Abstract: The invention relates to a processing device (100) and a method for processing a medium in a processing chamber (121). The processing comprises the addition of magnetic particles (M) to the medium and the mixing of the medium by manipulating said magnetic particles with a time-variable magnetic field (B), particularly a partially oscillating or rotating field. The magnetic field (B) may be generated with a multipole magnetic field generator (110) comprising four subunits (111A,111B), each having a core (113A,113B) with a surrounding coil (112A,112B) and with a top surface (114A,114B), wherein all top surfaces of said subunits are preferably arranged in the same plane and wherein all cores are substantially parallel to each other.

Abstract: A microfluidic cartridge for placement onto a parallel pneumatic interface plate of a pneumatic instrument is provided. The cartridge includes a three dimensional fluid channel, in which a fluid is to be transported, a flexible membrane that spans a plane and is part of an outer surface of the cartridge. The three dimensional fluid channel is spatially defined in three dimensions by internal walls of the cartridge and by the flexible membrane. The flexible membrane is in a ground state, when no pressure or vacuum is applied to the flexible membrane. However, the flexible membrane is pneumatically deflectable from the ground state perpendicular to the plane of the flexible membrane in two directions when the cartridge is placed onto the parallel pneumatic interface plate.