Abstract: A system for interfacing a sampling device and a chromatograph and for pre-concentrating analytes in a sample prior to introducing the sample into the chromatographic column is generally disclosed comprising an interface housing with a first channel and an adsorbent housing with a second channel, which contains at least one adsorbent. Valveless conduits permit fluid to be communicated between the sampling device and the first channel, between the first channel and the second channel, and the first channel and the column. In some embodiments, fluid flows in one direction when the analytes are adsorbed and in the opposite direction when analytes are desorbed. In certain embodiments, two different adsorbents are disposed in the second channel to adsorb different types of analytes.

Abstract: The invention relates to liquid dispensing and concerns a multichannel pipette, which comprises on its lower tip a shelf in the transverse direction of the tip and to which lower tip a pipette tip can be attached, which pipette tip comprises at least one longitudinal claw, whereby when the pipette tip is in its place, the point of the claw is above the shelf. Each cylinder is connected with a claw opening comprising an opener so that by pressing the opener downwards the claws can be turned outwards off the shelf. The opening mechanism further comprises an organ resilient in the longitudinal direction. In accordance with the invention, the tip removal is made to function reliably, even if there were significant differences in the dimensioning of the opening constructions of the lower tips.

Abstract: A cassette for preparing a sample is disclosed herein. The cassette includes a housing, which encloses the structures and the processes used to prepare the sample.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling a sample volume defining device for separating at least one small defined volume of a liquid sample from a relatively larger undefined volume of said sample, said device including a first body and a second body movable relative to each other, whereby said first body has at least one cavity in a surface thereof, said at least one cavity having said defined volume. One of said first or said second body has at least one inlet opening adapted to be placed in a drop of the liquid sample. A defined channel is provided between said first and second body, which channel has fluid connection with said at least one opening and at least beyond said at least one cavity whereby the dimensions of said channel being such that said channel and said at least one cavity is filled with said liquid sample.

Abstract: A lab on a valve analytical system includes a rotary sample preparation assembly having a stator and a rotor. The rotor includes a plurality of integral syringe pumps which can be aligned with passages formed within the stator. The stator passages can be connected with fluid inlet connector which connect the sample preparation assembly with fluid sources, and fluid outlet connectors which connect the sample preparation assembly with one or more wet chemical analytical devices. Some embodiments can include a mixer and optical sensor connected with the fluid outlets. One or more drive motors can be used to control simultaneous actuation of one or more of the syringe pumps, thereby providing for simultaneous delivery of metered volumes of fluid.

Abstract: A microfluidic chip with a built-in gravity-driven micropump is provided. The gravity-driven micropump comprises a winding channel, an inert fluidic material placed inside the winding channel, and a suction channel that links the winding channel to the microfluidic chip. The winding channel is for the inert fluidic material to flow in. A fixed volume of high density, inert fluidic material is placed in the winding channel to act as a micropump in the bio chip. When the microfluidic chip is placed in a declining or standing position, the inert fluidic material flows along the winding channel due to the gravity. The invention provides a simple, convenient, and robust microfluid pumping source. With the built-in micropump, this invention is free-of-pollution and saves the manufacturing cost for the pipe link between the bio chip and peripheral devices.

Abstract: A sample chamber is formed by a housing sealed against a microscope slide. The housing has fluid ports, including a well formed over at least one port. In a rinse station, rinse solution is drawn from a reservoir through the chamber to a waste reservoir. At a fill station, an aliquot of reagent already placed in the well is driven into the chamber. The reagent may be driven into the chamber by first drawing a vacuum on the chamber through the aliquot of reagent and then releasing the reagent to be drawn into the chamber by the vacuum.

Abstract: An injection device (10) includes a carrier inlet (40), a sample inlet (46), waste outlet (44) and a chamber outlet (64) attached to separation column (66). Valves (52, 54, 56) are used to control flow such that sample flows into chamber (22) and is carried into the chamber outlet (42).

Abstract: A flows cell for use in a microfluidic detection system is provided. The flow cell includes a flows cell body having a channel that is configured to convey a solution through the flows cell body. The flow cell also includes a bottom surface and a top surface. The bottom surface is configured to be removably held by the detection system, and the top surface is transparent and permits light to pass therethrough. The flow cell body also includes fluidic inlet and outlet ports that are in fluid communication with the channel. A pump cavity is also provided in the flow cell body. The pump cavity fluidly communicates with, and is interposed between, an end of the channel and one of the fluidic inlet and outlet ports. An electroosmotic (EO) pump is held in the pump cavity. The EO pump induces flow of the solution through the EO pump and channel between the fluidic inlet and outlet ports.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for determining the osmolarity of a fluid. The apparatus includes at least one micro-fluidic circuit and at least one electrical circuit disposed in communication with the at least one micro-fluidic circuit for determining a property of a fluid contained within the at least one micro-fluidic circuit.

