Abstract: Microfluidic circuit elements, such as a microvalve, micropump or microvent, formed of a microcavity divided by a diaphragm web into a first subcavity bounded by a first internal wall and a second subcavity bounded by a second internal wall, where the diaphragm web is characterized as a thin film having a first state contacting the first internal wall and a second state contacting the second internal wall and exhibiting essentially no elasticity in moving between the first state and the second state, the thin film web having been stretched beyond its yield point before or during use are provided. The disclosed elements enable faster and more efficient cycling of the diaphragm in the microcavity and increases the diaphragm surface area. In a preferred embodiment, the microfluidic circuit element is pneumatically driven and controls the motion of fluids in a microassay device.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems, devices and methods for nucleic acid or protein purification and imaging. A system is provided including a cartridge comprising a sample input area configured to hold a sample, comprising a plurality of hybridized complexes comprising a plurality of target molecules each hybridized with probes and a plurality of non-hybridized probes. The cartridge may also include a first binding chamber configured with first magnetic beads to receive and bind the sample, a first elution channel configured to receive the first magnetic beads and elute the sample from the first magnetic beads, a second binding chamber configured with second magnetic beads to receive and bind the sample, a second elution channel configured to receive the second magnetic beads and elute the sample from the second magnetic beads, and a binding area configured to receive the eluted sample and hold molecules for imaging.

Abstract: Microfluidic circuit elements, such as a microvalve, micropump or microvent, formed of a microcavity divided by a diaphragm web into a first subcavity bounded by a first internal wall and a second subcavity bounded by a second internal wall, where the diaphragm web is characterized as a thin film having a first state contacting the first internal wall and a second state contacting the second internal wall and exhibiting essentially no elasticity in moving between the first state and the second state, the thin film web having been stretched beyond its yield point before or during use are provided. The disclosed elements enable faster and more efficient cycling of the diaphragm in the microcavity and increases the diaphragm surface area. In a preferred embodiment, the microfluidic circuit element is pneumatically driven and controls the motion of fluids in a microassay device.

Abstract: Microfluidic circuit elements, such as a microvalve, micropump or microvent, formed of a microcavity divided by a diaphragm web into a first subcavity bounded by a first internal wall and a second subcavity bounded by a second internal wall, where the diaphragm web is characterized as a thin film having a first state contacting the first internal wall and a second state contacting the second internal wall and exhibiting essentially no elasticity in moving between the first state and the second state, the thin film web having been stretched beyond its yield point before or during use are provided. The disclosed elements enable faster and more efficient cycling of the diaphragm in the microcavity and increases the diaphragm surface area. In a preferred embodiment, the microfluidic circuit element is pneumatically driven and controls the motion of fluids in a microassay device.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems, devices and methods for nucleic acid or protein purification and imaging. A system is provided including a cartridge comprising a sample input area configured to hold a sample, comprising a plurality of hybridized complexes comprising a plurality of target molecules each hybridized with probes and a plurality of non-hybridized probes. The cartridge may also include a first binding chamber configured with first magnetic beads to receive and bind the sample, a first elution channel configured to receive the first magnetic beads and elute the sample from the first magnetic beads, a second binding chamber configured with second magnetic beads to receive and bind the sample, a second elution channel configured to receive the second magnetic beads and elute the sample from the second magnetic beads, and a binding area configured to receive the eluted sample and hold molecules for imaging.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems, devices and methods for nucleic acid or protein purification and imaging. A system is provided including a cartridge comprising a sample input area configured to hold a sample, comprising a plurality of hybridized complexes comprising a plurality of target molecules each hybridized with probes and a plurality of non-hybridized probes. The cartridge may also include a first binding chamber configured with first magnetic beads to receive and bind the sample, a first elution channel configured to receive the first magnetic beads and elute the sample from the first magnetic beads, a second binding chamber configured with second magnetic beads to receive and bind the sample, a second elution channel configured to receive the second magnetic beads and elute the sample from the second magnetic beads, and a binding area configured to receive the eluted sample and hold molecules for imaging.

