Microfluidic Connector

Abstract

A microfluidic connector comprises an enclosure, a fluidic inlet port and a fluidic outlet port, in the enclosure, in which the inlet and outlet ports are movable with respect to each other, for example, mutual spacing between the inlet and outlet ports is variable. A port is in a fixed part of the enclosure, and another port is in a part of the enclosure which slides with respect to the fixed part. There may be multiple inlet ports and/or multiple outlet ports. Also, there may be an auxiliary port for introduction of fluid into the enclosure or removal of fluid from the enclosure.

1 . A microfluidic connector comprising an enclosure, a fluidic inlet port and a fluidic outlet port, in the enclosure, in which the inlet and outlet ports are movable with respect to each other. 
     
     
         2 . The microfluidic connector of  claim 1 , wherein the mutual spacing between the inlet and outlet ports is variable. 
     
     
         3 . The microfluidic connector of  claim 2 , wherein a port is in a fixed part of the enclosure, and another port is in a part of the enclosure which is movable with respect to said fixed part. 
     
     
         4 . The microfluidic connector of  claim 3 , wherein the movable part slides within the fixed part. 
     
     
         5 . The microfluidic connector of  claim 1 , wherein the connector comprises a plurality of inlet ports. 
     
     
         6 . The microfluidic connector of  claim 1 , wherein the connector comprises a plurality of outlet ports. 
     
     
         7 . The microfluidic connector of  claim 1 , further comprising an auxiliary port for introduction of fluid into the enclosure or removal of fluid from the enclosure. 
     
     
         8 . The microfluidic connector of  claim 5 , wherein the inlet ports and/or the outlet ports extend through a movable support for changing mutual alignment of ports. 
     
     
         9 . The microfluidic connector of  claim 1 , wherein the connector comprises a single inlet port and a plurality of outlet ports, the enclosure being configured as a manifold. 
     
     
         10 . The microfluidic connector of  claim 1 , wherein the connector comprises a single outlet port and a plurality of inlet ports, the enclosure being configured as a mixer. 
     
     
         11 . The microfluidic connector of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure is an inner enclosure mounted within an outer enclosure. 
     
     
         12 . The microfluidic connector of  claim 11 , wherein there is a port in the inner enclosure for flow of fluid between the inner enclosure and the outer enclosure. 
     
     
         13 . The microfluidic connector of  claim 11 , wherein the outer enclosure has an outlet port. 
     
     
         14 . The microfluidic connector of  claim 11 , wherein there are a plurality of inner enclosures within the outer enclosure. 
     
     
         15 . The method of controlling fluidic flow through a connector of  claim 1 , the method comprising the steps of directing flow of a carrier fluid carrying discrete plugs or droplets of a different fluid so that the plugs or droplets transfer from the inlet port to the outlet port.