Patent ID: 8354080

Claim:
An interface cartridge providing a fluid flow network for delivering fluid to inlet ports of a micro fluidic assay chip having a plurality of micro fluidic channels, each microfluidic channel having an inlet port for delivering fluid to a proximal end of the micro fluidic channel and an outlet port for removing fluid from a terminal end of the microfluidic channel; said interface cartridge comprising: a cartridge body having formed therein a plurality of fluid delivery channels in fluid-communication with a one or more microfluidic channels in the microfluidic assay chip and a delivery interface configured to fluidly couple said fluid delivery channels of said interface cartridge to the microfluidic assay chip, said delivery interface including a plurality of fluid delivery ports, wherein each fluid delivery port is associated with one fluid delivery channel and is configured to deliver fluid from the fluid delivery channel to an inlet port of the one or more micro fluidic channels; wherein each fluid delivery channel comprises: a primary fluid flow channel having a proximal end and a terminal end; a fluid inlet well at the proximal end of said primary fluid flow channel on a first side of said cartridge body; a vent well at the terminal end of said primary fluid flow channel; and a secondary fluid flow channel extending from a portion of the primary fluid flow channel between the proximal and terminal ends and terminating at one of said fluid delivery ports of said delivery interface, wherein said fluid delivery port is disposed on a second side of said cartridge body.