Microfluidic cartridge with parallel pneumatic interface plate

A microfluidic cartridge for use with a parallel pneumatic interface plate of a pneumatic instrument, the microfluidic cartridge comprising:

• a three dimensional fluid channel in which a fluid is to be transported;
• and
• a flexible membrane that spans a plane, the flexible membrane being part of an outer surface of the microfluidic cartridge, the three dimensional fluid channel being defined in three dimensions by internal walls of the microfluidic cartridge and by the flexible membrane,
• wherein the flexible membrane is in an ground state, when no pressure or vacuum is applied to the flexible membrane, and
• wherein the flexible membrane is pneumatically deflectable from the ground state perpendicular to the plane in two directions when the microfluidic cartridge is placed onto the parallel pneumatic interface plate.

A system for fluid actuation inside a microfluidic cartridge, the system comprising:

• a pneumatic instrument;
• a parallel pneumatic interface plate;
• and
• a microfluidic cartridge having a three dimensional fluid channel in which a fluid is to be transported and a flexible membrane that spans a plane, the flexible membrane being part of an outer surface of the microfluidic cartridge, wherein the three dimensional fluid channel is defined by internal walls of the microfluidic cartridge and by the flexible membrane, wherein the flexible membrane is in an ground state, when no pressure or vacuum is applied to the flexible membrane, and wherein the flexible membrane is pneumatically deflectable from the ground state perpendicular to the plane in two directions when the microfluidic cartridge is placed onto the parallel pneumatic interface plate,
• wherein the parallel pneumatic interface plate comprises:
• an instrument side facing the pneumatic instrument when the parallel pneumatic interface plate is inserted into the pneumatic instrument,
• a cartridge side facing the microfluidic cartridge when the microfluidic cartridge is placed onto the parallel pneumatic interface plate, and
• a pneumatic channel to connect a pneumatic fluid of the pneumatic instrument from the instrument side to the cartridge side to enable pneumatic driving of the flexible membrane of the microfluidic cartridge,
• wherein the flexible membrane of the microfluidic cartridge is deflectable by pneumatic pumping through the pneumatic channel of the parallel pneumatic interface plate in such a way that a fluid in the fluid channel is movable along the fluid channel.