Abstract: The present invention relates to fluidic devices, especially microfluidic devices, for aliquoting and pairwise combinatorial mixing of a first set of liquids with a second set of liquids. The device architecture is designed to move liquids in two separate phases, a first phase where the liquids are exposed to a first directional force field to move the liquids in a first direction, from a reservoir to aliquot chambers, and a second phase where the liquids are exposed to a second directional force field to move the liquids in a second direction, from the aliquot chambers to the mixing chambers. The first and second directional force fields that the device is exposed to may be achieved using a single directional force field (i.e. a rotor driven centrifugal force field) and by re-orienting the position of the device with respect to the centrifugal forces between the first and second phases of operation.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices that are configured to use centrifugal forces to bias particles into one or more capture regions based on their individual sizes are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fluidic devices, especially microfluidic devices, for aliquoting and pairwise combinatorial mixing of a first set of liquids with a second set of liquids. The device architecture is designed to move liquids in two separate phases, a first phase where the liquids are exposed to a first directional force field to move the liquids in a first direction, from a reservoir to aliquot chambers, and a second phase where the liquids are exposed to a second directional force field to move the liquids in a second direction, from the aliquot chambers to the mixing chambers. The first and second directional force fields that the device is exposed to may be achieved using a single directional force field (i.e. a rotor driven centrifugal force field) and by re-orienting the position of the device with respect to the centrifugal forces between the first and second phases of operation.

Abstract: A particle capture system that can be used in the context of a lab-on-a-chip platform for particle- and cell-based assays is described. The system comprises a capture chamber comprising a plurality of capture sites, the capture sites defining a capture area configured to receive individual particles travelling within the capture chamber. By rotating the chamber, the individual particles are biased towards the capture sites where they may be captured.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices that are configured to use centrifugal forces to bias particles into one or more capture regions based on their individual sizes are described.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices and in particular microfluidic devices incorporating a cascading valve arrangement for selectively controlling the flow of a fluid within the microfluidic device are described. Specific examples of a microfluidic device comprising a sacrificial valve (210) whose opening is triggered by the opening of a second valve (220), causing a retraction of a fluid spacer (213) thus bringing liquid (214) into contact with the dissolvable valve membrane (210).

Abstract: Microfluidic devices and in particular microfluidic devices incorporating a valve for selectively controlling the flow of a fluid within the microfluidic device are described. Specific examples of a microfluidic device are described, comprising a sacrificial valve, desirably one that is dissolvable on contact with a fluid or that is configured to disintegrate or dissolve on experiencing a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: A particle capture system that can be used in the context of a lab-on-a-chip platform for particle- and cell-based assays is described. The system comprises a capture chamber comprising a plurality of capture sites, the capture sites defining a capture area configured to receive individual particles travelling within the capture chamber. By rotating the chamber, the individual particles are biased towards the capture sites where they may be captured.

Abstract: A sequential flow analysis tool comprising a microfluidic device having a fluid path defined within a substrate between an input and an output is described. The device includes a capture chamber provided within but offset from the fluid path, the capture chamber extending into the substrate in a direction substantially perpendicular to the fluid path such that operably particles provided within a fluid flowing within the fluid path will preferentially collect within the capture chamber.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices and in particular microfluidic devices incorporating a valve for selectively controlling the flow of a fluid within the microfluidic device are described. Specific examples of a microfluidic device are described, comprising a sacrificial valve, desirably one that is dissolvable on contact with a fluid or that is configured to disintegrate or dissolve on experiencing a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: A device consisting of a rotatable substrate (10) with at least one cavity (14) or channel/chamber structures is described. Fluids may be provided into the at least one cavity (14) and on rotation of the substrate will experience the effects of pseudo forces. At least one functional element (15, 16) which is based on organic conductors as for instance an LED or a photodiode is connected with the rotatable substrate.

