Miniaturized planar columns in novel support media for liquid phase analysis
First Claim
1. A method of forming a plurality of identical miniaturized column devices, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a master support body having a substantially planar interior surface, wherein the master support body is comprised of a material other than silicon and silicon dioxide;
(b) forming a master copy of a miniaturized column device by;
forming a microchannel directly in the interior surface of the master support body;
(c) forming a mold insert by;
(i) coating the interior surface of the master copy with a layer of a metal;
(ii) depositing a metal thereon to fill the microchannel formed in the interior surface; and
(iii) separating the mold insert from the master support body, whereby a mold insert is provided; and
(d) preparing additional miniaturized column devices identical to the master copy by filling the mold insert with a suitable polymeric or ceramic material, whereby a miniaturized column device thus formed can be covered with a plate over the microchannel of the additional miniaturized column device to form a device having a microchannel for a fluid to pass therethrough.
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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, electrophoretic, electrochromatographic separation means, or any combination thereof.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A method of forming a plurality of identical miniaturized column devices, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a master support body having a substantially planar interior surface, wherein the master support body is comprised of a material other than silicon and silicon dioxide; (b) forming a master copy of a miniaturized column device by;
forming a microchannel directly in the interior surface of the master support body;(c) forming a mold insert by;
(i) coating the interior surface of the master copy with a layer of a metal;
(ii) depositing a metal thereon to fill the microchannel formed in the interior surface; and
(iii) separating the mold insert from the master support body, whereby a mold insert is provided; and(d) preparing additional miniaturized column devices identical to the master copy by filling the mold insert with a suitable polymeric or ceramic material, whereby a miniaturized column device thus formed can be covered with a plate over the microchannel of the additional miniaturized column device to form a device having a microchannel for a fluid to pass therethrough.
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2. A method of forming a plurality of identical miniaturized channel devices, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a master support body having a substantially planar surface, wherein the master support body is comprised of a material other than silicon and silicon dioxide; (b) forming a master copy of a miniaturized channel device by forming a microchannel directly in the surface of the master support body; (c) forming a mold insert by filling the microchannel formed in the surface of the master support body with metal and separating the mold insert from the master support body, the mold insert having a first substantially planar surface corresponding to the substantially planar surface of the master support body; (d) preparing additional miniaturized channel devices identical to the master copy by filling the mold insert with a suitable polymeric or ceramic material; and (e) removing each replica from the mold insert and arranging a plate on the first planar surface of each replica, to form each miniaturized channel device;
wherein each miniaturized channel device comprises a substrate comprising a replica and having first and second substantially planar surfaces, said substrate having a microchannel in the first planar surface and a plate arranged over the first planar surface, said plate in combination with the microchannel defining an elongate compartment for fluid to pass therethrough. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of forming a plurality of identical miniaturized channel devices, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a master support body having first and second halves, said halves comprising substantially planar surfaces for forming microchannels thereon, said planar surfaces comprising interior surfaces, wherein the master support body is comprised of a material other than silicon and silicon dioxide; (b) forming a master copy of a miniaturized channel device by;
(i) forming a first microchannel directly in the interior surface of the first half of the master support body; and
(ii) forming a second microchannel directly in the interior surface of the second half of the master support body, wherein the second microchannel is arranged to provide the mirror image of the first microchannel;(c) forming a mold insert from each half of the master support body by filling the microchannel formed in the interior surface with metal and separating the mold insert from each half of the master support body, whereby a mold insert is provided for each half; (d) preparing additional miniaturized channel devices identical to the master copy by filling the mold inserts with a suitable polymeric or ceramic material; and (e) removing each replica from the mold insert and arranging the first half on the second half of each replica, to form each miniaturized channel device;
wherein each miniaturized channel device comprises a first half and a second half each having a microchannel facing the other, said microchannel in the first half in combination with the microchannel in the second half defining an elongate compartment for the passage of a fluid therethrough.
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Specification