Abstract: A device for purifying and/or concentrating a first water stream containing ionic impurities includes a first and second ion exchange membrane and a first porous membrane. The ion exchange membranes have the same charge, and a channel into which the first water stream can be directed is defined between the first and second ion exchange membranes. The channel has an inlet end and a return flow end and comprises a first and second outlet. The inlet and at least the first outlet are located on the inlet end of the channel and are separated by the first porous membrane that traverses the length of the channel between the ion exchange membranes and terminates at a return flow zone that is at least partially closed. At least part of the first water stream flows through the first porous membrane, joining a first return flow stream.

Abstract: Described is a multi-dimensional double spiral (MDDS) microfluidic device comprising a first spiral microchannel and a second microchannel, wherein the wherein the first spiral microchannel and second spiral microchannel have different cross-sectional areas. Also described is a device comprising a multi-dimensional double spiral and system for recirculation. The invention also encompasses methods of separating particles from a sample fluid comprising a mixture of particles comprising the use of the multi-dimensional double spiral microfluidic device.

Abstract: A spiral inertial microfluidics device has been designed for use as a microfluidic sorting device. The device includes a spiral microchannel in which particles or cells of different sizes go through regions having different magnitudes of inertial and/or drag forces and equilibrate at different lateral positions in the microchannel so that those particles or cells of different sizes are separated. Using different focusing characteristics of larger versus smaller particles/cells in the spiral microchannel, adventitious agents (AAs) such as bacteria, virus, mycoplasma, etc. can be selectively removed from cells such as those producing therapeutic enzymes or monoclonal antibodies or those comprising the product itself.

Abstract: The present invention provides return flow ICP and ED systems and methods that can be used for water desalination and/or concentration of a wide range of target brine and other aqueous and contaminated streams.

Abstract: The invention is to provide a method of profiling a sample comprising a plurality of cells, the method comprising: flowing cells from the sample through a first array of pillars to obtain one or more distribution profiles of cells sorted by the first array; flowing cells from the sample through a second array of pillars that is different from the first array of pillars to obtain on one or more distribution profiles of cells sorted by the second array; and deriving a biophysical signature of the sample based on at least the one or more distribution profiles of the cells sorted by the first array and/or the one or more distribution profiles of the cells sorted by the second array. The method further comprises determining a health status of a subject based on the biophysical signature of the sample. The invention is also to provide a sample profiling system.

Abstract: A prosthetic device includes a closed loop system for maintaining a predetermined concentration of a target ion in a region in proximity to a cell, such as a nerve cell. The device includes a controller and an ion-selective electrode assembly operatively connected to the controller, wherein the ion-selective electrode configuration is configured to sense the concentration of the target ion by potentiometric measurement and to convey the concentration to the controller. The controller is configured to modulate the current to the ion-selective electrode assembly based on the concentration of the target ion to control the concentration of the target ion so as to maintain the predetermined concentration of the target ion.

Abstract: Described is a multi-dimensional double spiral (MDDS) microfluidic device comprising a first spiral microchannel and a second microchannel, wherein the wherein the first spiral microchannel and second spiral microchannel have different cross-sectional areas. Also described is a device comprising a multi-dimensional double spiral and system for recirculation. The invention also encompasses methods of separating particles from a sample fluid comprising a mixture of particles comprising the use of the multi-dimensional double spiral microfluidic device.

Abstract: A method for detection of antibodies in a biological sample. The method includes steps of: immobilizing antigens specific to the antibodies between at least two electrodes; binding the antibodies from the biological sample to the antigens; binding probes linked with an enzyme to the antibodies; exposing the enzyme to a metal substrate; depositing a metal layer based on exposing the enzyme to the metal substrate; measuring an electrical property of the metal layer between a first electrode of the at least two electrodes and a second electrode of the at least two electrodes; and detecting, based on measuring the electrical property of the metal layer, the antibodies in the biological sample.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a scalable concentration device and method of use thereof based on electrokinetics.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the use of recirculation loops in single- or multi-stage electrical desalination processes such as Ion Concentration Polarization (ICP) desalination and concentration processes.

