Patent ID: 6190616
Filing Date: 2001-02-20
Classification: B01L,G01N,G02B,Y10T

Abstract:
A capillary switch or valve comprising:a first cylindrical, rotatable ferrule having a first number of fibers in fixed positions therein, at least one of the fibers being a capillary tube, said fibers extending into said first ferrule at a first end of said first ferrule and said fibers terminating in parallel orientation at a second end of said first ferrule;a second cylindrical, rotatable ferrule having a second number of fibers in fixed positions therein, at least one of the fibers being a capillary tube, said fibers extending into said first ferrule at a first end of said second ferrule and said fibers terminating in parallel orientation at a second end of said second ferrule; anda fastener removably coupling the first and second ferrules in a manner bringing the first and second ferrules into end to end abutment with substantially no dead space between said ends such that either ferrule may be rotated in relation to the other wherein a capillary tube in the first ferrule may be selectively moved relative to the second ferrule such that the capillary in the first ferrule may be brought into end to end fluid communication with the capillary in the second ferrule.