FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a chip connector, in particular to connectors for micro fluid chips.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Today lab-on-a-chip systems are widely used for analysis and handling of fluids, e.g. analysis of fluids from biological body samples.

Unfortunately, no standardized methods exist for connecting such fluid chips to exterior devices such as pumps, syringes and containers for fluids. Accordingly, due to the lack of standardization specific connecters must be used for different micro chips. Accordingly, fluid connection methods which are suited for standardization purpose are desired. Such connection methods should have capabilities which make them suited for different chip sizes and types.

Furthermore, known connection methods often require time consuming work to establish fluid connections. For example tubes from exterior drain or fluid supply sources may need to be manually connected to fluid terminals of the micro chip. Therefore, fluid connection methods which enable easy interconnection are desired.

In, Zeng Yang and Ryutaro Maeda, A world-to-chip socket for microfluidic prototype development, Electrophoresis 2002, 23, 3474-3478, a prototype for a standard connector between a microfluidic chip and the macro world is disclosed. For the I/O of working fluids, 0.5 mm long silicone extension tubes work as O- rings to seal the ports of flow channels. This structure ensures a firm connection to the chip.

Whereas the socket proposed by Zeng Yang and Ryutaro Maeda may improve fluidic connections to micro chips, the inventor of the present invention has appreciated that an improved connector for micro chips is of benefit, and has in consequence devised the present invention. US 3,915,652 discloses a system for analyzing a fluid such as blood or blood plasma contained in capillaries, the capillaries, open at both ends, are filled with the fluid to be analyzed. These capillaries are carefully calibrated and serve as disposable pipets. The filled capillaries are disposed around a turntable or on a linear transport means and are brought to a work station. Fluid and air are pumped continuously by peristaltic action on flexible tubing through a by-pass tube. When a capillary is brought into position, connection is made with a fluid hose on both ends of the capillaries. Valve means is provided which closes the bypass and opens the hose leading to the capillary. The fluid and air are now pumped through the capillary. After a predetermined time, the fluid hose leading to the capillary is closed and the capillary is removed. The valve in the by-pass system is now opened so that fluid now passes through the by-pass system. A second capillary is brought into place and the process is repeated until all the capillaries have been processed. The contents of the capillary are washed out, reagents are added, heating takes place if necessary, and finally the component being assayed is evaluated at a readout station.

Thus, US 3,915,652 discloses that the tubes are individually displaceable and that the capillaries are connected to the tubes sequentially, i.e. one by one.

EP 1712916 discloses that a plate on which a channel pattern is formed, which channel pattern includes a first channel into which a buffer agent is injected, and a second channel having, in a portion thereof, a quantification part that has a portion common to the first channel and holds a predetermined amount of a biological sample, the biological sample being injected into the channel including the quantification part, and the plate is rotated at a high speed by a filling unit to fill the buffer agent in the first channel, and thereafter, the second channel is pressurized by a discrimination unit to fill the biological sample in the second channel, and simultaneously, a predetermined amount of the biological sample is added into the buffer agent. Therefore, when performing discrimination of the biological sample, a discrimination result can be obtained accurately in a short time without the necessity of complicated preparation works.

Furthermore, EP 1712916 discloses tubes which are elastically displaceable independently from other tubes or connectors. US 7,358,078 discloses an auto microfluidic hybridization chip platform which provides a hybrid reaction test system with the features of fast reactions, automatic operations, and a convenient platform. The platform includes a flow control system with a platform base, a microfluidic hybridization chip, a

microfluidic hybridization chip support, a test agent support of the microfluidic hybridization chip; and a signal detection system. Using a microfluidic pipeline to connect various parts does not only realize automation and a small volume, but also increases the reaction speed. Furthermore, US 7,358,078 discloses pipes for connecting with the micro chip. The pipess are fixed to a frame. A sliding block is displaceably arranged with springs relative to the frame in order to push the chip into a correct position so that the holes of the chip engage with positioning pins. Thus, the sliding block pushes the chip in a direction away from and along the pipes until holes of the chip engages with the positioning pins. Fluid tight connection between pipess and the chip is achieved by sleeve rings which are compressed by the sliding block.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It would be advantageous to achieve advantages over known connectors with respect to connection flexibility and ease of use of connectors. It would also be desirable to enable the same interconnection scheme to be applied to different sizes and types of micro chips. In general, the invention preferably seeks to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above mentioned

disadvantages singly or in any combination. In particular, it may be seen as an object of the present invention to provide a micro chip connector that solves the above mentioned problems, or other problems, of the prior art.

