Abstract: A method for achieving microfluidic perfusion of a spheroid, the method being implemented in a microfluidic device that includes a cavity for hydrodynamically trapping the spheroid, the method including performing a first injection of a gel containing the spheroid into the microfluidic network, hydrodynamically trapping the spheroid in the trapping cavity of the microfluidic network, performing a second injection of a fluid that is non-miscible with the gel into the microfluidic network with a view to flushing away gel present in the network, except in the trapping cavity, cross-linking the gel present around the spheroid, in the trapping cavity, performing a third injection of a culture medium into the microfluidic network with a view to perfusing the spheroid petrified in its gelled environment, and located in the trapping cavity.

Abstract: A device for preparing a solution from a sample and a reagent, the device includes a microfluidic array having a sample supply inlet, a reagent supply inlet, a discharge outlet, a solution collection outlet, a sampling zone to which the inlets are connected, first and second preparation chambers connected to the sampling zone, arranged to either side of the sampling zone such that the liquid flowing from one preparation chamber to the other flows through the first sampling zone, the first preparation chamber having a volume that is variable between a minimum volume and a calibrated volume. The device includes valves interrupting the flow of the fluid at least at the two inlets and the collection and discharge outlets.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for achieving microfluidic perfusion of a spheroid, said method being implemented in a microfluidic device that comprises a cavity (151) for hydrodynamically trapping said spheroid, said method comprising the following steps: performing a first injection of a gel (20) containing said spheroid into the microfluidic network (10), hydrodynamically trapping said spheroid in the trapping cavity (151) of the microfluidic network, performing a second injection of a fluid that is non-miscible with said gel into said microfluidic network with a view to flushing away gel present in the network, except in the trapping cavity (151), cross-linking the gel (20) present around the spheroid, in the trapping cavity (151), performing a third injection of a culture medium (22) into said microfluidic network with a view to perfusing the spheroid petrified in its gelled environment, and located in the trapping cavity (151).

Abstract: A fluidic valve device intended to be arranged in a fluidic circuit, the device notably including a first switching assembly including a first compartment defining a first internal space and a first permanent magnet arranged with the freedom to slide in the first internal space, a second switching assembly including a second compartment defining a second internal space and a second permanent magnet arranged with the freedom to slide in the second internal space, the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet being arranged relative to one another in such a way as to be in a first state of magnetic interaction, making it possible to obtain a first stable mechanical configuration or in a second state of magnetic interaction, it possible to obtain a second stable mechanical configuration.

Abstract: A fluidic valve device intended to be arranged in a fluidic circuit, the device notably including a first switching assembly including a first compartment defining a first internal space and a first permanent magnet arranged with the freedom to slide in the first internal space, a second switching assembly including a second compartment defining a second internal space and a second permanent magnet arranged with the freedom to slide in the second internal space, the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet being arranged relative to one another in such a way as to be in a first state of magnetic interaction, making it possible to obtain a first stable mechanical configuration or in a second state of magnetic interaction, it possible to obtain a second stable mechanical configuration.

Abstract: A system for handling biological cells includes a main channel having an inlet end and an outlet end, and, at least over a first portion from the inlet end, including a cross section such that a cell circulating in the portion undergoes mechanical stresses. The system further includes first means for detecting the presence of a cell at the inlet end of the main channel and at least one access zone opening into the main channel between its inlet end and its outlet end in the first portion, in order to make it possible to exert an action on the cell. The system also includes means for displacing the cell in order to control the displacement of the cell between the inlet end and the outlet end.

Abstract: A micropump with a deformable membrane, including: a first chamber, one wall of which includes a first deformable membrane portion and an actuator of the first membrane portion; a second chamber including a second deformable membrane portion and a third chamber, including a third deformable membrane portion, the second chamber and the third chamber being connected together through a first channel, at least one of the second and third chambers being connected through a second channel to the first chamber; each of the second chamber and third chamber including a mechanism forming a detection gauge, but not including an activation mechanism.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a fluidic element, which consists in forming at least one fluid-permeable zone and one fluid-impermeable zone in a three-dimensional cellular material, by addition of at least one second material having a liquid initial state. The process will for example include soaking of the cellular material by the second material present in the liquid initial state, evacuating the second material present in its liquid initial state from at least one zone of the cellular material, in order to render the permeable zone.

Abstract: A method for producing at least one deformable membrane micropump including a first substrate and a second substrate assembled together, the first substrate including at least one cavity and the second substrate including at least one deformable membrane arranged facing the cavity. In the method: the cavity is produced in the first substrate; then the first and second substrates are assembled together; then the deformable membrane is produced in the second substrate.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a fluidic element, which consists in forming at least one fluid-permeable zone and one fluid-impermeable zone in a three-dimensional cellular material, by addition of at least one second material having a liquid initial state. The process will for example include soaking of the cellular material by the second material present in the liquid initial state, evacuating the second material present in its liquid initial state from at least one zone of the cellular material, in order to render the permeable zone.