Abstract: The invention concerns a pipette, which comprises a tip part (1) through which there is an air channel and on the outer end of which a tube-like tip container (2) can be attached with friction joint. The tip part comprises a structure, which at least on the attachment area (8) of the tip container has a surface layer (7) and inside thereof a body part (6) more flexible than the surface layer so that the structure yields when the tip container is attached.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for performing a high throughput assay. The device includes a plate structure having a plate and a plurality of microfluidic structures positioned thereon. Each microfluidic structure defines a channel having an input and an output. At least one of the input and the output of the channel of each of the plurality of mircofluidic structures includes a first plurality of ports. In operation, the channels are filled with fluid and pressure gradients are generated between the fluids at the inputs and the fluids at the outputs of the channels. As a result, fluid flows through the channels toward the outputs.

Abstract: A fluid-conveying apparatus conveys fluid using a channel for the fluid to flow. The apparatus includes a pressure-generating device for generating pressure for conveying the fluid, a plurality of processing areas for processing the fluid, a valve which is disposed between the processing areas and controls the fluid flow, and a pressure-relieving device for relieving the pressure in the channel.

Abstract: Provided is a cryogenic vial for storing at least one sample, the vial including a pipette, a cap assembly, and a container having at least one opening in a body portion of the container to allow liquid and/or gas to enter and/or exit the vial to balance the pressure between the inside of vial and the outside environment. The cryogenic vial allows for reduced processing time and minimizes the chance a sample may be lost or damaged while being processed.

Abstract: A substrate having a channel portion in which a liquid transfers, wherein, even if the channel portion has no micro-channel interconnecting chambers, a liquid can transfer stepwise from one region to the next region according to the speed of rotation of the substrate. The substrate can be rotated about a rotation axis as the center, and has the channel portion including the chambers formed therein. The inner wall of each chamber has a first area including an area intersecting with a centrifugal direction from the center; and also has a second area placed at a position farther from the center than the first area, and including a surface intersecting with the centrifugal direction from the center. Further, the first area has a region for holding a droplet of a liquid provided; and also has a region where a contact with the droplet expands when the substrate is rotated, and that communicate with the second area.

Abstract: In some embodiments of the present invention, the buried silicon oxide technology is employed in the fabrication of fluid channels, particularly nanochannels. For example, a fluid channel can be made in a buried silicon oxide layer by etching the buried oxide layer with a method that selectively removes silicon oxide but not silicon. Thus, one dimension of the resulting fluid channel is limited by the thickness of the buried oxide layer. It is possible to manufacture a very thin buried oxide layer with great precision, thus a nanochannel can be fabricated in a controlled manner. Moreover, in addition to buried oxide, any pairs of substances with a high etch ratio with respect to each other can be used in the same way. Further provided are the fluid channels, apparatuses, devices and systems comprising the fluid channels, and uses thereof.

Abstract: The sample analyzer comprises a transporting device for transporting a rack for holding a plurality of containers containing samples respectively and having a recording part in which identifying information has been recorded that identifies the rack, a reading device for reading the identifying information from the recording part of the transported rack, an aspirating device including an aspirating tube for aspirating the sample from the container, a controller for controlling the operation of the aspirating device based on the identifying information read by the reading device, and an analyzing device for analyzing a measurement sample that includes the aspirated sample.

Abstract: A tamper-proof, point-of-collection specimen assay apparatus including three selectively connectable and sealable chambers, including a first chamber for receiving a specimen, a second chamber housing a specimen testing device and a specimen transfer site positioned between the first chamber and the second chamber for selectively depositing a portion of the specimen from the first chamber into the second chamber and a third chamber having inlets for depositing another portion of the specimen from the first chamber into the third chamber.

Abstract: A micromanifold for connecting external capillaries to the inlet and/or outlet ports of a microfluidic device can employ a ferrule/capillary assembly that includes: (a) a ferrule comprising an elongated member and having a bore traversing from a proximal end to a distal end of the member, wherein the bore has an inner surface and wherein the distal end of the ferrule has a tapered, threaded exterior surface, and (b) a capillary that is positioned within the bore wherein the capillary's outer surface is in direct contact with the bore's inner surface. No mating sleeve is required for the one-piece ferrule. Alternatively, the capillaries can be bonded to channels that traverse the manifold and therefore obviate the need for a ferrule.

