87 results about "Microfluidic Analysis" patented technology

Methods and apparatus for implementing microfluidic analysis devices are provided. A monolithic elastomer membrane associated with an integrated pneumatic manifold allows the placement and actuation of a variety of fluid control structures, such as structures for pumping, isolating, mixing, routing, merging, splitting, preparing, and storing volumes of fluid. The fluid control structures can be used to implement a variety of sample introduction, preparation, processing, and storage techniques.

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for storing a particle-containing liquid. The storage apparatus comprises a microfluidic convoluted flow channel having a plurality of article capture regions. The storage channel is preferably an isotropic spatially periodic channel. Sedimented particles can be resuspended following storage. This invention further provides a microfluidic analysis cartridge having a convoluted storage channel therein. The sample analysis can use optical, electrical, pressure sensitive, or flow sensitive detection. A plurality of analysis channels can be included in a single cartridge. The analysis channels can be joined to reagent inlets for diluents, indicators or lysing agents. A mixing channel can be positioned between the reagent inlet and the analysis region to allow mixing and reaction of the reagent. The cartridge can include additional valves and pumps for flow management. The analysis cartridge can be a self-contained disposable cartridge having an integral waste storage container. This invention further provides a sheath flow assembly. The sheath flow assembly includes a sample channel and first and second sheath fluid channels positioned on either side of and converging with the sample channel. The assembly also includes upper and lower sheath fluid chambers positioned above and below and converging with the sample channel. The flow cartridges of this invention can be formed by molding, machining or etching. In a preferred embodiment they are laminated. This invention further provides a method of fabricating a laminated microfluidic flow device. In the method, flow elements are formed in rigid sheets and abutting surfaces of the sheets are bonded together.

Methods and apparatus for implementing microfluidic analysis devices are provided. A monolithic elastomer membrane associated with an integrated pneumatic manifold allows the placement and actuation of dense arrays of a variety of fluid control structures, such as structures for isolating, routing, merging, splitting, and storing volumes of fluid. The fluid control structures can be used to implement a pathogen detection and analysis system including integrated immunoaffinity capture and analysis, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and capillary electrophoresis (CE) analysis. An analyte solution can be input into the device and pumped through a series of immunoaffinity capture matrices in microfabricated chambers having antibodies targeted to the various classes of microbiological organisms such as bacteria, viruses and bacterial spores. The immunoaffinity chambers can capture, purify, and concentrate the target for further analysis steps.

Portable systems for processing and analyzing biological or environmental samples as well as different configurations of chip-based flow cytometers are provided. The portable systems include an automated assay preparation module configured to process a sample into a fluid assay with fluorescently tagged particles and a microfluidic analysis module coupled to the fluid assay module, wherein the microfluidic analysis module includes a chip-based flow cytometer.

A thermal cycling device (3) device a number of fixed thermal zones (11, 12, 13) and a fixed conduit (10) passing through the thermal zones. A controller maintains each thermal zone including its section of conduit (10) at a constant temperature. A series of droplets flows through the conduit (10) so that each droplet is thermally cycled, and a detection system detects fluorescence from droplets at all of the thermal cycles. The conduit is in a single plane, and so a number of thermal cycling devices may be arranged together to achieve parallelism. The flow conduit comprises a channel (17) and a capillary tube (10) inserted into the channel. The detection system may perform scans along a direction to detect radiation from a plurality of cycles in a pass.

A microfluidic analysis system (1) performs polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis on a bio sample. In a centrifuge (6) the sample is separated into DNA and RNA constituents. The vortex is created by opposing flow of a silicon oil primary carrier fluid effecting circulation by viscous drag. The bio sample exits the centrifuge enveloped in the primary carrier fluid. This is pumped by a flow controller (7) to a thermal stage (9). The thermal stage (9) has a number of microfluidic devices (70) each having thermal zones (71, 72, 73) in which the bio sample is heated or cooled by heat conduction to / from a thermal carrier fluid and the primary carrier fluid. Thus, the carrier fluids envelope the sample, control its flowrate, and control its temperature without need for moving parts at the micro scale.

The present invention provides an on-chip packed reactor bed design that allows for an effective exchange of packing materials such as beads at a miniaturized level. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method of concentrating an analyte within a microfluidic analysis system, comprising the steps of: a) providing a main channel having a trapping zone suitable for trapping packing material; b) providing a slurry of a reagent treated packing material prepared in a solution having a predetermined composition of a solvent; c) inducing a flow of said packing material into said trapping zone through a flow channel connected to said trapping zone so as to load said trapping zone and form a packed bed of said packing material; d) and flowing a sample containing analytes through said packed bed, said reagent acting to concentrate at least some of said analytes within said trapping zone. The present invention extends the function of microfluidic analysis systems to new applications including on-chip solid phase extraction (SPE) and on-chip capillary electrochromatography (CEC). The design can be further extended to include integrated packed bed immuno- or enzyme reactors.

