Abstract: A method for separating cells in a biofluid includes pretreating the biofluid by introducing an additive, flowing the pretreated biofluid through a microfluidic separation channel, and applying acoustic energy to the microfluidic separation channel. A system for microfluidic cell separation, capable of separating target cells from non-target cells in a biofluid includes at least one microfluidic separation channel, a source of biofluid, a source of additive, and at least one acoustic transducer coupled to the microfluidic separation channel. A kit for microfluidic cell separation includes a microfluidic separation channel connected to an acoustic transducer, a source of an additive, and instructions for use.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a device for storing a liquid sample, in which the device has a sample acceptance well, one or more storage chambers, and one or more fluidic channels fluidly coupling the sample acceptance well to the one or more storage chambers. The apparatus also includes a well plate having a plate and multiple wells formed in the plate, in which the device and the well plate are configured to be attached to one another.

Abstract: Reusable network of spatially-multiplexed microfliuidic channels each including an inlet, an outlet, and a cuvette in-between. Individual channels may operationally share a main or common output channel defining the network output and optionally leading to a disposable storage volume. Alternatively, multiple channels are structured to individually lead to the storage volume. An individual cuvette is dimensioned to substantially prevent the formation of air-bubbles during the fluid sample flow through the cuvette and, therefore, to be fully filled and fully emptied. The overall channel network is configured to spatially lock the fluidic sample by pressing such sample with a second fluid against a closed to substantially immobilize it to prevent drifting due to the change in ambient conditions during the measurement. Thereafter, the fluidic sample is flushed through the now-opened valve with continually-applied pressure of the second fluid.

Abstract: A device for treatment of cells with particles is disclosed. The device includes a semi-permeable membrane positioned between two plates, the first plate defining a first flow chamber and comprising a port, a flow channel, a transverse port, and a transverse flow channel, the first flow chamber constructed and arranged to deliver fluid in a transverse direction along the first side of the semi-permeable membrane, the second plate defining a second flow chamber and comprising a port. A method for transducing cells is disclosed. The method includes introducing a fluid with cells and viral particles into a flow chamber adjacent a semi-permeable membrane such that the cells and the viral particles are substantially evenly distributed on the semi-permeable membrane. The method also includes introducing a recovery fluid to suspend the cells and the viral particles, and separating the cells from the viral particles. A method of activating cells is disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for identifying bacteria and profiling their antibiotic susceptibility. In particular, the methods and compositions of the present technology permit the detection of low concentrations of bacterial cells (e.g., <10 cells/ml) that are present within a complex biological sample.

Abstract: Reusable network of spatially-multiplexed microfluidic channels each including an inlet, an outlet, and a cuvette in-between. Individual channels may operationally share a main or common output channel defining the network output and optionally leading to a disposable storage volume. Alternatively, multiple channels are structured to individually lead to the storage volume. An individual cuvette is dimensioned to substantially prevent the formation of air-bubbles during the fluid sample flow through the cuvette and, therefore, to be fully filled and fully emptied. The overall channel network is configured to spatially lock the fluidic sample by pressing such sample with a second fluid against a closed to substantially immobilize it to prevent drifting due to the change in ambient conditions during the measurement. Thereafter, the fluidic sample is flushed through the now-opened valve with continually-applied pressure of the second fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microfluidic system, device, and kit for particle analysis. In one example, the device includes a fluid channel for spacing the particles, an excitation waveguide to guide an excitation beam from a source to the fluid channel, and an excitation lens to focus the excitation beam to a width less than the spacing of the particles in the fluid channel. The device also includes a detection lens to guide light transmitted from the channel along a number of paths, axial and scatter light waveguide to receive light guided by the detection lens, a detector to receive transmitted light from the waveguides and generate a detection signal, and a processor configured to receive the detection signal and determine characteristic features of each of the particles based on the detection signal.

Abstract: A method for separating particles in a biofluid includes pretreating the biofluid by introducing an additive, flowing the pretreated biofluid through a microfluidic separation channel, and applying acoustic energy to the microfluidic separation channel. A system for microfluidic separation, capable of separating target particles from non-target particles in a biofluid includes at least one microfluidic separation channel, a source of biofluid, a source of additive, and at least one acoustic transducer coupled to the microfluidic separation channel. A kit for microfluidic particle separation includes a microfluidic separation channel connected to an acoustic transducer, a source of an additive, and instructions for use.

Abstract: Reusable network of spatially-multiplexed microfluidic channels each including an inlet, an outlet, and a cuvette in-between. Individual channels may operationally share a main or common output channel defining the network output and optionally leading to a disposable storage volume. Alternatively, multiple channels are structured to individually lead to the storage volume. An individual cuvette is dimensioned to substantially prevent the formation of air-bubbles during the fluid sample flow through the cuvette and, therefore, to be fully filled and fully emptied. The overall channel network is configured to spatially lock the fluidic sample by pressing such sample with a second fluid against a closed to substantially immobilize it to prevent drifting due to the change in ambient conditions during the measurement. Thereafter, the fluidic sample is flushed through the now-opened valve with continually-applied pressure of the second fluid.