Abstract: A vascular access device for communicating with the vascular system of a patient may include a status indicator. The status indicator may detect and signal that a pathogen is in communication with the vascular access device.

Abstract: A cartridge (10) for dispensing a reagent contained in a reagent reservoir (32). The reservoir (32) is in fluid communication with a deformable dispense tube (26) that is a least partially compressible, in use, to dispense a volume of reagent from the tube (26). The reservoir (32) defines an enclosed gas space (46) above the reagent, and the cartridge (10) includes a gas vent (40) that, in use, admits gas to the gas space (46) in response to dispense of reagent from the tube (26) that serves to control the reservoir pressure as the reservoir (32) is depleted by subsequent dispensing of reagent. A dispenser employing the cartridge (10) and a method of dispensing a volume of reagent are also disclosed.

Abstract: An air displacement pipette has a tubular pipette tip with an upper section surrounding a locking chamber, and a body section leading from the upper section and tapering downwardly to a reduced diameter end. A tubular mounting shaft on the pipette has a distal end configured and dimensioned for axial insertion into the locking chamber of the pipette tip. Coacting surfaces on the distal end of the mounting shaft and the upper section of the pipette tip establish an axially interengaged relationship between the pipette tip and the mounting shaft in response to insertion of the distal end of the mounting shaft into the locking chamber. A sleeve is axially shiftable on the mounting shaft between a retracted position accommodating the establishment of the axially interengaged relationship, and an advanced position disrupting the axially interengaged relationship to thereby accommodate axial ejection of the pipette tip from the mounting shaft.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for dissolution testing. The system includes multiple dissolution vessels and a dose carrier positioned above the dissolution vessels. The dose carrier holds multiple removable carousels that receive individual doses for dissolution tested. Carousels that receive tablets or sinkers typically have a first configuration, while carousels that receive baskets typically have a second configuration. The two different configurations of carousels are interchangeable on the same dose ring. The system further includes a drive head positioned above the dose carrier, the drive head having a basket arbor and a mixing paddle removably and interchangeably attached. A pipettor integral with the system transfers sample aliquots having volumes in the range of 50 ?l to 1 ml from the dissolution vessels to wells of an external receptacle.

Abstract: A disposable inoculation loop assembly comprising a test tube and a tube stopper adapted to fit into a free end of the test tube. A first end of the stopper faces into the interior of the test tube substantially hermetically sealing the interior of the test tube. The assembly further includes an inoculation loop fixed to the tube stopper and extending into the interior of the test tube to a predetermined distance when the stopper is positioned in the free end of the test tube. The assembly when assembled is sterilized and pre-evacuated to a predetermined vacuum which is sufficient to draw a volume of a bodily liquid to be sampled into the test tube. The volume is of such an amount so that the liquid level in the test tube substantially just covers a predetermined portion of the inoculation loop.

Abstract: A sample analyzer for analyzing a sample comprising: a sample container receiver capable of receiving either one of a manually supplied sample container and an automatically supplied; a container holder receiver for receiving a container holder holding at least one sample container; a sample container supplier automatically for supplying, to the sample container receiver, a sample container held by the container holder received by the container holder receiver; an aspirator for aspirating a sample within a sample container received by the sample container receiver; and an analyzing part for analyzing the sample aspirated by the aspirator.

Abstract: An enhancement control system that can be used as part of an enhanced water system to produce enhanced filtered water is described. The enhancement control system includes at least one enhancement delivery element that can dispense an enhancement(s) into filtered water in response to an enhancement delivery instruction(s). The enhancement control system can also include an input element that can enable transmittal of the enhancement delivery instruction(s) from a user to the enhancement delivery element(s). The control system can also include a memory element that can store information about the user and the user's preferences and information about the enhanced water system. The control system can also include a communication element that can provide information from the enhanced water system to the user.

Abstract: A system for dispensing microdrops of reagent in small, precisely metered quantities maintains the fluid reagent to be dispensed in a reservoir under a controlled pressure. The reagent is dispensed through multiple nozzles connected to solenoid-actuated valves that control the flow of the reagent from the reservoir to the nozzles. Each valve is connected to one of the nozzles and electrical pulses are supplied separately to each of the valves to separately control the opening and closing of each valve to dispense predetermined quantities of the reagent through each nozzle at predetermined times.

