Non-planar microfluidic devices and methods for their manufacture

A method for transferring fluid between a vessel and a microfluidic device, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a vessel capable of holding fluid, the vessel having at least one substantially nonplanar wall defining a first aperture therein;
• providing a microfluidic device having a first port and being adapted to contour to the vessel adjacent to the first aperture;
• attaching the microfluidic device to the vessel such that the first port is co-located with the first aperture;
• and
• causing fluid to flow between the vessel and the microfluidic device.

A fluid sampling device comprising:

• a cylindrical vessel capable of holding fluid, the vessel having a characteristic length and an interior wall that defines a first and a second radial aperture displaced from one another along the length of the vessel;
• a first moveable plunger sealingly engaged to the interior wall of the vessel;
• a second moveable plunger sealingly engaged to the interior wall of the vessel;
• and
• a reservoir having an inlet port in fluid communication with the first aperture and having an outlet port in fluid communication with the second aperture;
• wherein fluid is transferred from the vessel into the reservoir as the first and second plungers are translated outward from the vessel.

A wrappable microfluidic device comprising:

• a first flexible layer defining at least one microfluidic channel therein;
• and
• a first port for communicating fluid with the at least one microfluidic channel;
• wherein at least a portion of the first layer may be wrapped around itself to form a roll.