Abstract: A pump for a microfluidic device is disclosed. The pump comprises an actuator and a resilient isolator which is a planar, layered structure. The resilient isolator may comprise a support layer and optionally other layers for strengthening against tensile stress imposed by bending. Alternatively or in addition, the resilient isolator may comprise a plurality of annular regions, layers of the resilient isolator being configured such that at least one of the plurality of annular regions is less resistant than another one of the plurality of annular regions to bending. The actuator may comprise a piezoelectric disc including a surface which comprises electrode regions for electrical connection with respective conductive regions of a conductive layer of the resilient isolator, and an alignment feature for rotational alignment of the piezoelectric disc to ensure the electrical connection between the electrode regions and the respective conductive regions.

Abstract: A valve includes a first plate, a second plate, a spacer disposed between the first plate and the second plate, and a flap movably disposed between the first plate and the second plate. The first plate includes a plurality of first apertures extending through said first plate and the second plate includes a plurality of second apertures extending through said second plate. The second apertures are substantially offset from the first apertures. The spacer forms a cavity between the first plate and the second plate and is in fluid communication with the first apertures and the second apertures. The flap has apertures substantially offset from the first apertures and substantially aligned with the second apertures, and the flap is operable to be motivated between said first and second plates in response to a change in direction of the differential pressure of the fluid across the valve.

Abstract: A valve includes a first plate, a second plate, a spacer disposed between the first plate and the second plate, and a flap movably disposed between the first plate and the second plate. The first plate includes a plurality of first holes extending through said first plate and the second plate includes a plurality of second holes extending through said second plate. The second holes are substantially offset from the first holes. The spacer forms a cavity between the first plate and the second plate and is in fluid communication with the first holes and the second holes. The flap has holes substantially offset from the first holes and substantially aligned with the second holes, and the flap is operable to be motivated between said first and second plates in response to a change in direction of the differential pressure of the fluid across the valve.

Abstract: A valve for controlling fluid flow, the valve comprising: a first plate comprising a plurality of first holes extending through said first plate; a second plate comprising a plurality of second holes extending through said second plate, the second holes being substantially offset from the first holes of said first plate; wherein said first plate and said second plate are arranged to form a cavity therebetween in fluid communication with the first holes of said first plate and the second holes of said second plate; and a flap disposed and moveable between said first plate and said second plate, said flap having holes substantially offset from the first holes of said first plate and substantially aligned with the second holes of said second plate; wherein said flap is operable to be motivated between said first and second plates in response to a change in direction of differential pressure of the fluid across the valve; wherein said first plate comprises a coating disposed on a surface of the first plate; where

Abstract: A valve includes a first plate, a second plate, a spacer disposed between the first plate and the second plate, and a flap movably disposed between the first plate and the second plate. The first plate includes a plurality of first apertures extending through said first plate and the second plate includes a plurality of second apertures extending through said second plate. The second apertures are substantially offset from the first apertures. The spacer forms a cavity between the first plate and the second plate and is in fluid communication with the first apertures and the second apertures. The flap has apertures substantially offset from the first apertures and substantially aligned with the second apertures, and the flap is operable to be motivated between said first and second plates in response to a change in direction of the differential pressure of the fluid across the valve.

Abstract: A pump for a microfluidic device is disclosed. The pump comprises an actuator and a resilient isolator which is a planar, layered structure. The resilient isolator may comprise a support layer and optionally other layers for strengthening against tensile stress imposed by bending. Alternatively or in addition, the resilient isolator may comprise a plurality of annular regions, layers of the resilient isolator being configured such that at least one of the plurality of annular regions is less resistant than another one of the plurality of annular regions to bending. The actuator may comprise a piezoelectric disc including a surface which comprises electrode regions for electrical connection with respective conductive regions of a conductive layer of the resilient isolator, and an alignment feature for rotational alignment of the piezoelectric disc to ensure the electrical connection between the electrode regions and the respective conductive regions.

Abstract: A valve includes a first plate, a second plate, a spacer disposed between the first plate and the second plate, and a flap movably disposed between the first plate and the second plate. The first plate includes a plurality of first holes extending through said first plate and the second plate includes a plurality of second holes extending through said second plate. The second holes are substantially offset from the first holes. The spacer forms a cavity between the first plate and the second plate and is in fluid communication with the first holes and the second holes. The flap has holes substantially offset from the first holes and substantially aligned with the second holes, and the flap is operable to be motivated between said first and second plates in response to a change in direction of the differential pressure of the fluid across the valve.