Abstract: A multimode, multiplex assay analysis system performs multiple assays in parallel or substantially in parallel. The assays that are performed may be the same assay, similar assays or different assays. Each assay may require the use of various hardware resources. As such, the multimode, multiplex assay analysis system receives, generates, and/or updates a schedule for each hardware resource based, at least in part, on the hardware requirements and/or timing requirements associated with each assay.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods related to a point-of-care portable assay device are described herein. In an embodiment, a device for analyzing a fluid sample includes a fluid actuation source configured to engage a port on a test card. The fluid actuation source is configured to apply pressure to the port to cause the fluid sample to move along a microchannel of the test card to enable one or more assays to be performed. The device also includes a controller configured to receive an indication as to which one or more assays are to be performed, cause the fluid actuation source to move the fluid sample into one or more regions on the test card, cause a plurality of electrical contacts to provide power to the test card for performing the one or more assays, and determine at least one test result based on the performed assays.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a test card including at least one fluid inlet port, at least one microchannel, and a plurality of target zones, where the test card is configured to perform a plurality of assays in the plurality of target zones. Also described herein is a method of using the test card to perform a plurality of assays on a fluid sample in the plurality of target zones.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods related to a point-of-care portable assay device are described herein. In an embodiment, a device for monitoring a reaction in a fluid sample includes a vacuum source configured to pull the fluid sample through a microchannel, a current source configured to cause the reaction while the fluid sample is located within the microchannel, a light source configured to illuminate the reaction while the current source causes the reaction, a camera imaging device configured to record an image of the reaction while the light source illuminates the reaction, and a controller configured to analyze the image of the reaction and output a resulting analysis of the reaction.

Abstract: A heater for a microfluidic test card is disclosed herein. In a general example embodiment, a test card for analyzing a fluid sample includes at least one substrate layer including a microchannel extending through at least a portion of one of the substrate layers, and a printed substrate layer that is bonded to or printed on one substrate layer of the at least one substrate layer. The printed substrate layer includes a heater printed on the printed substrate layer so as to align with at least a portion of the microchannel. The heater includes two electrodes aligned on opposite sides of the microchannel, and a plurality of heater bars electrically connecting the two electrodes. The plurality of heater bars includes a central heater bar disposed between outer heater bars.

Abstract: A disposable test card configured to accept a fluid sample for an assay, and a method of manufacturing same, is disclosed herein. In a general example embodiment, a test card for analysing a fluid sample includes a first substrate layer including an inlet port and an outlet port, a channel layer bonded to the first substrate layer, the channel layer including a microchannel placing the inlet port in fluid communication with the outlet port, and a second substrate layer bonded to the channel layer, the second substrate layer having electrodes printed adjacent to a target zone of the microchannel of the channel layer, wherein the electrodes are configured to raise the temperature of the fluid sample within the target zone of the microchannel when a current is applied thereto.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods related to a point-of-care portable assay device and the use thereof with a test card are described herein. In a general embodiment, a device for monitoring a polymerase chain reaction in a fluid sample includes a vacuum source configured to pull the fluid sample through a microchannel, a current source configured to cause the polymerase chain reaction while the fluid sample is located within the microchannel, a light source configured to illuminate the polymerase chain reaction while the current source causes the polymerase chain reaction, a camera imaging device configured to record an image of the polymerase chain reaction while the light source illuminates the polymerase chain reaction, and a controller configured to analyze the image of the polymerase chain reaction and output a resulting analysis of the polymerase chain reaction.

Abstract: A heater for a microfluidic test card is disclosed herein. In a general example embodiment, a test card for analyzing a fluid sample includes at least one substrate layer including a microchannel extending through at least a portion of one of the substrate layers, and a printed substrate layer that is bonded to or printed on one substrate layer of the at least one substrate layer. The printed substrate layer includes a heater printed on the printed substrate layer so as to align with at least a portion of the microchannel. The heater includes two electrodes aligned on opposite sides of the microchannel, and a plurality of heater bars electrically connecting the two electrodes. The plurality of heater bars includes a central heater bar disposed between outer heater bars.

Abstract: A heater for a microfluidic test card is disclosed herein. In a general example embodiment, a test card for analyzing a fluid sample includes at least one substrate layer including a microchannel extending through at least a portion of one of the substrate layers, and a printed substrate layer that is bonded to or printed on one substrate layer of the at least one substrate layer. The printed substrate layer includes a heater printed on the printed substrate layer so as to align with at least a portion of the microchannel. The heater includes two electrodes aligned on opposite sides of the microchannel, and a plurality of heater bars electrically connecting the two electrodes. The plurality of heater bars includes a central heater bar disposed between outer heater bars.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for image analysis of a fluid sample on a test card are disclosed. An example apparatus for analyzing a fluid sample includes a camera imaging device configured to record a plurality of images of the fluid sample while located within a target zone of a fluid microchannel of a test card. The example apparatus also includes a controller configured to perform a cytometry analysis on the fluid sample to determine whether the fluid sample tests positive or negative for a bacteria or virus.

