Patent ID: 6637463
Filing Date: 2003-10-28
Classification: B01F,B01J,B01L,F15C,F28F,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for moving a first fluid through a microfluidic circuit comprising an inlet, an outlet, a plurality of flow paths providing fluid communication between said inlet and said outlet, and a plurality of wells, wherein each flow path passes through and includes one said well, and wherein the resistances of the flow paths to fluid flow are selected to produce flow rates of fluid through the flow paths in substantially fixed ratios with respect to flow rates through other flow paths under wetted fluid circuit conditions, the method comprising:pressurizing the first fluid to induce entry of the first fluid through said inlet, into the flow paths, and into said wells to fill said wells; further pressurizing the first fluid to induce the first fluid to substantially simultaneously commence flowing out of said wells into downstream portions of said flow paths; and continuing to pressurize the first fluid to urge the first fluid to flow through each of the flow paths to move said first fluid through downstream portions of said flow paths, wherein said first fluid flows through said flow paths at relative flow rates defined by the resistances of the flow paths.