Patent ID: 7024281

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for selectively contacting microfluidic devices and arrayed materials, the method comprising: (a) providing a microfluidic device handling system operably connected to at least one computer, wherein the microfluidic device handling system is capable of implementing relative movement under instruction of the computer of one or more of at least one microfluidic device having n capillary elements extending therefrom, at least one array of materials having x material sites, and at least one container; (b) inputting one or more initial parameters for the at least one microfluidic device and the at least one array into the at least one computer, the at least one computer comprising at least one simple logic control program for selectively contacting at least one capillary element and material at at least one selected material site disposed in or on a surface of the at least one array; and, (c) implementing the at least one simple logic control program to effect: (i) moving the at least one microfluidic device relative to the at least one array, the at least one array relative to the at least one microfluidic device, or both, according to the one or more initial parameters, and (ii) contacting the at least one capillary element and the material at the at least one selected material site; wherein the at least one simple logic control program optimizes a course for selectively contacting the at least one capillary element and the material at the at least one selected material site.