Three dimensional micro-fluidic pumps and valves
A system is disclosed for the control of fluid flow in a micro-fluidic system, the system having: a substrate; at least one micro-fluidic channel having disposed in a microchannel layer atop the substrate; a conformable layer disposed on the micro-fluidic layer; a receiving cavity disposed within the at least one micro-fluidic channel; at least one occluding member disposed within the conformable layer, and configured to be received by the receiving cavity so as to occlude the micro-fluidic channel when depressed by an actuator.
1. A system for the control of fluid flow in a micro-fluidic system, the system comprising: a substrate; at least one micro-fluidic channel disposed in a microchannel layer atop said substrate; a conformable layer disposed on said micro-fluidic layer; a receiving cavity disposed within said at least one micro-fluidic channel; at least one occluding member disposed within said conformable layer, configured to be received by said receiving cavity so as to occlude said micro-fluidic channel when depressed by an actuator, and wherein said occluding member is configured from a durable material selected from the group of durable materials consisting of metal, ceramic, and engineered plastic.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein said occluding member is of a geometric shape selected from the group of shapes consisting of spheres, cylinders, cones, oblongs, ellipsoids.
3. The system according to claim 1 wherein said receiving cavity is configured to match the shape of said occluding member.
4. The system according to claim 1 wherein said actuator is a cam.
5. The system according to claim 1 wherein said actuator is a linear cam having one or more lobes driven by a linear motor.
6. The system according to claim 1 wherein said actuator is a rotary cam having one or more lobes driven by a linear motor.
7. The system according to claim 1 wherein said actuator is a rotary cam having one or more lobes driven by a rotary motor.
8. The system according to claim 1 wherein said actuator is a linear cam having one or more lobes driven by a rotary motor.
9. A system for pumping micro-fluidic amounts, said system comprising: a first, a second and a third valve system, said second valve system disposed between said first and said third valve system, and said first, second and third valve systems each comprising: a substrate; at least one micro-fluidic channel disposed in a microchannel layer atop said substrate; a conformable layer disposed on said micro-fluidic layer; a receiving cavity disposed within said at least one micro-fluidic channel; and at least one occluding member disposed within said conformable layer, and configured to be received by said receiving cavity so as to occlude said micro-fluidic channel when depressed by an actuator; said first second and third valve systems being disposed upon a common micro-fluidic chamber, such that said first and said third valve systems define a pump chamber, and said receiving cavity of said second valve system defines a pump volume such that said second valve system provides pressure forcing fluid from said pumping chamber, and wherein said occluding member is configured from a durable material selected from the group of durable materials consisting of metal, ceramic, and engineered plastic.
10. The system according to claim 9 wherein said actuator is a linear cam having one or more lobes driven by a linear motor.
11. The system according to claim 9 wherein said actuator is a rotary cam having one or more lobes driven by a linear motor.
12. The system according to claim 9 wherein said actuator is a rotary cam having one or more lobes driven by a rotary motor.
13. The system according to claim 9 wherein said actuator is a linear cam having one or more lobes driven by a rotary motor.