Patent ID: 7691333

Claim:
A microfluidic device comprising: a first fluidic channel having a first end and a second end in fluid communication with each other through said channel; a plurality of blind flow channels, each blind flow channel terminating at a terminal wall; wherein each blind flow channel branches from and is in fluid communication with said first fluidic channel, wherein an aqueous fluid that enters one of said blind flow channels from said first fluidic channel can flow out of the blind flow channel only through said first fluidic channel; and, an inlet in fluid communication with said first fluidic channel, said inlet for introducing a sample fluid; wherein each blind flow channel is associated with a valve that when closed isolates one end of the blind flow channel from the first fluidic channel, whereby an isolated reaction site is formed between the valve and the terminal wall; a control channel; wherein each said valve is a deflectable membrane which is deflected into the blind flow channel associated with the valve when an actuating force is applied to the control channel, thereby closing the valve; and wherein when the actuating force is applied to the control channel the valve in each of said blind flow channels is closed, so as to produce the isolated reaction site in each blind flow channel.