Patent ID: 6921253

Claim:
A micropump comprising, a bottom substrate layer; a top substrate layer; a first chamber formed in the bottom substrate layer, and having a microfluidic input at a bottom portion of the first chamber; a first ball disposed in the first chamber; a second chamber formed in the bottom substrate layer, and having a microfluidic input at a bottom portion of the second chamber; a second ball disposed in the second chamber; and a microfluidic pumping passage formed between the top and bottom substrate layers and fluidically coupled between the first and second chambers; wherein fluid enters from the bottom substrate to the first chamber through a microfluidic input at a bottom portion of the first chamber, said fluid enters the microfluidic pumping passage in the top substrate, flows back down to the bottom substrate, enters the microfluidic input at a bottom portion of the second chamber, and exits through the top substrate; and wherein the first and second balls act as valves to promote one-way flow of fluid.