To better address one or more of these concerns, in a first aspect of the invention a connector for a micro chip is presented that comprises

- a plurality of tubes for guiding fluid, each tube having a termination for engagement with a fluid terminal of the associated micro chip, where a group of the tubes are connected to a tube holder which is displaceably arranged relative to a frame structure, - an elastic member arranged so as to restrain movement of the tube holder in a longitudinal direction of the tubes.

The tubes may be connected to the tube holder by gluing, screwing or pressing the tubes to corresponding holes in the tube holder. For example, the tube holder may be in the form of a plate provided with through holes through which holes the tubes pass through. The tube may be fixed to the holes by gluing, welding or press-fitting the tubes to the holes. The elastic member, e.g. one or more springs, loads the tubes and the tube holder according to the elastic force provided by the elastic member. Thus, since the tubes and the tube holder are arranged displaceably relative to the frame in an elastic manor, the tubes will automatically press against the fluid terminals of the micro chip to establish a leak proof connection. That is, the pressure may cause the contact interfaces of the tubes and the fluid terminals to conform to each other to form a leak proof connection. Furthermore, since the tubes are elastically displaceable via the tube holder, the tubes may be retracted from the chip by compression of the elastic member - e.g. by pulling tubes away from the chip - so that the chip can be removed easily and another chip may be inserted instead.

By fixing a plurality of the tubes to an elastically displaceable tube holder, the tubes displace simultaneously so that a plurality of tubes can be pressed against the fluid terminals of the micro chip in one operation. Since the tube holder is connected to an elastic member, e.g. embodied by springs, the tube holder and, thereby, the tubes, are able to connect to the fluid terminals with a pressure provided by the elastic member to press the terminations of the tubes against receiving surfaces of the fluid terminals of the chip to establish a leak proof connection or at least to improve leak proofness.

Thus, the spring or elastically actuated fluidic tubes may solve one or more of the above problems. I.e. the connection scheme is modular in its nature and can be advantageously used with a few tubes, e.g. two to ten tubes, or a larger number of tubes e.g. from ten to hundreds of elastically actuated tubes. Since the tubes may be arranged displaceably relative to the frame via the elastic member and the tube holder and since the the elastic member may be arranged relative to the frame and the one or more tubes and the tube holder, the tubes are spring loaded relative to the stationary frame.

Since a plurality of the tubes may be connected to a tube holder which may be displaceably arranged relative to the frame the plurality or a group of the plurality of tubes can advantageously be connected and disconnected to the fluid terminals of a chip with a single or very few operations.

Since the elastic member may be arranged so as to restrain movement of the tube holder in the longitudinal direction of the tubes, the tube holder is preloaded by the elastic member, and the plurality of interconnected tubes are elastically restrained by the same elastic member.

In a similar but alternative aspect a connector may be designed so that it comprises

- one or more tubes for guiding fluid, each tube having a termination for engagement with a fluid terminal of the associated micro chip, where the one or more tubes are arranged displaceably,

- an elastic member arranged so as to restrain movement of the one or more tubes in a longitudinal direction of the tubes.

The elastic member may be arranged relative to the frame and tube holder so as to press the tube holder in a desired direction against the chip when it is inserted. Accordingly, in advantageous embodiment, the tubes may be spring loaded relative to a stationary frame.

In an embodiment the tube holder is guided by guiding pins extending through holes of the tube holder. Thus, guiding means, such as guiding pins may be used to enable for accurate displacement of the tubes to obtain accurate connection with the fluid terminals of the chip. The guiding pins may be part of or fixed to the stationary frame structure of the connector and extend from the frame through holes of the tube holder. In an embodiment each of the tubes may be independently displaceable. This may be advantageous since each independently displaceable tube can adapt to the chip. Thus, if the distance between different tubes and the fluid terminals varies slightly then these different distances can be compensated for by the

independently displaceable tubes. The independence may be achieved by arranging each tube to be independently elastically displaceable.

Thus in an embodiment the elastic member comprises at least first and second elastic members connected to respective first and second tubes of the

independently displaceable tubes so as to restrain movement of each tube in the longitudinal direction.

