Miniaturized planar columns for use in a liquid phase separation apparatus
First Claim
1. A miniaturized column device comprising:
- (a) substrate having a first substantially planar surface, molded from a mold insert formed using a technique selected from the group consisting of laser-ablation and LIGA techniques and having a negative structure of the first substantially planar surface comprising;
(i) a negative structure of a separation channel comprising a microchannel;
(ii) a negative structure of a reservoir means comprising a cavity;
(iii) a negative structure of a fluid conducting means comprising a duct enabling fluid communication between the separation channel and the reservoir means; and
(iv) a negative structure of a bypass microchannel that is distinct from and unconnected to the separation channel and the reservoir means;
(b) a first cover plate arranged over the first planar surface of the substrate that respectively defines a separation compartment in combination with the separation channel in the substrate, a reservoir compartment in combination with the reservoir means in the substrate, a fluid conducting compartment in combination with the fluid conducting means in the substrate, and a volumetric sample compartment in combination with the bypass microchannel in the substrate; and
(c) an inlet port and an outlet port communicating with the separation compartment, said ports enabling passage of fluid from an external source through the separation compartment.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Miniaturized planar column devices for use in a liquid phase separation apparatus are described. The devices include microstructures that have been fabricated by laser ablation in a variety of novel support substrates. Devices formed according to the methods of the invention include associated laser-ablated features required for function, such as on-device reservoirs or makeup flow compartments, analyte detection means and sample injection means. The miniaturized columns can be used in an apparatus intended for analysis of either small and/or macromolecular solutes in the liquid phase which employs chromatographic, electrophoretic or electrochromatographic separation means. The apparatus can include a variety of optional injection means, manifolds, keeper means, post column collection means, and combinations thereof.
80 Citations
29 Claims
-
1. A miniaturized column device comprising:
-
(a) substrate having a first substantially planar surface, molded from a mold insert formed using a technique selected from the group consisting of laser-ablation and LIGA techniques and having a negative structure of the first substantially planar surface comprising;
(i) a negative structure of a separation channel comprising a microchannel;
(ii) a negative structure of a reservoir means comprising a cavity;
(iii) a negative structure of a fluid conducting means comprising a duct enabling fluid communication between the separation channel and the reservoir means; and
(iv) a negative structure of a bypass microchannel that is distinct from and unconnected to the separation channel and the reservoir means;
(b) a first cover plate arranged over the first planar surface of the substrate that respectively defines a separation compartment in combination with the separation channel in the substrate, a reservoir compartment in combination with the reservoir means in the substrate, a fluid conducting compartment in combination with the fluid conducting means in the substrate, and a volumetric sample compartment in combination with the bypass microchannel in the substrate; and
(c) an inlet port and an outlet port communicating with the separation compartment, said ports enabling passage of fluid from an external source through the separation compartment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
-
-
5. A miniaturized column device comprising:
-
(a) a substrate having a first substantially planar surface, molded from a mold insert formed using a technique selected from the group consisting of laser-ablation and LIGA techniques and having a negative structure of the first substantially planar surface comprising;
(i) a negative structure of a separation channel comprising a microchannel, wherein said separation channel has an upstream and a downstream terminus; and
(ii) a negative structure of a makeup flow channel extending substantially along the length of the separation channel, comprising a duct having an upstream terminus and a downstream terminus, wherein the downstream terminus of the makeup flow channel is in communication with the downstream terminus of the separation channel;
(b) a first cover plate arranged over the first planar surface of the substrate that respectively defines a separation compartment in combination with the separation channel of the substrate, and a makeup flow compartment in combination with the makeup flow channel of the substrate; and
(c) an inlet port in communication with the upstream terminus of the separation channel of the substrate, an outlet port in communication with the downstream terminus of the separation compartment, said ports enabling passage of fluid from an external source through the separation compartment, and a makeup compartment inlet in communication with the upstream terminus of the makeup flow channel of the substrate. - View Dependent Claims (6)
-
-
7. A liquid phase separation apparatus comprising:
-
(a) a miniaturized column, comprising (i) a substrate having a first substantially planar surface and molded from a mold insert formed using a technique selected from the group consisting of laser-ablation and LIGA techniques and having a negative structure of the first substantially planar surface comprising a negative structure of a separation channel formed by a microchannel on the substrate, (ii) a first cover plate arranged over the first planar surface-of the substrate, whereby said cover plate defines a separation compartment in combination with the separation channel, and (iii) at least one inlet port and at least one outlet port communicating with the separation compartment, said ports enabling the passage of fluid from an external source through the separation compartment;
(b) associated containment means for housing a sample to be separated;
(c) injection means for introducing the sample into the column from the associated containment means;
(d) means for applying a motive force along the column such that the sample is moved therethrough; and
(c) detecting means for detecting separated analytes of interest contained in the sample. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
(a) sample eluate delivery means comprising a mixing chamber, wherein the mixing chamber includes a first side in fluid communication with the outlet port, a top end in fluid communication with a mixing chamber inlet means, and a bottom end in fluid communication with an outlet nozzle;
(b) a fluid source in divertable fluid communication with the mixing chamber inlet means; and
(c) a post-column collection device comprising a sample eluate receiving means positioned relative to the outlet nozzle, thereby enabling the collection of the sample eluate.
-
-
19. The liquid phase separation apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a means for heating the fluid source.
-
20. The liquid phase separation apparatus of claim 18, further comprising protection means interposed between the miniaturized column device and the sample eluate receiving means, said protection means comprising an opening arranged in axial alignment with the outlet nozzle.
-
21. A liquid phase separation apparatus comprising:
-
(a) a miniaturized column, comprising (i) a substrate having a first substantially planar surface, wherein said substrate is molded from a mold insert formed using a technique selected from the group consisting of laser-ablation and LIGA techniques and having a negative structure of the first substantially planar surface comprising a negative structure of a separation channel comprising a microchannel in the first planar surface, (ii) a first cover plate arranged over the first planar surface of the substrate, whereby said cover plate defines a separation compartment in combination with the separation channel, and (iii) at least one inlet port and at least one outlet port communicating with the separation compartment, said ports enabling the passage of fluid from an external source through the separation compartment; and
(iv) a bypass microchannel in the first planar surface, wherein the first cover plate in combination with the bypass microchannel defines a volumetric sample compartment having first and second ends; and
(b) injection means for introducing the sample into the column, comprising a manifold in fluid communication with the containment means and in divertable fluid communication with the volumetric sample compartment and the inlet port. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
(a) sample eluate delivery means comprising a mixing chamber, wherein the mixing chamber includes a first side in fluid communication with the outlet port, a top end in fluid communication with a mixing chamber inlet means, and a bottom end in fluid communication with an outlet nozzle;
(b) a fluid source in divertable fluid communication with the mixing chamber inlet means; and
(c) a post-column collection device comprising a sample eluate receiving means positioned relative to the outlet nozzle, thereby enabling the collection of the sample eluate.
-
-
28. The liquid phase separation apparatus of claim 27, further comprising a means for heating the fluid source.
-
29. The liquid phase separation apparatus of claim 27, further comprising protection means interposed between the miniaturized column device and the sample eluate receiving means, said protection means comprising an opening arranged in axial alignment with the outlet nozzle.
Specification