Abstract: A fluidic system having a first volume, a second volume and a membrane geometrically separating the two volumes, which has an open-pore microstructure for the passage of a first medium and a second medium. There is a contact angle (?) between the interface of the media and the pore surface. A first electrical field in the region of the membrane and a first electromagnetic radiation and a first heating of the membrane define a first state (Z1), in which the membrane is not wetted or is less wetted by the first medium and is more heavily wetted by the second medium such that a first contact angle ?1>90° is formed between the pore surface and the interface. The first medium and the second medium and the pore surface have a surface energy of which at least one surface energy can be reversibly changed in such a way that a second contact angle ?2<?1 occurs between the pore surface and the interface in a second state (Z2).

Abstract: A microfluidic arrangement including a substrate in which a microfluidic structure having several adjacent channels and at least one common supply line, into which the adjacent channels merge, is formed. Each of the adjacent channels form the cylinder of a cylinder-piston arrangement for receiving an associated piston. A method for producing the type of microfluidic-arrangement is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fluidic system having a first volume, a second volume and a membrane geometrically separating the two volumes, which has an open-pore microstructure for the passage of a first medium and a second medium. There is a contact angle (?) between the interface of the media and the pore surface. A first electrical field in the region of the membrane and a first electromagnetic radiation and a first heating of the membrane define a first state (Z1), in which the membrane is not wetted or is less wetted by the first medium and is more heavily wetted by the second medium such that a first contact angle ?1>90° is formed between the pore surface and the interface. The first medium and the second medium and the pore surface have a surface energy of which at least one surface energy can be reversibly changed in such a way that a second contact angle ?2<?1 occurs between the pore surface and the interface in a second state (Z2).

Abstract: A microvalve for controlling fluid flows, and a sealing device for sealing cavities in a microfluidic system, particularly in a lab-on-a-chip system, and a method for the production thereof. A sealing surface of a valve body, or a sealing element, respectively, rests on a sealing surface of a substrate and is pressed against the sealing surface of the substrate in a fluid-tight manner by means of a clamping element. The clamping element and/or the valve body, or the sealing element, respectively, are at least partially elastic.

Abstract: System for the in vitro transcription and translation of membrane proteins comprising i) a micro-fluidic chip having at least one micro-fluidic reaction chamber and micro-fluidic channels to allow fluid to flow through the chip and into and from the at least one reaction chamber, ii) the at least one micro-fluidic reaction chamber being provided with at least one electrode base plate of conductive or semi-conductive material, and iii) lipid vesicles or a lipid membrane being bound or tethered to the at least one electrode base plate either directly or through spacer molecules.

Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated lab-on-a-chip device for carrying out a nucleic acid extraction process on a fluid sample containing cells and/or particles, the device comprising: (a) a sample inlet (1) for loading of a fluid sample, (b) a lysis unit (4) for lysis of cells and/or particles present in the fluid sample, (c) a reservoir of lysis fluid (7) for the lysis unit, (d) a nucleic acid extraction unit (5) downstream of the lysis unit, and (e) reservoirs of first washing buffer and eluant fluid (8, 9, 10) for the nucleic acid extraction unit, wherein the device further comprises (f) a mixing unit (6) downstream of the nucleic acid extraction unit, and (g) a source of mixing fluid (11) for the mixing unit. The reservoirs of lysis fluid, first washing buffer and eluant fluid may be provided parallel to one anther so that they may be actuated by a single pump.

Abstract: A microvalve for controlling fluid flows, and a sealing device for sealing cavities in a microfluidic system, particularly in a lab-on-a-chip system, and a method for the production thereof. A sealing surface of a valve body, or a sealing element, respectively, rests on a sealing surface of a substrate and is pressed against the sealing surface of the substrate in a fluid-tight manner by means of a clamping element. The clamping element and/or the valve body, or the sealing element, respectively, are at least partially elastic.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a measurement chip (1) for carrying out measurements of transmission and/or emission and/or scattering of light by a fluid sample in an operator unit, wherein the measurement chip has a base plate (2) produced from a transparent polymer material, provided in the base plate (2) are at least one measurement cell (3) for receiving a fluid sample and fluid passages (4, 4) for supplying and discharging fluid to and from the measurement cell (3), and provided in and/or on the base plate (2) outside the measurement cell (3) are mirror surfaces (5) which are so arranged that they direct light emitted from and/or scattered by a fluid sample in the measurement cell (3) from the measurement chip (1), preferably in the direction of a light detector provided in an operator unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated lab-on-a-chip device for carrying out a nucleic acid extraction process on a fluid sample containing cells and/or particles, the device comprising: (a) a sample inlet (1) for loading of a fluid sample, (b) a lysis unit (4) for lysis of cells and/or particles present in the fluid sample, (c) a reservoir of lysis fluid (7) for the lysis unit, (d) a nucleic acid extraction unit (5) downstream of the lysis unit, and (e) reservoirs of first washing buffer and eluant fluid (8, 9, 10) for the nucleic acid extraction unit, wherein the device further comprises (f) a mixing unit (6) downstream of the nucleic acid extraction unit, and (g) a source of mixing fluid (11) for the mixing unit. The reservoirs of lysis fluid, first washing buffer and eluant fluid may be provided parallel to one anther so that they may be actuated by a single pump.

