Abstract: An integrated molecular diagnostics system (iMDx) for the detection of Dengue Fever at point-of-care, wherein blood plasma separation for the selective separation of the Dengue virus from the whole blood, LED-driven photothermal lysis of the Dengue virus for the RNA extraction, and LED-driven rapid optical cavity PCR for the amplification of Dengue viral RNA are integrated on-chip within a single micro-fluidic device.

Abstract: An LED-driven optical cavity PCR system and method providing fast, accurate and reliable PCR based diagnostics. Thermal cycling for PCR takes place in an optical cavity formed in a microfluidic channel or chamber with thin light absorbing metal films disposed on at least two opposing walls that provide uniform heating between the walls by photothermal light to heat conversion. The opposing metal films may be sized for equal light absorption from a single light source orthogonal to the two opposing films to produce an even temperature elevation between the equally heating films upon a single light exposure. Uniform temperature elevation may also be achieved with films made from two different materials.

Abstract: Systems and methods for plasmonic heating by combined use of thin plasmonic film-based 2D and 3D structures and a light-emitting diode (LED) for nucleic acids amplification through fast thermal cycling of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are described.

Abstract: A medical screening system and method for screening potential entrants to a facility for medical conditions prior to entry. The medical screening system and method generally includes an evaluation system and an interface. The interface resides on a portable electronic device and the evaluation system may reside on the same device or comprise a remote centralized system. The evaluation system automatically selects an appropriate questionnaire eliciting information regarding the medical condition of a potential entrant from a plurality of questionnaires and provides it to the interface for display. The potential entrant provides responses to the questionnaire, and the evaluation system automatically evaluates the responses, generates an entry decision, and sends an indication to the interface. The interface provides an entry decision presentation comprising one or more perceptible elements and entry to the facility by the potential entrant is controlled based on the entry decision presentation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for plasmonic heating by combined use of thin plasmonic film-based 2D and 3D structures and a light-emitting diode (LED) for nucleic acids amplification through fast thermal cycling of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are described.

Abstract: A modular microfluidic system can include an individual microfluidic module that can be coupled to and decoupled from a socket. The socket can be coupled to a fluid source and electrical circuitry. A fluid interface between the socket and the module can allow fluid flow between the socket and the module. The module can include any number of wells or other microfluidic features. In some cases, the wells of the module can fit within corresponding recesses of the socket. In some cases, an optional electrical interface may provide electrical connection between the socket and the module. In some cases, the electrical circuitry is coupled to electrodes within the socket, such as electrodes positioned adjacent recesses. The module is designed for easy removal from and placement on the socket, allowing assays to be rapidly deployed, moved, and removed.

Abstract: A blood sample collection device can provide for collection, storage, amplification, and analysis of a blood sample in a simple, disposable device. The device can include a collection zone for drawing (e.g., via a needle array) or receiving a blood sample, a processing zone for storing and processing blood cells of the blood sample, and a filtration zone for selectively directing the blood cells of the blood sample to an array of wells within the processing zone while leading blood plasma away from the array of wells. Within the wells, which may be prepared to include materials for amplification and various assays, the blood cells can undergo amplification. Externally applied light and/or heat can facilitate amplification. A transparent or translucent window or portion of the collection device can allow an analysis device to take measurements of the array of wells without removing the sample.

Abstract: An LED-driven optical cavity PCR system and method is disclosed for fast, accurate and reliable PCR based diagnostics. An optical cavity comprising two thin light absorbing metal (AU) films is used for uniform light absorption and subsequent photo thermal light-to-heat conversion is employed for PCR thermal cycling.

Abstract: A fluidic chip employing a vacuum void to store vacuum potential for controlled micro-fluidic pumping in conjunction with biomimetic vacuum lungs.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for improved handling and/or culturing and/or assaying of cells, chemically active beads, or similar materials in microfluidic systems and microfluidic culture arrays.

Abstract: A rapid and precision molecular diagnostic chip making use of quantum plasmonic resonance energy transfer is disclosed for performing ultrafast polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The chip includes functionally graded microfluidic structures capable of receiving and conveying a sample using self-powered capillary pumping and capable of performing on-chip separation and target pathogen lysis. The chip can include optical traps to selectively trap and enrich various constituents of the sample, such as cell-free deoxyribonucleic acids (cfDNAs) and exosomes. In some cases, a processing device can receive a diagnostic chip, induce PCR within the diagnostic chip, and optionally detect diagnostic data from the samples within the diagnostic chip.

Abstract: An LED-driven optical cavity PCR system and method is disclosed for fast, accurate and reliable PCR based diagnostics. An optical cavity comprising two thin light absorbing metal (AU) films is used for uniform light absorption and subsequent photo thermal light-to-heat conversion is employed for PCR thermal cycling.

Abstract: A simple and robust on-chip blood plasma separation device is provided. The device is configured to integrate with downstream detection modules and provides sample-to-answer microfluidic POC diagnostics devices.

Abstract: A Digital Separation (DS) chip for separating, digitizing and analyzing a fluid sample is presented. The DS chip includes a fluidic layer that prepares and compartmentalizes the fluid sample for analysis. Cliff structures that are adjacent to wells skim the fluid sample and prevent particles, which may interfere with fluid sample analysis, from entering the wells. Skimmed fluid sample analysis occurs in the wells and endpoint data can be collected and used to determine an original concentration of a desired component in the fluid sample very quickly. Using the described apparatus and methods, a fluid sample can be prepared, digitized, compartmentalized, assayed and the endpoint data collected in ˜30 minutes. The apparatus and methods can easily be adapted to provide parallel processing of a sample.

Abstract: An integrated molecular diagnostics system (iMDx) for the detection of Dengue Fever at point-of-care, wherein blood plasma separation for the selective separation of the Dengue virus from the whole blood, LED-driven photothermal lysis of the Dengue virus for the RNA extraction, and LED-driven rapid optical cavity PCR for the amplification of Dengue viral RNA are integrated on-chip within a single micro-fluidic device.

Abstract: Method and systems that provide improved handling and/or culturing and/or assaying of cells, chemically active beads, or similar materials in microfluidic systems and microfluidic culture arrays.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a microfluidics device for culturing cells, such as cardiomyocytes or cardiomyocyte progenitors; and methods of culturing cells using the device. The device and culturing methods find use in drug screening methods, for methods of evaluating a drug under development, and for methods of predicting patient response to a given treatment regimen, which methods are also provided.

Abstract: Multi-organ cell culture systems and methods are provided. Aspects of the cell culture systems include at least two microfluidic cell culture units configured to culture a plurality of cells, one or more connectors configured to fluidly connect the microfluidic cell culture units to one another, a cell culture medium configured to support the growth of a plurality of different cell types, and a controller configured to move the cell culture medium at a specified volumetric flow rate between the microfluidic cell culture units. The subject systems and methods find use in a variety of applications, including in vitro evaluation of candidate agents for toxicity and efficacy, in vitro models of disease, and in vitro models for fundamental studies of biological systems.

Abstract: A fluidic chip employing a vacuum void to store vacuum potential for controlled micro-fluidic pumping in conjunction with biomimetic vacuum lungs.

Abstract: A microfluidic apparatus and methods for fabrication with a fluidic layer and a pattern layer of spots of concentrated reagents that are disposed in wells of a fluidic layer when the two layers are bonded together. Reagents are stored on the chip prior to use. Because reagents are confined to specific wells, contamination of the channels and other microfluidic structures of the fluidic layer are avoided. The fluidic layer also has a system of vacuum channels and at least one vacuum void to store vacuum potential for controlled micro-fluidic pumping. The top and bottom surfaces of the bonded layers are sealed. The chip can be used for point of care diagnostic assays such as quantitative testing, digital nucleic acid amplification, and biochemical testing such as immunoassays and chemistry testing.