| abstract |
The invention comprises a low cost method of scaling and resealing a micro fluidic device before, during, and after communication of fluids into the microfluidic device. The invention includes a microfluidic device with fluid introduction ports substantially hermetically sealed with elastomeric plugs, wherein the plugs can be penetrated by hollow needles to introduce fluids such as air, water, ethanol, or other chemical or biological reagents into the device while maintaining a substantially hermetic seal. The invention includes a method for introducing fluids into a microfluidic device from an external source. The method comprises the steps of penetrating fluid introduction ports substantially hermetically sealed with elastomeric plugs with hollow needles connected to a fluid source, pumping fluid into the device, and removing the hollow needle from the plug, whereupon plug self-reseals to form a substantially hermetic seal. |