In an embodiment the connector may comprise a chip holder for holding the associated micro chip, where the chip holder is provided with a through hole for each tube, so that each the tube can displace through the through holes for engagement with the fluid terminal of the micro chip. The chip holder is useful for assisting the user to position the micro chip correctly relative to the tubes so that the tubes engages accurately with the fluid terminals of the chip. In an embodiment the elasticity of material of the tubes (202) and the fluid terminals (110) may be different. For example, if the elasticity of the material of the tubes is lower, i.e. more elastic, than the elasticity of the material from which the fluid terminals are made, then the contact surface of the tubes can conform to the geometry of the fluid terminal so as to create a fluid tight connection.

In an embodiment the connector may comprise one or more electrically

conducting contacts for enabling electrical connection with electrical terminals of the micro chip. The chip connector advantageously enables combination of both electrical and fluidic contacts. The electrical contacts may be arranged with the fluid contacts or elsewhere on the connector, e.g. on faces without fluidic contacts. Due to the elastically arranged fluidic contacts the electrical contacts can easily be integrated into the same connector structure. Furthermore, due to the elastically operable fluidic and electrical contacts, the electrical and fluidic connections to external devices can be made easily since only few connection operations need to be performed by the user. In an embodiment the connector may comprise a switch comprising a first set of switch tubes and a second set of switch tubes, where the switch enables switching fluid connections between the first set of switch tubes and the second set of switch tubes to the tubes of the connector. Accordingly, the user is able to connect the tubes of the connector and thereby the fluid terminals of the chip to different fluid sources and/or fluid drains.

In an embodiment the switch comprises a slider having a set of switch fluid channels for guiding fluids, each fluid channel having an inlet and an outlet, where the inlets are connectable with the first set of switch tubes or the second set of switch tubes depending on the position of the slider, and where the outlets are connectable with the tubes.

In an embodiment the fluid channels of the switch comprises bubble traps for trapping gas bubbles. The bubble traps, e.g. formed as cavities or depressions, may further have diffusion means e.g. diffusion hole to enable trapping of gas bubbles.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a method for connecting a micro chip to an external fluid source and/or drain by use of a connector, the method comprising

- connecting a plurality of tubes of the connector to fluid terminals of the micro chip by displacing the tubes and a tube holder towards the fluid terminals, where at least a group or selection of the tubes are connected to the tube holder which is displaceably and elastically arranged relative to a frame structure of the connector via an elastic member arranged so as to restrain movement of the tube holder in a longitudinal direction of the tubes.

It is understood that the elastic restraining of the tubes of the connector elastically restrains the displacement of the tubes in a direction away from the fluid terminals and, therefore, the tube are elastically actuated to displace towards the fluid terminals when the restraining constraint is removed, i.e. the elastic member is allowed to expand. In a similar but alternative aspect a method for connecting a micro chip to an external fluid source or drain by use of a connector is provided, where the method comprises

- connecting one or more tubes of the connector to fluid terminals of the micro chip by displacing the tubes towards the fluid terminals, where the tubes are elastically actuated by an elastic member arranged so as to restrain movement of the one or more tubes in a longitudinal direction of the tubes.

In summary the invention relates to a socket or connector for micro chips. The socket comprises fluidic tubes for connecting with fluid terminals of the micro chip. The fluidic tubes are spring loaded and displaceably arranged. Accordingly, by retracting the tubes the micro chip can be positioned and, thereafter, the tubes can displaced towards the chip to allow the tubes to engage with the fluid terminals of the chip. Due to the spring loading of the tubes, the tubes will be pressed into or onto the fluid terminals of the chip. The contact pressure at the interface between tubes and fluid terminals is partly determined by the springs and, therefore, springs can be selected so as to obtain leak proof fluidic

connections. In general the various aspects of the invention may be combined and coupled in any way possible within the scope of the invention. These and other aspects, features and/or advantages of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings, in which

Fig. 1 illustrates a micro chip with fluidic and electrical terminals,

Fig. 2 shows a chip connector with individually displaceable fluidic tubes,

Fig. 3 shows a chip connector with commonly displaceable fluidic tubes,

Fig. 4 shows a chip connector with an alternative elastic actuation means,

Fig. 5A shows engagement or connection of terminations of fluidic tubes with fluidic terminals of the micro chip, Fig. 5B shows engagement or connection of terminations - in the from of elastic sealings arranged to encircle the fluidic tubes - with fluidic terminals of the micro chip,

