H-type filter device for analysing a component

A flow apparatus for measuring at least one biophysical property of one or more components, the apparatus comprising:

• one or more microfluidic devices, each device comprising:
• a sample fluid channel having a sample inlet port for introducing a sample fluid flow comprising the one or more components at a first flow rate into an elongate distribution channel,
• a system fluid channel having a system inlet port for introducing a system fluid flow at a second flow rate into the elongate distribution channel,
• wherein the distribution channel is configured to enable a lateral distribution of the components from the sample fluid flow into the system fluid flow;
• wherein the sample fluid channel and the system fluid channel are provided with a hydrophilic coating to ensure that the surfaces of the sample and system fluid channels are wetted, such that no bubbles are entrained during the loading of the sample fluid into the sample fluid channel and during the loading of the system fluid into the system fluid channel;
• two or more capillary channels provided downstream and in fluid communication with the distribution channel,
• at least one outlet port provided downstream of each of the capillary channels;
• wherein each device further comprises an expansion feature, wherein the expansion feature is positioned between the sample fluid channel and the sample inlet port or between one of the two or more capillary channels and one outlet port of the at least one outlet port provided downstream thereof, whereby the expansion feature comprises a tapered section adjacent to the corresponding channel and a curved section adjacent to the corresponding port, and
• wherein the curved section of the expansion feature has a radius of between 0.05 mm and 0.4 mm;
• a switchable pressure source configured to control the flow of the fluids through the channels;
• and
• a detector configured to detect and measure the at least one biophysical property of the one or more components sequentially or simultaneously in each of the capillary channels and/or the at least one outlet port on the microfluidic device.