Patent ID: 8105824

Claim:
A method of operating a carrier for holding a microfluidic device comprising: (a) providing the carrier for holding the microfluidic device, wherein the carrier comprises: a non-elastomeric substrate comprising a plurality of wells, wherein each of the plurality of wells has a well opening with a center point and the plurality of wells is spatially arranged such that the center point to center point spacing is about 4.5 mm; a plurality of channels within the substrate wherein each of the plurality of wells is in fluid communication with at least one of the plurality of channels; and a receiving portion on the non-elastomeric substrate for receiving the microfluidic device and placing the microfluidic device in fluid communication with the plurality of wells, wherein the microfluidic device comprises an elastomeric material; (b) providing the microfluidic device, the microfluidic device comprising a chamber wherein the chamber is coupled to a well through a channel in the substrate; (c) providing a platen with an interface plate comprising one or more ports; (d) introducing a reagent into at least one of the wells; (e) urging the platen against an upper face of the substrate to form a pressure cavity; (f) applying a pressure to at least one of the one or more ports; and (g) driving fluid from the well containing the reagent into the chamber in the microfluidic device.