Patent ID: 7284966

Claim:
A micro-pump comprising: a first layer having: an inlet recess; an inlet channel in fluid communication with the inlet recess; and an outlet channel; a second layer having: an outlet; and an inlet; wherein the first layer and the second layer are disposed such that the inlet is opposite the inlet recess and at least a portion of the outlet channel is opposite an outlet recess and wherein at least one of the first layer and the second layer includes a pumping chamber in fluid communication with the inlet channel and the outlet channel; and a third intermediate flexible layer having: an inlet slit and an outlet slit positioned therein; an actuatable portion abutting the pumping chamber; a first valve portion adjacent the inlet slit, wherein the first valve portion is disposed over the inlet to block fluid passage between the inlet and the inlet recess and wherein the first valve portion is moveable away from the inlet in response to a first actuation of the actuatable portion to allow the inlet to be in fluid communication with the inlet recess through the inlet slit; and a second valve portion adjacent the outlet slit, wherein the second valve portion is disposed between the outlet channel and the outlet so as to block fluid passage between the outlet channel and the outlet and wherein the second valve portion is moveable away from the outlet channel in response to a second actuation of the actuatable portion to allow the outlet channel to be in fluid communication with the outlet through the outlet slit; wherein the inlet of the second layer comprises a recess surrounding a pedestal, the pedestal being in abutment with the inlet slit of the intermediate flexible layer; and wherein a through-hole is defined in one of the first layer and the second layer to be in fluid communication with the pumping chamber.