The present invention provides an on-chip packed reactor bed design that allows for an effective exchange of packing materials such as beads at a miniaturized level. The present invention extends the function of microfluidic analysis systems to new applications including on-chip solid phase extraction (SPE) and on-chip capillary electrochromatography (CEC). The design can be further extended to include integrated packed bed immuno- or enzyme reactors.

The present invention provides an on-chip packed reactor bed design that allows for an effective exchange of packing materials such as beads at a miniaturized level. The present invention extends the function of microfluidic analysis systems to new applications including on-chip solid phase extraction (SPE) and on-chip capillary electrochromatography (CEC). The design can be further extended to include integrated packed bed immuno- or enzyme reactors. The system comprises two weirs (6, 7) in a channel to trap packing material (12). The packing material might be introduced through a side channel to the chamber formed between the two weirs (6, 7). A plug is positioned in the side channel to close it.

A fluid analyzing system wherein an electronic control module is coupled with an asset and a telematics device. The electronic control module initiates the acquisition of a sample of an asset's fluid and analyzes the sample in response to an analysis trigger. An asset management system located remotely from the asset and telematics device receives the results of the fluid analysis wirelessly via the telematics device.

An on-chip packed reactor bed design is disclosed that allows for an effective exchange of packing materials such as beads at a miniaturized level. Also disclosed is a method of treating a sample within a microfluidic analysis system, comprising: providing a main channel having a trapping zone; providing a slurry of a reagent treated packing material; inducing a flow of said packing material into said trapping zone through a flow channel connected to said trapping zone to load said trapping zone and form a packed bed of said packing material; and flowing a sample containing analytes through said packed bed, said reagent treating the sample. The present invention extends the function of microfluidic analysis systems to new applications including on-chip solid phase extraction (SPE) and on-chip capillary electrochromatography (CEC). The design can be further extended to include integrated packed bed immuno- or enzyme reactors.

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for storing a particle-containing liquid. The storage apparatus comprises a microfluidic convoluted flow channel having a plurality of particle capture regions. The storage channel is preferably an isotropic spatially periodic channel. Sedimented particles can be resuspended following storage. This invention further provides a microfluidic analysis cartridge having a convoluted storage channel therein. The sample analysis can use optical, electrical, pressure sensitive, or flow sensitive detection. A plurality of analysis channels can be included in a single cartridge. The analysis channels can be joined to reagent inlets for diluents, indicators or lysing agents. A mixing channel can be positioned between the reagent inlet and the analysis region to allow mixing and reaction of the reagent. The cartridge can include additional valves and pumps for flow management. The analysis cartridge can be a self-contained disposable cartridge having an integral waste storage container. This invention further provides a sheath flow assembly. The sheath flow assembly includes a sample channel and first and second sheath fluid channels positioned on either side of and converging with the sample channel. The assembly also includes upper and lower sheath fluid chambers positioned above and below and converging with the sample channel. The flow cartridges of this invention can be formed by molding, machining or etching. In a preferred embodiment they are laminated. This invention further provides a method of fabricating a laminated microfluidic flow device. In the method, flow elements are formed in rigid sheets and abutting surfaces of the sheets are bonded together.

Methods are presented for realizing zero-dispersion segmented flow for transfer of small microfluidic samples onto or within microfluidic analysis or processing devices. Where fluidic systems are in whole or in part made of materials favorable to the zero-dispersion conditions for an indicated solvent / carrier fluid system, the system may be covalently coated to impart the necessary surface properties. This invention is demonstrated in an embodiment where 1 microliter samples (6) are robotically prepared and transferred through 3 meters of capillary tubing (4) to a microcoil NMR probe.

The present invention provides an integrated microfluidic analysis system. The system contains at least a first (pre-reaction treatment) domain for treating a sample prior to subjecting the sample to a chemical reaction. The following domains are optionally added to the first domain: a second (reaction) domain for reacting the chemical of interest in the sample; and a third (post-reaction separation) domain for separating products and reactants coming out of the reaction domain. The integrated microfluidic analysis system of the present invention is most applicable to PCR analysis.

The invention discloses a paper-based microfluidic chip. The paper-based microfluidic chip comprises a paper-based chip and a paper-based substrate, wherein the paper-based chip is provided with a microfluidic channel, the paper-based substrate is correspondingly adhered to the bottom of the paper-based chip, and the paper-based chip and the paper-based substrate are respectively subjected to cross-linking and solidifying treatment through liquid glue. The invention also discloses a three-dimensional paper-based microfluidic chip which is formed by stretching or folding the paper-based microfluidic chip. The paper-based microfluidic chip disclosed by the invention has the advantages of low cost, easiness in preparation, controllable liquid flow and the like, and is applicable to microfluidic analysis experiments.

