Apparatus and method for clamping a microfluidic device

An apparatus for clamping at least one microfluidic device, said apparatus comprising:

• a fluid-tight chamber having a fluid inlet, the chamber being configured to receive a microfluidic device to be clamped by compression of at least one deformable part of the microfluidic device under the action of a pressure of a clamping fluid in the chamber,
• a perfusion fluid management system configured to adjust the pressure of a perfusion fluid in the microfluidic device in such a way that, during a clamping operation, the pressure of the clamping fluid in the chamber is strictly higher than the pressure of the perfusion fluid in the microfluidic device, wherein the perfusion fluid management system comprises at least one pressure controller,
• a clamping fluid management system configured to adjust the pressure of the clamping fluid in the chamber, the clamping fluid management system comprising a pressure source connected to the fluid inlet of the chamber via a duct, and
• a control unit configured to drive both the clamping fluid management system and the perfusion fluid management system in such a way that, during a clamping operation, the pressure of the clamping fluid in the chamber is strictly higher than the pressure of the perfusion fluid in the microfluidic device.

A method for clamping at least one microfluidic device comprising at least one deformable part, said method comprising steps in which:

• the microfluidic device is connected to a perfusion fluid management system and positioned in a chamber having a fluid inlet;
• the chamber is sealed so as to be fluid-tight to a clamping fluid;
• the chamber is pressurized with the clamping fluid fed through the fluid inlet;
• and
• the microfluidic device is clamped by compression of the at least one deformable part of the microfluidic device under the action of a pressure of the clamping fluid in the chamber, by applying a pressure of the clamping fluid in the chamber strictly higher than the pressure of the perfusion fluid in the microfluidic device.