Abstract: A device for analyzing a liquid sample. The device includes an inlet for receiving the sample, a reaction chamber, an analysis module, and at least one pump for moving fluid within the one or more flow paths. The device includes one or more flow paths arranged so as to provide a fluid flow path between the inlet and the reaction chamber, and a fluid flow path between the reaction chamber and the analysis module. The device may be used for analyzing a liquid sample, such as, but not limited to nipple aspirate fluid (NAF).

Abstract: A microfluidic thermal bend actuated pressure pulse valve having an inlet for receiving a flow of liquid, an outlet for outputting the flow of liquid, a meniscus anchor between the inlet and the outlet such that the flow from the inlet towards the outlet stops at the meniscus anchor where the liquid forms a meniscus, a movable member for contacting the liquid, and, a thermal expansion actuator for displacing the movable member to generate a pulse in the liquid to dislodge the meniscus such that the liquid flow towards the outlet resumes.

Abstract: Provided is an inkjet printhead having an array of ink chambers formed on a planar support surface of a wafer substrate. Each ink chamber in the array has a nozzle, a thermal actuator for ejecting ink through the nozzle and a droplet stem anchor. The thermal actuator has two sections with higher resistance than the remainder of the thermal actuator. The droplet stem anchor is positioned between the two sections with higher resistance of the thermal actuator.

Abstract: A lab-on-a-chip (LOC) device for genetic analysis having a supporting substrate, an array of probes for hybridization with target nucleic acid sequences to form probe-target hybrids, a channel for directing a flow of liquid containing the target nucleic acid sequences, the channel having an inlet, an outlet and a meniscus anchor between the inlet and the outlet such that the flow from the inlet towards the outlet stops at the meniscus anchor where the liquid forms a meniscus, and, an actuator valve with a movable member for contacting the liquid, and an actuator for displacing the movable member from a quiescent position to an actuated position where the meniscus is extended into contact with a surface downstream of the meniscus anchor such that the liquid flow towards the outlet resumes.

Abstract: A microfluidic thermal bend actuated surface tension valve having an inlet for receiving a flow of liquid, an outlet for outputting the flow of liquid, a meniscus anchor between the inlet and the outlet such that the flow from the inlet towards the outlet stops at the meniscus anchor where the liquid forms a meniscus, a movable member for contacting the liquid, and, an actuator for displacing the movable member from a quiescent position to an actuated position where the meniscus is extended into contact with a surface downstream of the meniscus anchor such that the flow towards the outlet resumes.

Abstract: A microfluidic device having a channel having an inlet, an outlet and a meniscus anchor between the inlet and the outlet such that liquid flow from the inlet towards the outlet stops at the meniscus anchor where the liquid forms a meniscus, and, an actuator valve with a movable member for contacting the liquid, and a thermal expansion actuator for displacing the movable member to generate a pulse in the liquid to dislodge the meniscus such that the liquid flow towards the outlet resumes.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for testing a fluid, the microfluidic device having an inlet for receiving the fluid, a reservoir containing a reagent, a flow-path extending from the inlet, a plurality of outlet valves for fluid communication between the flow-path and the reservoir, each of the outlet valves having an actuator for opening the outlet valve in response to an activation signal, wherein during use, a number of the outlet valves are selectively opened such that the reagent flows into the flow-path to combine with the fluid from the inlet to produce a combined flow having a proportion of the reagent, the proportion of the reagent in the combined flow being determined by the number of the outlet valves opened.

Abstract: A lab-on-a-chip (LOC) device for analyzing a sample fluid, the LOC device having a supporting substrate, a sample inlet for receiving the sample, a microsystems technology (MST) layer with functional sections for processing and analyzing the sample, and, CMOS circuitry between the supporting substrate and the MST layer, the CMOS circuitry having flash memory for storing program data to operate the functional sections during processing and analysis of the sample.

Abstract: A lab-on-a-chip (LOC) device for analyzing a sample fluid, the LOC device having a sample inlet for receiving the sample, a microsystems technology (MST) layer with functional sections for processing and analyzing the sample, and, CMOS circuitry with digital memory for storing genetic data, and configured to download genetic data updates from an external source.

Abstract: A lab-on-a-chip (LOC) device for analyzing a sample fluid, the LOC device having a supporting substrate, a sample inlet for receiving the sample, a microsystems technology (MST) layer with functional sections for processing and analyzing the sample, and, CMOS circuitry between the supporting substrate and the MST layer, the CMOS circuitry having digital memory for storing data and operational information to operatively control the functional sections during processing and analysis of the sample.

