Patent ID: 8329118

Claim:
A method for controlling the flow of fluid through a microfluidic cartridge, wherein the microfluidic cartridge includes two or more flow channels, wherein the two or more flow channels are fluidly connected at an intersection region, which is fluidly connected to a downstream flow channel, the method comprising the steps of: causing flow of a first fluid in a first flow channel by applying a pressure to the first fluid from a first volume driven pressure source; slowing or stopping the flow of the first fluid in the first flow channel when the first fluid reaches a predetermined location relative to the intersection region by reducing or eliminating the pressure applied from the first volume driven pressure source; after the flow of the first fluid is slowed or stopped, causing a second fluid in the second flow channel to pass through the intersection region by applying a pressure to the second fluid from a second pressure source; and with the second fluid passing through the intersection region, causing the flow of the first fluid in the first flow channel to flow through the intersection region by increasing the pressure from the first volume driven pressure source.