for analysis of particulate-containing fluids. It deals with the improvements to such technologies in order to identify subsets of particles or sub-populations of cells that differ in their properties, and, if necessary, separate the said identified sub-populations of cells, e.g. sex of semen cells, alive cells from the dead ones, cancerous cells from the healthy ones, subsets of viruses, bacteria or subsets of particles. This invention disclosure deals with the apparatus and the method for detection of cells or particles based on measurements of complex AC impedance between electrodes across the flow of fluid containing such cells or particles.

Abstract: A microfluidic chip for focussing a stream of particulate containing fluid comprises a sample microfluidic channel configured to receive the stream of particulate containing fluid, a guidance microfluidic channel having a polygonal cross-sectional area and configured to receive a stream of guidance fluid, and a common microfluidic channel having a polygonal cross sectional area formed by the merging of the sample microfluidic channel and the guidance 10 microfluidic channel at an oblique angle along only part of one or more sides of the guidance microfluidic channel, and a detection zone disposed in the common microfluidic channel having one or more sensors.

Abstract: A system for continuous high-throughput treatment, in particular electroporation or transfection, of a population of cells or selected cells in a population of cells, is described. The system comprises a fluidic device comprising a microfluidic channel, a pump fluidically coupled to the fluidic device and configured to pump the population of cells in a carrier liquid unidirectionally along the microfluidic channel, and a processor. The microfluidic channel has an upstream detection zone comprising a detection electrode module configured to detect a change in electrical impedance across the microfluidic channel at the upstream detection zone corresponding to a cell passing the upstream detection zone and a cell treatment zone located downstream of the upstream detection zone and comprising a cell treatment module configured to treat the cell passing the cell treatment zone.

Abstract: An apparatus for separation of cells in a liquid into subsets of cells comprises a microfluidic chip comprising: a microfluidic channel having a liquid inlet for receipt of a stream of cell containing fluid; a detection zone disposed in the microfluidic channel and comprising a sensor configured to detect changes in the microfluidic channel corresponding to cells passing the sensor; and a separation zone distal of the detection zone in which the microfluidic channel divides into at least two secondary microfluidic channels, the separation zone comprising two or more separation electrodes, wherein the two or more separation electrodes include at least one separation electrode disposed in electrical contact with an interior of the microfluidic channel and at least one further separation electrode disposed in electrical contact with an interior of the microfluidic channel or one of the secondary microfluidic channels.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of microfluidic flow cytometry and more generally microfluidic techniques for analysis of particulate-containing fluids. It deals with the improvements to such technologies in order to identify subsets of particles or sub-populations of cells that differ in their properties, and, if necessary, separate the said identified sub-populations of cells, e.g. sex of semen cells, alive cells from the dead ones, cancerous cells from the healthy ones, subsets of viruses, bacteria or subsets of particles. This invention disclosure deals with the apparatus and the method for detection of cells or particles based on measurements of complex AC impedance between electrodes across the flow of fluid containing such cells or particles.

Abstract: An apparatus for microfluidic flow cytometry analysis of a particulate containing fluid An apparatus for microfluidic flow cytometry analysis of a particulate containing fluid comprises a hydrodynamic focussing apparatus for providing a focused stream of particulate containing fluid; and a microfluidic chip. The chip has a plurality of layers and comprises a microfluidic channel that extends through the chip substantially orthogonal to a plane of the layers of the chip, and is in fluid communication with the hydrodynamic focusing apparatus for receipt of a focused steam of particulate containing fluid. The chip also comprises a detection zone comprising at least one pair of electrodes in electrical communication with the microfluidic channel.

Abstract: A method of transfecting a population of cells, comprising the steps of treating the population of cells to disrupt a cell membrane of at least some of the cells, and introducing foreign material into at least some of the cells through the disrupted cell membranes. The cell membranes are disrupted by passing a cell-containing carrier liquid along a microfluidic channel having a cross-sectional dimension greater a cross-sectional dimension of the cells and comprising a flow obstacle configured to abruptly change a flow vector of the cells and/or carrier liquid in the microfluidic channel from a first direction to a second direction. The abrupt change in flow vector of the cells is configured to cause transfection-competent disruption of the cell membrane of at least some of the cells due to impact of the cells with the flow obstacle and/or with other cells.

