Abstract: A lab-on-a-chip (LOC) device for genetic analysis of a whole blood sample containing target nucleic acid sequences, the LOC device having a sample inlet for receiving the whole blood sample, a plurality of reagent reservoirs containing buffer, dNTPs, primers, and polymerase for addition to the whole blood sample, and, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) section for thermal cycling the whole blood sample, buffer, dNTPs, primers, and polymerase to amplify the target nucleic acid sequences.

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, a supporting substrate, a plurality of reagent reservoirs, a first nucleic acid amplification section for amplifying nucleic acid sequences in the genetic material, and, a second nucleic acid amplification section for amplifying nucleic acid sequences in 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 lab-on-a-chip (LOC) device for concentrating nucleated cells in a biological sample, the LOC device having an inlet for receiving a sample of biological material including nucleated cells and other constituents, the nucleated cells all being larger than a predetermined threshold, a dialysis section for concentrating the nucleated cells into a portion of the sample such that the remainder of the sample contains the other constituents smaller than the predetermined threshold, and, a microsystems technology (MST) layer for processing the nucleated cells.

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 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 pathogen detection, genetic analysis and proteomic analysis of a biological sample, the LOC device having an inlet for receiving the sample, a supporting substrate, a leukocyte dialysis section for dividing the sample into a leukocyte stream, and a pathogen and erythrocyte stream containing cells and sample constituents smaller than a first size threshold, a pathogen dialysis section for dividing the pathogen and erythrocyte stream into an erythrocyte stream and a pathogen stream containing cells and sample constituents smaller than a second size threshold, a leukocyte lysis section downstream of the leukocyte dialysis section for lysing the leukocytes with a lysis reagent to release genetic material and proteins therein, a leukocyte incubation section downstream of the leukocyte lysis section for enzymatic reaction of the genetic material with enzymes, a pathogen lysis section downstream of the pathogen dialysis section for lysing the pathogens with a lysis reagent to release

Abstract: A test module for lysing cells in a fluid, the test module having an outer casing with receptacle for receiving a fluid containing cells, a lysis reagent reservoir containing a lysis reagent and having a valve, and, a lysis section in fluid communication with the receptacle for holding the fluid during lysis of the cells, the lysis section having a lysis heater for heating the fluid in the lysis section, wherein, the valve is upstream of the lysis section and configured to open as the fluid flows into the lysis section thereby adding the lysis reagent to the fluid.

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 test module for detecting target nucleic acid sequences in a fluid, the test module having an outer casing with a receptacle for receiving a fluid containing the target nucleic acid sequences, an array of electrochemiluminescent (ECL) probes for hybridization with the target nucleic acid sequences to form probe-target hybrids, and, electrodes positioned for receiving an electrical pulse, the probe-target hybrids being configured to emit photons when excited by current between the electrodes, and, control circuitry for providing the electrodes with the electrical pulse, wherein during use, addition of the fluid to the probes prevents subsequent addition of other fluid to the probes.

Abstract: A test module for processing genetic material in a biological sample, the test module having a casing, a microfluidic device housed in the casing, the microfluidic device having reagents for processing the genetic material, a humidifier for increasing the humidity within the casing, a humidity sensor for sensing the humidity within the casing, wherein, the humidity sensor generates an output used for control of the humidifier.

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, electrode pairs in which one electrode in each of the electrode pairs is a working electrode which causes oxidation or reduction of the luminophore to generate an excited species that emits a photon, and, photodiodes corresponding to each of the electrode pairs respectively, wherein, the photodiodes have a planar active surface area for receiving the light from the luminophore, and the working electrode has a surface area optically coupled to the active surface area of the photodiode, the working electrode being configured such that the optically coupled surface area is greater than 50% of the active surface area of the photodiode.

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, and a ruthenium organic complex, electrodes for generating an excited state in the ruthenium organic complex in which the ruthenium organic complex emits photons of light, and, CMOS circuitry for applying a voltage across the electrodes.

