A unit (10) for the regulation or control of a fluid pressure, having at least one housing section (13, 14) and a switching film (22) connected to the at least one housing section (13, 14) for switching at pressure differentials relative to an ambient pressure acting on the switching film (22), and for the regulation, release or blocking of a flow of the fluid between an inlet (28) and a discharge (30) for the fluid. The switching film (22) is made out of a polymer material having fluorine and carbon, in particular a thermoplastic having fluorine and carbon. In this arrangement, a hole cross-section (40) of the at least one housing section (13, 14) is closed off by the switching film (22).

Disclosed is a method and a unit (10) for the regulation or control of a fluid pressure, having at least one housing section (13, 14) and a switching film (22) connected to the at least one housing section (13, 14) for switching at pressure differentials of 1 to 250 mbar, preferably from 1 to 100 mbar, relative to an ambient pressure acting on the switching film (22), and for the regulation, release or blocking of a flow of the fluid between an inlet (28) and a discharge (30) for the fluid. The switching film (22) is made out of a polymer material having fluorine and carbon. In this arrangement, a hole cross-section (40) of the at least one housing section (13, 14) is closed off by the switching film (22).

The invention concerns a unit (10) for regulating or controlling a fluid pressure, with at least one housing part (13, 14) and a switching film (22) connected with the at least one housing part (13, 14) for switching at pressure differences of 1 to 250 mbar, preferably of 1 to 100 mbar, relative to an ambient pressure acting on the switching film (22) and for regulating, releasing or blocking a flow of the fluid between an inlet (28) and an outlet (30) for the fluid. The switching film (22) is formed of thermoplastic synthetic material. In this context, an opening cross section (40) of the at least one housing part (13, 14) is closed off by the switching film (22).

The invention concerns moreover a method for fluid-tight connection of a switching film (22) with at least one housing part (13, 14) of a unit (10), wherein a radial outwardly positioned joining region (42) of the switching film (22) in the region of at least one joining surface (50, 52) is fluid-tightly pressed against the at least one housing part (13, 14).

A unit (10) for the regulation or control of a fluid pressure, having at least one housing section (13, 14) and a switching film (22) connected to the at least one housing section (13, 14) for switching at pressure differentials relative to an ambient pressure acting on the switching film (22), and for the regulation, release or blocking of a flow of the fluid between an inlet (28) and a discharge (30) for the fluid. The switching film (22) is made out of a polymer material having fluorine and carbon, in particular a thermoplastic having fluorine and carbon. In this arrangement, a hole cross-section (40) of the at least one housing section (13, 14) is closed off by the switching film (22).

A unit (10) for the regulation or control of a fluid pressure, having at least one housing section (13, 14) and a switching film (22) connected to the at least one housing section (13, 14) for switching at pressure differentials relative to an ambient pressure acting on the switching film (22), and for the regulation, release or blocking of a flow of the fluid between an inlet (28) and a discharge (30) for the fluid. The switching film (22) is made out of a polymer material having fluorine and carbon, in particular a thermoplastic having fluorine and carbon. In this arrangement, a hole cross-section (40) of the at least one housing section (13, 14) is closed off by the switching film (22).

A unit (10) for the regulation or control of a fluid pressure, having at least one housing section (13, 14) and a switching film (22) connected to the at least one housing section (13, 14) for switching at pressure differentials relative to an ambient pressure acting on the switching film (22), and for the regulation, release or blocking of a flow of the fluid between an inlet (28) and a discharge (30) for the fluid. The switching film (22) is made out of a polymer material having fluorine and carbon, in particular a thermoplastic having fluorine and carbon. In this arrangement, a hole cross-section (40) of the at least one housing section (13, 14) is closed off by the switching film (22).

Plastic microfluidic structures having a substantially rigid diaphragm that actuates between a relaxed state wherein the diaphragm sits against the surface of a substrate and an actuated state wherein the diaphragm is moved away from the substrate. As will be seen from the following description, the microfluidic structures formed with this diaphragm provide easy to manufacture and robust systems, as well readily made components such as valves and pumps.

Plastic microfluidic structures having a substantially rigid diaphragm that actuates between a relaxed state wherein the diaphragm sits against the surface of a substrate and an actuated state wherein the diaphragm is moved away from the substrate. As will be seen from the following description, the microfluidic structures formed with this diaphragm provide easy to manufacture and robust systems, as well readily made components such as valves and pumps.

A microfluidic structure comprising a thermoplastic portion defining a microfluidic recess, a bonding layer on the thermoplastic portion and a siloxane elastomer portion covalently bonded to the bonding layer to seal the microfluidic recess. The microfluidic recess can therefore be formed simply, quickly and cheaply using known injection molding techniques, which are not hampered by the need for a curing step. However, the positive qualities associated with elastomers can be brought to the structure by using this to seal the microchannels. The bonding layer can be formed by silica deposited on the thermoplastic portion using techniques known in the field of optics.