Abstract: A device for fractionation of a fluid containing particles and extraction of a particle-lean volume and a particle-rich volume, including: a cylindrical reservoir including an inlet orifice to supply the reservoir with fluid in a pumping direction from first to second ends of the reservoir; a fractionation body extending along a central axis of the reservoir, an upstream end positioned in vertical alignment above the inlet orifice, a cross section of the fractionation body reducing sharply at its downstream end; the fractionation body defining, with the reservoir, a first passage opening at the downstream end onto a recirculation zone with a geometric singularity; and an extraction mechanism downstream of the fractionation body to separate and extract the lean and rich volumes, including a partition delimiting an extraction volume configured, as fluid circulates in the pumping direction, to receive the particle-lean phase formed in the recirculation zone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an item (10) having liquid (L) storage and/or discharge properties, in particular a bandage, comprising: —a liquid-permeable proximal structure (20), consisting of a material capable of inflating in the presence of liquid (L), —a distal structure (30) capable of draining a liquid (L), —a hydrophobic and non-absorbent spacer structure (40) extending between the distal (30) and proximal (20) structures, and being capable of locally limiting, when said material is not inflated, the exchange of liquid between the distal and proximal structures by maintaining a gap between said structures, and of authorizing a local expansion of the proximal structure in at least one zone (P) where said material is inflated in response to coming into contact with a liquid, said expansion causing the proximal and distal structure to move together locally and the transfer of said liquid from the zone of the proximal structure (20) having undergone expansion to the distal structure (30).

Abstract: The invention relates to a surface pump comprising a network (3) of microfluidic channels (5) and pumping means (7). Said network of microfluidic channels includes a set of microfluidic accesses (9) distributed in a predetermined domain (11) suited to covering a surface source of a fluid of interest, and said pumping means comprise at least one microfluidic actuating circuit (11) intersecting said network of microfluidic channels on a plurality of deformable membrane intersecting zones (17) forming a set of valves (19) suited to causing a peristaltic effect pumping of said fluid of interest circulating in said network of microfluidic channels from said set of microfluidic accesses to at least one sink (21) connected to said network of microfluidic channels.

Abstract: A device for separating and concentrating particles present in a fluid, including: a first microchannel, having at least one first aperture; and at least one second microchannel, having at least one second aperture, and an end is disclosed. The first microchannel surrounds part or all of the second microchannel at the end. The first microchannel and the second microchannel are connected, at the end, by at least one nanochannel, the nanochannel(s) forming a restriction between the first microchannel and the second microchannel. A cap bounds the first microchannel, the second microchannel and the nanochannel at the end. The first microchannel and the second microchannel are made in a first substrate. The first aperture and the second aperture open into a same face of this substrate. The device may be used for separating and concentrating particles of biological samples, such as viruses, DNA or synthesic molecules.

Abstract: A flowmeter includes a first chamber and a second chamber connected through a channel. The first chamber is provided with a first deformable membrane and with first and second gauges. The second chamber is provided with a second deformable membrane and with third and fourth gauges. The four gauges form a Wheatstone bridge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an item (10) having liquid (L) storage and/or discharge properties, in particular a bandage, comprising:—a liquid-permeable proximal structure (20), consisting of a material capable of inflating in the presence of liquid (L),—a distal structure (30) capable of draining a liquid (L),—a hydrophobic and non-absorbent spacer structure (40) extending between the distal (30) and proximal (20) structures, and being capable of locally limiting, when said material is not inflated, the exchange of liquid between the distal and proximal structures by maintaining a gap between said structures, and of authorising a local expansion of the proximal structure in at least one zone (P) where said material is inflated in response to coming into contact with a liquid, said expansion causing the proximal and distal structure to move together locally and the transfer of said liquid from the zone of the proximal structure (20) having undergone expansion to the distal structure (30).

Abstract: A device for fractionation of a fluid containing particles and extraction of a particle-lean volume and a particle-rich volume, including: a cylindrical reservoir including an inlet orifice to supply the reservoir with fluid in a pumping direction from first to second ends of the reservoir; a fractionation body extending along a central axis of the reservoir, an upstream end positioned in vertical alignment above the inlet orifice, a cross section of the fractionation body reducing sharply at its downstream end; the fractionation body defining, with the reservoir, a first passage opening at the downstream end onto a recirculation zone with a geometric singularity; and an extraction mechanism downstream of the fractionation body to separate and extract the lean and rich volumes, including a partition delimiting an extraction volume configured, as fluid circulates in the pumping direction, to receive the particle-lean phase formed in the recirculation zone.

Abstract: A device for extracting a liquid phase from a suspension, the device being characterized in that it comprises: a main duct for conveying a flow of said suspension, the duct being of a length that is sufficient to enable a layer of said suspension to develop that is depleted in solid phase; flow disturbance means for disturbing the flow of said suspension, said means being provided in the main duct and being adapted to cause at least one recirculation vortex to form so as to increase locally the thickness of said depleted layer; and liquid extraction means disposed in a region of the device where said suspension is enriched in liquid phase as a result of said recirculation vortex. A method of extracting a liquid phase from a suspension, the method comprising injecting said suspension into such a device at a flow rate suitable for causing at least one recirculation vortex to be formed, and extracting a fraction of said suspension that is enriched in liquid as a result of said vortex.

Abstract: A device for displacing a small volume of liquid under the effect of an electric control, including a first substrate with a hydrophobic surface provided with a first electrical conductor, a second electrical conductor positioned facing the first conductor, and a third conductor, forming with the second conductor, a mechanism for analyzing or heating a volume of liquid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of forming a microfluidic array comprising at least one channel of semi-circular section, comprising the following steps: bringing into contact a first liquid (7) with an array of electrodes (3) of a microfluidic chip (1) comprising at least one pair of substantially parallel and coplanar electrodes (3a, 3b) arranged on a substrate (4), activating said array of electrodes so as to actuate by liquid dielectrophoresis LDEP said first liquid to form a fluidic structure (9) comprising at least one fluidic finger (9a), and using said fluidic structure as a mould to form said microfluidic array by solidification or hardening of a second liquid (11) deposited on the microfluidic chip and hugging the shape of said fluidic structure.