Abstract: Microfluidic cartridges for agglutination reactions are provided. The cartridges include a microfluidic reaction channel with at least two intake channels, one for an antigen-containing fluid and the other for an antibody-containing fluid, conjoined to a reaction channel modified by incorporation of a downstream flow control channel. At low Reynolds Number, the two input streams layer one on top of the other in the reaction channel and form a flowing, unmixed horizontally-stratified laminar fluid diffusion (HLFD) interface for an extended duration of reaction. Surprisingly, the design, surface properties, and flow regime of microfluidic circuits of the present invention potentiate detection of antibody mediated agglutination at the stratified interface. Antigen:antibody reactions involving agglutination potentiated by these devices are useful in blood typing, in crossmatching for blood transfusion, and in immunodiagnostic agglutination assays, for example.

Abstract: Fluidic cartridges, and manufacture thereof, having a plurality of circuit element subtypes containing pneumatically operated diaphragm members, where the diaphragm materials are selected for yield point, chemical resistance, breathability and other properties individually according to the fluidic element subtype are provided. A process of in-situ edge-bonded decoupage for forming diaphragm members inside a cartridge, and fluidic circuits having diaphragm members as active and passive circuit elements, including pumps, valves, vents, waste receptacles, reagent reservoirs, and cuvettes with optical windows, where the material composition of each individual diaphragm member may be selected from an assortment of materials during manufacture are also provided.

Abstract: Manufacturing methods and compositions are described for production of self-contained microfluidic cartridge devices with on-board reagents for molecular biological testing. Sensitive reagents are stored in dry form without lyophilization or freezing, and reconstituted at the point of use with either a biological sample or a sample eluate at the point of use. Manufacturing methods include sheet and roll fabrication processes where the reagents are printed in place and sealed within individual microfluidic cartridges before gel vitrification.

Abstract: A microfluidic cartridge and methods for performing a diagnostic, molecular or biochemical assay thereon, where all dried and/or liquid reagents necessary for the assay are contained in the cartridge and the assay requires only the addition of sample. Pneumohydraulic features, chamber and diaphragm technologies are introduced for overcoming the problems of bubble interference and reagent washout during operation of a microfluidic cartridge. The cartridges are inserted into a host instrument for performance of an assay and the cartridge is supplied as a consumable.

Abstract: Microfluidic cartridges for agglutination reactions are provided. The cartridges include a microfluidic reaction channel with at least two intake channels, one for an antigen-containing fluid and the other for an antibody-containing fluid, conjoined to a reaction channel modified by incorporation of a downstream flow control channel. At low Reynolds Number, the two input streams layer one on top of the other in the reaction channel and form a flowing, unmixed horizontally-stratified laminar fluid diffusion (HLFD) interface for an extended duration of reaction. Surprisingly, the design, surface properties, and flow regime of microfluidic circuits of the present invention potentiate detection of antibody mediated agglutination at the stratified interface. Antigen:antibody reactions involving agglutination potentiated by these devices are useful in blood typing, in crossmatching for blood transfusion, and in immunodiagnostic agglutination assays, for example.

Abstract: A microfluidic cartridge and methods for performing a diagnostic, molecular or biochemical assay thereon, where all dried and/or liquid reagents necessary for the assay are contained in the cartridge and the assay requires only the addition of sample. Pneumohydraulic features, chamber and diaphragm technologies are introduced for overcoming the problems of bubble interference and reagent washout during operation of a microfluidic cartridge. The cartridges are inserted into a host instrument for performance of an assay and the cartridge is supplied as a consumable.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems, devices and methods for nucleic acid or protein purification and imaging. A system is provided including a cartridge comprising a sample input area configured to hold a sample, comprising a plurality of hybridized complexes comprising a plurality of target molecules each hybridized with probes and a plurality of non-hybridized probes. The cartridge may also include a first binding chamber configured with first magnetic beads to receive and bind the sample, a first elution channel configured to receive the first magnetic beads and elute the sample from the first magnetic beads, a second binding chamber configured with second magnetic beads to receive and bind the sample, a second elution channel configured to receive the second magnetic beads and elute the sample from the second magnetic beads, and a binding area configured to receive the eluted sample and hold molecules for imaging.

