Patent ID: 8168136

Claim:
A fluid-conveying apparatus for conveying fluid using a micro-channel for the fluid to flow, the apparatus comprising: pressure-generating means for generating pressure for conveying the fluid through the micro-channel, with the micro-channel having a broad channel region and a narrow channel region; a plurality of micro-processing areas for processing the fluid or a sample conveyed through the micro-channel; a micro-valve which is disposed between two of the plurality of the processing areas and controls the fluid flow therethrough, wherein the micro-valve comprises a shielding plate elastically supported in the broad channel region, the shielding plate operably moves toward the narrow channel region to interrupt a flow of the fluid from the broad channel region to the narrow channel region, the shielding plate being operable based only on the pressure difference between an upstream side of the fluid flow and a downstream side of the fluid flow; and pressure-relieving means for relieving pressure in the channel, wherein the channel, the processing area and the valve comprise substrates having a silicon layer or a silicon oxide layer.