The present invention provides an on-chip packed reactor bed design that allows for an effective exchange of packing materials such as beads at a miniaturized level. The present invention extends the function of microfluidic analysis systems to new applications including on-chip solid phase extraction (SPE) and on-chip capillary electrochromatography (CEC). The design can be further extended to include integrated packed bed immuno- or enzyme reactors.

A fluid analyzing system wherein an electronic control module is coupled with an asset and a telematics device. The electronic control module initiates the acquisition of a sample of an asset's fluid and analyzes the sample in response to an analysis trigger. An asset management system located remotely from the asset and telematics device receives the results of the fluid analysis wirelessly via the telematics device.

The application relates to a microfluidic chip and an analysis system. The microfluidic chip comprises a chip matrix, a sample adding chamber, an air outlet, a sample enrichment and pyrolysis chamber,a first waste liquid chamber, a dilution chamber, a capillary valve, a second waste liquid chamber, a sample adding chamber circulation pipeline, a pyrolysis chamber circulation pipeline, an air circulation pipeline, a sample output pipeline, a reagent distribution pipeline and a plurality of PCR amplification chambers; the sample output pipeline is provided with a phase change valve and besidesthe chip matrix is provided with an encapsulation hole communicating with the phase change valve; and positioning areas are arranged in the chip matrix. The microfluidic chip is suitable for centrifugal microfluidic analysis and can realize a molecular diagnostic function of nucleic acid-free purification, the phase change valve can be conveniently placed in the sample output pipeline through theencapsulation hole to control entering of samples in the sample enrichment and pyrolysis chamber into the dilution chamber under certain conditions, a design of the positioning areas is convenient forconveniently and quickly positioning and fixing the microfluidic chip, the microfluidic chip is applied to a centrifugal microfluidic technology to realize a molecular diagnosis based on PCR amplification, and a whole reaction process is in a closed microfluidic chip structure.

Methods are presented for realizing zero-dispersion segmented flow for transfer of small microfluidic samples onto or within microfluidic analysis or processing devices. Where fluidic systems are in whole or in part made of materials favorable to the zero-dispersion conditions for an indicated solvent / carrier fluid system, the system may be covalently coated to impart the necessary surface properties. This invention is demonstrated in an embodiment where 1 microliter samples (6) are robotically prepared and transferred through 3 meters of capillary tubing (4) to a microcoil NMR probe.

A microfluidic analysis system with a flow channel block, possessing at least one recessed channel, clamped to a sensor surface, such as a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor. Flatness and hardness lead to a liquid leak-proof seal. Surface tension forces prevent liquid from leaking between the flow cell block and sensor surfaces. The fluid channels formed are reversible upon removal of the clamping pressure.

Provided are methods of controlling a fluid flow in a microfluidic device and a microfluidic analysis apparatus. According to the method, an inclination of the microfluidic device with respect to a horizontal direction can be adjusted to simply and accurately control a fluid flow in the microfluidic device. Thus, a fluid conveyance can be completely controlled, and an inspection can be performed using only a small amount of sample. In addition, the method of controlling the fluid flow in the microfluidic device can be manually performed by a user. Thus, since a power is not required, the method of controlling the fluid flow in the microfluidic device can be economical and simple. The microfluidic analysis apparatus includes an inclination operation unit for causing an inclination change of a receiving part of the microfluidic device with respect to a horizontal plane and an inclination control part for controlling an operation of the inclination operation unit to simply and accurately control the fluid flow, thereby to accurately analyze the fluid.

Provided are a microfluidic device and a microfluidic analysis equipment. The microfluidic device includes guides disposed along both edges, a lower plate including a flow path defined between the guides, and a movable upper plate moved along the guides on the lower plate and having a length less than that the flow path. A fluid flow can be simply accurately controlled by adjusting a position of the movable upper plate. As a result, the fluid can sufficiently react in the detection part and the reaction part. Therefore, effective reaction and detection can be realized using only a small amount of fluid, thereby improving sensitivity. In addition, due to the improved sensitivity, a washing process for removing materials that are not consumed in the reaction can be omitted. Also, the movable upper plate can be manually moved using a user's finger.

The present invention is a flow cell and method for use in microfluidic analyses that presents highly discrete and small volumes of fluid to isolated locations on a two-dimensional surface contained within an open fluidic chamber defined by the flow cell that has physical dimensions such that laminar style flow occurs for fluids flowing through the chamber. This process of location specific fluid addressing within the flow cell is facilitated by combining components of hydrodynamic focusing with site specific cell evacuation. The process does not require the use of physical barriers within the flow cell or mechanical valves to control the paths of fluid movement.

