Patent ID: 7164107

Claim:
A sample processing device comprising: a substrate that comprises first and second major sides and a first cover attached to the first major side of the substrate, wherein the first cover transmits electromagnetic energy of selected wavelengths; a plurality of process chamber arrays formed in the substrate, each process chamber array of the plurality of process chamber arrays comprising a first chamber defining a volume for containing sample material, a second chamber defining a volume for containing sample material, a channel extending between the first chamber and second chamber, wherein the plurality of process chamber arrays are arranged radially on the substrate such that the second chamber is located radially outward of the first chamber in each of the process chamber arrays; and a valve located in the channel between the first chamber and the second chamber in at least one process array of the plurality of process arrays, wherein the valve comprises an impermeable membrane closing the channel, and wherein the valve is opened by forming a void through the impermeable membrane using electromagnetic energy passing through the first cover.