Patent ID: 7686040

Claim:
A microfluidic device comprising: a fluid-bearing module including a plurality of electro-hydraulic valves, each valve of the plurality of valves including a flow channel, a hydraulic control channel, and a flexible wall between the flow channel and the hydraulic flow channel, the hydraulic control channels being in fluidic communication with one another; a control module secured to the fluid-bearing module, the control module including a pair of Peltier devices associated with each valve of the plurality of valves, the Peltier devices of the pair being disposed adjacent to the hydraulic control channel of the valve on opposite sides of the flow channel from one another; and a hydraulic pressure source operatively connected to and in fluidic communication with the hydraulic control channels, each pair of Peltier devices being configured to increase or reduce a hydraulic force applied to the associated flexible wall to selectably and reversibly close or open the associated valve.