Method of forming a fluid tight seal

Abstract

A method of forming a fluid tight seal between a first fluid pathway and a second fluid pathway a volume is defined between an outer surface of the first fluid pathway and an inner surface of the second fluid pathway. The surfaces are maintained in a given orientation and distance with respect, one to another, so as to achieve a desired capillaric property therebetween. A quantity of sealant is delivered to a junction region of said surfaces. The sealant is caused or permitted to flow into the defined volume, so as to achieve capillary balance. Only substantially sufficient sealant is delivered to fill the volume. The sealant is then caused or permitted to cure or set.

1 . A method of forming a fluid tight seal between a first fluid pathway and a second fluid pathway comprising the steps of: defining a volume between an outer surface of the first fluid pathway and an inner surface of the second fluid pathway; maintaining said surfaces in a given orientation and distance with respect, one to another, so as to achieve a desired capillaric property therebetween; delivering a quantity of sealant to a junction region of said surfaces; causing or permitting the sealant to flow into said volume, so as to achieve capillary balance whereby only substantially sufficient sealant is delivered to fill the volume; and causing or permitting the sealant to cure or set.  
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the first fluid pathway is a capillary tube.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2  wherein the second fluid pathway is disposed within a micro-fluidic device.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 2  wherein the sealant is delivered to the junction region by way of a further capillary tube.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 4  wherein the capillarity of the further capillary tube is greater than the capillarity of the second fluid pathway.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the sealant is delivered to the junction region by way of a sealant application reservoir.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 6  wherein the second fluid pathway has a stepped profile so as to form the sealant application reservoir.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 6  wherein the sealant application reservoir is formed by a further fluid pathway defined in the device.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 8  wherein the sealant application reservoir has a tapered profile.  
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 6  wherein the capillarity of the application reservoir is less than the capillarity of the volume.  
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 6  wherein the capillarity of the application reservoir is greater than the capillarity of the second fluid pathway.  
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 6  wherein the volume of the application reservoir is greater than the volume of the volume.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 4  wherein the capillarity of the volume is greater than the capillarity of the further capillary tube.  
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 8  including a further pathway for receiving excess sealant.  
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 14  wherein the second fluid pathway has a capillary stop defined therein.  
     
     
         16 . A method of forming a fluid tight seal between a first substrate and a second substrate comprising the steps of: maintaining said substrates in a given orientation and distance with respect, one to another, so as to define a volume therebetween which has a desired capillaric property; delivering a quantity of sealant to a junction region of said substrates; causing or permitting the sealant to flow into said volume, so as to achieve capillary balance whereby only substantially sufficient sealant is delivered to fill the volume; and causing or permitting the sealant to cure or set.  
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 16  wherein the first substrate has a first recess formed therein which, when the first substrate is joined to the second substrate, forms a channel.  
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 16  wherein the second substrate has a second recess formed therein which, when the first substrate is joined to the second substrate, forms a channel.  
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 16  wherein the first substrate has a stepped cross-section so as to define a reservoir with the second substrate.  
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 16  wherein the second substrate has a stepped cross-section so as to define a reservoir with the first substrate.  
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 16  wherein a portion of the first substrate is of a higher capillarity than surrounding portions thereof in order to form a capillary stop.  
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 16  wherein a portion of the second substrate is of a higher capillarity than surrounding portions thereof in order to form a capillary stop.  
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 21  wherein the high capillarity portion of one of the first and second substrates is adjacent the channel.  
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 16  wherein the first and second substrates are part of a micro-fluidic device.  
     
     
         25 . A micro-fluidic device assembled using the method claimed in  claim 1 .  
     
     
         26 . A micro-fluidic device assembled using the method claimed in  claim 16 .  
     
     
         27 . (canceled)  
     
     
         22 . (canceled)