The invention provides improved systems, devices, and methods for
analyzing a large number of sample compounds contained in standard
multi-well microtiter plates or other array structures. The multi-well
plates travel along a conveyor system to a test station having a
microfluidic device. At the test station, each plate is removed from the
conveyor and the wells of the multi-well plate are sequentially aligned
with an input port of the microfluidic device. After at least a portion
of each sample has been input into the microfluidic channel system, the
plate is returned to the conveyor system. Pre and/or post testing
stations may be disposed along the conveyor system, and the use of an
X-Y-Z robotic arm and novel plate support bracket allows each of the
samples in the wells to be input into the microfluidic network through a
probe affixed to a microfluidic chip. A clamshell structure having a
hinged lid can releasably support the chip while providing and/or
accommodating the electrical, optical, structural, and other interface
connections between the microfluidic device and the surrounding system.