Abstract: A microfluidic test module having an outer casing for hand held portability, and, a microfluidic device mounted within the outer casing for processing a biological sample, the outer casing providing a microenvironment adjacent the microfluidic device, wherein, the outer casing has a membrane seal of flexible material between the microenvironment and atmosphere for reducing pressure changes in the microenvironment resulting from atmospheric pressure fluctuations.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing reagents, loading oligonucleotide spotting devices and spotting oligonucleotide probes, the apparatus having a plurality of reagent vials, each with a droplet dispenser, a plurality of oligonucleotide vials, each with a droplet dispenser, a mounting surface for detachably mounting a microfluidic device for movement relative to the reagent vials, and detachably mounting an oligonucleotide spotting device, a chuck for detachably mounting the oligonucleotide spotting device adjacent the mounting surface, and, a control processor for operative control of the reagent and oligonucleotide vials, the oligonucleotide spotting device when mounted in the chuck and movement of the mounting surface relative to the reagent and oligonucleotide vials, and the oligonucleotide spotting device, wherein, the control processor is configured to activate any of the droplet dispensers, move the microfluidic device into registration with the reagent vials and move the oligonucleotide spotting device into r

Abstract: An oligonucleotide spotting device for contactless spotting of a silicon wafer on which an array of lab-on-a-chip (LOC) devices are fabricated, the LOC devices being configured to use the oligonucleotide probes to detect target nucleic acid sequences in a biological sample and each having an array of hybridization chambers for receiving the oligonucleotide probes, the oligonucleotide spotting device having an array of reservoirs on one side of the supporting substrate, the reservoirs containing sufficient amount of the oligonucleotide probes suspended in a liquid to spot all the LOC devices on the wafer, and, an array of ejectors overlaying the array of reservoirs for fixed movement therewith, such that the ejectors eject droplets containing the oligonucleotide probes from the corresponding reservoir into one of the hybridization chambers.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for detecting a target nucleic acid sequence, the microfluidic device having a probe for hybridization with the target nucleic acid sequence to form a probe-target hybrid, the probe having a fluorophore for generating fluorescence emissions in response to an excitation light, a photodiode for detecting the fluorescence emissions, a shunt transistor between the photodiode and a voltage source, and, CMOS circuitry for controlling the shunt transistor to remove carriers generated by absorption of photons of the excitation light in the photodiode.

Abstract: A LOC device having a supporting substrate, a primer-linked, linear probe with a nucleic acid sequence that matches a target nucleic acid sequence, and a primer for elongating against the target nucleic acid sequence to form a complementary sequence such that during use the nucleic acid sequence matching the target nucleic acid sequence anneals to the complementary sequence to change a fluorescence emission from the probe in response to an excitation light, and, CMOS circuitry on the supporting substrate, the CMOS circuitry having operative control of the excitation light.

Abstract: A microfluidic device having a supporting substrate, a sample inlet for receiving a sample of biological material having nucleic acid sequences, a microsystems technology (MST) layer having a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) section for amplifying the nucleic acid sequences, the PCR section having at least one heater for thermally cycling the nucleic acid sequences through a denaturing phase, an annealing phase and a primer extension phase, and, CMOS circuitry between the MST layer and the supporting substrate, the CMOS circuitry configured to energize the at least one heater with a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal during the thermal cycling.

Abstract: A lab-on-a-chip (LOC) device having a supporting substrate, a sample inlet for receiving a fluid sample, an incubation section in fluid communication with the sample inlet, the incubation section having at least one heater, and, CMOS circuitry between the supporting substrate and the incubation section, wherein, the CMOS circuitry is connected to the at least one heater for maintaining the fluid sample at an incubation temperature for an incubation period.

Abstract: A single-use test module having an outer casing dimensioned for hand-held portability, the outer casing having an inlet for receiving a biological sample containing a target nucleic acid sequence, probes in the outer casing for hybridization having a nucleic acid sequence for hybridization with a target nucleic acid sequence to form a probe-target hybrid, the probe-target hybrid being configured to generate a fluorescence signal in response to an excitation light, and, an excitation light source.