MICROFLUIDIC DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING BIOLOGICAL SAMPLES

A microfluidic device for processing a sample comprises an inlet port fluidically coupled to a closed system is disclosed. The closed system comprises a plurality of linear loading conduits, a plurality of terminating chambers, and pluralities of microchambers for receiving the sample. Also disclosed are methods for drawing sample amounts into microchambers of the microfluidic device. One method includes a step of applying a plurality of pressure pulses to contents within the microfluidic assemblies, the plurality of pressure pulses comprising a first pressure applied for a first time interval and a second pressure applied for a second time interval, wherein a volume of the sample is drawn into a plurality of microchambers of the microfluidic device. These and other embodiments of microfluidic devices and methods are disclosed.