Manifolds for microfluidic chips, microfluidic chips, and related methods and assemblies

A microfluidic manifold comprising:

• a base against which a microfluidic chip is seatable, the base comprising a base block and at least a first seal, wherein the base block has at least a first fluid channel extending therethrough for delivering fluid to the microfluidic chip, and the first fluid channel has a first end that is positioned to receive fluid from a fluid source and a second end that is positioned to deliver fluid to the microfluidic chip, and wherein the first seal is configured and positioned to seal the second end to the microfluidic chip;
• a cover positionable over the microfluidic chip and configured for bearing against the microfluidic chip, wherein at least one of the base and the cover comprises a viewing window configured for allowing optical access to the microfluidic chip;
• and
• a jack configured to force the base and the cover together, wherein when the microfluidic chip is seated against the base and the base and the cover are forced together, the microfluidic chip is sandwiched between the base and the cover with the base and the cover bearing against the microfluidic chip in order to apply a confining pressure to the microfluidic chip, and with the first seal compressed between the microfluidic chip and the base block in order to seal the fluid channel in fluid communication with the microfluidic chip;
• and
• a rounded knob fixed to the base and extending towards the jack, wherein the rounded knob is configured such that motion generated by actuating the jack is transferred from the jack to the base via the rounded knob in order to compensate for angle misalignment between the base and the jack.

A method for operating a microfluidic assembly, comprising:

• a. seating a microfluidic chip against a base;
• b. with a cover positioned over the microfluidic chip, actuating a jack to force the base and the cover together to sandwich the microfluidic chip between the base and the cover to thereby apply a confining pressure to the microfluidic chip and seal a first fluid channel of the base in fluid communication with a first microfluidic inlet of the microfluidic chip;
• and
• C. forcing a fluid through the first fluid channel and into the first microfluidic inlet;
• wherein step b. comprises transferring motion from the jack to the base via a rounded knob secured to the base and a rounded seat positioned between the base and the jack, to compensate for angle misalignment between the base and the jack.