Abstract: A method for amplifying a target nucleic acid present in a sample includes introducing, via an entrance opening of a planar fluidic assembly, a sample containing one or more target nucleic acids into a flow channel of the planar fluidic assembly, the flow channel extending from the entrance opening to an exit vent and having a substantially uniform cross-section. A plurality of nucleic acid primers that are complementary to a portion of the one or more target nucleic acids are disposed at locations within and along the flow channel. The method further includes subjecting the sample introduced into the flow channel to a primer-based amplification reaction using the nucleic acid primers, wherein the primer-based amplification reaction produces amplified product of the one or more target nucleic acids, and retaining the amplified product at one or more of the locations within the flow channel during the primer-based amplification reaction.

Abstract: A method comprises loading a sample portion into a sample chamber which comprises means for minimizing diffusion of the sample portion, subjecting the sample portion to an amplification step, and determining whether the sample portion contains at least one molecule of a target nucleic acid. If the sample portion contains a single molecule of the target nucleic acid, the sample portion would attain a detectable concentration of the target nucleic acid after a single round of amplification. Also, a microfluidic device comprising a sample portion and a sample chamber comprising means for minimizing diffusion of the sample portion. Also, a microfluidic device comprising a sample chamber and an amplification targeting reagent positioned in the first sample chamber.

Abstract: A device for amplifying a target nucleic acid in a sample containing one or more target nucleic acids may include a planar fluidic assembly comprising a flow channel and an inlet, wherein the inlet is in flow communication with the flow channel and is configured to introduce sample containing one or more target nucleic acids into the flow channel, wherein the flow channel has a substantially uniform cross-section from a first end to a second end. A plurality of nucleic acid primers can be disposed at discrete regions along and within the flow channel, each of the plurality of nucleic acid primers being complementary to a portion of the one or more target nucleic acids in the sample to enable a primer-based amplification reaction of the one or more target nucleic acids. The discrete regions may be configured to retain sample and amplified product of the amplification reaction during the primer-based amplification reaction.

Abstract: A method comprises loading a sample portion into a sample chamber which comprises means for minimizing diffusion of the sample portion, subjecting the sample portion to an amplification step, and determining whether the sample portion contains at least one molecule of a target nucleic acid. If the sample portion contains a single molecule of the target nucleic acid, the sample portion would attain a detectable concentration of the target nucleic acid after a single round of amplification. Also, a microfluidic device comprising a sample portion and a sample chamber comprising means for minimizing diffusion of the sample portion. Also, a microfluidic device comprising a sample chamber and an amplification targeting reagent positioned in the first sample chamber.

Abstract: A device for amplifying target nucleic acid in a sample can include a planar fluidic assembly including a transparent substrate, a porous material layer on a surface of the transparent substrate, and a cover over the porous material layer and sealingly affixed to the substrate. The cover may be spaced from the porous material layer and a flow channel defined between the porous material layer and the cover. The flow channel may have a uniform cross-section from a first end to a second end.

Abstract: A method comprising subjecting one or more sample portion(s) to a single amplification step, thereby amplifying a single molecule in the sample portion to a detectable level, and, in some embodiments, then determining whether the sample portion contains at least one molecule of the target nucleic acid. In some embodiments, the sample portion is in a porous sample structure, or in a sample chamber which comprises means for minimizing diffusion of the sample portion, or in a sample chamber which is inside a microcapillary device, or in a sample retaining means.

Abstract: A method comprising loading a sample into a microfluidic device which comprises plural sample chambers, subdividing the sample into a plurality of sample portions, such that respective sample portions are positioned in each of a plurality of the sample chambers, and subjecting the sample portions loaded into the respective sample chambers to at least a first amplification step. Each of the sample chambers has a respective volume such that if a sample portion positioned in the sample chamber comprises at least one molecule of a target nucleic acid, the target nucleic acid would attain a detectable concentration in the sample chamber after a single round of amplification.

Abstract: A method comprising subjecting one or more sample portion(s) to a single amplification step, thereby amplifying a single molecule in the sample portion to a detectable level, and, in some embodiments, then determining whether the sample portion contains at least one molecule of the target nucleic acid. In some embodiments, the sample portion is in a porous sample structure, or in a sample chamber which comprises means for minimizing diffusion of the sample portion, or in a sample chamber which is inside a microcapillary device, or in a sample retaining means.

Abstract: A method comprising subjecting one or more sample portion(s) to a single amplification step, thereby amplifying a single molecule in the sample portion to a detectable level, and, in some embodiments, then determining whether the sample portion contains at least one molecule of the target nucleic acid. In some embodiments, the sample portion is in a porous sample structure, or in a sample chamber which comprises means for minimizing diffusion of the sample portion, or in a sample chamber which is inside a microcapillary device, or in a sample retaining means.

