Patent ID: 7607641

Claim:
A valve mechanism comprising: a. a rigid body structure including a first surface extending an entire length of the rigid body structure and at least one recessed valve area configured within the first surface, wherein the rigid body structure further includes a plurality of fluid channels and each recessed valve area includes an inlet end of a first fluid channel and an outlet end of a second fluid channel; and b. a membrane cover extending over the entire length of the rigid body structure and sealed to the first surface of the rigid body structure such that each recessed valve area is sealed at the first surface by a portion of the membrane, thereby forming a valve membrane for each recessed valve area, wherein each valve membrane is configured to be actuated into a first position thereby providing a fluidic pathway between the inlet end of the first fluid channel and the outlet end of the second fluid channel, and a second position such that the valve membrane is extended into the recessed valve area thereby blocking the fluidic pathway between the inlet end of the first fluid channel and the outlet end of the second fluid channel.