Patent ID: 8354076

Claim:
A micro-fluidic system comprising: a micro-fluidic merge channel or reservoir for holding fluid, the fluid being an inhomogeneous gas or liquid originating from at least two sources; and a micro-fluidic stirring/agitation mechanism partially integrated with the merge channel or reservoir and having, i) a fiber or rod at least partially situated inside of the merge channel or reservoir, ii) a tube or access channel which is in operative connection with the merge channel or reservoir, wherein a passageway is provided between the merge channel or reservoir and the tube or access channel, the fiber or rod further including a first end and a second end, the first end is passed through the interior of the tube and extends into the merge channel or reservoir, and iii) a stirring actuator, external to the tube, in operative connection with the second end of the fiber or rod, wherein operation of the stirring actuator causes movement of the first end of the fiber or rod in the merge channel or reservoir wherein the at least two sources include at least a first channel or reservoir containing inhomogeneous gas or liquid from the first source and a second channel or reservoir containing inhomogeneous gas or liquid from the second source, each of the first channel or reservoir and the second channel or reservoir in operative connection with the merge channel, and the gas or liquid in the first channel or reservoir and the gas or liquid in the second channel or reservoir are merged together in the merge channel or reservoir.