Microfluidic device and method for analysis of a particulate sample

A method of analysing a particulate sample using a microfluidic device, the method including the steps of:

• a) loading a particulate sample into a sealable upper opening of an upper sample chamber of the device, to rest upon a fluid pervious floor of the sample chamber;
• b) passing reagent through a reagent inlet in the sample chamber to flow through the device and react with the sample to form an analyte;
• c) passing analyte and unreacted reagent through the fluid pervious floor into a lower flow chamber of the device, the flow chamber including spaced upright members therein, the upright members having upper surfaces that together form the fluid pervious floor of the sample chamber, with the spaces between the upright members forming microchannels in fluid communication with an analyte outlet in the flow chamber;
• and
• d) passing analyte and unreacted reagent through the microchannels and out the analyte outlet for subsequent analysis.