Abstract: The formation of a barrier layer within individual channels or cavities of a microfluidic device is described. The barrier layer is effected through a gas phase deposition process, desirably implemented in a plasma environment using a gas plasma reactor. Judicious selection of a precursor compound used within the gas plasma reactor can provide for generation of a layer on the individual surfaces. Desirably the surface or barrier layer is generated through the chemical adsorption of a metalloid oxide such as a silicon oxide layer on the surface of the individual channels or cavities.

Abstract: A particle capture system that can be used in the context of a lab-on-a-chip platform for particle- and cell-based assays is described. The system comprises a capture chamber comprising a plurality of capture sites, the capture sites defining a capture area configured to receive individual particles travelling within the capture chamber. By rotating the chamber, the individual particles are biased towards the capture sites where they may be captured.

Abstract: A fluidic device includes a fluidic module with a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber closed with the exception of a fluidic connection to the first fluid chamber. A drive is formed to impart the fluidic module with a first rotation at a rotational frequency below a rotational frequency threshold at which liquid is pneumatically held in the first fluid chamber and does not enter the second fluid chamber. The drive is further formed to impart the fluidic module with a second rotation at a second rotational frequency above the rotational frequency threshold at which a liquid column created in the first fluid chamber becomes unstable and the liquid enters the second fluid chamber.

Abstract: A sequential flow analysis tool comprising a microti iridic device having a fluid path defined within a substrate between an input and an output is described. The device includes a capture chamber provided within but offset from the fluid path, the capture chamber extending into the substrate in a direction substantially perpendicular to the fluid path such that operably particles provided within a fluid flowing within the fluid path will preferentially collect within the capture chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the volume fractions of the phases in a suspension includes a body, a channel structure, which is formed in the body, and an inlet area and a blind channel, which is fluidically connected to and capable of being filled via the same. Furthermore, a drive for imparting the body with rotation, so that phase separation of the suspension in the blind channel takes place, is provided. The blind channel includes such a channel cross-section and/or such wetting properties that, when filling same via the inlet area, higher capillary forces act in a first cross-sectional area than in a second cross-sectional area, so that at first the first cross-sectional area fills in the direction from the inlet area toward the blind end of the blind channel and then the second cross-sectional area fills in the direction from the blind end toward the inlet area.

Abstract: A fluidic device includes a fluidic module with a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber closed with the exception of a fluidic connection to the first fluid chamber. A drive is formed to impart the fluidic module with a first rotation at a rotational frequency below a rotational frequency threshold at which liquid is pneumatically held in the first fluid chamber and does not enter the second fluid chamber. The drive is further formed to impart the fluidic module with a second rotation at a second rotational frequency above the rotational frequency threshold at which a liquid column created in the first fluid chamber becomes unstable and the liquid enters the second fluid chamber.

Abstract: A device consisting of a rotatable substrate (10) with at least one cavity (14) or channel/chamber structures is described. Fluids may be provided into the at least one cavity (14) and on rotation of the substrate will experience the effects of pseudo forces. At least one functional element (15, 16) which is based on organic conductors as for instance an LED or a photodiode is connected with the rotatable substrate.

Abstract: A fluid handling apparatus includes a body, which comprises a fluid handling structure, and a flexible membrane attached to the body and formed to interact with a fluid in the fluid handling structure, wherein the membrane comprises a first actuation component. A second actuation component is provided, wherein the first and the second actuation component are formed such that the same attract or repel each other in a first positional relationship, in order to actuate the flexible membrane. A driving means is provided to move the body relative to the second actuation component, in order to bring the first and the second actuation component into the first and out of the first positional relationship.

Abstract: A device for producing a mixture of two phases that are insoluble in each other comprises a first fluid channel and a second fluid channel which lead into a contact region. Also, a third fluid channel is provided which leads into the contact region. The device comprises an imparter configured to impart a rotation on the fluid channels, a first phase being centrifugally supplied to the contact region through the first fluid channel, and a second phase, insoluble in the first phase, being supplied to the contact region through the second fluid channel, compressive and/or shearing forces in the contact region which are centrifugally/hydrodynamically induced by the rotation causing drops to break away in one of the phases supplied in order to produce the mixture of the first and second phases.