Fig. 6A shows a switch for switching fluidic connections to the chip connector, Fig. 6B shows an alternative switch for switching fluidic connections to the chip connector,

Fig. 7 shows a variation of the switch where the chip connector is rigidly connected to the displaceable part of the switch,

Fig. 8 shows a cross sectional view of the slider of the switch,

Fig. 9 shows a chip connector with electrically conducting connectors, and

Fig. 10 show a chip connector with vertical connections for fluid and electricity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

Fig. 1 shows a micro chip 100 comprising fluid channels 101 for guiding fluid to and away from the fluid processor 102. The fluid processor may comprise means for analyzing or handling the provided fluid. Such analyzing or handling means may comprise electrical or optical detectors, nano structures or biological substances for interacting with the provided fluid. The fluid is supplied or drained from the micro chip 100 via fluid terminals 110 which may be formed as holes or orifices in faces of the micro chip 100.

The micro chip 100 may also have electrical terminals 103 provided on the side of the chip, e.g. on a side which has fluid terminals 110 and/or on a side without fluid terminals. Alternatively or additionally, electrical terminals 103 may be provided on the bottom of the chip as illustrated on the side view.

Fig. 2 shows a connector 200 for a micro chip 100. The connector comprises a frame 201 and fluid guiding elements such as tubes 202 arranged slideably and displaceably relative to the frame, e.g. by arranging each tube in a through hole provided in the frame 200 where the through hole has a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the tube 202. The tubes are spring loaded or actuated by elastic members 210 such as springs 210 so as to restrain movement of the tubes in a longitudinal direction 212 of the tubes. The springs may be inserted between a face of the frame 201 and a stop 211 such as a flange fixed to the tubes. Accordingly the springs tend to push the tubes in a direction towards the center of the frame 201.

Accordingly, by placing the micro chip within the frame 201 and aligning the fluid terminals 110 with terminations 203 of the tubes 202 the tubes can be pressed towards or into the fluid terminals 110. Due to the pressure provided by the springs the contact between the termination 203 of the tubes and the fluid terminals 210 can be made leak proof for pressurized fluids. The connector 200 may further comprise a chip holder 220 for holding the micro chip 100 in the correct place relative to the tubes 202. The chip holder may be a simple plane plate or may be provided with grapping features 222 for ensuring more accurate positioning of the chip. The chip holder 220 may be spring loaded by a chip holder spring 221 guided by a guide pin 229. As an example, the guide pin 229 may be fixed to the chip holder 220 and a hole may be provided in the frame 201 to enable the guide pin 229 to displace through the hole. The spring may be fixed or restrained between faces of the chip holder and the frame.

Instead of springs 221 other elastic materials such as foam, elastomers or rubber may be used to provide the required elasticity.

The chip holder 220 is provided with through holes for the tubes 202 so that tubes can displace freely through the holes.

As illustrated in Fig. 2 the connector 200 comprises a set of chip holders 220 and springs 221 arranged to hold adjacent sides of the chip. Accordingly, the spring forces of springs 221 arranged on the left side of the connector 200 are

compensated by forces of springs 221 arranged on the right side of the connector 200. Alternatively, the connector may be designed with only one chip holder 220 and associated springs 221. In this case the chip 100 may be pressed against a stationary support, e.g. a face of the frame 201 or a holding feature protruding from the frame 201, by the one set of springs 221.

Similarly, in Fig. 2 the connector 200 is illustrated with two sets of tubes 202 and restraining springs 210, i.e. one set of tubes and springs are provided on the left side of the connector and another set of tubes and springs are provided on the right side of the connector. However, the connector may alternatively be designed with only one set of tubes 202 arranged on one side of the frame 201, or the connecter may be provided with three or four sets of tubes 202 and restraining means 210 arranged on sides of the frame 201.

In Fig. 2 one restraining means 210 are provided for each tube 202 with the effect that each tube 202 are able to displace independently of other tubes. Thereby, tolerances of the distance between terminations 203 of tubes 202 and fluid terminals of the chip 100 can be compensated for by the individually displaceable tubes 202.

