Patent ID: 8337777

Claim:
A device for distribution of a biological sample, the device comprising: a substrate comprising a base, an additional layer and a membrane layer, the substrate defining at least one sample chamber and at least one sample channel, the at least one sample chamber and the at least one sample channel being in flow communication to flow a biological sample therebetween; wherein the membrane layer is disposed between the base and the additional layer; at least one valve mechanism configured to expand from a first position to a second position, the at least one valve mechanism being an expandable material contained in the additional layer; a supply channel configured to receive a substance for expanding the expandable material, the expandable material disposed between the at least one sample channel and the supply channel; wherein, in the first position, the at least one valve mechanism permits flow communication between the at least one sample channel and the at least one sample chamber; and wherein, in the second position, the expandable material exerts a force on the membrane layer to seal the at least one sample channel.