Patent ID: 7459129

Claim:
A microfluidic device having a microchannel structure in which there are one or more inlet ports, one or more outlet ports, and a structural unit in communication with at least one of said ports, wherein the structural unit is an inlet port which promotes penetration of liquid from an inlet opening of the inlet port into the microchannel structure, wherein the wettability of inner surfaces of the structural unit is such that capillary force draws liquid into the structural unit and said inlet port comprises: a) a microcavity; b) the inlet opening; c) an inlet microconduit located downstream said microcavity and in communication with the interior of the microchannel structure; and d) one, two or more grooves and/or ridges in the inner wall of the microcavity which grooves and/or ridges are directed towards the connection between the microcavity and the inlet microconduit; wherein said grooves and/or ridges extend across and under the inlet opening.