The tubes 200 may be connected to an external fluid source or drain 290 via flexible hoses 291 as illustrated. The source or drain 290 may comprise pumps for pumping fluid to or from the micro chip 100 and other fluid handling devices.

Fig. 3 illustrates an alternative connector where a group of the tubes 202 are commonly displaceable since the group of the tubes is connected to a tube holder 301. The tube holder 301 is displaceably arranged relative to the frame 201. The tube holder 301 is spring loaded by elastic members 210, e.g. steel springs, to restrain movement of the tubes in the longitudinal direction 212 of the tubes. The elastic restraining of the tubes enables creation of a contact force between the tube terminations 203 and the fluid terminals 110 by displacing the tubes 202 and the tube holder 301 in a direction causing compression of the elastic member 210. For example, the tube terminations 203 may contact a contact surface provided in or at the holes of the fluid terminals, where the contact force is determined by the elastic properties of the elastic member 210 and the compression (or extension in case that the elastic member work under tension) of the elastic member.

It is understood that the group of tubes fixed to the tube holder may comprise all or a selection of the plurality of tubes 202. Thus, one or more tubes which are not fixed to the tube holder may be arranged to engage with the chip individually and independent from the group of tubes fixed to the tube holder.

Displacement of the tube holder 301 may be guided by guiding pins 302 extending through holes of the tube holder 301. The elastic biasing or restraining of the tube holder 301 may be achieved e.g. by inserting a helical spring on the guiding pins 302 and between a head of the guiding pin 302 and an outer face of the frame 201. The guiding pin may be fixed to the frame 201 and extend towards and through the holes in the tube holder, e.g. though holes going through the plate thickness of a plate shaped tube holder.

The tubes 202 extend through holes in the tube holder 301 and are fixed to the tube holder 301 by gluing, press fitting or by equivalent methods. The tube holder may be a plane plate provided with precision through holes for the tubes 202. Again, whereas Fig. 3 shows that two sets of tubes 202 and elastic elements 210 are provided - one set on each side of the frame 201 - for injecting tubes into fluid terminals 110 of adjacent faces with of a chip 100, it is equally possible to have only one set of tubes for engaging with fluid terminals of only one face of the chip 100 or three, four or more sets of tubes 202.

Here it has been described that one set of tubes are associated with one side of the frame 201 or one face of the chip 100. However, this does not exclude that a plurality of sets of tubes may be arranged one on each side of the frame 201, e.g. a plurality of tube holders 301 with one or more tubes 202 may be arranged on one side or arm of the frame 201. In this way a plurality of independently displaceable sets of tubes 202 can be arranged on one side of the frame.

The elastic members 210 in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 can be relaxed, i.e. un-compressed, or compressed when no chip is inserted in the connector. When the chip is inserted the engagement of the tube terminations 203 with the fluid terminals 110 will compress the elastic members further for creation of a sufficiently large contact force between contacting interfaces of the tube terminations 203 and the fluid terminals 110. The chip connector 200 may alternatively be designed with elastic members 210 which are relaxed or under tension when no chip is inserted in the connector. When the chip is inserted the tubes displace due to contact with fluid terminals 110 and causes increased tension of the elastic members and, thereby, increased contact forces. Fig. 4 shows an example of a connector 200 with elastic members 210 which work under tension for creation of contact forces between contact faces of the tube terminations 203 and fluid terminals 110. The elastic tension members 210 may be springs or rubber bands which restrains the displacements of the tube holders 301 and, thereby, the tubes 202. In Fig. 4 the leftmost tube holder 301 is connected to the rightmost tube holder 301 via the elastic members 210 which are stressed under tension when the chip is inserted. Similarly each of the tube holders 301 may be restrained by elastic tension members 210 which connects the tube holder 301 to a stationary point, e.g . of the frame.

It is understood that the frame 201 of the connector is not limited to rectangular or square structures, but includes polygonal, circular or elliptical structure. In case of a circular frame 201, tubes can be arranged to displace radially towards the center of the frame.

