Analysis based on flow restriction

A method for detecting the presence or absence of an analyte in a fluid sample, the method comprising the steps of:

• (i) providing a device comprising:
• a solid substrate microfabricated to define:
• a sample inlet port;
• and
• a mesoscale flow system comprising:
• a primary sample flow channel extending from said inlet port;
• and
• a fractal region, in fluid communication with said primary flow channel, comprising bifurcations leading to plural secondary flow channels;
• (ii) passing a fluid sample suspected to contain an analyte through said mesoscale flow system;
• (iii) detecting the restriction or blockage of flow of the fluid sample through said system;
• and
• (iv) correlating the detected restriction or blockage of flow, or lack of said detected restriction or blockage of flow, to the presence or absence of an analyte in said sample.

A method for detecting the presence of an analyte in a fluid sample, the method comprising the steps of:

• (i) providing a device comprising:
• a solid substrate microfabricated to define:
• a sample inlet port;
• and
• a mesoscale flow system comprising:
• a primary sample flow channel extending from said inlet port;
• and
• a fractal region, in fluid communication with said primary flow channel, comprising bifurcations leading to plural secondary flow channels;
• (ii) passing a fluid sample suspected to contain an analyte through said mesoscale flow system;
• (iii) detecting a flow property of the fluid sample in the flow system;
• and
• (iv) correlating the detected flow property of the fluid sample to the presence or absence of an analyte in the sample.