Method and apparatus for coupling hollow fibers to a microfluidical network.

摘要

Microfluidic fiber coupling involves matching outside dimensions of hollow fiber (3) to inside dimensions of open channel (2), where capillary channels (4) are formed between the hollow fiber and walls of the channel. The hollow fiber is inserted in the channel. The microfluidic network is covered with the hollow fiber inserted in the channel with a covering film or plate (5), which is fixed on the network. Cement is introduced in liquid state into a feed channel (7), which discharges cement into the channel of the microfluidic network. Microfluidic fiber coupling involves matching outside dimensions of hollow fiber (3) to inside dimensions of open channel (2), where capillary channels (4) are formed between the hollow fiber and walls of the channel. The hollow fiber is inserted in the channel. The microfluidic network is covered with the hollow fiber inserted in the channel with a covering film or plate (5), which is fixed on the network. Cement is introduced in liquid state into a feed channel (7), which discharges cement into the channel of the microfluidic network. The capillary channels are filled around the hollow fiber for stopping the liquid cement in an area of the end of the hollow fiber by a capillary stop structure (9). The hollow fiber is fluidically sealed in the channel by bringing the cement introduced into the channel into a final state. An independent claim is also included for a microfluidic system, which comprises a microfluidic network with a microstructure carrier, and outside dimensions of hollow fiber.