Patent ID: 7147362

Claim:
A method for mixing a fluid, said method comprising: (a) introducing a fluid into a housing of an apparatus, said apparatus comprising: (i) a housing having an interior comprising an interior channel with capillary dimensions, said interior channel comprising a plurality of biopolymer features arranged in a predetermined manner on an interior surface thereof, (ii) an opening at a proximal end of said interior channel, (iii) a chamber at a distal end of said interior channel, (iv) a structural member in said interior channel adjacent said distal end, the dimensions of and placement of said structural member being sufficient such that intermittent application of centrifugal force to said interior channel causes movement of said fluid between said interior channel and said chamber, and (v) a mechanism that intermittently generates centrifugal force on the interior of said housing to cause movement of said fluid in said channel, and (b) generating intermittent centrifugal force to cause repetitive movement of said fluid between said interior channel and said chamber sufficient to cause mixing of said fluid by agitation.