Fig. 5A shows an example of how the termination 203 of a tube 202 can be designed. The termination 203 may be straight cylindrical or tapered. The fluid terminals 110 of fluid guides 101 may be formed as cylindrical holes or they may be formed as conic holes. In order to obtain a good fit between tube terminations 203 and fluid terminal holes 110 so as to obtain leak proof connections for non- pressurized fluids and pressurized fluids, the termination 203 may be tapered to fit to cylindrical terminals 110, the terminal 110 may be conic to fit to straight cylindrical terminations 203, or the termination 203 may be tapered and the terminal 110 may be conic as illustrated . However, it is also possible that both the terminations 203 and the fluid terminals 110 are cylindrically shaped, where the outer diameter of the termination 203 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical hole 110. Thus, the terminal holes may be provided with a contact surface shaped to make contact with a corresponding contact surface of the termination 203. The established contact between the terminals and the terminations of the tubes may be leak proof or at least improve the leak proofness.

The leak-proof capabilities of the connection between the tube terminations 203 and the fluid terminals 110 may be improved by proper selection of material properties of the tubes 202. For example the elasticity of the material of the tubes 202 or the terminations 203 could be lower than the elasticity of the material of the inner surface of the fluid terminals 110, so that the terminations 203 are able to deform to create fluid tight connections with the terminals 110. Alternatively, the material of the inner surface of the fluid terminals 110 may have a lower elasticity than the elasticity of the terminations 203, so that the fluid terminals 110 are able to conform to the shape of the terminations 203 by deformation of the inner surface. Thus, in general the elasticity of the material of the tubes and the fluid terminals may be different to enable materials to deform sufficient to ensure leak proof capabilities.

The terminations 203 and the terminals 110 may also be made from similar or identical materials having similar or identical elastic coefficients. The selection of materials for the terminations 203 and/or terminals 110 may depend on the tolerances of surfaces of the terminations 203 and terminals 110. Thus, if the terminations and terminals are manufactured by precision tooling, tolerances are very low, and materials with relative high elasticity such as steel or plastics may be selected. On the other hand, if tolerances are higher, materials with relative low elasticity such as elastomers or rubber may be selected. Low elasticity or soft materials for the tubes 202 and/or the terminals 110 may be selected from the list comprising, but not limited to, elastomers, synthetic rubber, thermosets such as silicon rubber, thermoplastics such as thermoplastic elastomers and polyolefins, chloroprene, dyneon, Epichlorohydrin, ethylene- propylene, fluoroelastomers, fluorosilicone, natural rubber and polyurethane. High elasticity or hard materials for the tubes 202 and/or the terminals 110 may be selected from the list comprising, but not limited to, steel, glass or plastic.

The tubes 202 may be provided with o-rings 501 in order to add additional leak proof sealing. The o-rings 501 should have a thickness so that the o-rings 501 are slightly compressed by face of the chip holder 220 and a face of the chip 100 when the tubes 202 are pressed into the terminals 110.

The maximum contact force between the tube terminations 203 and the fluid terminals 110 and thereby the deformation of the termination 203, the

termination material 501 and/or the fluid terminal 110 is determined by the elasticity of the elastic member 210 and the resulting displacement of the tubes and the elastic member 210 when the chip 100 is in place in the connector 200. Accordingly, optimum conditions for fluid tight connections can be obtained by selection of material properties of the termination 203 or termination cover 501 in combination with the elasticity of the elastic member 210 and travel length of tubes 202.

Fig. 5B shows an alternative aspect where the connector 200 for the micro chip 100 comprises

- a plurality of tubes 202 for guiding fluid, where each tube has a termination 593 in the form of an elastic sealing 591, such as an O-ring, for engagement with the fluid terminal 110 of the associated micro chip so as to enable creation of a fluid tight connection with the fluid terminal 110 of the associated micro chip, where a group of the tubes and elastic sealings 591 are connected to a tube holder 301 which is displaceably arranged relative to a frame structure 201,

- an elastic member 210 arranged so as to restrain movement of the tube holder 301 in a longitudinal direction of the tubes.

According to this embodiment the termination 203 of the fluid passageways or tubes 202 is embodied by elastic sealings 593 which encircles the outlets of the tubes 202. The pressure provided by the elastic member 210 ensures a leak proff contact between the elastic sealings and the fluid terminals 110.

Thus, the terminations 203 embodied as elastic sealings 593 are separate from the tubes 202 but associated with the tubes for making a fluid passageway connection with fluid terminals, whereas terminations 203 embodied as tube-ends are part of the tubes 202.