Abstract: A sample tube for an NMR probe head, which extends along a z axis and has an internal cavity that extends in an axial direction of the z axis, is open to the outside at the axially upper end, is closed at the axially lower end and contains a liquid NMR sample substance during operation, wherein the cross-sectional surface of this cavity extending perpendicularly to the z axis and parallel to the xy coordinate plane has an elongated shape in the direction of the x axis with maximum dimensions a in the y direction and b in the x direction, wherein a<b, is characterized in that the cross-sectional surface of the sample tube, which extends perpendicularly to the z axis and is parallel to the xy coordinate plane has a circular outer shape. Sample tubes of this type provide a particularly large signal-to-noise ratio, can be easily inserted into a conventional cryogenic probe head and be axially and radially positioned therein by existing precision centering devices.

Abstract: This invention describes a method for pumping or delivering fluids utilizing a flexible vessel subject to controlled pressures within another pressure vessel. The pressure vessel can be sourced with positive and/or negative (e.g., vacuum) pressure.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser useful in automated biological reaction systems comprising a barrel having a reservoir chamber, the barrel having an upper portion and a lower portion, a cap located on top of the upper portion of the barrel and connected to the reservoir chamber, the cap having an external surface with at least one hole therethrough, a valve comprising a biasing member and a hole sealer, the valve being located in the hole in the cap at the point where a downward force is applied against the cap, a coupler having a dispense chamber, the coupler being coaxial with the barrel and wherein the barrel lower portion moves into the dispense chamber during dispensing of fluid, and a vent located between the cap and the reservoir chamber, the vent including a vent opening and a vent material composed of oliophobic material.

Abstract: A diagnostic device is provided that includes a plurality of retainment regions, with the retainment regions that are separated by at least one dissolvable barrier. The retainment regions can be interconnected through at least one fluid processing passageway. A retainment region can include a container such as a retainment region, well, chamber, or other receptacle, or a retainment region such as a surface on which the material is retained. The retainment regions can include a reaction retainment region, one or more reagent retainment regions, each containing unreacted reagents, and a sample retainment region. A pressure-actuated valve can be positioned in each fluid processing passageway interconnecting the one or more reagent retainment regions with the respective intermediate retainment regions interposed between each of the one or more reagent retainment regions and the reaction retainment region. The dissolvable barrier can be a fluid flow modulator in the at least one fluid processing passageway.

Abstract: A device is disclosed, being an analysis device for the study of biological or chemical samples by means of a reagent liquid supplied via a pipette. The device has an instrument housing with a base plate, a working plate arranged on the base plate horizontally to receive the samples in a sample holder having several wells, a robot manipulator arranged above the working plate, which carries a horizontal support arm with a slide. A needle system is fastened to the slide and can move in the Z direction, carrying 3 needles and being brought into vertical positions by a first vertical drive. The needle tips can be placed in an upper position above and in a lower position below a well. The middle needle can move vertically relative to the other two needles, which can be raised and lowered by a second vertical drive. The horizontal spacing of the three needles is so small that all three needles can be positioned with their tips inside the same wells.

Abstract: A reaction bottle which includes a container, container top, container interior a bottle cap removeably attachable to the container top, the bottle cap having a cap top and a cap cavity; a septa attached to the bottle cap and configured to releasably seal the container when the bottle cap is attached to the container top; a needle holder attached to the cap top; a hollow needle attached to the needle holder and located in the cap cavity; a needle conduit in fluid communication with the hollow needle; wherein the septa is configured to deform from an at rest state into a punctured state when pressure within the container interior reaches a first threshold value and the septa deforms into the cavity and is punctured by the hollow needle.

Abstract: A bottle top dispenser for handling liquids having a piston-cylinder arrangement in an outside housing. At least one actuating button (49) that can be pressed downwards is arranged on the upper side of the outside housing. The outside housing (2) can be provided with ventilation openings (48) that can be hidden beneath the actuating button (49). The bottle arrangement is also characterized by a specific arrangement of a sensor system (65) in relation to a measuring strip (64) on a piston rod (28). The path measuring signal can be evaluated by means of a magnetoresistive sensor system, especially such a system based on the AMR effect. The arrangement of the measuring strip (64) in relation to the longitudinal central axis of the piston rod (28) is of considerable importance.

