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 valve has, a meniscus anchor for pinning a meniscus to arrest the flow of the liquid, and 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 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, and, a nucleic acid amplification section downstream of the incubation section for amplifying nucleic acid sequences from the genetic material, wherein, the lysis section, the incubation section and the nucleic acid amplification section are all supported on the supporting substrate.

Abstract: A test module for genetic analysis having a casing for hand held portability, an inlet for receiving a liquid containing nucleic acid sequences, an outlet downstream of the inlet, and, a fault-tolerant multiple valve assembly having 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.

Abstract: A microfluidic test module for analyzing a sample fluid and communicating test results to a desktop computer, the microfluidic test module having an outer casing with a receptacle for receiving the sample, functional sections for processing and analyzing the sample, a communication interface for communication with the desktop computer, and, a controller for operative control of the communication interface.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for detecting target nucleic acid sequences in a sample, the microfluidic device having reagent reservoirs for adding reagents to the sample prior to detection of the target nucleic acid sequences, 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.

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 plurality of reagent reservoirs, a lysis section downstream of the dialysis section for lysing the pathogens to release genetic material therein, the lysis section being in fluid communication with one of the reagent reservoirs containing a lysis reagent for lysing the cells in the lysis section, 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 having a probe for hybridization with a target nucleic acid sequence to form a probe-target hybrid, the probe-target hybrid having a reporting fluorophore for emitting a fluorescence signal in response to an excitation light, a detection photodiode for exposure to the excitation light and the fluorescence signal, and, a trigger photodiode for exposure to the excitation light, the trigger photodiode being configured to activate the detection photodiode after the excitation light has been extinguished.

Abstract: A test module for analyzing a sample fluid and communicating location data to an epidemiological 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, wherein, the controller is configured to associate location data with epidemiological data sent to the communication interface for communication with the epidemiological database.

Abstract: A microfluidic device having a sample inlet for receiving a fluid sample, an incubation section for maintaining the fluid sample at an incubation temperature, the incubation section having at least one heater and at least one temperature sensor, wherein, the at least one temperature sensor is configured to provide output for feedback control of the at least one heater.

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, an electrochemiluminescent (ECL) luminophore, and a functional moiety for quenching photon emission from the ECL luminophore by resonant energy transfer, and, electrodes for generating an excited state in the ECL luminophore in which the ECL luminophore emits photons of light, wherein during use, the functional moiety changes proximity to the luminophore upon formation of a probe-target hybrid.

Abstract: A lab-on-a-chip (LOC) device for detecting target molecules in a fluid, the LOC device having an array of electrochemiluminescent (ECL) probes for reaction with the target molecules to form probe-target complexes, and, electrodes for receiving an electrical pulse, wherein, the probes each have an ECL luminophore that emits a photon when excited by current between the electrodes, and a functional moiety for quenching photon emission from the ECL luminophore by resonant energy transfer.

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 storing reagent data relating to specifications characterizing the reagent, and, electrical contacts for connection to a control processor in the reagent dispensing apparatus to provide the data to the control processor for download into devices supplied with the reagent.

Abstract: A microfluidic device having a supporting substrate, a probe 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, CMOS circuitry on the substrate, the CMOS circuitry having a photosensor for generating an output signal in response to the fluorescence signal, wherein, the CMOS circuitry is configured to initiate a time delay upon deactivation of the excitation light before activating the photosensor.

Abstract: A microfluidic test module having an outer casing having an inlet for receiving a biological sample containing a target nucleic acid sequence, and, a hybridization chamber mounted in the casing, the hybridization chamber containing probes having a nucleic acid sequence for hybridization with the target nucleic acid sequence to form probe-target hybrids, wherein, the hybridization chamber has a volume less than 900,000 cubic microns.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for biochemical processing and analysis, the microfluidic device having a supporting substrate, a microsystems technology (MST) layer supported on the substrate, the MST layer having an inlet for receiving biochemical liquid, and, a reagent reservoir containing a reagent necessary for the biochemical processing, wherein, the reagent reservoir has a volume less than 1000,000,000 cubic microns.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for analysis of mitochondrial DNA in a sample, the microfluidic device having an inlet for receiving a sample of biological material having cells with mitochondria containing mitochondrial DNA, a lysis section for lysing the mitochondria to release the mitochondrial DNA, electrochemiluminescent (ECL) resonance energy transfer probes for hybridization with target nucleic acid sequences in the mitochondrial DNA to form probe-target hybrids, and, a photosensor for detecting the probe-target hybrids.

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 an array of ejectors, each having an actuator for ejecting droplets of liquid containing the probes, CMOS circuitry for providing each of the actuators with a drive pulse for droplet ejection, wherein, the array of ejectors is configured to spot the probes onto the surface at a density more than 1 probe spot per square millimeter.

Abstract: A test module for amplifying DNA and RNA, the test module having an outer casing with receptacle 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 removing cell debris from a biological sample containing target nucleic acid sequences, the LOC device having a dialysis section with a large constituent channel, a small constituent channel and a plurality of apertures for fluid communication between the large constituent channel and the small constituent channel, the large constituent channel having an upstream end for receiving the biological sample, the biological sample being a liquid carrying a mixture of cell debris and target nucleic acid sequences, and the small constituent channel having a downstream end for connection to a hybridization section with an array of probes for hybridization with the target nucleic acid sequences to form probe-target complexes, wherein, the apertures are sized to allow the target nucleic acid sequences to flow into the small constituent channel but retain the cell debris larger than a threshold size in the large constituent channel.

Abstract: A lab-on-a-chip (LOC) device for detecting target molecules in a fluid, the LOC device having an array of electrochemiluminescent (ECL) probes for reaction with the target molecules to form probe-target complexes, electrodes 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 light emitted by the probe-target complexes.