Accordingly, a termination 203 is to be understood broadly to comprise a termination embodied by the end, e.g. a tapered end, of a tube 202 and to comprise a termination embodied by a sealing encircling a tube 202 to provide a fluid passageway between the end of the tube 202 and the inlet of the fluid terminal 110. The elastic sealings 593 may be recessed and fixated into corresponding recesses of the tube holder 220 as shown in Fig. 5B

Fig. 6A shows a fluid switch 600 comprising :

- a slider 601 having a set of switch fluid channels 602 for guiding fluids, each fluid channel having an inlet and an outlet,

- a first set of switch tubes 610a and a second set of switch tubes 610b which are engageable with inlets of the fluid channels 602,

- a switch tube holder 611 connected to the tubes 610, where the switch tube holder is displaceably arranged relative to the slider 601 to slide in a direction substantially parallel with the longitudinal direction of the tubes 610.

The inlets of the fluid channels are connectable with the first set of switch tubes 610a or the second set of switch tubes 610b depending on the position of the slider. The outlets of the fluid channels are connectable with the tubes 202.

Thus, by displacement of the slider, the switch enables switching fluid connections between the first set of switch tubes 610a and the second set of switch tubes 610b to the tubes 202. The outlets of the fluid channels 602 are flexibly connectable - e.g. via flexible hoses 630 - with tubes 202 of the chip connector 200 so that fluid can be transferred between the switch tubes 611 and the fluid terminals 110 of the chip 100. The switch tubes 610 are connectable with external fluid sources containing fluids to be delivered to the chip 100 or external fluid drains.

The switch tube holder 611 may be displaceably arranged on guide pins 612 which may be fixedly connected to a stationary main frame 620. Furthermore, preload springs 612 may be provided to create a preload on the tube holder 611 so that ends of the switch tubes 610 are pressed into or onto the holes or fluid terminals of the fluid channels 602. The springs 612 may be connected to the guide pins 612 to generate a force on the tube holder 611 in a direction 642, i.e. in the longitudinal direction of the switch tubes 610. Thus, the principle of using preload springs 613 for pressing the switch tubes 610 against the orifices of the fluid channels 602 is equivalent to the use of preload springs 210 for pressing the tubes 202 against the fluid terminals 110 of the chip.

The number of switch tubes 610 is an integer multiple of the number of switch 5 fluid channels 602. For example, the switch 600 may have ten fluid channels 602 and twenty or thirty switch tubes 610, where the switch tubes 610 are arranged as ten first switch tubes 610a and ten second switch tubes 610b and e.g. ten third switch tubes (not shown) in case of thirty switch tubes.

10 The fluid switch 600 is capable of switching fluid connections between the first and second sets of switch tubes 610a, 610b - and any other sets of switch tubes - to the switch fluid channels 602. Thus, the user can change between a first fluid connection connecting the first set of the switch tubes 610a to the fluid terminals 110 of the micro chip and a second fluid connection connecting the second set of

15 switch tubes 610b to the fluid terminals of the chip 110, and possibly other fluid connections connecting other sets of switch tubes, e.g. a third set of switch tubes, to the fluid terminals 110.

The switch between fluid connections may be achieved by displacing the slider 20 601, e.g . down in direction 641, so that the tubes 202 of the chip holder 200 and, thereby, the fluid channels 110, changes from a connection with the first set of switch tubes 610a to a connection with the second set of switch tubes 610b.

Before the slider 601 can be displaced from the first fluid connection involving the 25 first set of tubes 610a to the second fluid connection involving the second set of tubes 610b, the first set of tubes 610a need to be retracted or disengaged from the holes of the switch fluid channels 602. The retraction of the first set of tubes 610a may be performed manually by pulling the tube holder 611 and the tubes 610 away from the slider 601 in the direction 642.

30

Alternatively, a retraction mechanism may be provided to perform the retraction automatically. In Fig . 6 the balls 604, the springs 605 and the push pins 606 constitutes a retraction mechanism which automatically retracts the tubes 610 when the slider is pushed in a direction 641. One end of the spring 605 is

