Patent ID: 8778280

Claim:
A microfluidic device, comprising: a substrate having a plurality of channels disposed therein, each of the channels having an inlet end and an outlet end; at least one reagent reservoir of a type capable of holding a material disposed on the substrate; a plurality of outlet reservoirs coupled to respective outlet ends of the plurality of channels disposed on the substrate; at least one bi-directional diaphragm pump comprising at least three non-elastomeric membrane-based valve structures disposed on the substrate; a distribution valve disposed in fluid coupling with the at least one reagent reservoir and at least one of the inlet ends, wherein the distribution valve is adapted to controllably direct a flow of the material from the at least one reagent reservoir to at least one of the plurality of outlet reservoirs via at least one of the channels coupled to the distribution valve; at least one heating element disposed adjacent the substrate for adjusting a temperature of the material; and at least one insert configured to inter-fit within at least one of the channels and having a reaction surface for interacting with the material, wherein the at least one insert comprises a membrane.