Patent ID: 8286665

Claim:
A microfluidic logic circuit comprising: an array of membrane valves, the array comprising a latching valve and a plurality of logic valves, wherein the logic valves are part of a single monolithic structure and wherein the latching valve and the logic valves are in fluid communication with each other to form a logic gate structure, and wherein the latching valve comprises: a valve input configured to receive application of a pressure or a vacuum; a valve control configured to receive application of a pressure, vacuum, or neither; a valve output; and a first normally-closed elastomer membrane configured such that the application of a pressure or a vacuum to the valve input and application of a pressure, a vacuum or neither to the valve control causes the membrane to deflect according to the following pneumatic logic: Valve Input Valve Control Valve Output Pressure Pressure Closed Pressure Vacuum Open Pressure Neither Open if input pressure large enough to force valve open Vacuum Pressure Closed Vacuum Vacuum Open Vacuum Neither Closed; and further wherein each of the logic valves comprises a valve input configured to receive application of a pressure or a vacuum; a valve control configured to receive application of a pressure, vacuum, or neither; a valve output; and a normally-closed elastomer membrane configured such that the application of a pressure or a vacuum to the valve input and application of a pressure, a vacuum or neither to the valve control causes the membrane to deflect according to said pneumatic logic.