35 connected to the slider and the ball 604 is connected to the other free end of the spring. The push pins 606 are connected to the tube holder 611 and arranged displaceably through holes in the frame main frame 620. In Fig. 6 the slider 601 has a position so that the balls 604 are displaced from the free ends of the push pins (i.e. the balls do no contact the push pins) causing the springs 613 to press the switch tubes 610 against the holes of the fluid channels 602. By pushing the slider 601 downwards the balls 604 will contact the free ends of the push pins 606 and cause a pressure on the push pins causing a compression of springs 613 and, consequently, retraction of the switch tubes 610. The pressure on the push pins when the balls are aligned with the push pins should be large enough to compress the springs 613 - therefore, the ball springs 605 must have higher spring coefficients than the tube holder springs 613. Depressions 607 may be formed in the main frame 620 symmetrically around the holes for the push pins for allowing the balls to displace into the depressions in the intermediate position of the slider 601 where the balls contact the push pins. By pushing the slider 601 further downwards, the balls will disengage from the push pins 606 causing the second set of tubes 610b to engage with the fluid channels 602 of the slider 601.

Blind holes 603 may be provided to accommodate tubes 610 which do not engage with fluid channels 602.

Since both outer frame 620 and inner frame 201 are stationary relative to the slider 601, the outer frame 620 and the inner frame 201 may be the same frame.

Fig. 6B shows an alternative embodiment of the combined fluid switch 600 and slider 601 of Fig. 6A. In Fig. 6B the tube holder 301 has been removed on the left side of the fluid switch, and instead the frame 620 is extended and arranged to hold the tubes 202.

Fig. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of the slider 600 where the outlets of the fluid channels 602 are rigidly connected with the tubes 202 of the chip connector 200. Instead of displacing the slider 601, the frame structure 620 is displaceably arranged so that the frame 620, the tubes 610 and tube holder 611 can displace relative to the slider 601. For that purpose the tubes 610 are flexibly connected via flexible hoses 701. Thus, in this embodiment the connector and slider 600 are stationary relative to the displaceable frame or slider structure 620. Fig. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the slider 601 in a plane containing one of the fluid channels 602. In an embodiment the slider fluid channels 602 may be provided with bubble traps 801. The bubble trap 801 may be formed as a depression or hole into which air bubbles will be trapped since air bubbles will move upwards. The depression may have diffusion holes on the upper the upper surface (not shown) allowing trapped gas bubbles to escape. Fig. 8 also shows a through hole 802 for a guiding rail (not shown) for guiding the displacement of the slider. Fig. 9 illustrates an embodiment where the chip connector 200 additionally comprises electrically conducting contacts 901 for connecting with electrical terminals 103 of the chip. The conducting contacts 901, which may be formed as metallic leaf springs or pins, may be arranged on the chip holder 200 which may be made from a non-conducting material so that contacts 901 are electrically isolated from each other. It is understood that the contacts 901 may have various forms as known from the literature, and that the contacts may be arranged in different ways on the chip connector 200. For example the chip connecter may have contacts 901 arranged to contact electrical terminals 103 provided on the bottom of the chip 100 as shown in Fig. 1. As another example, the contacts 901, e.g. in the form of pins, may be arranged so that they extend in a direction parallel with the tubes 202. Although, Fig. 9 shows that the electrical contacts 901 are fixated on the chip connector 200, in an alternative embodiment the electrical contacts 901 may be fixated on the tube holder 301 and extend parallel with the tubes 202 to enable electrical contact with the electrical terminals 103. Thus, the electrical contacts 901 may be elastically restrained by the elastic member 210 which restrains movement of the tube holder 301 - and thereby the tubes 202 and contacts 901 - in a longitudinal direction of the tubes 202 and contacts 901. According to this embodiment the possible chip connector 200 is provided with holes enabling the electrical contacts to pass through.

Whereas the description focuses on a connector 200 where the elastically arranged tubes 202 are arranged horizontally for engagement with fluid terminals 110 and/or electrical terminals 103 arranged on side faces of a chip, the connector 200 may also or alternatively have tubes 202 and/or electrical contacts 901 arranged for engagement with fluid terminals arranged on the top or bottom face of the chip 100.

Fig. 10 shows an example where both fluid terminals 110 and electrical terminals 103 are arranged on top of a micro chip 100 and where a tube holder 301 - which may be elastically restrained by the elastic member 210 (not shown) - has tubes 202 and optionally electrical contacts 901 fixated thereon. The vertically arranged tubes 202 and electrical contacts 901 thereby enable fluidic and electrical contacts with fluid and electrical terminals 110, 103 in the same mannor as other embodiments where the tubes 202 are arranged horizontally.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.