Abstract: Fluidic cartridges, and manufacture thereof, having a plurality of circuit element subtypes containing pneumatically operated diaphragm members, where the diaphragm materials are selected for yield point, chemical resistance, breathability and other properties individually according to the fluidic element subtype are provided. A process of in-situ edge-bonded decoupage for forming diaphragm members inside a cartridge, and fluidic circuits having diaphragm members as active and passive circuit elements, including pumps, valves, vents, waste receptacles, reagent reservoirs, and cuvettes with optical windows, where the material composition of each individual diaphragm member may be selected from an assortment of materials during manufacture are also provided.

Abstract: Microfluidic circuit elements, such as a microvalve, micropump or microvent, formed of a microcavity divided by a diaphragm web into a first subcavity bounded by a first internal wall and a second subcavity bounded by a second internal wall, where the diaphragm web is characterized as a thin film having a first state contacting the first internal wall and a second state contacting the second internal wall and exhibiting essentially no elasticity in moving between the first state and the second state, the thin film web having been stretched beyond its yield point before or during use are provided. The disclosed elements enable faster and more efficient cycling of the diaphragm in the microcavity and increases the diaphragm surface area. In a preferred embodiment, the microfluidic circuit element is pneumatically driven and controls the motion of fluids in a microassay device.

Abstract: Microfluidic cartridges for agglutination reactions are provided. The cartridges include a microfluidic reaction channel with at least two intake channels, one for an antigen-containing fluid and the other for an antibody-containing fluid, conjoined to a reaction channel modified by incorporation of a downstream flow control channel. At low Reynolds Number, the two input streams layer one on top of the other in the reaction channel and form a flowing, unmixed horizontally-stratified laminar fluid diffusion (HLFD) interface for an extended duration of reaction. Surprisingly, the design, surface properties, and flow regime of microfluidic circuits of the present invention potentiate detection of antibody mediated agglutination at the stratified interface. Antigen:antibody reactions involving agglutination potentiated by these devices are useful in blood typing, in crossmatching for blood transfusion, and in immunodiagnostic agglutination assays, for example.

Abstract: A microfluidic cartridge and methods for performing a diagnostic, molecular or biochemical assay thereon, where all dried and/or liquid reagents necessary for the assay are contained in the cartridge and the assay requires only the addition of sample. Pneumohydraulic features, chamber and diaphragm technologies are introduced for overcoming the problems of bubble interference and reagent washout during operation of a microfluidic cartridge. The cartridges are inserted into a host instrument for performance of an assay and the cartridge is supplied as a consumable.

Abstract: A compact device for operatively coupling a solid planar substrate, for example a glass slide, to a microfluidic circuit and performing a reaction or reactions on organic matter bound to the face of the planar substrate. Typical reactions include binding, staining and/or labeling reactions. In use, a sealed reaction chamber is formed, the chamber enclosing the organic matter and at least a part of the solid substrate. Headspace in the sealed chamber between the solid substrate is generally of microfluidic dimensions, and diaphragm pump members are used to inject, exchange and/or mix the fluids in the chamber.

Abstract: Manufacturing methods and compositions are described for production of self-contained microfluidic cartridge devices with on-board reagents for molecular biological testing. Sensitive reagents are stored in dry form without lyophilization or freezing, and reconstituted at the point of use with either a biological sample or a sample eluate at the point of use. Manufacturing methods include sheet and roll fabrication processes where the reagents are printed in place and sealed within individual microfluidic cartridges before gel vitrification.