Abstract: A microfluidic chip for focussing a stream of particulate containing fluid comprises a sample microfluidic channel configured to receive the stream of particulate containing fluid, a guidance microfluidic channel having a polygonal cross-sectional area and configured to receive a stream of guidance fluid, and a common microfluidic channel having a polygonal cross sectional area formed by the merging of the sample microfluidic channel and the guidance 10 microfluidic channel at an oblique angle along only part of one or more sides of the guidance microfluidic channel, and a detection zone disposed in the common microfluidic channel having one or more sensors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical device for imaging and measuring characteristics of an objects surface shape, surface spectral reflectance and structure of sub-surface layers. In particular, the invention relates to imaging of topography of human skin and skin sub-surface layers and determination of concentration of skin constituents. The present invention has applications in areas such as skin care, dermatology, cosmetics, wound management and tricology. The imaging device of the invention significantly improves photometric stereo measurements by suppressing specular reflection and allows accurate determination of the surface shape. Consequently the device allows elimination of the influence of the shape and illumination conditions on spectral measurements and allows accurate measurement of skin constituents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical device for imaging and measuring characteristics of an objects surface shape, surface spectral reflectance and structure of sub-surface layers. In particular, the invention relates to imaging of topography of human skin and skin sub-surface layers and determination of concentration of skin constituents. The present invention has applications in areas such as skin care, dermatology, cosmetics, wound management and tricology. The imaging device of the invention significantly improves photometric stereo measurements by suppressing specular reflection and allows accurate determination of the surface shape. Consequently the device allows elimination of the influence of the shape and illumination conditions on spectral measurements and allows accurate measurement of skin constituents.

Abstract: There is provided a method of cleaning a dispensing assembly for small liquid droplets less than 50 ?l and even as low as 10 nl. A purging step with pressurized gas followed by a cleaning step using a suitable cleaning liquid is carried out a number of times.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for measuring the migration of cells in a channel under the influence of an analyte wherein said cells are separated from said analyte by a semi-permeable membrane and said cells are subjected to controlled flow conditions while the analyte is static and in the form of a viscous substance or gel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new type of material and describes a novel material and way to improve the transparency of a transition metal oxide by employing an anionic doping strategy to modify the transparency. At the same time a cationic dopant is used to improve conductivity.

Abstract: There is provided a method of cleaning a dispensing assembly for small liquid droplets less than 50 ?l and even as low as 10 nl. A purging step with pressurised gas followed by a cleaning step using a suitable cleaning liquid is carried out a number of times.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical device for imaging and measuring characteristics of an objects surface shape, surface spectral reflectance and structure of sub-surface layers. In particular, the invention relates to imaging of topography of human skin and skin sub-surface layers and determination of concentration of skin constituents. The present invention has applications in areas such as skin care, dermatology, cosmetics, wound management and tricology. The imaging device of the invention significantly improves photometric stereo measurements by suppressing specular reflection and allows accurate determination of the surface shape. Consequently the device allows elimination of the influence of the shape and illumination conditions on spectral measurements and allows accurate measurement of skin constituents.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a biochip assembly comprising a semi-permeable membrane and an assay method using said biochip assembly for carrying out cell based assays. Ideally, such a method involves measuring the migration of cells in a channel under the influence of an analyte wherein said cells are separated from said analyte by a semi-permeable membrane and said analyte and/or said cells are subjected to controlled flow conditions.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive medium (1) includes a substrate (2) which has been treated to provide a miscut vicinal surface (3) in the form of terraces (4) and steps (5) of atomic and nanometer scale. There are discrete separated spacer nanowires (7) provided by an intermediate partial spacer film on each terrace (4) against each step (5). A further main film (11) provides main nanowires (10(a), 10(b)). A thin protective layer (15) covers the main nanowires (10(a), 10(b)) which form two separate subsets of main nanowires with different exchange interaction with the substrate and thus a different response to an external magnetic field. In use, when an external magnetic field (H) is applied the response of the main nanowires (10(a), 10(b)) changes as the exchange coupling with the substrate (2) varies and the magnetisation on the main nanowires (10(a), 10(b)) change. This is shown by the arrows while prior to the application of the external magnetic field, they might, for example, be aligned.

Abstract: There is provided a liquid droplet monitoring and measuring apparatus (1) for a liquid droplet dispensing system having a nozzle (5) with a dispensing tip (7). The apparatus (1) comprises an inner chamber (2) surrounded by an outer shield (3), preferably not in contact with each other. An RF oscillator electrically energizes the liquid through an electrode (11). The inner chamber (2) is connected through pre-amplifiers (16), band pass filters (17conditioning amplifier (20) to a signal read-out device (21). The operation of the apparatus is based on the measurement of the capacitance between the nozzle (5) and the inner chamber (2). As a droplet (15) grows on the dispensing tip (7), the capacitance between the nozzle (5) and the inner chamber (2) increases. Therefore, the signal detected and received by the signal read-out device (21) changes. This change is directly related to the volume of the droplet which can therefore be measured.

Abstract: A dispensing assembly for liquid droplets that includes a dispenser connected to a liquid carrying pipe which in turn is connected to a source of pressurized liquid. The dispenser has an elongated body member having a main bore connected to the liquid carrying pipe. At the other end, the main bore has a valve seat that is connected to a nozzle having a nozzle bore terminating in a dispensing tip. An elongated valve boss of ferromagnetic material covered with a soft polymer is mounted in the main bore and has a cross-sectional area less than that of the main bore. A separate valve boss actuating coil assembly has upper and lower coils that are separate from the main body that can be unplugged from both coils and from the liquid carrying pipe. As such, the main body can be a disposable member.