| abstract |
The present invention relates to a microdevice having a valve structure that contains low or no dead volume. The microdevice comprises a substrate and a cover plate each having a substantially planar contact surface and each contact surface having a fluid-transporting feature associated therewith. The substrate contact surface is positioned in slidable and fluid-tight contact with the cover plate contact surface to allow for controllable alignment between the fluid-transporting features. As a result, fluid communication is provided therebetween through a small area. Where the cover plate fluid-transporting feature comprises a conduit, the conduit may have a substantially constant cross-sectional area. The controllable alignment between the fluid-transporting features may form an alignment-dependent variable-length flow path. |