Patent ID: 7473397

Claim:
A device for analysis of a sample comprising: a first layer a having first surface and a plurality of first chambers extending away from the first surface, said first chambers comprising at least one reaction chamber or channel and a fluidic network comprising reagent chambers and channels, each reagent chamber or channel for receiving a corresponding reagent and each being in communication with the at least one reaction chamber via a corresponding channel to form a networked array of channels extending from each reagent chamber or channel to the at least one reaction chamber through which fluid is caused to flow in a controlled manner during analysis; a second layer having a first dimensionally stable, rigid portion and second flexible portions, the rigid portion having an opening for each flexible portion, each flexible portion being deformable into the corresponding opening in the rigid portion, a second surface disposed in confronting relationship with the first surface and having a plurality of fluid chambers formed therein extending away from the second surface and the first layer, each fluid chamber and a corresponding reagent chamber or channel being aligned in pairs in opposition to each other, each of the fluid chambers containing an amount of a fluid for use in the analysis; at least one of the first and second layers having an inlet in flow communication with the at least one reaction chamber, for receiving at least a portion of the sample to be analysed; and a third layer disposed between the first and second surfaces of the respective first and second layers for sealing the surfaces of the first, second and third layers together in said confronting relationship, and said third layer having a frangible, fluid impervious area disposed between each pair of fluid and reagent chambers, each said frangible area being breakable to permit fluid from the fluid chamber to be driven into the paired reagent chamber or channel for communication to the at least one reaction chamber, wherein each of the flexible portions of the second layer has an actuator portion formed therein, said actuator portions being spaced away from the first surface and said second layer, each of said actuator portions formed of a flexible material covering the rigid portion of the fluid chambers, such that the actuator portion of each of the plurality of said fluid chambers is deformable under a force applied against the actuator portion from an undeformed initial shape spaced from the surface of the first layer to a deformed shape closer to the surface of the first layer for initiating breakage of the frangible area and resulting in displacement of the fluid in a direction from the fluid chamber to the corresponding reagent chamber or channel and to the network of channels in communication with the at least one reaction chamber, each actuator portion controllably deflecting inwardly of the chamber towards the third layer when the force is applied, thereby resulting in said controlled flow of the liquid.