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 detecting target nucleic acid sequences in a fluid, the LOC device having hybridization chambers containing 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, at least one calibration chamber containing ECL probes designed to be non-complementary to any nucleic acid sequence in the fluid, and, electrodes for receiving an electrical pulse to excite the ECL luminophores.

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 containing genetic material, a supporting substrate, a plurality of reagent reservoirs, an incubation section downstream of the inlet, 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 in the genetic material, and, a dialysis section downstream of the nucleic acid amplification section for prehybridization filtration of amplicon produced by the nucleic acid amplification section, the dialysis section being configured to remove cell debris from the amplicon, wherein, the incubation section, the nucleic acid amplification section and the dialysis section are all supported on the supporting substrate.

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 microfluidic 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, and, a valve heater for heating the meniscus such that the meniscus unpins from the meniscus anchor such that the flow towards the outlet resumes.

Abstract: An oligonucleotide spotting device for contactless spotting of 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 monolithic supporting substrate, an array of ejectors formed on one side of the supporting substrate such that the ejectors eject droplets containing the oligonucleotide probes onto the surface, wherein during use, each of the ejectors in the array is configured to eject droplets having a volume less than 100 picoliters.

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 for detecting target molecules in a fluid, the microfluidic device having an array of chambers containing electrochemiluminescent (ECL) probes for reaction with the target molecules to form a probe-target complexes, 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, and, a photosensor for detecting the light emitted by the probes, wherein, the photosensor is less than 1600 microns from the probes.

Abstract: A LOC device for amplifying nucleic acid sequences and detecting target nucleic acid sequences, the LOC device having a supporting substrate, restriction enzymes for digesting double stranded nucleic acid sequences at known restriction sites, linker primers for ligation to the restricted ends of the double stranded nucleic acid sequences, heaters for thermally cycling the nucleic acid sequences through a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) process, deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates (dNTPs) for extending the linker primers along the nucleic acid sequences, and, probes for hybridizing with target nucleic acid sequences.

Abstract: A biochemical deposition device for contactless deposition of biochemicals on a surface, the biochemical deposition device having a supporting substrate, an array of reservoirs on one side of the substrate, the reservoirs being configured for containing a plurality of biochemicals, and, an array of ejectors on the other side of the supporting substrate, each of the ejectors being configured for fluid communication with the reservoirs, wherein during use, the array of ejectors eject droplets containing the biochemicals onto the surface at a rate greater than 100 droplets per second.

Abstract: A test module for detecting target nucleic acid sequences in a fluid, the test module having an outer casing having a receptacle for receiving the fluid containing the target nucleic acid sequences, electrochemiluminescent (ECL) probes having an ECL luminophore for emitting photons when in an excited state and 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, and, a detection photosensor for exposure to the photons emitted by the ECL luminophores.

Abstract: A test module for detecting hybridization of probes with target nucleic acid sequences, the test module having a receptacle for receiving a biological sample with target nucleic acid sequences, an array of probes for hybridization with the target nucleic acid sequences, an excitation light emitting diode (LED) for illuminating the array of probes, CMOS circuitry having a photosensor for sensing a fluorescence emission from any of the probes in the array that have hybridized with the target nucleic acid sequences such that the CMOS circuitry is configured to use outputs from the photosensor to generate a signal indicative of the probes that have hybridized, wherein, the array of probes and the CMOS circuitry are integrated on a lab-on-a-chip (LOC) device contained within the test module.

Abstract: A test module for detecting hybridization of probes with target nucleic acid sequences, the test module having a casing configured for hand held portability, the casing having a receptacle for receiving a biological sample with target nucleic acid sequences, an array of probes for hybridization with the target nucleic acid sequences, an excitation light source for illuminating the array of probes, and a photosensor for sensing a fluorescence emission from any of the probes in the array that have hybridized with the target nucleic acid sequences.

Abstract: A test module for concentrating pathogens in a biological sample, the test module having an outer casing with a receptacle for receiving the sample, a dialysis device in fluid communication with the receptacle and configured to separate the pathogens from other constituents in the sample, and, a lab-on-a-chip (LOC) device being in fluid communication with the dialysis device and configured to analyze the pathogens.

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, and, a nucleic acid amplification section for thermal control of the sample to perform a first stage amplification of the target nucleic acid sequences and subsequent thermal control of amplicon from the first stage amplification, to perform a second stage amplification for further amplifying the target nucleic acid sequences.

Abstract: A lab-on-a-chip (LOC) device for detecting pathogens in a biological sample, the LOC device having an inlet for receiving the sample, a supporting substrate, a dialysis section for separating pathogens from larger constituents in the sample, a lysis section downstream of the dialysis section for lysing the pathogens to release genetic material therein, and, a nucleic acid amplification section downstream of the lysis section for amplifying nucleic acid sequences in the genetic material, wherein, the dialysis section, the lysis section and the nucleic acid amplification section are all supported on the supporting substrate.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for detecting target nucleic acid sequences in a sample, the microfluidic device having an array of hybridization chambers, each containing electrochemiluminescent (ECL) probes for hybridization with the target nucleic acid sequences, and electrode pairs for receiving an electrical pulse, the ECL probes being configured to emit a photon of light when hybridized with one of the nucleic acid targets and activated by one of the electrodes, wherein, the hybridization chambers each have a wall section that is optically transparent to the light emitted by the ECL probes.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for amplifying DNA and RNA, the microfluidic device having an inlet for receiving a sample containing genetic material including DNA and RNA, a plurality of reagent reservoirs containing reagents for addition to the sample, 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 of the genetic material in parallel with the first nucleic acid amplification section.

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, at least one positive control probe for detecting a nucleic acid sequence known to be always present in the fluid, and, electrodes for receiving an electrical pulse to excite the ECL luminophores.

Abstract: A microfluidic device having a supporting substrate, an inlet for receiving a biological sample containing target nucleic acid sequences, probes that each have a nucleic acid sequence for hybridization with the target nucleic acid sequences to form probe-target hybrids, 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 control probe with no fluorophore such that the control probe never emits the fluorescence signal in response to the excitation light.