Abstract: A miniaturized assembly is provided whereby a fluid sample can be divided into a plurality of sample portions in retaining wells and the sample fluid can be displaced from open ends of the wells while simultaneously being sealed in the wells. A method of dividing a fluid sample using the assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A microfluidic device comprising a first surface portion and a first sample retaining element, which have differing affinities to a fluid, and a method comprising supplying a sample to such a device. In some embodiments, the differing affinity is a result of plasma, ion embedding, surface charging, chemical, optical, electronic and/or electromagnetic treatment. Also, a microfluidic device comprising at least one microcapillary device having a sample retaining element, at least one surface of which exhibits hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, electromagnetic force exertion and electrostatic force exertion. Also, a microfluidic device comprising a first element having a hydrophilic pattern comprising at least a first sample retaining element. Also, a method comprising supplying a sample to a channel between a first element and a second element, and inducing in the first element at least one hydrophilic pattern by electrets or by internal or external electrodes to provide a charged surface.

Abstract: A microfluidic device comprising a first surface portion and a first sample retaining element, which have differing affinities to a fluid, and a method comprising supplying a sample to such a device. In some embodiments, the differing affinity is a result of plasma, ion embedding, surface charging, chemical, optical, electronic and/or electromagnetic treatment. Also, a microfluidic device comprising at least one microcapillary device having a sample retaining element, at least one surface of which exhibits hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, electromagnetic force exertion and electrostatic force exertion. Also, a microfluidic device comprising a first element having a hydrophilic pattern comprising at least a first sample retaining element. Also, a method comprising supplying a sample to a channel between a first element and a second element, and inducing in the first element at least one hydrophilic pattern by electrets or by internal or external electrodes to provide a charged surface.

Abstract: A miniaturized assembly is provided whereby a fluid sample can be divided into a plurality of sample portions in retaining wells and the sample fluid can be displaced from open ends of the wells while simultaneously being sealed in the wells. A method of dividing a fluid sample using the assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A method comprises loading a sample portion into a sample chamber which comprises means for minimizing diffusion of the sample portion, subjecting the sample portion to an amplification step, and determining whether the sample portion contains at least one molecule of a target nucleic acid. If the sample portion contains a single molecule of the target nucleic acid, the sample portion would attain a detectable concentration of the target nucleic acid after a single round of amplification. Also, a microfluidic device comprising a sample portion and a sample chamber comprising means for minimizing diffusion of the sample portion. Also, a microfluidic device comprising a sample chamber and an amplification targeting reagent positioned in the first sample chamber.

Abstract: A method comprising for each individual sample of a plurality of samples, loading at least one sample portion of the individual sample into at least one respective sample chamber of a plurality of sample chambers, subjecting the sample portions to at least a first amplification step; and then determining whether sample portions contain at least one molecule of the target nucleic acid. For each sample portion, if the sample portion contains at least a single molecule of the target nucleic acid, the sample portion would attain a detectable concentration of the target nucleic acid after a single round of amplification.

Abstract: A microfluidic device comprising a first surface portion and a first sample retaining element, which have differing affinities to a fluid, and a method comprising supplying a sample to such a device. In some embodiments, the differing affinity is a result of plasma, ion embedding, surface charging, chemical, optical, electronic and/or electromagnetic treatment. Also, a microfluidic device comprising at least one microcapillary device having a sample retaining element, at least one surface of which exhibits hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, electromagnetic force exertion and electrostatic force exertion. Also, a microfluidic device comprising a first element having a hydrophilic pattern comprising at least a first sample retaining element. Also, a method comprising supplying a sample to a channel between a first element and a second element, and inducing in the first element at least one hydrophilic pattern by electrets or by internal or external electrodes to provide a charged surface.

Abstract: A microfluidic assembly, comprises a first region having a first affinity to a first fluid sample and a second region having a second affinity to the first fluid sample. The first affinity is greater than the second affinity. A first reagent is positioned within at least the first region, the first reagent enabling amplification of a first target nucleic acid.

Abstract: A method comprising loading a sample portion into a sample chamber inside a microcapillary device, subjecting the sample portion to at least a first amplification step, and then determining whether the first sample portion contains at least one molecule of a target nucleic acid. Also, a microfluidic device comprising a sample chamber inside a microcapillary device, and a sample portion and/or an amplification targeting reagent in the sample chamber. Also, a microfluidic assembly comprising a microcapillary device having a sample chamber containing a reagent which enables amplification of a target nucleic acid. Also, a microfluidic device comprising a microcapillary device having a sample retaining means which contains a sample portion and/or an amplification targeting reagent.

Abstract: A method comprising subjecting one or more sample portion(s) to a single amplification step, thereby amplifying a single molecule in the sample portion to a detectable level, and, in some embodiments, then determining whether the sample portion contains at least one molecule of the target nucleic acid. In some embodiments, the sample portion is in a porous sample structure, or in a sample chamber which comprises means for minimizing diffusion of the sample portion, or in a sample chamber which is inside a microcapillary device, or in a sample retaining means.

Abstract: A method comprising depositing a sample portion in a sample retaining means, and forcing a curable fluid across an exposed surface of the sample retaining means, thereby displacing excess first sample from the exposed surface without displacing the sample from the sample retaining means. Also, a method comprising depositing a sample portion in a sample retaining means, removing excess sample from an exposed surface of the sample retaining means, and depositing a curable fluid on the exposed surface. Also, a microfluidic device comprising a sample chamber, a first sample portion in the sample chamber, and a curable fluid and/or a cured fluid positioned on an exposed surface of a sample retaining means.