Patent ID: 8763642

Claim:
A device comprising at least one diaphragm valve comprised in a combination that comprises a fluidics layer comprising a fluidic conduit, an actuation layer comprising an actuation conduit and an elastic layer sandwiched between the fluidics layer and the actuation layer, wherein: (A) at least one diaphragm valve comprises a diaphragm provided by the elastic layer, said diaphragm being mechanically scaled against the fluidics layer and against a raised sealing ring of the actuation layer, wherein the sealing ring is configured to exert localized pressure on the elastic layer against the fluidics layer to form a pressure seal; (B) each diaphragm valve of (A) comprises: a) a valve seat against which the diaphragm is configured to sit; b) a valve relief defined at least in part by the sealing ring, and into which the diaphragm is configured to be deflected, thereby defining a valve chamber; and c) a valve inlet and a valve outlet comprised in the fluidics layer and in fluid communication with the valve chamber, wherein the diaphragm is configured to be actuated by positive or negative pressure transmitted through an actuation conduit in the actuation layer that communicates with the valve relief; and (C) the fluidics layer comprises a via layer and a fluidics manifold, wherein: the via layer has a first face mated with the elastic layer and a second face mated with the fluidics manifold, wherein the valve inlet and valve outlet of each diaphragm valve of (A) are configured as vias through the via layer and each via is in fluid communication with a microfluidic channel disposed in the second face of the via layer, and the fluidics manifold comprises at least one compartment scaled by the second face of the via layer, wherein the at least one compartment is in fluid communication with the microfluidic channel that is in fluid communication with the via.