Abstract: Invention methods employ the use of acoustic waves to transfer small amounts of fluid in a non-contact manner. In invention methods, acoustic waves are propagated through a separated pool of a source fluid in such a manner that causes the ejection of a single micro-droplet from the surface of the pool. The droplet is ejected towards a target with sufficient force to provide for contact of the droplet with the target. Because the fluid is not contacted by any fluid transfer device such as a pipette, the opportunities for contamination are minimized. Invention methods may be employed to transfer fluids from an array of source sites to an array of target sites, thereby enabling the precision automation of a wide variety of procedures including screening, and synthesis procedures commonly used in biotechnology.

Abstract: Provided is a method and apparatus for attaching a fluid cell to a planar substrate. The planar substrate may have on it sensors or devices for detecting components within the fluid, and/or be treated to selectively bind or react with components within the fluid. Substrates might include solid-state IC integrated circuit sensor microchips, glass slides, genomic and proteomic arrays, and or other suitable substrates that can make conformal contact with the fluid cell. The fluid cell can be mounted directly on top of the substrate to easily create a fluidic system in a wide variety of implementations. The assembly does not require modification of the substrate; all the fluidic connections are inherent in the apparatus. The present device can be made using low-cost materials and simple methods.

Abstract: A reagent management system for an automated biological reaction apparatus including an automated biological reaction apparatus including at least one reagent dispenser for applying a reagent to a sample, a memory device containing data for a reagent device selected from the group consisting of a reagent dispenser or a reagent kit used in the automated biological reaction apparatus, a host device comprising a processor and a host device memory connected to the processor, the host memory device including a reagent table, and a scanner for transferring the memory device data to the host device memory.

Abstract: A microreactor capable of reaction between a sample and a mixed reagent containing a mixture of multiple reagents, which microreactor avoids the interposition of air between driving solution and reagents and realizes high-precision controlling of the timing of mixing of reagents and other liquids, the mixing ratio of liquids, the pressure for liquid feeding, etc. Further, there is provided a method of liquid feeding making use of the same. Accordingly, a flow path branched at the position of an inlet from a flow path through which an opening communicating with an external pump communicates with the inlet is provided with an air evacuation flow path with its terminal open outward. Further, the flow path resistance of the air evacuation flow path for a liquid is made greater than the flow path resistance, for the liquid, of a flow channel from the reagent storage chamber to a reagent feed-out flow path.

Abstract: A plunger stroke pipette for replaceable pipette points with a seat for the detachable mounting of a pipette point, a plunger, a cylinder in which the plunger is movably arranged, a connection channel connecting the cylinder with an opening in the seat, a driving equipment, coupled to the plunger for displacing the plunger in the cylinder, an upper stopper and a lower stopper and at least one counter-stopper of the driving equipment and/or the plunger for limiting the stroke of the plunger, a holder, holding the lower stopper, an overstroke spring between the upper stopper and the holder, an adjustment equipment for adjusting the position of the holder with respect to the cylinder, and an indicating equipment for indicating the position of the holder.

Abstract: The present invention discloses micro-stamp array supported on a substrate comprising a plurality of micro-stamp sticks. Each of the micro-stamp sticks includes a micro-stamp-stick head having a channel opened through a central portion in each of the micro-stamp sticks. Each of the micro-stamp-stick heads is attached to a tapered guide tube surrounded by tapered guide-tube walls wherein the tapered guide tube is in hydraulic communication with the micro-stamp-head channel. The micro-stamp array further includes a filler chip that includes a filler reservoirs disposing on top of the tapered guide tubes, each of the filler reservoirs having a refill channel opened to the tapered guide tube for refilling the tapered guide tube and the channels.

Abstract: A biological material fixed region enclosing tip, a biological material fixed region treatment apparatus, and a treatment method thereof. An object is to enable processing to be performed while a fixing region is enclosed in an immovable state with respect to the tip form vessel, and to execute processing of high reliability with a simple apparatus.

Abstract: A capture and purification apparatus is configured as a stand-alone apparatus or as part of a larger system. The capture and purification apparatus can be configured as a microfluidic cartridge that includes microfluidic circuitry and individually controlled valves. The microfluidic cartridge can be configured to function independently, or can be configured to be coupled to a separate instrument that provides the actuation to perform the capture and purification process. The capture and purification apparatus is configured as a volume-driven system that applies single-direction valves, a single fluid driving device, and fluid lines to control and discretely direct fluid flow within a full-loaded fluidic system. Such control enables various fluid sample processing techniques to be performed including, but not limited to, lysis, thermal cycling, and/or target analyte capture and purification, for example using a combination of ion-exchange chromatography and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC).