Abstract: A sample plate, portable analysis apparatus and method of analysing sulphur and/or nitrogen compounds in a sample fluid, the method comprising feeding a sample fluid to a sample plate having a sample inlet, a reaction zone, an analysis zone, and at least one separation zone, the sample plate being adapted to allow; (a) a sample fluid to be fed to the sample plate through the inlet to the reaction zone or optionally to a separation zone, which separation zone separates the sample fluid into two or more fractions at least one of which is fed to the reaction zone; (b) a reactant to be fed to the reaction zone; (c) the reaction zone to be maintained under conditions that enable reaction to occur between the reactant and the sample fluid or fraction thereof to produce a product fluid; and (d) transfer of the product fluid to the analysis zone or optionally to a separation zone in which the product fluid is separated into two or more fractions, at least one of which is transferred to the analysis zone.

Abstract: A sample plate for a portable analysis apparatus for analysis of a solid precipitated from a fluid sample, which sample plate comprises a sample inlet, a precipitation zone, a filter and an analysis zone, the sample plate being adapted to allow: (i) a fluid sample to be fed through the sample inlet into the precipitation zone; (ii) a precipitant to be fed to the precipitation zone; (iii) conditions within the precipitation zone to be maintained such that precipitation occurs when the fluid sample and precipitant mix to form a suspension; (iv) separation of the solid in the suspension by the filter; (v) addition of a solvent to the filter to dissolve the solid and form a solution; and (vi) analysis of the solution in the analysis zone.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a measurement chip (1) for carrying out measurements of transmission and/or emission and/or scattering of light by a fluid sample in an operator unit, wherein the measurement chip has a base plate (2) produced from a transparent polymer material, provided in the base plate (2) are at least one measurement cell (3) for receiving a fluid sample and fluid passages (4, 4) for supplying and discharging fluid to and from the measurement cell (3), and provided in and/or on the base plate (2) outside the measurement cell (3) are mirror surfaces (5) which are so arranged that they direct light emitted from and/or scattered by a fluid sample in the measurement cell (3) from the measurement chip (1), preferably in the direction of a light detector provided in an operator unit.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods consistent with certain principles related to the present invention include a first channel, where a fluid flows through the first channel, where the first channel comprises an upstream region, a tagging region downstream of the upstream region, where at least one analyte is tagged when the fluid flows through the tagging region, a capture region downstream of the tagging region, where at least one tagged analyte is captured when the fluid flows through the capture region. A second channel communicating the upstream region of the first channel with the first channel intermediate the tagging region and capture regions, where a portion of the fluid flows through the second channel and subsequently flows into the capture region of the first channel, and where the fluid flowing through the tagging region flows into the capture region before the portion of the fluid flowing through the second channel flows into the capture region of the first channel.

Abstract: A method and miniature analytical device with thermal regulation of reactant using a localized heat source capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation, such as light emitting diodes (“LED”s) and vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (“VCSEL”s), generating internal heat, such as resistive, inductive and Peltier heaters, or external heating. The miniature analytical device comprises of array of temperature-controlled zones to restrict the volume heated and localize the heating by having the localized heat source comprise an array of emitters or heaters.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods consistent with certain principles related to the present invention include a first channel, where a fluid flows through the first channel, where the first channel comprises an upstream region, a tagging region downstream of the upstream region, where at least one analyte is tagged when the fluid flows through the tagging region, a capture region downstream of the tagging region, where at least one tagged analyte is captured when the fluid flows through the capture region. A second channel communicating the upstream region of the first channel with the first channel intermediate the tagging region and capture regions, where a portion of the fluid flows through the second channel and subsequently flows into the capture region of the first channel, and where the fluid flowing through the tagging region flows into the capture region before the portion of the fluid flowing through the second channel flows into the capture region of the first channel.

Abstract: A method and miniature analytical device with thermal regulation of reactants using a localized heat source capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation, such as light emitting diodes (“LED”s) and vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (“VCSEL”s), generating internal heat, such as resistive, inductive and Peltier heaters, or external heating. The miniature analytical device comprises of array of temperature-controlled zones to restrict the volume heated and localize the heating by having the localized heat source comprise an array of emitters or heaters.