Patent ID: 7867776

Claim:
A method for simultaneously preparing a plurality of separation networks in a microfluidic device for a separation, each separation network being externally and fluidly accessible through a priming reservoir and a sample reservoir, comprising the steps of: (a) dispensing a separation medium into one or more of the priming reservoirs fluidly connected to the plurality of the separation networks; (b) sealing a priming block against the one or more priming reservoirs; (c) driving separation medium from the one or more priming reservoirs into the plurality of separation networks with the priming block to simultaneously fill the separation networks with the separation medium; (d) transferring a plurality of samples from a sample array to the sample reservoirs in fluid connection with the plurality of filled separation networks, thereby preparing the plurality of separation networks contained in the microfluidic device for a separation; and (e) after performing steps (a) through (d), transferring the microfluidic device to an analyzer for separation and analysis of the prepared separation networks.