Abstract: Microfluidic cuvettes and a network of multiplexed channels including such cuvettes. The channels operationally share a main output channel defining an output of the network. A microfluidic channel includes an inlet, a cuvette, and an outlet that is coupled into the main output channel. The network is configured to provide a difference in resistances, to the fluid, by the main output channel and by an individual outlet is sufficient to prevent cross-contamination of different cuvettes, thereby operably isolating individual channels from one another. An individual cuvette is adapted to substantially prevent the formation of air-bubbles as part of the fluid flow through the cuvette and, therefore, to be fully filled and fully emptied. A system and method for photometric measurements of multiple fluid samples employing such network of channels.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microfluidic system, device, and kit for particle analysis. In one example, the device includes a fluid channel for spacing the particles, an excitation waveguide to guide an excitation beam from a source to the fluid channel, and an excitation lens to focus the excitation beam to a width less than the spacing of the particles in the fluid channel. The device also includes a detection lens to guide light transmitted from the channel along a number of paths, axial and scatter light waveguide to receive light guided by the detection lens, a detector to receive transmitted light from the waveguides and generate a detection signal, and a processor configured to receive the detection signal and determine characteristic features of each of the particles based on the detection signal.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a device for storing a liquid sample, in which the device has a sample acceptance well, one or more storage chambers, and one or more fluidic channels fluidly coupling the sample acceptance well to the one or more storage chambers. The apparatus also includes a well plate having a plate and multiple wells formed in the plate, in which the device and the well plate are configured to be attached to one another.

Abstract: Microfluidic cuvettes and a network of multiplexed channels including such cuvettes. The channels operationally share a main output channel defining an output of the network. A microfluidic channel includes an inlet, a cuvette, and an outlet that is coupled into the main output channel. The network is configured to provide a difference in resistances, to the fluid, by the main output channel and by an individual outlet is sufficient to prevent cross-contamination of different cuvettes, thereby operably isolating individual channels from one another. An individual cuvette is adapted to substantially prevent the formation of air-bubbles as part of the fluid flow through the cuvette and, therefore, to be fully filled and fully emptied. A system and method for photometric measurements of multiple fluid samples employing such network of channels.

Abstract: Living cells can be selectively and reversibly bound to functionalized dissolvable material (e.g., cross-linked hydrogel compositions) and subsequently released from the composition as viable cells. In some examples, the cells are released by reducing the degree of cross-linking within a functionalized hydrogel composition and/or dissolving the functionalized hydrogel composition bound to the cells. The functionalized hydrogel compositions can be adhered to silicon- and silicon-oxide containing surfaces, such as glass and aminated silicon. The living cells can be isolated from biological samples, such as blood, by selectively binding certain cells from the sample to the functionalized hydrogel, removing unbound cells and later releasing viable bound cells from the functionalized hydrogel.

Abstract: Leukocytes (e.g., neutrophils, monocytes and/or lymphocytes) can be captured and separated from blood by removing platelets using a spiral channel, followed by capturing individual leukocyte types in a series of cell capture channels having leukocyte binding moieties. Accordingly, various microfluidic-based cell affinity chromatography methods can be used to separate leukocytes from whole blood.

Abstract: Described are an apparatus and method of moving micro-droplets. A surface has a liquid phase thereon. In the liquid phase is a droplet. Focused at an edge of the droplet is a beam of light. The light beam produces a thermal gradient sufficient to induce the droplet to move according to the Marangoni effect. The movement-inducing thermal gradient may appear within the droplet or within the liquid phase. The composition of the droplet, the liquid phase, and wavelength of the light beam can cooperate to cause heating within the droplet, liquid phase, or both. For example, an infrared laser can cause vibration of an O-H stretch in an aqueous droplet (or in the liquid phase). As another example, adding dye to a droplet or to the liquid phase enables absorption of light from an Argon ion laser. The apparatus and method find particular use in biological and chemical high-throughput assays.

Abstract: Described are an apparatus and method of moving micro-droplets. A surface has a liquid phase thereon. In the liquid phase is a droplet. Focused at an edge of the droplet is a beam of light. The light beam produces a thermal gradient sufficient to induce the droplet to move according to the Marangoni effect. The movement-inducing thermal gradient may appear within the droplet or within the liquid phase. The composition of the droplet, the liquid phase, and wavelength of the light beam can cooperate to cause heating within the droplet, liquid phase, or both. For example, an infrared laser can cause vibration of an O-H stretch in an aqueous droplet (or in the liquid phase). As another example, adding dye to a droplet or to the liquid phase enables absorption of light from an Argon ion laser. The apparatus and method find particular use in biological and chemical high-throughput assays.