Abstract: A microfluidic device having a reservoir for containing a reagent, an outlet valve in fluid communication with the reservoir, the outlet valve having a meniscus anchor configured to form a meniscus that retains the reagent in the reservoir, and an actuator for receiving an activation signal and actuating in response to the activation signal such that the meniscus unpins from the meniscus anchor and the reagent flows out of the reservoir.

Abstract: A microfluidic device having a supporting substrate, a microsystems technology (MST) layer overlying the supporting substrate for processing a fluid containing target nucleic acid sequences, the MST layer having an array of hybridization chambers, each containing probes for hybridization with the target nucleic acid sequences, a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature at the array of hybridization chambers, and, a hybridization heater for heating the array of hybridization chambers, wherein during use, output from the temperature sensor is used for feedback control of the hybridization heater.

Abstract: A lab-on-a-chip (LOC) device for genetic analysis of a sample containing target nucleic acid sequences, the LOC device having a sample inlet for receiving the sample, a plurality of reagent reservoirs containing dNTPs, primers, nicking enzymes, buffer solution and DNA polymerase for addition to the sample to form an amplification mixture, and, a nucleic acid amplification section for maintaining the amplification mixture at a predetermined temperature during isothermal amplification of the target nucleic acid sequences.

Abstract: A lab-on-a-chip (LOC) device for detecting a target nucleic acid sequence in a sample, the LOC device having a supporting substrate, probes with a nucleic acid sequence complementary to the target nucleic acid sequence for forming probe-target hybrids, an electrochemiluminescent (ECL) luminophore, and a functional moiety for quenching photon emission from the ECL luminophore by resonant energy transfer, electrodes for generating an excited state in the ECL luminophore in which the ECL luminophore emits photons of light, and, CMOS circuitry between the supporting substrate and the probes for applying a voltage across the electrodes.

Abstract: A test module having an outer casing having an inlet for receiving a biological sample containing a target nucleic acid sequence, a reagent reservoir containing a reagent for addition to the biological sample, and, a hybridization chamber containing probes having a nucleic acid sequence for hybridization with the target nucleic acid sequence to form probe-target hybrids, wherein, the reagent reservoir has a volume less than 20,000,000 cubic microns and the hybridization chamber has a volume less than 9,000 cubic microns.

Abstract: A lab-on-a-chip (LOC) device for genetic analysis of a biological sample, the LOC device having an inlet for receiving the sample, a supporting substrate, a plurality of reagent reservoirs, a dialysis section for separating cells larger than a predetermined threshold in the sample from smaller constituents, whereby the cells larger than a predetermined threshold include target cells containing genetic material for analysis, an incubation section downstream of the dialysis section, the incubation section being in fluid communication with one of the reagent reservoirs containing enzymes for enzymatic reaction with the genetic material, and, a nucleic acid amplification section downstream of the incubation section for amplifying nucleic acid sequences from the genetic material, wherein, the dialysis section, the incubation section and the nucleic acid amplification section are all supported on the supporting substrate.

Abstract: A lab-on-a-chip (LOC) device for genetic analysis of a biological sample, the LOC device having an inlet for receiving the sample containing genetic material including DNA and RNA, a supporting substrate, a plurality of reagent reservoirs, a first nucleic acid amplification section for amplifying at least some of the genetic material, and, a second nucleic acid amplification section for amplifying at least some the genetic material in parallel with the first nucleic acid amplification section, wherein, the first nucleic acid amplification section and the second nucleic acid amplification section are both supported on the supporting substrate.

Abstract: A reagent microvial for a reagent dispensing apparatus, the microvial having a container for holding a volume of reagent, an integrated circuit with digital memory for data relating to an identity of the microvial, and, electrical contacts for connection to a control processor in the reagent dispensing apparatus to provide the data to the control processor for comparison with a list of authentic microvial identities.

Abstract: A test module for analyzing a sample fluid containing target molecules, the test module having an outer casing with a receptacle for receiving the sample fluid, probes for reaction with the target molecules to form probe-target complexes, the probe-target complexes being configured to emit photons when excited, and, a photosensor for detecting photons emitted by the probe-target complexes.

Abstract: A test module for amplifying nucleic acid sequences in a sample fluid, the test module having an outer casing with receptacle for receiving the sample fluid, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) section with a PCR microchannel for thermally cycling a PCR mixture of the sample fluid, polymerase, dNTP's, primers, and buffer solution to amplify the nucleic acid sequences, wherein, the PCR mixture has a volume less than 400 nanoliters.

Abstract: A lab-on-a-chip (LOC) device for genetic analysis of a sample containing target nucleic acid sequences, the LOC device having a sample inlet for receiving the sample, a plurality of reagent reservoirs containing dNTP's, primers, polymerase and buffer solution for addition to the sample, a first nucleic acid amplification section for thermal control of the sample to amplify the target nucleic acid sequences, and, a second nucleic acid amplification section for thermal control of amplicon from the first nucleic acid amplification section to further amplify the target nucleic acid sequences.

