Microfabricated device

Abstract

A microfabricated device (10) includes a structure (12) defining a closed fluid delivery channel (14), the channel (14) having an inlet (16) and an opposed outlet (18). A conducting polymer actuator (20) is arranged within the fluid delivery channel (14). At least a part of the actuator (20) is configured to vary its cross sectional area in a direction transverse to a direction of fluid flow in the channel (14). An actuator control arrangement (22) is carried by the structure (12) for controlling the actuator (20) to cause the actuator (20) to expand and contract cyclically and sequentially along the length of the actuator (20) to vary the cross sectional area of the channel (14) cyclically and sequentially to effect a peristaltic pumping action to deliver fluid from the inlet (16) of the channel (14) to the outlet (18) of the channel (14).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.