Integrated Dual-Pressure Microfluidic Control System

The patent integrates the pressure control functionality directly into the microfluidic device by incorporating a flexible membrane layer with integrated pressure application ports. This merging of the pressure source and control mechanisms into a single integrated unit eliminates the need for separate external pumps and pressure regulators, thereby maintaining fluid control capability while significantly improving device portability and reducing overall system size.

The patent segments the pressure control function into two distinct pressure application ports (first pressure application port and second pressure application port) that can independently control different regions of the flexible membrane. This segmentation allows the system to achieve a wide pressure control range by selectively applying pressure to different areas, while maintaining relatively simple individual pressure control mechanisms for each region, thus reducing overall system complexity.

The patent designs the integrated pressure control system with multi-functionality, where the same flexible membrane layer and pressure application ports serve multiple purposes: actuating Quake-style microvalves through high-pressure regions, controlling fluid flow through low-pressure regions, and performing plasma separation functions. This universal design allows a single integrated system to handle multiple functions that would traditionally require separate devices, thereby achieving improved valve actuation capability while limiting the increase in overall device complexity.