Abstract: The present invention relates to a recovery system for drops comprising: a conduit for the circulation of a working fluid comprising a plurality of pockets that are isolated by separators, a recovery substrate comprising multiple compartments, a displacement device that is able to successively position the outlet of the conduit opposite at least two different compartments, a preparation device that is able to inject, into the conduit, an additional volume of separator fluid and an additional volume of carrier fluid, such that the volume of at least one separator is greater than or equal to a critical separation volume, and that the volume of at least one bubble formed by a pocket and a part of the separator is greater than or equal to a critical detachment volume.

Abstract: The method comprises the following steps: —providing particles (49) to be solubilised in stable suspension, the particles (49) of a suspension being of identical chemical composition; —generating at least one drop (16) comprising at least one particle (49) to be solubilised of the stable suspension of particles (49) and a culture medium (50) that is able to contain at least one living cell (4) and/or at least one product derived from a living cell in suspension; —introducing the drop (16) into a tube (10); —incubating the drop (16) in the tube (10); —illuminating the tube (10) through an incident light beam; and —measuring, at various times, the quantity of light from the light beam scattered transversely to the incident beam by the drop (16) in the tube (10).

Abstract: The method for analysis and cell culture comprises the following steps: generating a train (14) of ordered drops (16) in a carrier fluid (40), the train (14) of drops (16) comprising at least one culture drop (42), the culture drop (42) comprising a culture medium (50) and at least one cell (4), circulating the train (14) of drops (16) in a tube (10), incubating the train (14) of drops (16) in the tube (10), measuring at least one parameter indicative of the content of the culture drop (42) in the tube (10) at different times, recovering the culture drop (42) at one end (36) of the tube (10), the steps being carried out in a controlled atmosphere (6).

Abstract: A process is provided for isolating and analyzing microorganisms contained in a sample by collecting a determined volume in a sample, the determined volume representing all or part of this sample, likely to contain at least one microorganism. The collected volume is then split up into a plurality of compartments having a culture medium, the volume of each compartment being smaller than 10 ?L, each compartment being isolated from the other compartments and having no interface with the ambient atmosphere. At least one microorganism is incubated in the compartments for determined durations, and compartments are detected that contain at least one microorganism. The incubation may be extended after detecting compartments so that at least one microorganism having a defined quantity can be detected, and then the content of the detected compartments can be recovered. Finally, at least one functional parameter relative to a microorganism in the compartments is determined.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for selecting and recovering products, including providing an emulsion (6) comprising a plurality of drops (4) contained in a carrier fluid (10), each drop comprising an internal fluid (8), measuring at least one physical parameter for several drops (4) of the emulsion (6), classifying at least some of the drops (4) of the emulsion in a class based on measurements obtained during measuring, tagging at least some of the classified drops (4) based on the class of the drop (4), and selectively recovering the drop (4) or part of the drop (4) using the tag of the drop or part of the drop (4).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for selecting and recovering products, comprising the following steps: providing an emulsion (6) comprising a plurality of drops (4) contained in a carrier fluid (10), each drop comprising an internal fluid (8), measuring at least one physical parameter for several drops (4) of the emulsion (6), classifying at least some of the drops (4) of the emulsion in a class based on measurements obtained during the measuring step, tagging at least some of the classified drops (4) based on the class of the drop (4), selectively recovering the drop (4) or part of the drop (4) using the tag of the drop or part of the drop (4).

Abstract: A method for monitoring a reaction and a reaction system are provided. The reaction system includes at least one vessel for the reaction medium, which is in fluid communication with an injection tube; at least one vessel for a carrier fluid that is immiscible with the reaction medium, which is in fluid communication with a reaction tube; the injection tube being mounted so as to lead into the reaction tube such that individual drops of the reaction medium can be injected into the reaction tube and into the immiscible carrier fluid, so as to form a train of reaction chambers; at least one detector for monitoring a reaction; a means for classifying the reaction chambers; and at least one means for recirculating reaction chambers in front of at least one detector for monitoring a reaction.

Abstract: The method for analysis and cell culture comprises the following steps: generating a train (14) of ordered drops (16) in a carrier fluid (40), the train (14) of drops (16) comprising at least one culture drop (42), the culture drop (42) comprising a culture medium (50) and at least one cell (4), circulating the train (14) of drops (16) in a tube (10), incubating the train (14) of drops (16) in the tube (10), measuring at least one parameter indicative of the content of the culture drop (42) in the tube (10) at different times, recovering the culture drop (42) at one end (36) of the tube (10), the steps being carried out in a controlled atmosphere (6).

Abstract: The process comprises the following steps: collecting a determined volume in a sample (4), likely to contain at least one microorganism (2), splitting the collected volume into a plurality of compartments (6), the volume of each compartment (6) being smaller than 10 ?L, incubating at least one microorganism (2) in the compartments (6), detecting compartments (6) comprising at least one microorganism (2), extending the incubation until detecting a defined quantity of microorganism (2), recovering the content of the detected compartments (6) in receptacles (82) for subsequent use, determining at least one functional parameter relative to a microorganism (2) in the detected compartments (6, 6?), the steps for splitting, incubation, detection and determining at least one functional parameter being integrated into an automated system (1) for isolating and analyzing microorganisms (2).