Abstract: An automated analyzer includes pipetting means for discharging a sample and reagent into an empty reaction vessel without causing contact to occur between the leading end of a sample probe and the bottom of the reaction vessel. The sample probe is inserted into the reaction vessel and then stopped when a bottom end of an outer pipe of the sample probe comes in contact with the top edge of the reaction vessel to maintain a fixed gap between the leading end of an inner pipe of the sample probe and the bottom of the reaction vessel. Further, an insulating material is disposed between the inner and outer pipes of the sample probe.

Abstract: A hand-held, multi-channel pipettor has an electronically controlled motor to reposition pipette tips for different center to center spacing. Each repositionable tip fitting assembly has a cam following pin that is driven by cam tracks in a motor driven roller drum. Stationary ports for the multiple aspiration cylinders are strategically placed to simplify management of flexible tubes leading to the repositionable pipette tip fitting assemblies. The pipettor has a user interface that can be operated conveniently by one hand to reposition pipette tips. It has a pipette tip ejection mechanism with a sinusoidal stripper bar.

Abstract: The present inventions provides an apparatus and method for the parallel loading of multiple samples in a microarray containing a plurality of sub-arrays. The method makes use of a microarray containing multiple sub-arrays, a loading channel array, and a fluid handling robot or an assembly robot or machine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a kind of volumetric pipet. It includes an outer casing. At the lower part of the outer casing, there is a fetching mouth which is detachably mounted to a liquid container. At the top of the outer casing, there is a detachably sealed top cover. Inside the outer casing, there is a hollow core with a top opening. There is an inlet mouth on the side wall of the core that corresponds to the fetching mouth. The internal wall of the outer casing can slide against the external wall of the core. The core's rotating or sliding along its longitudinal orientation makes the fetching mouth and the inlet mouth correspond or stagger. This invention provides an easy-to-operate, precise rationing, quick and sanitary volumetric pipet.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel system for efficiently and accurately analyzing targets in samples and for preparing samples for analysis with various analytical methods. A version of the present invention comprises a multi-function probe, configured for pipetting liquids directly, with a pipet tip, or with an assay unit described herein. Another version of the present invention includes an apparatus for conducting an immunoassay or selective adsorption separation comprising an assay unit and a multi-function probe. Another version of the present invention includes a multi-function probe and assay unit for use with an automated Cartesian robot. Other versions include one- or two-dimensional arrays comprising multi-function probes connected to syringe barrels for use with assay units.

Abstract: Devices with lateral flow elements and integral fluidics are disclosed. The integral fluidics consist of injector pumps comprised of fluidic elements under instrument control. The fluidic element of an injector pump is fluidically connected to lateral flow elements and can be used to control fluid entry into containment chambers referred to as micro-reactors. The lateral flow elements comprise conductor elements that can be used for sample application and transport of analyte contained in the sample to the micro-reactor. Fluidic transport through the fluidic element of the injector pump is under instrument-control. Both the lateral flow element and the fluidic element may contain chemical entities incorporated along their length. The chemical reactions that can be used for analyte detection using the devices are described. Also described are methods of manufacture of these devices.

Abstract: A centrifugal microfluidic device includes a substrate configured for rotation about an axis, the substrate having a start chamber disposed therein, the start chamber configured to hold a liquid. The device includes an output chamber disposed in the substrate and located radially outward of the start chamber. A fluid transfer channel connects the start chamber to the output chamber. A ventilation channel connects the output chamber to the start chamber, the ventilation channel connecting at one end to a radially inward portion of the start chamber and at an opposing end to a junction point on the output chamber. A vent hole is provided in the substrate that is operatively connected to the output chamber. The location of the junction between the ventilation channel and the output chamber is located radially outward with respect to the level of fluid in the start chamber so as to prevent cross-contamination.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed wherein the flow resistance of a droplet disposed on a nanostructured or microstructured surface is controlled. A closed-cell feature is used in a way such that, when the pressure of at least a first fluid within one or more of the cells of said surface is decreased to or below a desired level, a droplet disposed on that surface is caused to at least partially penetrate the surface. In another illustrative embodiment, the pressure within one or more of the cells is increased to or above a desired level in a way such that the droplet of liquid is returned at least partially to its original, unpenetrated position. In yet another embodiment, a closed-cell structure feature pattern is used to prevent penetration of the nanostructured or microstructured surface, even when the pressure of the fluid disposed on the surface is relatively high.