A microfluidic analysis system (100, 500) for optically analyzing a substance includes a light source (225) having a plurality of selectable single-wavelength light sources (225), a substance presentation member optically coupled to the light source (225), and an optical detection system associated with the substance presentation member.

The invention provides a fully integrated multichannel multifunction microfluidics analysis experiment system which comprises a centralized and distributed computer control system, an air pressure preparation and adjusting module, a multichannel gas circuit control module, an integrated rapid liquid loading and propulsion control module, an image acquisition and analysis module, a magnetic needletype magnetic beads separation module and a high-accuracy three-dimensional motion platform and is characterized in that the integrated rapid liquid loading and propulsion control module comprises a plurality of gas circuit channels and a plurality of liquid medicine storage pipes, and the gas circuit channels are connected with the liquid medicine storage pipes in a one-to-one correspondence manner; the liquid medicine storage pipes and the corresponding gas circuit channels are integrated into one. The system is in a full computer control type and is efficient, reliable, novel and advanced,so that the influence of uncertain factors in an experiment process is eliminated, and the accuracy and the success probability of an experiment can be greatly improved, therefore, the system is an important auxiliary tool system for researchers and staffs engaged in the field related to microfluidics.

The invention relates to a microfluidic chip, in particular to a microfluidic chip with symmetrical semi-cylindrical grooves on a side wall, which consists of a substrate (1) and PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane) (2). A plurality of semi-cylindrical grooves (4) are symmetrically arranged on the side wall of a passage (3) of the PDMS (2) along the passage direction. With the adoption of the symmetrical semi-cylindrical grooves embedded on the side wall, the micro-mixing effect is obviously increased. The microfluidic chip with the symmetrical semi-cylindrical grooves on the side wall has the advantages of simple design, good mixing effect and low cost, is applicable to mix the fluid of different diffusion coefficients and has great applicable prospect in scientific research, in particular to microfluidic analysis detection, and the depth and the size of the grooves are controllable. The design concept of the grooves has wide application in the field of chemical engineering.

The invention belongs to the technical field of paper-based microfluidic analysis, and specifically relates to a multi-element paper-based sliding microfluidic chip based on a cerium metal organic framework as well as a preparation method and a detection method thereof. The multi-element paper-based sliding micro-fluidic chip comprises an upper-layer reaction chip and a lower-layer color developing chip which are matched with each other, wherein a base material of the chips is porous filter paper, both the upper-layer reaction chip and the lower-layer color developing chip comprise a rectangular main body region and a side edge folding wing, and the main body region is divided into a hydrophilic region and a hydrophobic region; and the hydrophilic region comprises a reaction region and a color developing region, the reaction region modifies oxidase corresponding to a detection substance, and the color developing region anchors and assembles Ce-MOF nanoparticles for developing and filtering protein. The paper-based sliding chip is used for developing the color of hydrogen peroxide generated by the corresponding upper-layer reaction chip through the lower-layer color developing chip,a detection result is presented on the chip without expensive instruments and complex data processing processes, so that the multi-element paper-based sliding microfluidic chip is easy to operate, low in cost and wide in application range.

The invention discloses an ultrasonic surface standing wave microfluidic chip for micro-particle separation and application, belongs to the technical field of microfluidic analysis, and aims at the problems in the prior art that when a microfluidic chip is used for separating micro-particles, parameter design of the ultrasonic surface standing wave action area is judged only according to experience, particle separation efficiency is low and a large amount of time and cost are wasted. The invention provides a method for separating micro-particles based on an ultrasonic surface standing wave microfluidic chip. The method comprises the steps: determining the size of the sectional area of an internal channel of a microfluidic cavity of the microfluidic chip, the length of an ultrasonic standing wave action area, the inclination angle of the interdigital transducer, the phase change rate of the interdigital transducer, the aperture size of the interdigital transducer, the liquid flow rate during working and the input voltage, and carrying out particle separation. During micro-particle separation, chip design mainly relates to an ultrasonic surface standing wave action area, other areasand focusing methods are not limited, particle separation operation steps and device preparation difficulty are reduced, and particle separation efficiency is improved.

Rapid and specific detection of biological cells and biomolecules is important to biological assays across diverse fields including genomics, proteomics, diagnoses, and pathological studies. Microarrays and microfluidics increasingly dominate such detection techniques due to the ability to perform significant numbers of tests with limited sample volumes. A snap chip assembly is provided for the transfer of a microarray of reagents within semi-spherical liquid droplets on a transfer chip to a target assay microarray on an assay chip following assembly of the two chips and physical contact of the droplets with the target array. Reagents in nanoliter quantities are spotted on both chips and selectively transferred as liquid droplets between transfer chip and assay chip within the contact areas. Using the snap chip structure the inventors performed immunoassays with colocalization of capture and detection antibodies with 10 targets and bead-in-gel droplet microarrays with 9 targets in the low pg / ml regime.