Abstract: The present invention provides novel microfluidic devices and methods that are useful for performing high-throughput screening assays and combinatorial chemistry. The invention provides for aqueous based emulsions containing uniquely labeled cells, enzymes, nucleic acids, etc., wherein the emulsions further comprise primers, labels, probes, and other reactants. An oil based carrier-fluid envelopes the emulsion library on a microfluidic device, such that a continuous channel provides for flow of the immiscible fluids, to accomplish pooling, coalescing, mixing, sorting, detection, etc., of the emulsion library.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recovery system for drops comprising: a conduit for the circulation of a working fluid comprising a plurality of pockets that are isolated by separators, a recovery substrate comprising multiple compartments, a displacement device that is able to successively position the outlet of the conduit opposite at least two different compartments, a preparation device that is able to inject, into the conduit, an additional volume of separator fluid and an additional volume of carrier fluid, such that the volume of at least one separator is greater than or equal to a critical separation volume, and that the volume of at least one bubble formed by a pocket and a part of the separator is greater than or equal to a critical detachment volume.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for selecting and recovering products, comprising the following steps: providing an emulsion (6) comprising a plurality of drops (4) contained in a carrier fluid (10), each drop comprising an internal fluid (8), measuring at least one physical parameter for several drops (4) of the emulsion (6), classifying at least some of the drops (4) of the emulsion in a class based on measurements obtained during the measuring step, tagging at least some of the classified drops (4) based on the class of the drop (4), selectively recovering the drop (4) or part of the drop (4) using the tag of the drop or part of the drop (4).

Abstract: The present invention provides novel microfluidic devices and methods that are useful for performing high-throughput screening assays and combinatorial chemistry. The invention provides for aqueous based emulsions containing uniquely labeled cells, enzymes, nucleic acids, etc., wherein the emulsions further comprise primers, labels, probes, and other reactants. An oil based carrier-fluid envelopes the emulsion library on a microfluidic device, such that a continuous channel provides for flow of the immiscible fluids, to accomplish pooling, coalescing, mixing, sorting, detection, etc., of the emulsion library.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for recuperating droplets (4), includes: supplying a chip (20) comprising a fluid circulation duct (46), injecting an emulsion (6) of droplets, injecting a carrier fluid (26) to form a working fluid (28) containing droplets of the emulsion which are spaced apart along the duct, conveying the working fluid through the duct, injecting a separating fluid (33) in order to separate the working fluid into a plurality of successive pockets (35), wherein each pocket is isolated from the next pocket by a separator (80), conveying the pockets and separators towards an outlet (66) of the chip, recuperating in a compartment (82) of a recuperation support (34) at least one pocket containing a droplet recuperated after conveying.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel microfluidic devices and methods that are useful for performing high-throughput screening assays and combinatorial chemistry. The invention provides for aqueous based emulsions containing uniquely labeled cells, enzymes, nucleic acids, etc., wherein the emulsions further comprise primers, labels, probes, and other reactants. An oil based carrier-fluid envelopes the emulsion library on a microfluidic device, such that a continuous channel provides for flow of the immiscible fluids, to accomplish pooling, coalescing, mixing, sorting, detection, etc., of the emulsion library.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for fusing or contacting reactor and reagent droplets in a three-phase microfluidic or millifluidic system with one of the phases being continuous, in which the reagent droplet is injected in the droplet train before it coalesces or contacts with the reactor droplet. More specifically, the reagent droplet detaches from the reagent inlet before being in contact with the reactor droplet. The method of the invention involves two successive but not concomitant steps: first producing in the droplet train a droplet of a reagent which breaks-up from the reagent reservoir before the second step of merging. The invention also discloses a milli/microfluidic device whose equivalent circuit is represented on FIG. 11.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel microfluidic devices and methods that are useful for performing high-throughput screening assays and combinatorial chemistry. The invention provides for aqueous based emulsions containing uniquely labeled cells, enzymes, nucleic acids, etc., wherein the emulsions further comprise primers, labels, probes, and other reactants. An oil based carrier-fluid envelopes the emulsion library on a microfluidic device, such that a continuous channel provides for flow of the immiscible fluids, to accomplish pooling, coalescing, mixing, sorting, detection, etc., of the emulsion library.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for fusing or contacting reactor and reagent droplets in a three-phase microfluidic or millifluidic system with one of the phases being continuous, in which the reagent droplet is injected in the droplet train before it coalesces or contacts with the reactor droplet. More specifically, the reagent droplet detaches from the reagent inlet before being in contact with the reactor droplet. The method of the invention involves two successive but not concomitant steps: first producing in the droplet train a droplet of a reagent which breaks-up from the reagent reservoir before the second step of merging. The invention also discloses a milli/microfluidic device whose equivalent circuit is represented on FIG. 11.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel microfluidic devices and methods that are useful for performing high-throughput screening assays and combinatorial chemistry. The invention provides for aqueous based emulsions containing uniquely labeled cells, enzymes, nucleic acids, etc., wherein the emulsions further comprise primers, labels, probes, and other reactants. An oil based carrier-fluid envelopes the emulsion library on a microfluidic device, such that a continuous channel provides for flow of the immiscible fluids, to accomplish pooling, coalescing, mixing, sorting, detection, etc., of the emulsion library.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel microfluidic devices and methods that are useful for performing high-throughput screening assays and combinatorial chemistry. The invention provides for aqueous based emulsions containing uniquely labeled cells, enzymes, nucleic acids, etc., wherein the emulsions further comprise primers, labels, probes, and other reactants. An oil based carrier-fluid envelopes the emulsion library on a microfluidic device, such that a continuous channel provides for flow of the immiscible fluids, to accomplish pooling, coalescing, mixing, sorting, detection, etc., of the emulsion library.