Abstract: This disclosure provides an apparatus and a method for quickly, efficiently and continuously fractionating biomolecules, such as DNAs and proteins based on size and other factors, while allowing imaging of the separated biomolecules as they are processed within the apparatus. The apparatus employs angled nanochannels to first preconcentrate and then separate like molecules. Its embodiments offer improved detection sensitivity and separation resolution over existing technologies and multiplexing capabilities.

Abstract: A system for intra-operative blood salvage autotransfusion is provided. The system comprises at least one inlet configured to receive whole blood of a patient; at least one curvilinear microchannel in fluid flow connection with the at least one inlet, the at least one curvilinear microchannel being adapted to isolate circulating tumor cells in the whole blood, based on cell size, along at least one portion of a cross-section of the at least one curvilinear microchannel; and at least two outlets in fluid flow connection with the at least one curvilinear microchannel, at least one outlet of the at least two outlets being configured to flow the circulating tumor cells isolated from the whole blood, and at least one other outlet of the at least two outlets being configured to flow at least a portion of a remainder of the whole blood, cleansed of the isolated circulating tumor cells, for return to the patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides return flow ICP and ED systems and methods that can be used for water desalination and/or concentration of a wide range of target brine and other aqueous and contaminated streams.

Abstract: This invention describes a one-step technique for the simultaneous label-free detection and concentration of blast cells from a blood sample. Enrichment of blast cells is achieved using a closed loop microfluidics system, allowing continuous removal of waste and non-target cells to generate concentrated samples of high purity without the need for specific targeting of proteins by antibodies. The technique is highly effective for samples which cannot be purified in a single run. The application of detecting rare blast cells for monitoring minimal residual disease in leukemia patients is demonstrated. The sensitivity of the invention promotes the detection of blast cells in blood samples of early-stage patients.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a micro-fluidic system having a closed-loop configuration in which inertial micro-fluidic separation of particles and/or cells is continuously repeated by feeding part of the output back to the input so that the purity and/or concentration of the particles and/or cell is maximized. The invention also includes methods of using the micro-fluidic system.

Abstract: Described is a multi-dimensional double spiral (MDDS) microfluidic device comprising a first spiral microchannel and a second microchannel, wherein the wherein the first spiral microchannel and second spiral microchannel have different cross-sectional areas. Also described is a device comprising a multi-dimensional double spiral and system for recirculation. The invention also encompasses methods of separating particles from a sample fluid comprising a mixture of particles comprising the use of the multi-dimensional double spiral microfluidic device.

Abstract: Scalable, high throughput and power-efficient electromechanical lysis using low electric potential, which can be used for harvesting valuable intracellular biomolecules (DNA, RNA, and proteins) and metabolites (e.g., biodiesels, bioplastics, antibiotics, and antibodies), and for sterilizing large volume solutions (e.g. disinfection of bacterial contaminated drinking water). The method can be directly integrated with other microfluidic devices for all-in-one, fully integrated total-analysis systems for various bacterial (and cellular) studies and clinical applications.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of this disclosure, there is provided a device for performing magnetic resonance relaxometry. The device comprises a radio-frequency spectrometer comprising at least one field-programmable gate array chip; a power amplifier electrically connected with the radio-frequency spectrometer and amplifying an electrical output of the radio-frequency spectrometer, thereby producing an amplified electrical signal comprising between about 0.

Abstract: A low-cost and bench-top magnetic resonance relaxometer can be used for ex-vivo biochemical stress tests on plasma/erythrocytes, enabling deep-phenotyping of an individual's oxidative status, susceptibility and capacity.

Abstract: A water stream is passed between two juxtaposed similar ion exchange membranes (AEMs or CEMs), forming an ion depletion and ion enrichment zones when an electric field is applied. As cations are selectively transferred through the CEMs, for example, anions are relocated in order to achieve electro-neutrality, resulting in the concentration drop (increase) in ion depletion (enrichment) zone. Trifurcation of the output channel allows collection of concentrated, dilute and intermediate streams, with the intermediate stream serving as input to the next stage of a serialized implementation.