Patent ID: 7727477
Filing Date: 2010-06-01
Classification: B01L,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for priming a microchannel network in a microfluidics block with liquid, said apparatus comprising: a carrier having at least one reservoir and configured to receive said microfluidics block with said reservoir in fluid communication with said microchannel network; a priming unit configured to enclose said carrier with said microfluidics block received within said carrier and to force liquid from said reservoir into said microchannel network, said priming unit comprising pressure applying means for applying pressure to said reservoir, means for detecting pressure so applied, and a feedback loop providing automated control of said pressure applying means based on pressure so detected to cause said priming unit to pressurize said reservoir at a pressure level and a pressurization time that will cause a selected amount of liquid to pass from said reservoir into said microchannel network.