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A micropump comprising a pump body including a fluid inlet channel, a fluid outlet channel and pumping reservoir, the fluid inlet channel and the fluid outlet channel communicating with the pumping reservoir, a diaphragm covering the pumping reservoir, a piezoelectric strip actuator attached to the

A micropump comprising a pump body including a fluid inlet channel, a fluid outlet channel and pumping reservoir, the fluid inlet channel and the fluid outlet channel communicating with the pumping reservoir, a diaphragm covering the pumping reservoir, a piezoelectric strip actuator attached to the diaphragm such that by applying a voltage to the actuator, the diaphragm can be raised or lowered relative to the pumping chamber, a valve on the inlet channel and the outlet channel, the valve opening and closing the inlet and the outlet channel in response to the raising and lowering of the diaphragm.

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1. A micropump comprising:a pump body including a fluid inlet channel, a fluid outlet channel and pumping reservoir, the fluid inlet channel and the fluid outlet channel communicating with the pumping reservoir,a diaphragm covering the pumping reservoir,a piezoelectric strip actuator attached to the

1. A micropump comprising:a pump body including a fluid inlet channel, a fluid outlet channel and pumping reservoir, the fluid inlet channel and the fluid outlet channel communicating with the pumping reservoir,a diaphragm covering the pumping reservoir,a piezoelectric strip actuator attached to the diaphragm such that by applying a voltage to the actuator, the diaphragm can be raised or lowered relative to the pumping reservoir and wherein the piezoelectric strip actuator has two ends and is mounted in the micropump in a manner that permits both ends of the actuator to flex when a voltage is applied to the actuator, anda valve on the inlet channel and the outlet channel, the valve opening and closing the inlet and the outlet channel in response to the raising and lowering of the diaphragm. 2. The micropump of claim 1 wherein the micropump generates a pumping force that is essentially a direct function of the width of the actuator. 3. The micropump of claim 1 wherein the valves on the inlet and outlet channels are reed valves. 4. The micropump of claim 3 wherein the reed valve is stressed to increase the cracking pressure or the back pressure. 5. The micropump of claim 3 wherein the reed valves are constructed from a single film of a flexible polymer. 6. The micropump of claim 5 wherein the film is an aromatic polyimide. 7. The micropump of the claim 5 wherein the reed valves are formed from a film of a flexible polymer having a first cut out therein defining a first flexible flap and second cut out therein defining a second flexible flap, one of said flexible flaps being aligned with the inlet channel and the other of the flexible flaps being aligned with the outlet channel. 8. The micropump of claim 1 wherein the diaphragm is cupped. 9. The micropump of claim 8 wherein the diaphragm is a laminate that includes a gas impermeable film and a layer of a polymer that can be melt bonded to the pump body. 10. The micropump of claim 9 wherein the diaphragm is a laminate of polychlorotrifluoroethylene. 11. The micropump of claim 1 wherein the piezoelectric actuator is mounted on a pair of flexible pads at each end of the actuator. 12. A micropump comprising:a pump body having a fluid outlet channel, a fluid inlet channel, a first pumping reservoir and a second pumping reservoir,first and second diaphragms covering respectively the first and second pumping reservoirs,a piezoelectric strip actuator attached to both the first and second diaphragms such that by applying a first voltage to the actuator, the first diaphragm can be raised and the second diaphragm lowered relative to the pumping reservoirs and upon applying a second voltage to the actuator, the first diaphragm can be lowered and the second diaphragm can be raised relative to the pumping reservoirs wherein the piezoelectric strip actuator has two ends and is mounted in the micropump in a manner that permits both ends of the actuator to flex when a voltage is applied to the actuator, and valves on the inlet channel and the outlet channel. 13. The micropump of claim 12 wherein the valves on the inlet and outlet channels are reed valves. 14. The micropump of claim 13 wherein the reed valve on the inlet channel or the outlet channel is stressed to increase the cracking pressure. 15. The micropump of claim 14 wherein the reed valves are constructed from a single film of a flexible polymer. 16. The micropump of claim 15 wherein the film is an aromatic polyimide. 17. The micropump of claim 12 wherein the diaphragm is cupped. 18. The micropump of claim 17 wherein the diaphragm is a laminate of an impermeable film and a layer of a polymer that can be melt bonded to the pump body. 19. The micropump of claim 12 wherein the piezoelectric actuator is mounted on a pair of pads at each end of the actuator. 20. A micropump comprising:a pump body including a fluid inlet channel, a fluid outlet channel and pumping reservoir, the fluid inlet channel and the fluid outlet channel communicating w ith the pumping reservoir,a diaphragm covering the pumping reservoir,a piezoelectric strip actuator attached to the diaphragm such that by applying a voltage to the actuator, the diaphragm can be raised or lowered relative to the pumping reservoir wherein the actuator is mounted on the pump body such that at least one end of the actuator oscillates when an electric voltage is applied, anda valve on the inlet channel and the outlet channel, the valve opening and closing the inlet and the outlet channel in response to the raising and lowering of the diaphragm. 21. The micropump of claim 20 wherein the actuator is mounted on the pump body such that both ends oscillate when an electric voltage is applied. 22. The micropump of claim 21 wherein at least one of end of the actuator is supported on a wire and the actuator oscillates on the wire. 23. The micropump of claim 22 wherein both ends of the actuator are supported on wires and oscillate on the wires. 24. A micropump comprising a pump body having a fluid inlet channel, a fluid outlet channel, a first pumping chamber and a second pumping chamber,a first diaphragm covering the first pumping chamber and second diaphragm covering the second pumping chamber,a first piezoelectric strip actuator attached to the first diaphragm such that by applying a voltage to the actuator, the diaphragm can be raised or lowered relative to the first pumping chamber,a second piezoelectric strip actuator attached to the second diaphragm such that by applying a voltage to the second actuator, the second diaphragm can be raised or lowered relative to the second pumping chamber, wherein at least one of the piezoelectric strip actuators has two ends and is mounted in the micropump in a manner that permits both ends of the actuator to flex when a voltage is applied to the actuator, andan inlet valve in the inlet channel and an outlet valve in the outlet channel, the inlet and outlet valves opening and closing the inlet and outlet channels in response to raising and lowering the diaphragms. 25. A dosing device comprising a micropump and a supply of a medicament, the micropump pumping the medicament from the supply; wherein the micropump includes a pump body including a fluid inlet channel, a fluid outlet channel and pumping reservoir, the fluid inlet channel and the fluid outlet channel communicating with the pumping reservoir,a diaphragm covering the pumping reservoir,a piezoelectric strip actuator attached to the diaphragm such that by applying a voltage to the actuator, the diaphragm can be raised or lowered relative to the pumping reservoir, wherein the piezoelectric strip actuator has two ends and is mounted in the micropump in a manner that permits both ends of the actuator to flex when a voltage is applied to the actuator,an inlet valve on the inlet channel and an outlet channel on the outlet channel, the valves opening and closing the inlet and the outlet channels in response to the raising and lowering of the diaphragm.