Abstract: A lab-on-a-chip (LOC) device for analyzing a sample fluid, the LOC device having a sample inlet for receiving the sample, a microsystems technology (MST) layer with functional sections for processing and analyzing the sample, and, CMOS circuitry with digital memory for storing data and operational information to operatively control the functional sections during processing and analysis of the sample, wherein, the data is encrypted for secure communication with an external device.

Abstract: A lab-on-a-chip (LOC) device for installation in a test module for analyzing a sample fluid and communicating test results to an external device, the LOC device having a supporting substrate, a sample inlet for receiving the sample, a microsystems technology (MST) layer with functional sections for processing and analyzing the sample, and, CMOS circuitry on the supporting substrate, the CMOS circuitry having a universal serial bus (USB) device driver for operative control of a USB plug in the test module for communication with the external device.

Abstract: A fault-tolerant multiple valve assembly for a microfluidic device, the multiple valve assembly having an inlet for receiving a liquid flowing through the microfluidic device, an outlet downstream of the inlet, a plurality of flow-paths extending from the inlet to the outlet, a plurality of valves positioned along each of the flow-paths respectively, and, a sensor in each of the flow-paths respectively, the sensor being responsive to contact with the liquid.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for detecting target molecules in a fluid, the microfluidic device having an array of chambers, each containing electrochemiluminescent (ECL) probes for reaction with the target molecules to form a probe-target complex, and electrodes positioned in each of the chambers for receiving an electrical pulse, the probe-target complexes being configured to emit a photon of light when excited by current between the electrodes, a flow-path for the fluid containing the targets, wherein, each of the chambers have a chamber inlet for fluid communication between the sample flow-path and the probes within the chamber, the chamber inlet being configured as a diffusion barrier to prevent diffusion of the probe-target complexes between the chambers to an extent that causes erroneous detection results.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for processing a fluid sample, the microfluidic device having a first channel configured to fill with the sample by capillary action, a second channel configured to fill with the sample by capillary action, a plurality of fluid connections between the first channel and the second channel, one of the fluid connections having an active valve to arrest the sample flow into the second channel and the remaining fluid connections each being configured to pin a meniscus of the sample that arrests capillary flow between the first channel and the second channel, the fluid connection with the active valve being upstream of the remaining fluid connections, wherein during use, the sample flow into the second channel is initiated by activation of the active valve such that the sample flow in the second channel progressively removes the meniscus at each of the meniscus anchors.

Abstract: A test module for analyzing a sample fluid, the test module having a receptacle for receiving the sample, functional sections for processing and analyzing the sample, a supporting substrate, and, CMOS circuitry on the supporting substrate for operative control of the functional sections during processing and analysis of the sample.

Abstract: A lab-on-a-chip (LOC) device for analyzing a sample fluid, the LOC device having a supporting substrate, a sample inlet for receiving the sample, a microsystems technology (MST) layer with functional sections for processing and analyzing the sample, and, CMOS circuitry between the supporting substrate and the MST layer, the CMOS circuitry having a controller to control operations performed by the functional sections during processing and analysis of the sample.

Abstract: A lab-on-a-chip (LOC) device for genetic analysis having a supporting substrate, an array of probes for hybridization with target nucleic acid sequences to form probe-target hybrids, a channel for directing a flow of liquid containing the target nucleic acid sequences, the channel having an inlet, an outlet and a meniscus anchor between the inlet and the outlet such that the flow from the inlet towards the outlet stops at the meniscus anchor where the liquid forms a meniscus, and, an actuator valve with a valve heater for heating the meniscus such that the meniscus unpins from the meniscus anchor such that the liquid flow towards the outlet resumes.

Abstract: A test module for analyzing a sample fluid and communicating epidemiological data to a database, the test module having a receptacle for receiving the sample, functional sections for processing and analyzing the sample, a communication interface for communication with the epidemiological database, and, a controller for operative control of the communication interface.

Abstract: A fault-tolerant multiple valve assembly for a microfluidic device, the multiple valve assembly having an inlet for receiving a liquid flowing through the microfluidic device, an outlet downstream of the inlet, a plurality of flow-paths extending from the inlet to the outlet, and, a plurality of valves positioned along each of the flow-paths respectively, wherein, each of the valves has a movable member for contacting the liquid, and a thermal expansion actuator for displacing the movable member to generate a pulse in the liquid to dislodge the meniscus such that the liquid flow towards the outlet resumes.