Abstract:
In the case of passing a reagent in a reaction channel in a microchip, which carries a reactant capable of reacting with the reagent on the wall thereof, and bringing the reactant into contact with the reagent so as to carry out a reaction, the reagent is efficiently passed to the reactant to thereby promote the progress of the reaction. In carrying out the reaction as described above, the reagent (30a) is passed in such a manner that the periphery of the gas/liquid interface at the front end of the reagent moves forward and backward along the wall face of the reaction channel (10). After the completion of the reaction between the reagent (30a) and the reactant, another reagent (30b), which is to be reacted with the reactant capable of reacting with the reagent that is carried on the reaction channel, is passed into the reaction channel (10) while providing a gas in the front edge side thereof. In carrying out the reaction, the reagent (30b) is passed in such manner that the periphery of the gas/liquid interface at the front end of the reagent moves forward and backward along the wall face of the reaction channel (10).
Abstract:
Methods for fabricating microfluidics devices, microfluidics cell-culture device and systems having a substrate, a microchannel through which liquid can be moved from one station to another within the device, the fabrication methods using semi-rigid materials during molding that are incorporated into the final device.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a loading element for reversibly coupling a microfluidic or nanofluidic cartridge to a processing apparatus wherein the loading element comprises: (a) a first connector part comprising a first set of air inlet ports and a first set of air outlet ports; (b) a second connector part comprising a second set of air inlet ports and a second set of air outlet ports; and (c) a guide part configured to guide the cartridge into reversible coupling with the loading element.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a spotter device and methods for the formation of microassays, biochips, biosensors, and cell cultures. The spotter may be used to deposit highly concentrated spots of protein or other materials on a microarray a slide, wafer, or other substrate. The spotter uses microfluidic conduits and orifices to deposit proteins, other biomolecules, or chemicals on a spot on a substrate. Each orifice is part of a fluid pathways that includes an inlet and outlet conduit. When the spotter contacts a substrate a seal is formed between the orifices and the substrate.
Abstract:
For heating or cooling a sample contained in a vessel portion through a heat transfer member held in contact with the vessel portion, there is used the vessel portion, which has a part formed of an elastic member, expands and contracts for injection and discharge of the sample, is closed other than a connecting port with a channel connected to the vessel, and expands and contracts for injection and discharge of the sample. The vessel portion expands correspondingly to the injection when the sample is injected through an inflow path serving as the channel into the vessel portion contracting in a non-contacting state with the heat transfer member. A predetermined amount of sample is injected into the vessel portion so as to expand the vessel portion, and the vessel portion comes into contact with the heat transfer member. The vessel portion is heated or cooled through the heat transfer member.
Abstract:
Provided are a cell chip and a system thereof that are capable of detecting optimal conditions for stem cell differentiation by mechanical stimuli. The cell chip for cell differentiation experimentation includes a plurality of cell chambers for storing cells and culture media, cell and culture medium injection ports for transferring the cells and culture media to corresponding cell chambers, fine passages for moving the cells and the culture media injected into the cell and culture medium injection ports to the cell chambers, pneumatic injection ports for injecting pneumatic pressures applied to the cell chambers, and apertures having circular films for transferring the pneumatic pressures injected through the pneumatic injection ports to corresponding cell chambers. Here, at least two of the apertures may have different areas to vary the magnitude of pneumatic pressure applied to corresponding cell chambers.
Abstract:
This invention relates to microfluidic systems and more particularly to methods and apparatus for accessing the contents of micro droplets (114) in an emulsion stream. A method of accessing the contents of a droplet (114) of an emulsion in a microfluidic system, the method comprising: flowing the emulsion alongside a continuous, non-emulsive stream of second fluid (118) to provide an interface (120) between said emulsion and said stream of second fluid (118); and in embodiments applying one or both of an electric (112a, 112b) and magnetic field across said interface (120) to alter a trajectory of a said droplet (114) of said emulsion to cause said droplet to coalesce with said stream of second fluid (118); and accessing said contents of said droplet (114) in said second stream (118).
Abstract:
Embodiments of fluid distribution manifolds, cartridges, and microfluidic systems are described herein. Fluid distribution manifolds may include an insert member and a manifold base and may define a substantially closed channel within the manifold when the insert member is press-fit into the base. Cartridges described herein may allow for simultaneous electrical and fluidic interconnection with an electrical multiplex board and may be held in place using magnetic attraction.
Abstract:
A method for determining one or more kinetic parameters of binding between a first binding member and a second binding member. The method comprises adsorbing the first binding member to a surface at a plurality of microspots. The second binding member is then presented to the first binding member at each of the microspots, there being a plurality of combinations of first binding member surface density and second binding member concentration among the plurality of microspots. Data indicative of a binding reaction between the first of microspots are then obtained and analyzed so as to obtain one or more kinetic parameters of the binding between the first and second binding members. The invention also provides a system for carrying out the method. A method for localizing a molecular species at microspots on a surface, and a probe array produced by the method are also provided.
Abstract:
At least one exemplary embodiment of the invention is directed to a molecular diagnostic device that comprises a cartridge configured to eject samples comprising genomic material into a microfluidic chip that comprises an amplification area, a detection area, and a matrix analysis area.