Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a microfluidic device comprising a first compartment comprising an inlet that is connectable to a fluidic control unit and a second compartment, wherein the first and second compartments are connected by a micrometer channel so as to allow fluid communication between the two compartments. The device also comprises an air-lock element in fluid communication with the second compartment and the air-lock element is configured so that in use the internal atmosphere of the device is sealed from the external atmosphere and so that when fluid is introduced or withdrawn from the first compartment via the inlet the air-lock element maintains an overall constant pressure within the device. The present invention is also directed towards a method of manufacturing the microfluidic device, a kit-of-parts comprising the microfluidic device and a method of using the microfluidic device for accommodating, growing, culturing, isolating, treating and/or processing cells.

Abstract: A device for detaching cells or tissue from a cavity in a subject, the device includes: an elongated member arranged to be moved within a lumen of a needle or a catheter; and at least one flexible member arranged at a distal end of the elongated member, wherein the flexible member is configured to be brought between a first, constrained configuration within the lumen of the needle or catheter, and a second, expanded configuration outside said lumen, wherein the flexible member in the second, expanded configuration is configured to conform to an inner geometry of a cavity in which the device is inserted.

Abstract: A capillary driven microfluidic device with blood plasma separation means that can be used to separate, meter and transfer a blood sample. The blood separation means can be arranged as a capillary pump by the configuration of a porous membrane and the microfluidic device.

Abstract: A capillary driven microfluidic device with blood plasma separation means that can be used to separate, meter and transfer a blood sample. The blood separation means can be arranged as a capillary pump by the configuration of a porous membrane and the microfluidic device.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing shaped polymers of surface-active macromolecules, in particular silk, is provided. The method is comprising the steps of: • a) depositing an aqueous solution of the surface-active macromolecules on a surface, wherein the aqueous solution of the surface-active macromolecules is deposited in the form of a droplet, and wherein the surface is a hydrophobic micropatterned surface adapted to prevent the aqueous solution from penetrating into the pattern and to receive the droplet of the aqueous solution of the surface-active macromolecules and retain its droplet state; and • b) forming shaped polymers of the surface-active macromolecules on the surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a device (100) comprising a sampling part (110), wherein the sampling part (110) comprises an array of capture zones (112) for sampling liquid volumes between tens of microliters and femtoliters, wherein some or all of the capture zones (112) contain a sponge-like material. Also disclosed are a method for the preparation of such a device and a method for the detection and determination of the presence, concentration and/or properties of an analyte by contacting a liquid sample with such a device.

Abstract: Modification of polymer surface properties is disclosed by using a method comprising providing a liquid curable monomer formulation comprising a surface-active compound so that the surface active component is attracted to or repelled from at least a specific part of a master surface and is fixed in the polymer article upon curing. The method is carried out in one step and is thus simple and inexpensive to carry out.

Abstract: A capillary driven microfluidic device with blood plasma separation means that can be used to separate, meter and transfer a blood sample. The blood separation means can be arranged as a capillary pump by the configuration of a porous membrane and the microfluidic device.

Abstract: A synthetic paper is manufactured with a method comprising the steps of: a) providing at least two types of pho to-polymerizable monomers, b) exposing the volume to a three-dimensional light pattern to induce a polymerization reaction, and c) removing uncured monomer to create an open microstructure. The volume comprises at least one monomer comprising at least two thiol groups and at least one monomer comprising at least two carbon-carbon double bonds, where the ratio (r1) between the number of thiol groups and the number of carbon-carbon double bonds fulfils one of: 0.5?r1?0.9 and 1.1?r1?2. One advantage is that off stoichiometry creates an edge effect giving better defined boundaries between exposed and unexposed parts in the volume and giving a possibility to create thinner micro pillars. Another advantage is that it is easy to bind molecules to the surface to obtain desired surface properties.

Abstract: Modification of polymer surface properties is disclosed by using a method comprising providing a liquid curable monomer formulation comprising a surface-active compound so that the surface active component is attracted to or repelled from at least a specific part of a master surface and is fixed in the polymer article upon curing. The method is carried out in one step and is thus simple and inexpensive to carry out.

Abstract: There is provided an analysis device comprising a gas phase and a liquid phase and at least one sensor, said sensor having at least one point where an analyte is detected, said at least point being in contact with the liquid phase, characterized in that the device comprises a membrane with a first and a second side, which membrane is in contact with the gas phase on at least a part of one side of the membrane and which membrane is in contact with the liquid phase on at least a part of the other side of the membrane, wherein the membrane comprises openings, and wherein the largest possible distance between any two openings in the membrane is larger than the distance between the membrane and the point where an analyte is detected, moreover there is provided a method for analyzing an analyte in a gas phase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the batch fixation and electrical connection of pre-strained SMA wires on a microstructured substrate using electroplating, providing high bond strength and electrical connections in one processing step. The integration process here developed relies on conventional micro machining techniques and it provides an efficient solution to some problems that have hindered the widespread diffusion of bulk SMA to MEMS, such as the lack of cost-efficient integration methods of bulk SMA and the difficult electrical contacting of the actuator material at small scale. Also disclosed herein is a Joule-heated SMA wire actuator on silicon MEMS.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte electrochemical device includes an anode current collector (1), a membrane electrode assembly (2) with anode and cathode gas backings (3, 4), and a cathode current collector (5), wherein the membrane electrode assembly is sealed and attached at least to the anode current collector by adhesive elements, thereby creating an anode gas chamber, and optionally attached to the cathode current collector by adhesive elements, the adhesive elements being electrically conducting or electrically non-conducting. The invention also relates to polymer electrolyte electrochemical device components adapted for use in a single cell electrochemical device and a series arrangement electrochemical device.

Abstract: There is provided an analysis device comprising a gas phase and a liquid phase and at least one sensor, said sensor having at least one point where an analyte is detected, said at least point being in contact with the liquid phase, characterised in that the device comprises a membrane with a first and a second side, which membrane is in contact with the gas phase on at least a part of one side of the membrane and which membrane is in contact with the liquid phase on at least a part of the other side of the membrane, wherein the membrane comprises openings, and wherein the largest possible distance between any two openings in the membrane is larger than the distance between the membrane and the point where an analyte is detected, moreover there is provided a method for analysing an analyte in a gas phase.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a microvalve for providing pneumatic-flow regulation suitable for use in microsystem applications that are operable using highly efficient actuation means for flow obstruction while being space efficient in design in a manner that is suitable for cost effective bullsk microfabrication. In an embodiment of the invention, the microvalve comprises a first substrate layer, a second layer disposed over the first substrate layer cooperating with the first substrate layer to form a channel through which the flow traverses and defines a direction of the flow. An obstruction element or knife gate is micromachined into the second layer such that it is pivotably attached and actuated with a bimorph actuator to displace the gate along a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the direction of the flow in order to controllably regulate the flow.