Abstract: A method for reading a microfluidic microplate having a plurality of cells is provided. The method includes determining target locations on the microfluidic microplate, each of the target locations being deviated from a center of each of the cells, and directing a beam centered at each of the target locations perpendicular to the microfluidic microplate, the beam having a predetermined diameter. Each of the plurality of cells includes a well structure including a side wall for a loading well, a through hole at a center of a base of the well structure, and a microfluidic channel formed in a spiral pattern configured to start from a first end of the microfluidic channel and end with a second end of the microfluidic channel at the base of the well structure, wherein the first end of the microfluidic channel is connected to the through hole, and the second end of the microfluidic channel includes an outlet hole.

Abstract: A method for reading a microfluidic microplate having a plurality of cells is provided. The method includes determining target locations on the microfluidic microplate, each of the target locations being deviated from a center of each of the cells, and directing a beam centered at each of the target locations perpendicular to the microfluidic microplate, the beam having a predetermined diameter. Each of the plurality of cells includes a well structure including a side wall for a loading well, a through hole at a center of a base of the well structure, and a microfluidic channel formed in a spiral pattern configured to start from a first end of the microfluidic channel and end with a second end of the microfluidic channel at the base of the well structure, wherein the first end of the microfluidic channel is connected to the through hole, and the second end of the microfluidic channel includes an outlet hole.

Abstract: This invention discloses novel improvements to conventional microtiter plates, involving integrating microfluidic channels with such microtiter plates to simplify the assay operation, Increase operational speed and reduce reagent consumption. The present invention can be used in place of a conventional microliter plate and can be easily substituted without any changes to the existing instrumentation systems designed for microtiter plates. The invention also discloses a microfluidic device integrated with sample loading wells wherein the entire flow process is capillary driven.