Miniaturized planar columns in novel support media for liquid phase analysis
First Claim
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1. A method of forming a miniaturized column device comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a support body having first and second component halves, said support body halves having substantially planar interior surfaces;
(b) forming a compartment in said support body by;
(i) laser ablating a first microchannel in the interior surface of said first support body half;
(ii) laser ablating a second microchannel in the interior surface of said second support body half, said second microchannel so arranged as to provide the mirror image of said first microchannel; and
(iii) aligning said interior surfaces of said support body halves in facing abutment with each other whereby said microchannels define an elongate bore;
(c) forming a plurality of ports in said support body, said ports enabling fluid communication between said compartment and associated external fluid containment means, wherein said step of forming said ports comprises laser ablating a plurality of apertures extending from at least one exterior surface of said support body and communicating with at least one microchannel, said apertures permitting the passage of fluid therethrough; and
(d) forming detection means in said support body by laser ablating apertures through said first and second component halves, said apertures communicating with said compartment.
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Abstract
Miniaturized planar column devices are described for use in liquid phase analysis, the devices comprising microstructures fabricated by laser ablation in a variety of novel support substrates. Devices formed according to the invention include associated laser-ablated features required for function, such as analyte detection means and fluid communication means. Miniaturized columns constructed under the invention find use in any analysis system performed on either small and/or macromolecular solutes in the liquid phase and may employ chromatographic and/or electrophoretic separation means.
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6 Claims
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1. A method of forming a miniaturized column device comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a support body having first and second component halves, said support body halves having substantially planar interior surfaces; (b) forming a compartment in said support body by;
(i) laser ablating a first microchannel in the interior surface of said first support body half;
(ii) laser ablating a second microchannel in the interior surface of said second support body half, said second microchannel so arranged as to provide the mirror image of said first microchannel; and
(iii) aligning said interior surfaces of said support body halves in facing abutment with each other whereby said microchannels define an elongate bore;(c) forming a plurality of ports in said support body, said ports enabling fluid communication between said compartment and associated external fluid containment means, wherein said step of forming said ports comprises laser ablating a plurality of apertures extending from at least one exterior surface of said support body and communicating with at least one microchannel, said apertures permitting the passage of fluid therethrough; and (d) forming detection means in said support body by laser ablating apertures through said first and second component halves, said apertures communicating with said compartment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification