Patent ID: 7537730

Claim:
A reaction card comprising a body, having a front surface and a rear surface connected by sides, at least one inlet and at least one outlet, connected one to the other through a network of channels constituting at least one reaction path for at least one fluid, the fluid or fluids being directed inside the card along the reaction path through a plurality of valves; each valve comprising a flexible film, which can be deformed to allow the fluid to pass through or which cooperates with a compression device to prevent the fluid from passing through, the flexible film being fixed on the rear surface of said card at a peripheral indentation of the assembly of channels associated with the valve; the card includes channels flush with at least one of its front and rear surfaces, the channels including at least some channels with a small cross-section for the transfer of fluid or fluids and some channels with a large cross-section serving as a reaction compartment; each front or rear surface is delimited by at least one film; the network of channels including a first set of channels providing a fluid conduit between the at least one inlet and a first compartment, a second set of channels providing a fluid conduit between the first compartment and a second compartment, a third set of channels providing a fluid conduit from the first compartment to the at least one outlet; and the valves including a first channel valve for controlling fluid flow from the first set of channels into the first compartment, and a second channel valve located at an output of the first compartment for controlling flow along the second set of channels and the third set of channels, the second channel valve having a first state where the valve is in one of either an open or closed position which permits fluid flow along the second set of channels and inhibits fluid flow along the third set of channels, and the second channel valve having a second state where the valve is in the other of the open or closed positions which inhibits fluid flow along the second set of channels and permits fluid flow along the third set of channels.