Abstract: Apparatuses and for causing a point-of-care polymerase chain reaction and analyzing the polymerase chain reaction at the point-of-care, particularly when unwanted bubbles are present during the polymerase chain reaction, are described herein. In a general embodiment, a device for analyzing a polymerase chain reaction in a fluid sample includes a current source configured to cause the polymerase chain reaction by heating the fluid sample within a target zone, a camera imaging device configured to record a plurality of images of the fluid sample in the target zone while the current source causes the polymerase chain reaction, and a controller configured to (i) distinguish wanted objects in the plurality of images from an unwanted object in the plurality of images, and (ii) determine whether the fluid sample tests positive or negative for a bacteria or virus based on the wanted objects.

Abstract: A disposable test card configured to accept a fluid sample for an assay, and a method of manufacturing same, is disclosed herein. In a general example embodiment, a test card for analysing a fluid sample includes a first substrate layer including an inlet port and an outlet port, a channel layer bonded to the first substrate layer, the channel layer including a microchannel placing the inlet port in fluid communication with the outlet port, and a second substrate layer bonded to the channel layer, the second substrate layer having electrodes printed adjacent to a target zone of the microchannel of the channel layer, wherein the electrodes are configured to raise the temperature of the fluid sample within the target zone of the microchannel when a current is applied thereto.

Abstract: A disposable test card configured to accept a fluid sample for an assay, and a method of manufacturing same, is disclosed herein. In a general example embodiment, a test card for analyzing a fluid sample includes a first substrate layer including an inlet port and an outlet port, a channel layer bonded to the first substrate layer, the channel layer including a microchannel placing the inlet port in fluid communication with the outlet port, and a second substrate layer bonded to the channel layer, the second substrate layer having electrodes printed adjacent to a target zone of the microchannel of the channel layer, wherein the electrodes are configured to raise the temperature of the fluid sample within the target zone of the microchannel when a current is applied thereto.

Abstract: A microfluidic chip is disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the microfluidic chip includes a body including at least one microfluidic pathway configured to receive a fluid sample, the at least one microfluidic pathway including a coating configured to reduce fluid diffusion and seal a surface of the at least one microfluidic pathway, and a heating device located on the body and forming a heating zone within a portion of the at least one microfluidic pathway.

Abstract: A microfluidic chip is disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the microfluidic chip includes a body including at least one microfluidic pathway configured to receive a fluid sample, the at least one microfluidic pathway including a coating configured to reduce fluid diffusion and seal a surface of the at least one microfluidic pathway, and a heating device located on the body and forming a heating zone within a portion of the at least one microfluidic pathway.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods related to a point-of-care portable assay device and the use thereof with a test card are described herein. In a general embodiment, a device for monitoring a polymerase chain reaction in a fluid sample includes a vacuum source configured to pull the fluid sample through a microchannel, a current source configured to cause the polymerase chain reaction while the fluid sample is located within the microchannel, a light source configured to illuminate the polymerase chain reaction while the current source causes the polymerase chain reaction, a camera imaging device configured to record an image of the polymerase chain reaction while the light source illuminates the polymerase chain reaction, and a controller configured to analyze the image of the polymerase chain reaction and output a resulting analysis of the polymerase chain reaction.

Abstract: Apparatuses and for causing a point-of-care polymerase chain reaction and analyzing the polymerase chain reaction at the point-of-care, particularly when unwanted bubbles are present during the polymerase chain reaction, are described herein. In a general embodiment, a device for analysing a polymerase chain reaction in a fluid sample includes a current source configured to cause the polymerase chain reaction by heating the fluid sample within a target zone, a camera imaging device configured to record a plurality of images of the fluid sample in the target zone while the current source causes the polymerase chain reaction, and a controller configured to (i) distinguish wanted objects in the plurality of images from an unwanted object in the plurality of images, and (ii) determine whether the fluid sample tests positive or negative for a bacteria or virus based on the wanted objects.

Abstract: A disposable test card configured to accept a fluid sample for an assay, and a method of manufacturing same, is disclosed herein. In a general example embodiment, a test card for analysing a fluid sample includes a first substrate layer including an inlet port and an outlet port, a channel layer bonded to the first substrate layer, the channel layer including a microchannel placing the inlet port in fluid communication with the outlet port, and a second substrate layer bonded to the channel layer, the second substrate layer having electrodes printed adjacent to a target zone of the microchannel of the channel layer, wherein the electrodes are configured to raise the temperature of the fluid sample within the target zone of the microchannel when a current is applied thereto.