Abstract: The invention relates to a droplet actuator device and methods for integrated sample preparation and analysis of a biological sample. A droplet actuator device is provided for conducting droplet operations. The droplet actuator device may include a bottom substrate and a top substrate separated from each other to form a gap therebetween; an arrangement of droplet operations electrodes arranged on one or both of the bottom and/or top substrates for conducting droplet operations thereon; a reagent storage layer comprising one or more compartments bound to the top substrate; and one or more openings arranged to provide a fluidic path from the one or more compartments into the gap, upon breach of a breachable seal separating the one or more compartments and openings.

Abstract: Droplet actuator apparatus and system are provided. An apparatus comprises: a microfluidics system having an insertion slot for insertion of a droplet actuator; a bottom plate against which the droplet actuator would slide when inserting the droplet actuator into the insertion slot; and means for forcing a substrate in the droplet actuator parallel to the bottom plate, wherein warpage in the substrate is corrected.

Abstract: The invention relates to a droplet actuator device and methods for integrated sample preparation and analysis of a biological sample. A droplet actuator device is provided for conducting droplet operations. The droplet actuator device may include a bottom substrate and a top substrate separated from each other to form a gap therebetween; an arrangement of droplet operations electrodes arranged on one or both of the bottom and/or top substrates for conducting droplet operations thereon; a reagent storage layer comprising one or more compartments bound to the top substrate; and one or more openings arranged to provide a fluidic path from the one or more compartments into the gap, upon breach of a breachable seal separating the one or more compartments and openings.

Abstract: The invention relates to a droplet actuator device and methods for integrated sample preparation and analysis of a biological sample. A droplet actuator device is provided for conducting droplet operations. The droplet actuator device may include a bottom substrate and a top substrate separated from each other to form a gap therebetween; an arrangement of droplet operations electrodes arranged on one or both of the bottom and/or top substrates for conducting droplet operations thereon; a reagent storage layer comprising one or more compartments bound to the top substrate; and one or more openings arranged to provide a fluidic path from the one or more compartments into the gap, upon breach of a breachable seal separating the one or more compartments and openings.

Abstract: Droplet actuator apparatus and system are provided. An apparatus comprises: a microfluidics system having an insertion slot for insertion of a droplet actuator; a bottom plate against which the droplet actuator would slide when inserting the droplet actuator into the insertion slot; and means for forcing a substrate in the droplet actuator parallel to the bottom plate, wherein warpage in the substrate is corrected.

Abstract: The invention relates to a droplet actuator for conducting droplet operations. The actuator includes a bottom substrate and a top substrate separated from the bottom substrate to form a gap. An arrangement of droplet operations electrodes may be located on a surface of the bottom substrate and/or top substrate. Optionally, a sample reservoir may hold a quantity of a sample fluid containing cells. A disruption device which can take various forms is used to lyse the cells in the sample or in a sample droplet to thereby conduct operations on samples having lysed cells therein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a droplet actuator device and methods for integrated sample preparation and analysis of a biological sample. A droplet actuator device is provided for conducting droplet operations. The droplet actuator device may include a bottom substrate and a top substrate separated from each other to form a gap therebetween; an arrangement of droplet operations electrodes arranged on one or both of the bottom and/or top substrates for conducting droplet operations thereon; a reagent storage layer comprising one or more compartments bound to the top substrate; and one or more openings arranged to provide a fluidic path from the one or more compartments into the gap, upon breach of a breachable seal separating the one or more compartments and openings.