Patent ID: 7618590

Claim:
An apparatus for delivering a fluid to a portion of a microfluidic device defining a fluid well, said apparatus comprising: (a) a chuck for restraining said microfluidic device; (b) a probe holder comprising a fluid delivery tube support moveable relative to said chuck; (c) a fluid delivery tube secured to said fluid delivery tube support and having an end portion movable relative to and co-locatable with said fluid well; (d) a reservoir for fluid to be delivered to said fluid well, said reservoir connected for fluid flow to said fluid delivery tube; (e) an optical device having an optical path arranged to enable viewing of a portion of said microfluidic device proximate said fluid well when said end portion of said fluid delivery tube is co-located with said fluid well to facilitate visual observation of said end portion of said fluid delivery tube during movement relative to said fluid well; (f) an electrode arranged to contact a fluid in said fluid delivery tube, energizing said electrode causing liberation of a gas entrained in said fluid; and (g) a vent in a wall of said fluid delivery tube to enable said liberated gas to escape from said fluid delivery tube while retaining a liquid portion of said fluid in said fluid delivery tube.