Microfluidic device and method for improved sample handling
First Claim
1. A microfluidics device for use in handling a sample that contains charged components, comprising a substrate, formed in the substrate, a microchannel network that includes a channel segment communicating with first and second reservoirs, said segment being defined by a channel-forming wall portion, and said reservoirs having or being adapted to receive first and second electrodes, respectively, by which a voltage potential can be applied across the reservoirs, and means defining a projection that extends from said wall portion into an interior space in the segment, terminating therein at a point, edge, or surface, whereby a voltage potential applied between the first and second reservoirs creates an electric field gradient within the channel segment that causes charged components in a sample added to the first reservoir, or between the first reservoir and the projection, to concentrate in the region of the projection[the claim as written covers these different stacking configuration]
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Abstract
A microfluidics device and method for sample loading, concentrating, mixing, and/or reacting is disclosed. The device has a microchannel network that includes a channel segment communicating with first and second reservoirs. A projection formed on a wall portion of the channel segment terminates therein at a point or edge. When a voltage potential is applied across the two reservoirs, the projection functions to create an electric field gradient within the channel segment that causes charged components in the channel segment to concentrate in the region of the projection. The device is useful, for example, in loading a sample of dilute charged components for electrophoretic separation in the device.
112 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A microfluidics device for use in handling a sample that contains charged components, comprising
a substrate, formed in the substrate, a microchannel network that includes a channel segment communicating with first and second reservoirs, said segment being defined by a channel-forming wall portion, and said reservoirs having or being adapted to receive first and second electrodes, respectively, by which a voltage potential can be applied across the reservoirs, and means defining a projection that extends from said wall portion into an interior space in the segment, terminating therein at a point, edge, or surface, whereby a voltage potential applied between the first and second reservoirs creates an electric field gradient within the channel segment that causes charged components in a sample added to the first reservoir, or between the first reservoir and the projection, to concentrate in the region of the projection[the claim as written covers these different stacking configuration]
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9. A method of concentrating charged components in a sample, comprising
adding the sample to a microfluidics device that includes a channel network having a channel segment and first and second reservoirs communicating with the channel segment, applying a voltage potential between said first and second reservoirs, thereby creating an electric field gradient within the channel segment, and by means of a projection that extends from a wall portion of the channel segment into an interior space of the segment, and terminates therein at a point, edge, or surface, , altering the electric field gradient within the channel segment to cause charged components in the sample added to the first reservoir, or between the first reservoir and the projection, to concentrate in the region of the projection.
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16. A method of concentrating charged species contained in a microfluidics channel at a selected region in the channel, comprising
interposing adjacent the selected region, a projection that extends from a wall portion of the channel segment into an interior space thereof, and terminates therein at a point or edge, and applying a voltage potential across the channel.
Specification