Patent ID: 8567425

Claim:
A method, comprising: providing a device comprising: a first microfluidic branching channel having a cross-sectional dimension of less than 1 mm and containing a first fluid; a second microfluidic branching channel having a cross-sectional dimension of less than 1 mm and containing a second fluid: a main microfluidic channel having a cross-sectional dimension of less than 1 mm and containing a third fluid, wherein the first and second microfluidic branching channels connect at an intersection and are fluidically connected to the main microfluidic channel; and a vent valve positioned between a portion of the first microfluidic branching channel and a portion of the main microfluidic channel; flowing the third fluid without substantially flowing the first or second fluids; actuating the vent valve; causing the first and second fluids to flow into the intersection substantially simultaneously; and mixing at least portions of the first and second fluids to produce a mixed fluid.