Abstract: A microfluidic device having a supporting substrate, an inlet for receiving a biological sample containing a target nucleic acid sequence, probes that each have a nucleic acid sequence for hybridization with the target nucleic acid sequence to form a probe-target hybrid, a fluorophore and a quencher configured such that the fluorophore emits a fluorescence signal in response to an excitation light and the quencher quenches the fluorescence signal when the probe is not hybridized, but fails to quench the fluorescence signal from the probe-target hybrid, and, a reporter with a fluorophore positioned for exposure to the excitation light simultaneously with the probes, wherein, the reporter always emits the fluorescence signal in response to the excitation light.

Abstract: An oligonucleotide spotting device for contactless spotting of oligonucleotide probes onto a surface, the probes having nucleic acid sequences that are complementary to target nucleic acid sequences to be identified in a biological sample, the oligonucleotide spotting device having a supporting substrate, an array of reservoirs on one side of the supporting substrate, the reservoirs configured for containing the oligonucleotide probes suspended in a liquid, an array of ejectors on the other side of the supporting substrate, and, a plurality of inlet channels for fluid communication between the reservoirs and the ejectors, wherein, the ejectors are configured to eject droplets containing the oligonucleotide probes from the corresponding reservoir onto the surface.

Abstract: A dialysis device for dialysis of a fluid containing constituents of different sizes, the dialysis device having a first layer of material defining a first channel and a second channel, the first channel configured for receiving the fluid which contains constituents of different sizes, a second layer having a plurality of apertures open to the first channel and at least one fluid connection leading from the apertures to the second channel for establishing fluid communication between the first channel and the second channel, wherein, the apertures are sized in accordance with a predetermined size threshold such that the constituents flowing to the second channel are smaller constituents that are smaller than the predetermined size threshold, and the constituents retained in the first channel include larger constituents which are larger than the predetermined size threshold.

Abstract: A lab-on-a-chip (LOC) device for genetic analysis of a sample containing target nucleic acid sequences, the LOC device having a sample inlet for receiving the sample, a plurality of reagent reservoirs containing dNTPs, primers, reverse transcriptase, RNA polymerase, and buffer solution for addition to the sample to form an amplification mixture, and, a nucleic acid amplification section for maintaining the amplification mixture at a predetermined temperature during isothermal amplification of the target nucleic acid sequences.

Abstract: A microfluidic device having a supporting substrate, a microsystems technologies (MST) layer on the supporting substrate for processing a fluid sample, and, a humidity sensor for sensing the humidity of an area encompassing the MST layer, wherein, the humidity sensor generates an output for humidity control of the area encompassing the MST layer.

Abstract: A lab-on-a-chip (LOC) device for detecting target nucleic acid sequences in a fluid, the LOC device having electrochemiluminescent (ECL) probes for detecting the target nucleic acid sequences, each of the probes having an ECL luminophore for emitting photons when in an excited state, a functional moiety for quenching photon emission from the ECL luminophore by resonant energy transfer, electrodes for receiving an electrical pulse to excite the ECL luminophores, detection photodiodes for exposure to the photons emitted by the ECL luminophores, and, at least one calibration photodiode for exposure to ambient light, wherein during use, a difference between the output from any of the detection photodiode and the output from the calibration photodiode is compared to a predetermined threshold difference such that output differences greater than the predetermined threshold indicate the target is present.

Abstract: A lab-on-a-chip (LOC) device for pathogen detection and genetic analysis of a biological sample, the LOC device having an inlet for receiving the sample, a supporting substrate, a plurality of reagent reservoirs, a lysis section for lysing pathogens and leukocytes in the sample to release the genetic material therein, the lysis section being in fluid communication with one of the reagent reservoirs containing a lysis reagent for lysing the pathogens and leukocytes in the lysis section, an incubation section downstream of the lysis section, the incubation section being in fluid communication with one of the reagent reservoirs containing enzymes for enzymatic reaction with the genetic material, a first nucleic acid amplification section downstream of the incubation section for amplifying first nucleic acid sequences in the genetic material, and, a second nucleic acid amplification section downstream of the first nucleic acid amplification section for amplifying second nucleic acid sequences in the amplicon from

Abstract: A lab-on-a-chip (LOC) device for detecting a target nucleic acid sequence in a sample, the LOC device having probes with a nucleic acid sequence complementary to the target nucleic acid sequence for forming probe-target hybrids, and an electrochemiluminescent (ECL) luminophore, and, electrodes for generating an excited state in the ECL luminophore in which the ECL luminophore emits photons of light, wherein, the electrodes have an anode and a cathode, each having fingers configured for mutual interdigitation.

Abstract: A lab-on-a-chip (LOC) device for detecting target nucleic acid sequences in a fluid, the LOC device having electrochemiluminescent (ECL) probes for detecting the target nucleic acid sequences, each of the ECL probes having an ECL luminophore for emitting photons when in an excited state, a functional moiety for quenching photon emission from the ECL luminophore by resonant energy transfer, calibration probes without an ECL luminophore, and, electrodes for receiving an electrical pulse to excite the ECL luminophores.